BISHOP BRODIE'S VISIT TO CHEVIOT

New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1916, Page 31

BISHOP BRODIE’S VISIT TO CHEVIOT *. ••• • •. % ■ '■ • ’ ' ■ ; < •

' ;Saturday, December 2 (writes a correspondent), Was a red-letter day for the Catholics of Cheviot, being the day on which his Lordship Bishop Brodie arrived to pay his first episcopal visit to the. Cheviot parish. The week previous to his Lordship’s arrival, a mission was conducted by the Rev. Father Mageean, C.SS.R., and was very successful, the church being crowded at both morning and evening ] services throughout the week, and the entire congregation receiving Holy Communion during the last few days of the mission. The Rev. Father Mageean brought the mission to a close on Sunday' November 26, when' he preached an eloquent sermon on ‘ Perseverance,’ and concluded by thanking all those who helped to make the mission a success, paying a great compliment to Cheviot on possessing such an efficient choir. He also thanked Miss Coakley in her capacity as . organist, and also for , her unfailing attention to the decorating of the altar, together with her assistants. ”.V*

The day preceding the Bishop’s visit saw a willing band of workers at the church grounds, and in a few hours the church and grounds were completely transformed. Over the street entrance a magnificent arch was erected, bearing the time honored legend, ‘ Caed Mile Failte,’ and very aptly expressed the Cheviot people’s welcome to his Lordship. Along each side of the drive up to the church were masses of evergreens and bunting, interspersed with Chinese lanterns, and at the church another beautiful arch bearing the word ‘Welcome’ was displayed. Notwithstanding the beauty of the outside decorations, the artists (for such I must call them) surpassed all their previous efforts in regard to the interior of the church. Words fail to describe the beautiful sight that one beheld upon entering, the whole building being wreathed from floor to roof with choice evergreens such as are only procurable in this flourishing district. The Rev. Father O’Connor, our genial and devoted priest, who visited the church during the afternoon, expressed delight at the result of the people’s efforts as a mark of respect to their beloved Bishop, whom many of them had yet to meet.

On Saturday, December 2, a great crowd thronged the railway station at Mina when his Lordship arrived. He was met by the Rev. Father O'Connor, and introduced to one and all. It was very apparent that his Lordship quickly endeared himself to his people, and after chatting for some time, was driven to lunch. In the evening the church was crowded to the utmost. After the Rosary, the Rev. Father O’Connor welcomed Dr. Brodie to Cheviot, after which an address of welcome was read by Mr. S. Haughey, The address was signed on behalf of the parishioners by Messrs. S. Haughey, P. Brophy, P. Hughes, C. Edward, D. Haughey, D. O’Connor, J. Daley, and B. Martin. . His Lordship, in replying to the address of welcome, paid a great tribute to the Catholics of Cheviot on their possessing such a beautiful and extensive church property, and such a handsome church. Twenty-two years ago (said his Lordship) there was not a single Catholic in this district: to-day they had this beautiful church, costing some £llOO, and" ten acres of land situated on this magnificent site overlooking the town, and the whole was free of debt. They had also acquired another extensive section adjoining, and this was practically free of debt. All those things (his Lordship, continued) impressed him very much, and spoke highly of the great gift of the faith amongst the parishioners. He paid a glowing tribute to the Rev. Father O’Connor for the zeal and devotion he had shown in his arduous duties in such an extensive parish, and urged the people to do all in their power to help him.

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament concluded the Saturday’s devotions.

On Sunday the Bishop celebrated 9 o’clock Mass, practically the whole of the congregation receiving Holy Communion, Eleven o’clock Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father O’Connor, after which his Lordship administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to a good number of candidates. The choir gave a very Success-

ful rendering ,of Weber’s ‘ Mass in:G.’ A very pleasing item was the. rendering of ‘ Veni Creator’ by the full choir. Miss C. Coakley officiated at the organ and Mr. D. Haughey conducted. On Sunday evening after the Rosary his Lordship again preached an eloquent sermon, concluding by thanking all those who contributed towards making his visit such a pleasant one, also his host and hostess and the Cheviot people generally for such an enthusiastic welcome. , He paid a warm tribute to the magnificent scheme of decoration they had undertaken in honor of his visit, and also the choir . for the rendering- of- such appropriate music. - His Lordship expressed a hope that it would not be long before he could visit them again, as he had received nothing but kindness everywhere, and his visit would leave a host of happy recollections. ( On Monday. his Lordship was motored over to Stoneyhurst, on his way to Christchurch. During his stay in Cheviot his Lordship was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Edward, ‘at Leamington.