Mission at Inglewood

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 30, 16 July 1924, Page 31

Mission at Inglewood

(From a correspondent.) The mission given by Rev. T. McCarthy (Superior) of ■the-Marist Missioners in the Inglewood parish from June 15 to June 29 was an outstanding success. The attendance at the -various exercises must have cheered the hard- ; working and eloquent missioner, and the sustained efforts of. the people to be present three times a day—many com- • ing from a distance of ten or twelve miles —was a great manifostaton of their faith, while the simple explanatory discourses were listened to with wrapt attention. Many non-Catholics attended the evening exercises of the mission. Among the special observances was the procession of the Blessed Sacrament in the grounds of the church and presbytery on the night of Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi. The weather conditions wore ideal, and with the display of appropriate mottoes and a profusion of brilliant colored lights the effect produced was most striking. As the procession wended its way around the grounds a brief halt was made on the lawn between the church and presbytery, whereon was erected a cross in brilliant lights, recalling visions of Lourdes as one gazed from the Church of the Rosary across the valley. The Blessed Sacrament was borne by the Rev. Father Butler under a canony carried by members of the Hibernian Society, and the processionists, massed in serried ranks, alternately sang hymns ami recited portions of the rosary. The special illuminations were arranged by Father McCarthy, the plant used being kindly left by him to Father Forrestal for use on future similar occasions. Another memorable sight was a procession in honor of the Blessed Virgin, lint this, owing to rain on the occasion, had to be confined to the church. With regard to the decorations, great credit is due to the ■ Sisters of the Missions, headed by their beloved Mother Provincial, who came from Hamilton to assist, and the scheme of lighting at the rear of the high altar was specially admired. Our Lady’s Arbor also presented a beautiful : appearance. The concluding ceremony on June 29 can never be forgotten in Inglewood, At least 700 people were packed into the church. How it was done the missioner alone knows! After the. renewal, of Baptismal Vows the Papal blessing was imparted. Rev. Father Forrestal, in a. few brief words, congratulated the people on their fervor .. during the mission, and on their and his own behalf thanked Father McCarthy who had done all the preaching and would always be a welcome friend at Inglewood. A beautiful new set of Stations of the Cross were canonically erected by Father McCarthy during -the Mission. They are the work of Morgan, and are framed in oak purchased at Dwyer’s, Sydney. They were donated by the parishioners.'