CORPORATION AT MASS

New Zealand Tablet, 28 April 1921, Page 21

CORPORATION AT MASS

The Mayor of Southwark (Councillor G. A. Isaacs; J.P.) and members of the Borough Council were present on a recent Sunday at High Mass in St. George’s Cathedral, Southwark, London. The civic visit aroused considerable interest in the locality. With his Worship were four former Mayors of the borough, and the procession from the Catholic schools to the Cathedral of the authoities in their robes of office, headed by the borough macebearer, gave a touch of color to the drab surroundings of this thickly crowded part of South London, The sermon was preached by Father D. O’Meara, who is an Alderman of Southwark Borough Council. In welcoming the Corporation to the Cathedral, Father O’Meara remarked that many of them were new to public life, but he hoped, with the experience gained, they had also realised their responsibility to those amongst whom they lived. Although much had been done, there were many problems which had still to be faced with that stern courage and confidence which was borne of the will to overcome. The preacher urged the necessity for concentration of purpose, whether it be in humble home circumstances or in public life. “United to serve’’’ was the motto of the borough, and it applied with particular force to the duties and the obligations of the Christian, first to the Divine Master and then to his fellow-creatures. After Mass the Mayor held a reception in the Catholic club. In an address presented by Mr. F. 0. Grossman (secretary of the Bodyguard of St. George) a hearty welcome was extended to his Worship in the name of the men of the parish. The Mayor, who was cheered,-declared that the occasion was a memorable event in the history of the borough. Speaking to men who professed the Christian faith, he remarked upon .their obligations to thousands of unfortunate fellow-creatures who were in sore distress owing to unemployment. He had been deeply impressed by the address of Alderman O’Meara, who had spoken on the importance of personal service. , It was their duty to serve, riot the individual or a community or a Government, but the King of;all Kings and through Him their less fortunate brothers and v sisters.-• .*>£•