Napier

New Zealand Tablet, 4 November 1915, Page 29

Napier

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

November 2. The mission by the Maoist Missioners,. Rev. Fathers Herring and McCarthy, was continued last week. There were large congregations at all the Masses, and at the devotions every evening the seating accommodation was 'taxed to its utmost capacit}. On Sunday, at the 7 o'clock Mass, there was a general Communion,- when over 800 approached the Holy Table. After Mass there was a Communion breakfast for the men. It was arranged to be held in the Foresters' Hall, but the building was not large enough, and the Gaiety Skating Rink was engaged. Close on 300 sat down to breakfast, Rev. Father O'Sullivan presiding. The devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration, which was commenced on Friday morning and continued without a break until Sunday morning, was brought to a close with Solemn High Mass on Sunday. Rev. C. Geaney was celebrant, Rev. Dr. Casey deacon, and Rev; Father O’Sullivan subdeacon. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr. F. O’Shannessy, rendered Wiegand’s Mass with orchestral accompaniment. In the evening the church was crowded long before devotions commenced. Rev. Father Herring preached "on ‘ Final perseverance,’ and the mission, which was an unprecedented success, was brought to a close by the imparting of the Papal blessing, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and the renewal of Baptismal vows. During the devotions the Maori girls from the convent sang several hymns in the Maori language. During the course of the mission the Missioners spoke daily of the benefits of frequent Communion, with the result that hundreds received each morning. , The various Catholic societies were highly commended, and the sodality of the Children of Mary was reorganised, and a boys' sodality was formed.