Distinguished Visitors to Timaru

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 10, 6 March 1924, Page 35

Distinguished Visitors to Timaru

IMPRESSIONS OF ARCHBISHOP MANNIX. The visit to Timaru of his Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Mannix, Archbishop of Melbourne, together with the Right Rev. Dr. J. McCarthy (Bishop of Sandhurst), and the Right Rev. Dr. Darnand (Bishop of Apia, Samoa), was the occasion of a great gathering in the Sacred Heart Church last evening (says the Timaru Herald for February 15). At 7.30, the hour set for the reception, every seat in the large building was taken, and standing room only was available. The altar was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and together with the richly colored vestments of the visiting dignitaries, and the regalia of the various societies of the parish, a scene of wonderful beauty was presented. A procession was formed at the Priory, consisting of the Children of Mary, and the Hibernian Society, which acted as a guard of honor to the three prelates. As they entered the church, the full choir, under Mrs. N. D. Mangos, sang "Ecce Sacerdos Magnus" with fine effect. Special music was also rendered for the occasion, and added greatly to the beauty and solemnity of the devotions. Miss K. Dennehy and Miss I. Meehan were the soloists. In welcoming the visiting bishops, Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., parish priest, said that it gave him great pleasure to be able to welcome such distinguished visitors to the parish of Timaru. The Right Rev. Bishop of Apia was one of those churchmen who had been ordained early in life, and had left home in his early years of his priesthood to work in the service of his fellow men. There was also present with them the Bishop of Sandhurst, whose labors as Administrator of St. Patrick's College, in the diocese of Melbourne, was known to all in Australia. It gave him very great pleasure to also welcome his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne. His Grace was a distinguished churchman, and as Catholics, they were all very proud of him. They had all heard of his great administrative ability in the Irish seminary of Maynooth, and also of his later work, fighting the battles of God in southern lands. They were proud to have amongst them one who was regarded as a Prince of Churchmen, and also proud that Ireland had raised up one so illustrious, and one so famed for his ripe scholastic ability and sound judgment as the Archbishop of Melbourne. They had all looked forward vainly for years for that opportunity of meeting him, but they were so far away, that it seemed impossible. They were indeed proud, happy and honored in meeting him, and they all hoped that his stay would be a happy one, and that he would take back with him such' happy memories as would compel him to return to them again. DR. MANNIX IN REPLY. ■i His Grace Dr. Mannix-said that the two bishops had asked him to return thanks in their name. He would also like to express his own thanks for the quite unexpected and remarkable welcome accorded to all three of them in Timaru. The Bishop of Samoa would probably have an opportunity of speaking to them on another occasion, but the Bishop of Sandhurst wished him to cordially thank them now for the kind wishes spoken on behalf of the parish by Father Hurley and all who had come that evening to show their honor and appreciation of the bishops from other paTts. They had all come from their own distant See to visit the most remarkable function New Zealand had witnessed, and ever likely to, and that was the Golden Jubilee of the illustrious Archbishop of Wellington. They had come to show their great appreciation of all that Archbishop Redwood had done for New Zealand, and to the Church in New Zealand. It was also their duty to come in repayment for the constant and unflinching support he had given to the speaker's own. country in darker days than these. Other bishops were coming on the same mission, some from very long distances that they might assist at that function. In coming, he had thought it a fitting opportunity to see something of New Zealand.' He was very familiar with Australia, and would like to have been familiar with New Zealand, but until now had never had the opportunity of visiting this beautiful country. He came with great expectations of its beauty and hospitality, and of the zeal of

the little Catholic community witliln the country, and now these had been more than realised. He was charmed with the scenic beauties of the country, and could say that there was nothing in the old world, or the new world, to compare with them. Everywhere he had gone he had been treated with the utmost kindness, and abundant hospitality, and he might say also that if he could have his way he would like to bring a number of their rulers in Australia to see what he had seen. He had been greatly impressed with the numerous comfortable little homesteads scattered all over the countryside, and in this connection the contrast made between Australia and New Zealand was all on the side of New Zealand. It was not only the comfortable appearance of these homes that had so much impressed him, but the neatness of them. Undoubtedly God had blessed them abundantly. Their rulers had been wise in many things, but they themselves had also been wise. He Had naturally been greatly interested in the position of tho Catholic Church in New Zealand, and in this respect not only had his expectations been realised, but he had also been greatly surprised. The Church not a long while ago had been practically unknown in New Zealand, and Archbishop Redwood whose Jubilee they would shortly be celebrating, had seen the beginning. He had been pleased beyond measure at seeing such magnificent churches, schools and charitable institutions so well provided. These things had heartened and encouraged him. When he returned to Australia he would take the first opportunity to tell them all of some of the great achievements of the comparatively small number of Catholics in New Zealand. The difficulties here were practically the same as in Australia. Here, as there, they had built up a scheme for the education of their children, and had also been forced to contribute their share towards the public schools. As far as they were concerned, the money spent on these public schools was of no use to them, but still they had to dip deep to provide for their own children. He hoped their spirit of generosity would always remain. God had blessed them, and God would continue to bless them. Their pastor had thanked them (the prelates) for their visit to Timaru. Having come, they would go back convinced that they would have failed to see something really worth seeing if they had failed to visit Timaru. He had heard much of the beautiful church that he was in that night, but had not been prepared for such a magnificent building. He had been familiar with the open-hearted generosity and kindness of the late Very Rev. Dean Tubman, whose name would always be associated with tho Timaru parish. He had known Dean Tubman personally, and had known of his generosity and the high place that he had occupied in the hearts of his people. He would unite with them in praying for the happy repose of his soul. Dr. Mannix said that he would go back to Australia knowing more about many parts of New Zealand, than many New Zealanders themselves. He would most certainly avail himself of any opportunity for another visit to see the country and renew the acquaintances he had made. In conclusion he hoped that God's richest, blessing would ever rest upon them and upon the church in their midst, and that He would ever prosper them in the,, furtherance of His kingdom on earth. Solemn Benediction was then given by the Archbishop, who was assisted on the altar by the Rev. Fathers Kimbell and O'Ferral, deacon and subdeacon respectively. There were also present in the sanctuary Mgr. Mackay (Oamaru) and the Rev. Fathers Foley (Dunedin) and O'Connor (Geraldine). On Friday morning Archbishop Mannix visited the Girls' School Hall in Timaru where the Marist Brothers' boys and the girls were grouped to receive him. The girls sang a chorus of welcome, and the boys rendered a stirring' New Zealand patriotic song. The Archbishop addressed the children and visited the newly-built class-rooms, after having given a holiday to the children of both schools. , He was accompanied .by Dr. McCarthy (Bishop of Sandhurst), and Dr. Darnand (Bishop of Samoa), and the visiting and local clergy. The visitors then proceeded to the convent where the pupils were assembled in the reception room which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Some selections of vocal and instrumental music

were rendered, the action songs of the juniors being especially pleasing. His Grace expressed his appreciation of the programme, and praised the manner in which the children had. acquitted themselves, concluding his remarks by granting them a holiday, 'v 'i\ U