Methven

New Zealand Tablet, 15 November 1917, Page 33

Methven

(From our own correspondent.)

November 5. A most successful mission, conducted by the Rev. Father O’Sullivan, C.SS.R., in the Methvemßakaia district, has just concluded. Despite inclement weather crowded congregations attended morning and evening during the two weeks that the mission lasted, and through the untiring energy of the local pastor those living in even the remotest parts* of "the parish were sought out and urged to attend. The number of communicants during the mission fax surpassed all former records. On the closing Sunday at -Methven the church accommodation was taxed to its utmost. There was a grand general Communion of the parishioners, the members of the local branch of the H.A.C.B. Society (St. Francis Xavier’s) attending in. full force, wearing their regalia. A number of childreix also made their First Communion. Rev. Father O’Sullivan, next conducted a most successful four, days mission at Mount Somers. The services wexe all well attended, and at the close several children received their* First Communion. v -. The congregation of St. Ita’s Church, Rakaia, made a great effort on Thursday, November 1, after weeks of preparation, to liquidate the existing liabilities of about £2OO on the church. A sale of work was., held during the day in the Town Hall, and was well patronised. In the evening an enjoyable social was held. At the conclusion of the festivities the Rev. Father Price thanked all those who had helped to make the function a success, and stated that about £l5O, would be the result. It is understood that one donor, Mr. T. Morland, sen., has promised to make the amount up to the £2OO required. One feature of the evening which was quite new was the institution of the amuse-: ment tax, a special ticket being given to each patron.; No extra penny was digged at the door, and so the tax will be a charge on the takings. , I he sale of work held in the* Town Hall, Methvexx, on October 25 for the purpose of raising funds towards, the liquidation of the parish debt was a phenomenal success. So enthusiastically did the stall-holders work that the sum of £257 • has already been handed to Rev. Father Price as the result of the day’s work. The usual guessing competitions, surprise packet selling,: etc., kept the ladies and their assistants busy, and made the hall— most tastefully decorated for the occasion a palace of business as well as a palace of delight. -A. special feature of the afternoon was the baby show, judged by a Plunkett nurse, the prizes* for-which were won by Mesdames Aspell and Ireland. Mr. John McGirr, who undertook to procure produce and to dispose of it at the afternoon stock sale, handed in as the result of his work, £52 15s 6d. A well patronised and most enjoyable social bi-ought the day to a close. Rev. Father Price cordially thanked all who had helped to make the “one day” function such a brilliant success, and promised them that at no vex-y distant date he would allow them an opportunity of working a bazaar on a larger scale.