ST MARY’S CHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1928, Page 4

ST MARY’S CHURCH

YESTERDAY’S CEREMONY. Sunday, Hie 12th of .August will live long in the memory of the parishoners of, St. Mary’s, when, their fine new church dedicated to the Holy Mother of God was re-opened. Despite the unpleasant weather conditions, the church held a crowded congregation for the re-opening and the blessing, which took place at 10 o’clock, His Lordship, Bishop Ilrodie, of Christchurch, performing the ceremony, assisted by. the parish priest, Rev. Father Finerty. Immediately after the blessing a solemn Mlssa Cantata was sung, Bey. Father McKay' being the celebrant, His Lordship the Bishop and Bey. Father Finerty being present in the

sanctuary. St. Mary’s choir under the capable direction of Miss Aileen Daly—who also presided at the organ—gave, an excellent rendering of Weberns Mass in G, the solos being sung by Mrs I?. Creagh, Misses 11. Gillooly and M. Hanrahan, Messrs F. Groufsity, C. Sanders, T. Hatch and T. Fouhy. During the Offertory, Miss R. Gillooly gave a very artistic and devotional rendering of I’aston Cooper’s “ Ave Maria.” Prior to the occasional sermon preached by the Bishop. Rev. Father Finerty spoke a few words of welcome to His Lordship, and voiced the feelings of himself and the parishoners in having the Bishop with them on that solemn and great occasion. His Lordship Dr Brodie in addressing tlie congregation said: “ I wish to acknowledge the kindly words of welcome and to say how I rejoice at being with you on this happy occasion of the triumph of the faith of the people of Hokitika. The Church to-day is befitting your own faith and is worthy of being used for the Holy Sacrifice ol the Mass. 1 wish to compliment Father Finerty on the success ol his work. We shall have to give him considerable praise for his nice taste. This Church has puzzled experienced builders and architects. The success of the Church and its fine appearance is due to Father Finerty’s taste. It must be a great gratification to him. in these early years of his priesthood. With his name I couple the name of Father McKay because of the enthusiasm be has shown in the work. I should like to call to mind.some other names connected with this Church, and first. Father Clancy, who erected the walls and roof of this Church—a great undertaking at the time. I feel sure that in Heaven today he is sharing the joy we feel. Then there is the name of Dean Tubman who succeeded Father Clancy and reduced the debt on the Church and Dr Kennedy who in bis zeal for the House of God completed the outside though he was unable to proceed with the work inside on account of the ravages of the moisture. 1 compliment Father Finerty for having finished this Church so beautifully and I compliment the people. The priests could accomplish very little but for the enthusiasm of the people, f wish also to compliment the Sisters of, Mercy. You. may say that they lead a cloistered life but by their influence they impress very deeply the .lives of. the people. It is very fitting that tlio completion of the Church should synchronise with the fiftieth anniversary of the Sisters’ arrival in the parish. I likewise include the parishioners in the congratulations. As f mentioned last Sunday, when opening a new Church,, the progress of the Church in the Diocese is very great. For the last twelve years—since I came to the Diocese—the sum of £‘268,000, that is over a 'quarter of a million pounds—has been expended. This includes the amount spent here and is wonderful evidence of the faith and generosity of the people. May God bless our priests and devoted Religious nml the people whoso generosity is so evident. I wish also to compliment the architect and the builder on tii© fine work done so exactly and in such a creditable manner.” The Bishop then proceeded with the occasional sermon, taking as his text: “ Prom the rising of the sun even to the going down thereof My name is great amongst the Gentiles and there is offered to Me a clean oblation, for My Name is groat amongst the Gentiles said the Lord of Hosts” (Malachy. C’h. r, verses x, xi.>. My dear people, We in the lands under the Southern Gross will see next mouth a wonderful triumph of our holy faith.j the Papal League will come from Rome; from [ east and west will come mitred Bishops ! worthy representatives of the faith and we shall see the literal fulfilment of the prophecy in the gathering together of people of every nation and clime in a glorious triumph of the faith. What is the meaning of this temple erected to the honour aiid glory of God!' The answer'■is your love of the Holy Mass. You realise that that is the wonderful crowning act by, which Almighty God is worthily honoured. Prayers are .pleasing to God hut prayers are as notliing in the scale of importance when compared with the supreme act of honouring God | in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Even a child reading the Scripture can see therein (l).tlio Promise and (2) the fulfilment of the Promise of Christ. “Your fathers did cat manna, in the desert and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for ever.” “And the bread that I will give you is My flesh for the life of the world.” Here you have a simple promise in the simplest words. Ask yourselves Who makes that promise, and the circumstances under which Tie makes it. It is the Eternal Son of God, of Whom it is said: “The heavens and. the earth may pass away hut My words shall not pass, away.” It may be that in the harsh, cruel world, saddened and hardened by the harshness and bitterness of life we may not be able to see the goodness of God. llow often we see even in Christian homes aged fathers and mothers—what do I say?—not aged hut bleached by the cares and worries of life They can say: “ I have brought up children and they have despised me ”? It, may he that ill tlie.hardness of the world we do not realise the goodness of God in making such a promise. The evening before His Passion lie reviewed His life from His birth in tlie stable through the years of His ministry and said to His Apostles: “With desire have 1 desired to eat this paseh with you before, I die.” Then taking the bread in His blessed Hands lie said “Take ye and eat: this is my Body.” And taking the chalice “.Take ye and drink: this is my Blood.” and I hv these words tlie substance is changed into His own Body and Blood. And in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the priest stands at the altar and does what Jesus Christ tokl him when He said “Do this in commemoration of | Me.” And we can sav

