ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 37, 13 February 1905, Page 3

ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL

DEDICATION AT G_n_tSTCHDIICH. _____ AN IMPKESSITE CERE_IONY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHKTSTCITURCH, Sunday. The ceremony of dedication of the new Roman Catholic Cathedral, under the title of the Church of the Adorable Sacrament, took phiee this morning, in mag-irieent weather, and in the presence of a great gathering of the Roman Catholic community. Many dignitaries, ecclesis—stical aud lay, attended from all parts of the Australasian colonies, among those present ot the service being His Excellency the Governor. Lady Plnnket, and 'suite, Hon. R. ,T. Seddon and Mrs So.ddon, Sir Joseph Ward. His Grace Dr. Carr j (Archbishop of Melbourne), His Grace Dr. Kelly (the Coadjutor Archbishop of .Sydney), the Right Revs. Dr. Corlett (Bishop of t-alel. Dr. Revell (Bishop of Sandhurst), Dr. Verdon (Bishop of JDunedin). Dr. Lenihati (Bishop of Auckland)., and the Very Rev. Monsig- | nor _laekay. of North Otogo. Apologies were received from Cardinal j Moran. the Cardinal Archbishop of I Baltimore, U.S.A., the Very Rev. Dean of the Australasian Episcopate, the Bishop of Maitland. the Archbishop of Adelaide, and the Bishops of Eock- | hampton. Armidale. Hobart, Bathurst, j New Pommerania. Samoa, Central I Oceana, and many others. A sheaf of priva-te letters and telegrams wore also received from other dignitaries. THE DEDrCATORT SERVICE. The proceed—igs were opened by a procession of clergy to the cathedral in full canonicals, and the solemn blessing and dedicatory service was conducted by His Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne- At eleven o'clock Pontifical High Mass wa,s sung by the Right Rev. Dr. Corlett, Bishop of Sale. Gounod's solemn and impressive "Mease Solleneile" being chosen for the occasion. The dedication sermon was preached by Dr. Kelly, Archbishop of Sydney, and the Very Rev. Father Cleary was a ssisiant- priest at the mass. Tbe Very Revs. Fathers Keogh (rector of St. Patrick's College. \Ve4Ungton), ami O'DonneU (Ashburton), bring deacon and subdeaoon respectively. The Revs. Father? O'Conne.ll and Cooncy were masters of ceremonies THE SERMON. The Archbishop preached from PsaJm ■cxvii., "This is the day which the Lord hath made, let us be glad ami rejoice therein." He first referred to a letter of congratulation received by Bishop Grimes from thp Pope, and said that after the service that morning, and in the evening, he would take- occasion to communicate to the faithful the benevolences ?o paternally granted by Ilis I Holiness. The church, he said, was : being dedicated to the service of God. the salvation of man. and the peace and welfare of society, and the people of tho colony and the Catholics of the world rejoiced on such an occasion. He referred to the prevailing scepticism of the age. but said that centuries had shown the truth and stability of the Christian faith. Man yearned for happiness and tratrqtrillily and peace of so—[, for the possession of perfect truth and absolute goodness, and this was the end proposed for him by a Creator of infinite wisdom and perfection. No materialistic doctrine satisfied. Man felt he bad come from God and bad relations with God, and God had appeared in thp person of Christ— perfect God and perfect Man—to be the light of the World and Saviour of mankind, iHe dealt with the benefits of the blessed cueharisrt. All sinned daily and should repent daily. Men must be contrite, must confess the number of their transgressions, and make amendment to those who had suffered, and on thoseconriitions~>_)uld receive assurance of pardon from God. Reason to id them that God was the instructor, and Mien CTinst they aoeoptod the Word of <~k>rl as infallibly true. That was the foundation of their religion, and though the nations migbt. change, though political theories might corse and go. the faith tha.t was founded on the Word of God would continue for ever. In conclusion, he urged upon all the need for further generosity in order that the nerw cathedral might he handed over to God free of any debt. The service was a long and impressive one. and it was a-quaTtor to two before it. wa-s concluded. Tbe acoustic properties of the building were found to be excellent. The amount of collection is not yet ascertainable, but the sum of _347 was taken in the sanctuary alone. ""ADDRESS BY BISHOP GRIMES. At the close of the sendee Bishop Grimes, addressing the congregation, said he could not express one-thou-sandth part of what he. felt. He wished to thank the Eternal God especi iallv for the untold happiness he had given them all iv bringing their beau- : Ufill temple to completion. He wished ! also to thank his devoted clergy and his people, who had been generous even I unto sacrifice in their efforts. This, indeed, had been the keynote of all that had been achieved. His thanks, indeed, were due to one and all—to tbe f 1 Governor and his illustrious consort and suite, to tie members of the Miv- ; istry who were present, to the venerable" prelates who had come thousands of m«!es. i