BISHOP BRODIE AT MORVEN

New Zealand Tablet, 29 June 1916, Page 38

BISHOP BRODIE AT MORVEN

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A CONVENT AND SCHOOL. On the afternoon of Sunday, June 18, his Lordship Bishop Brodie blessed and laid the foundation stone of a new Catholic school and convent at Morven. There was a large attendance from all parts of the Waimate parish. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Rev. Father Aubry thanked his Lordship for coming to officiate there that day, and apologised for the absence of the Very Rev. Dean Smyth, S.M-. (Provincial), and the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. He welcomed Bishop Brodie on behalf of the Waimate Catholics and assured him of their loyalty (says the Waimate Times). He said he wanted to remove two altogether erroneous impressions that had gone abroad in regard to the school they were building. In the first place it was stated that the school was intended to close the local public school, but he wanted to assure the people of Morven that that was not their intention at all. He was satisfied that the public school was well managed and taught, and the teachers had done conscientious work and shown Catholics great courtesy when they held catechism classes. In the next place there would never be hostilities between our school and the public school, but wholesome emulation which would stimulate the work of education in both schools. Father Aubry went on to congratulate the Morven people on the amount of money they had subscribed for the convent and school. While they had raised, as the net proceeds of the bazaar, £1584, it spoke well for their generosity, but it was not enough, as the contract price of the building was £I7OO. There has been expenses outside that for the purchase of site and sinking of a well, and a good deal more would have to be raised if they wanted to open the place free of debt. He thanked the members of the committee for their excellent work, and the ladies who so ably conducted stalls, and if it had not been for their work they could not possibly have made arrangements for the Bishop to come to-day. He would not forget the farmers who had done so much, and last, but not least, the Sisters of St. Joseph for their patient work for many years. He -was sure they had no fear of failure as the prayers of his Lordship had removed all danger. His Lordship Bishop Brodie, in the course of an impressive address, congratulated the people of Morven on the work they had that day begun. He spoke of the great sacrifices the Catholic body had had to make in the interests of Christian education, and condemned the injustice of a system of education which forced this sacrifice on our people. When England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and South Africa could give assistance to Catholic schools, he did not understand why New Zealand and Australia should refuse assistance. Very Dean Tubman (Timaru), and Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay (Oamaru) also delivered congratulatory addresses. The collectors then got to work, and in half an hour a sum of £260 was collected. The building will consist of a large two-roomed school to accommodate between 30 and 40 scholars, built 1 in brick on the right of the section, and the convent and chapel adjoining. The contract is let to Messrs. Hertnoon and Flanagan of Timaru at £I7OO. The Sisters of St. Joseph will be in charge and it is expected to open the convent at the beginning of next . - yea*. A WELCOME SOCIAL TO HIS LORDSHIP. A welcome social was tendered to his Lordship in the St. Patrick's Hall, Waimate, on Monday nighty Rev. Father Aubry occupied the chair, and was sup- - ported on his right by Bishop Brodie, and on his left by the (Dr. E. C. Hayes). The Deputy-Mayor offered his congratulations to the Catholic people upon the work they were doing, and

