Timaru

New Zealand Tablet, 5 October 1916, Page 43

Timaru

(From our own correspondent.) October 2. The fifth anniversary of the opening of the new church was celebrated on Sunday last. Additional solemnity was given to the occasion by the presence of his Lordship Bishop Brodie, who came from Christchurch to be present at the ceremonies. He celebrated the 9 o’clock Mass in the church, and was present in the sanctuary for the Solemn High Mass at 11 o’clock, at which Very Rev. Dean Tubman was celebrant, assisted by Rev. Fathers Herbert and Murphy as deacon and subdeacon respectively. There was a very large congregation, and the choir rendered the music of the Mass in a very devotional manner. His Lordship preached a very inspiring sermon on the Epistle of the day, and made special reference to the dedication .of the beautiful church, of the good work accomplished by

the zealous Marist Fathers in the past, . congratulated Very Rev. Dean Tubman on the evidences of faith and pietv which were so noticeable in the parish, and wished him and his people every blessing and success. The outdoor procession in honor of the Blessed Sacrament was carried out on Sunday afternoon, when the weather was propitious and all conditions favorable for a magnificent demonstration of faith. There was an air of dignity in the well-marshalled multitude as it slowly traversed the spacious grounds of the convent, the lawns and walks of which had been gaily decorated with flags, banners, and flower-decked arches under which the Blessed Sacrament was to pass. " The different colored robes, regalia, and bannerettes of the various sodalities had a most .charming effect in the afternoon sun, and spacious as the beautiful grounds are, the procession was so long that it would have appeared immense 'had it traversed grounds four times the size. Truly no one could gaze upon that immense and picturesque pageant without being convinced of the firm faith of Catholics in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and such was the significance of it all to the many hundreds of non-Catholics who lined the routes and respectfully and even reverently looked on. The procession started from the convent chapel, and was headed by the cross-bearer and acolytes, followed by the school children — boys and girls, —then in succession passed the different guilds and confraternities of the parish, the choir, religious of the Sacred Heart, and members of the congregation. Several appropriate hymns were sung during the procession. His Lordship the Bishop, who was preceded by several neatly attired little flower-strewers, carried the Blessed Sacrament, and was attended by the priests of the- parish. Temporary altars had been erected at the main entrance of the convent and on the terrace of the parish school. The procession continued its way through the presbytery grounds to the church, which, spacious as it is, was not large enough to contain the numerous assembly of people. His Lordship, from the text, ‘ Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,’ preached an eloquent and instructive sermon. He afterwards gave Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The congregational singing was particularly noticeable in the church, and at the end a hearty rendering of ' Faith of our fathers ’ fittingly closed a memorable ceremony. After the conclusion of the religious services yesterday his Lordship Bishop Brodie addressed a crowded church on the subject of the Catholic Federation. tie opened by urging all Catholics to become members of it. The Federation was founded to unite every Catholic in the Dominion, for the purpose of getting redress for the grievances and injustices under which they labored, particularly in the matter of their schools. They would have to approach the 'J-overnment as one body and let it be seen that they wanted their rights, and did not intend to sit supinely down under the present conditions. Union was strength, and with a just, legitimate case, if the Government were made to consider the matter seriously, he felt sure that the people of this Dominion would see that the rights and claims of the Catholic minority were given full recognition. A big demonstration now being arranged by the Federation would be held in Christchurch on November 9, at which the Catholic position would be again clearly outlined, and he hoped to see some South Canterbury representatives present. They had all seen the reply of the Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education, when approached in regard to Catholic educational disabilities, in which he scoffed at the Catholic position. Yes, scoffed whilst Catholics were robbed yearly of £140,000. They had to contribute their full share to the upkeep of the State schools and when they asked for a little of their own money to spend on the education of their own childrenthe Minister of Education scoffed. . The Federation had a great work before it, and judging by present indications, the new movement was going to produce incalculable good.