“What was but earthly bread and , wine By God Almighty’s wond’rous power Is now Christ’s flesh and blood Divine. What God has said so we believe The word of God cannot deceive.” Thus we jhave the fulfilment of the promise. Here you arp a devout'cpngregation respecting ,the djing wishes of our Lord. , The dying wishes qf a father or mother are never forgotten. Once when travelling I met a young man bin a boat. While in conversation I referred to. the gangers young people have io^ipe|t^Ti'itli.in jtlie journey of life, i could see that he was touched by.iwhiit I said. < He told me when he was* five years old he lost his mother,

and when lie reached the age twelve, his father who Had until then been spared-was taken from his little*sister and himself. . When the father was dying he called the children to the bedside and said:. “I leave, you ho.wealth but the treasure of an honoured aiid a worthy name. 1 go to jo.in your mother but promise me that wherever you. go or whatever land or company you may be in, promise that you will never do anything that will disgrace the name I leave, you.” Often when he was tempted to intemperance or gambling, he remembered the dying wishes of his father and was saved by fidelity to them. If the dying wishes of a father have such an influence, what must be the effect of the dying wish of Our Saviour on our lives, in the Mass, in Holy Communion, and hi our visits to Our Divine Saviour.

Not only by our devotion must wo help the Church. There may be some debt left on the Church. As God gives us strength and the means of this world, we shall spend whatever wo can in order that the Church may be opened free of debt. We should remember how free we are in this country. There are countries at the present time , not enjoying our freedom. Look at Mexico. The treatment of the priests and,nuns there reminds one of the days of pagan Home. Think.of the. days, of persecution in Ireland. . I, was there six years ago and heard tales of martyrdom and saw churches outside which in the famine times the poor victims, when then strength failed, crawled till thyv neie within sight of the Sanctuary lamp and there died in peace near the Altar. This is the faith that lias accomplished miracles. Let this magnificent temple be a monument to your faith and let your faith survive your generosity. May it bo seen by your life of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, to Holy Communion, the Mass and \isits to the Blessed Sacrament. , >

, I therefore consecrate .the Church t” Almighty God and beg Hi in to showci down copiously His , choicest blessings on the Priests Religious and people.” ERECTION pF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS. In the afternoon at 3 o’clock, a crowded congregation again filled tho Church for the erection of the beautiful new Stations of the Cross, donated by some of the parishioners in memory of their deceased relatives and iriends. His Lordship officiated and was assisted b.v Rev. Fathers Finerty and McKay, Long and .Quinn (Greymouth), and O’Doherty (Ross). At the conclusion of the Stations of the Cross, bis Lordship preached an eloquent sermon on the Stations, and what they signify.

During the erection of the Stations, the,Choir sang the Stabat Mater in a very solemn and impressive manner. At tile conclusion of the Stations of the Cross. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by bis Lordship tbo Bishop. The choir rendered the following:— Solo, O Salutnris (Hummels) Miss R. G.illooly) ; Tantum. Ergo (Stoinforth). Divine Praises (Fdliott), and Adoremns (Heclgcoek). The singing of Faith of Our Fathers concluded the devotions. SOCIAL GATHERING. At the conclusion of the ceremony in the church, the large assemblage were the guests of the ladies of the parish at afternoon tea ill St. Marys Club Rooms, where a pleasant hour was spent. His Lordship. Bishop Brodie, Rev. Fathers Finerty, McKay, Long, Quinn, Lord'an, and O’Dolierty were also present.. Groat crecjil is due to the ladies in connection with this gathering, which enabled the Bishop to meet many of the parishioners. Thus, ended the day’s procedure—a most memorable dnv for the pnrishonors of St. Mary’s,, Hokitika.