especially did he congratulate Bishop Brodie upon his appointment to the episcopate. Some people were inclined to think that Timaru was the best place, but he was not of that opinion. In fact, he looked upon Timaru as a suburb of Waimate. Waimate had given the lead with one exception in the raising of funds for patriotic purposes, only being beaten by Wairarapa. They ..had raised.£6ooo for Bed Cross and £IO,OOO for wounded soldiers, besides making thousands of garments which had been sent away regularly. On behalf of the Waimate district he extended a hearty welcome to his Lordship Bishop Brodie. Rev. Father Aubry, in a very happy speech, said that both Father Stewart and he had had great pleasure in the company of his Lordship Bishop Brodie, and was sure his maxim ' In all things charity,' was a good one. He considered the Bishop's presence was an act of charity, because only recently he had travelled over his diocese, and he was a man who was not afraid of hard work. He hoped the people of Waimate would adopt the Bishop's maxim. Referring to the Catholic societies in the Waimate district, Father Aubry said they had 100 most energetic workers, who supplied all the requirements for divine worship. The Hibernian Society at present was not so strong as it might be, having only 30 members. He had tried to get young men to join so as to take advantage of the sick benefits, but they always put the matter off. It was not his fault if there were not more members. He had tried his best and they had lost many who had left the district. He would not forget the Society of Children of Mary, which was resuscitated at the last mission, and the branch of the Catholic Federatioon with 150 members. The Bishop had a desire to know all his flock and sympathise with them in their troubles and to take a deep interest in their welfare, and so far he had not seen one-tenth. He knew there was a desire on the part of all to protect the health of his Lordship, and as he would have a good deal of motoring about in all sorts of weather, he had pleasure in handing him a purse of sovereigns with which to purchase a motor coat. (Applause.) Mr. D. Kennedy, of Morven, spoke for the Catholics of his district, and extended a hearty welcome to his Lordship the Bishop. He was proud of the fact that it was the first foundation stone laid in the district by his Lordship since his elevation to the episcopate, and he hoped that the Morven people would have the pleasure of having his Lordship to open the building at the beginning of next year. Morven had not finished yet, and the people were not to be surprised if they laid the foundation for a new presbytery before long. (Applause.) Mr. B. Buckley, of Makikihi, in welcoming Bishop Brodie on behalf of the Makikihi Catholics, eulogised the zeal and courage of the Bishop in his fight for the Catholic workers of Waihi, during the strike, and said that their interests were in safe keeping in the Bishop's hands. He was proud that Makikihi had a membership of 60 in their branch of the Catholic -Federation. Mr. Bremner also spoke, and referred to the influence good men in authority and high positions had. He wished Bishop Brodie long life and happiness. His Lordship received a long round of applause when he rose to reply, and, after paying a tribute to the priests and the people of the Waimate parish, he went on to refer to his visits to many parts of the diocese, and to the cordial welcome extended to him everywhere. In coming to Timaru he saw many things that pleased him, but when he came to Waimate he was surprised and amazed, and no longer looked upon Waimate as a suburb of Timaru, but upon each place as wonderful districts. He was delighted with the fine church Waimate had built, and, as their Bishop, was pleased they had been able to accomplish so much. In regard to Makikihi, the Bishop said he had visited the church there, and it showed evidence of great care, and would be kept well in line with other churches. It was gratifying to him to find the societies of the Church in such a flourishing condition, and he hoped when he paid his official visit

to find them more vigorous still. May God bless and prosper this happy parish of Waimate. His Lordship here spoke of the responsibilities of his new office, and, knowing the burden of the episcopate, he felt like shrinking from it when he was first called to fill the position of Bishop, but like a good soldier he felt that as the call had come it was for him to obey, as a loyal son of the Church. His burden had been lifted by coming among such loyal and zealous priests and such devoted people. He thanked them most heartily for their valuable gift of a p'urse of sovereigns, and assured all that he was sadly in need of a rain coat, travelling about as he had done, and the motor coat he would purchase would act as a souvenir of his visit to Waimate and become of great value as a keepsake. He thanked Dr. Hayes, the deputy Mayor, for his kind words on behalf of the borough, and Mr. Bremner, who was the county engineer and an expert in roads. Both of these were busy men, and he thanked them both for their presence and kindly words spoken on his behalf. He wished the borough and county of Waimate every success. In concluding, he apologised forthe absence of Dean Regnault, and referred to the pleasure he had in having with him Dean Tubman, of Timaru, Monsignor Macka} 7 , of Oamaru, and Father Kerley, of Temuka. The speeches were interspersed with musical items by the Misses E. Murphy and K. O’Brien (piano duet),,, Miss Hamilton (violin solo), Misses Ferriter and Sims, Messrs. Leonard and O’Shea (songs). Miss Delahunt presided at the piano. Refreshments were handed round at the close of the programme, and social intercourse indulged in until a late hour.