The Church in New Zealand

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 40, 21 October 1925, Page 21

The Church in New Zealand

SOME HISTORICAL NOTES

Parish of Waipawa From the Hawke’s Bay edition of the Cyclopedia of New Zealand, published in 1908, we extract the following particulars relating to the parish of Waipawa prior to and in that year;'“St. Patrick’s Church, Waipawa, was established in 1874, by Father Bcgnicr. For many years services were held in the district only once in three months, but as time went on and population increased more frequent services were held, and in the year .1880 the first resident priest was appointed. He erected the parish residence, and Father Dawson, who subsequently became priest in charge, built the present church. The church and presbytery stand on a section of one acre. The former is a substantial wooden building, with seating accommodation for about 270 persons, and possesses a good pipe organ. It has also a large metal church bell, weighing 3-f- hundred-weight, which was specially made for the church in Dublin. The presbytery is a handsome two-storeyed building, and contains seven rooms. The day school, situated in Church Street, is built on a section of three acres, which was presented by Mr. Sydney Johnston, of Takapan. It is a' wooden building, with accommodation for about 130 scholars, was opened in 1895, and has a roll number of about 70 ' pupils. The Waipawa parish of the Catholic Church is an extensive one, and includes not only St. Patrick’s Church, but churches \at 'Taka pan, Ormondville, Waipukurau, and Wallingford. The day school and Sunday school are conducted by five Sisters, and supervised by the resident priest.” Parish of Dannevirke “The district of Dannevirke,” says the authority quoted above, “was constituted a separate and independent parish late in the year 1897, with the late Rev. William McGrath as first resident priest. He was succeeded by the Rev. T. Cahill, and on his removal, in 1901, the parish remained without a rector until the appointment, in 1907. of the Rev. Daniel O’Shea. The church formerly stood at the north end of Dannevirke, but in 1900 was removed to its present central site in Allardice Street by the Rev. AY. Cahill. It is a wooden building, and has accommodation for about 400 persons. Considerable alterations and improvements were . made in 1906, including the erection of a fine belfry, fitted with a bell specially imported from Dublin. The church has a considerable membership, and there is a Sunday school with a roll of fifty scholars.” Palmerston North in the Early Days An esteemed correspondent favors us with ♦/ the following interesting reminiscences; { ’ About 50 years ago the first Mass was celeV: brated in Palmerston North, and simple ' were the circumstances of its celebration. Not more than twelve worshippers attended, and the priest and people gathered together

in one of the ■ surveyor’s slab huts, which stood near the site of the present Union Bank.

By a strange coincidence that Sunday happened to be St. Patrick’s Day, and Father Moreau of revered memory was the officiating priest. It was the custom of this French priest to travel on foot from Otaki down the coast with his bundle of vestments and Holy Mass requisites strapped across his shoulders. He walked across swamps and waded through rivers enduring all the. privations common to those who fight in the ranks of pioneers. In this way he finally reached Palmerston North, and, finding a handful of Catholics there, he arranged for monthly Mass, which was sometimes offered in one hut or home and sometimes in another, and later in a courthouse. Matters proceeded thus in their humble way until about 1875, when it was thought that a church should be built and consecrated to the service of God. Funds were accordingly raised and the building which for years has done duty as a convent school was erected, and in commemoration of the fact that the first Mass had been offered in Palmerston North on St. Patrick’s Day, it was dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint. From Palmerston North Father Moreau would trudge on to Feliding ai d offer the Holy Sacrifice wherever he could gather a few Catholics, He had no resting place but was grateful for hospitality wherever he

could get it. During his monthly visits he was always the welcome friend and guest of the Hanlon family, and many an interesting anecdote can these old pioneers relate. 4 -He would arrive footsore and worn, and it was their pride to house and care for this revered priest of God. When the children were bid -/be still or run away and play he would say in his broken English, “Let the little ones come round me. Forbid them not.” - Here is one story worth handing down: One morning Father Moreau was about to commence Mass. He had come without small particles and there were a number of communicants. Calling Mrs. Oakley lie told her to go home and- see if she could make some, saying that he would delay the Mass a little, and then proceed slowly if she could be back in time for the Offertory. She was back just in time. She tells us that when she arrived home there were a few glowing embers in the fireplace. On these she placed two oldfashioned flat irons, while she mixed the flour. The difficulty was in propping one iron upright whilst the paste was poured on to be pressed with the other, especially for ■such an amateur. With a sigh of relief did the worker reach the church just in time for the Offertory. Then came the first. Forty Hours’ Adoration when the old pioneers watched the whole night through in turn before the Blessed Sacramen t exposed. In the early days of Palmerston North, when no priest Mas yet available, Mr. John Patrick Hanlon used to gather the Catholics to his house on Sundays and recite with them the Rosary, thus keeping them, together till the arrival of a pastor. The Mass prayers Mere recited these days by him, and all the children gathered together and catechised. So much did these children love to hear him that they .used to gather round him at his work to hear him speak of the wonderful works of God. A few coppers or sweets he would give to those who could assure him that they had said each morning on rising: “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul,” etc. We remember a priest saying that Grandpa Hanlon was a real theologian. He knew the teachings of Holy Church from A to Z. His M r as the first flower garden in Palmerston Noith cultivated by him solely for flowers for the Blessed Sacrament. co— - The Catholic teacher rejoices in the glorious inheritance. He is a descendant of a royal and a noble ancestry. He is part of the greatest educational force -that history records.