Roman Catholic Church

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 19 March 1915, Page 2

Roman Catholic Church

OPENING CEREMONY. A very large gathering of people, of all denominations, assembled at the Ngaruawahia Roman Catholic Church on Sunday afternoon last, when the opening ceremony was conducted by Monsignor Gillan, of Auck- M land, assisted by Dean Darby, of 9 Hamilton, and the district parish priest, Father O’Doherty. MISFORTUNES OF TRAVEL. The ceremony commenced somewhat later than the stipulated hour, owing to an unfortunate accident. It appears that the car in which Monsignor Gillan was travelling from Auckland ran over a bank at a narrow portion of the Great South Road, between Mercer and Huntly, resulting in his reverence sustaining injuries to his leg, head and face ; the chaffeur had to be laid up at Huntly. Notwithstanding his injuries, Gillan, after having received medical attendance at the hands of Dr McDiarmid, of Huntly, proceeded to Ngaruawahia in another car. The ceremony, which was conducted with the full rites of the Church, was very impressive, PURPGSE OF THE CHURCH. In the course of a striking sermon, the preacher spoke on the meaning of the Church. Some people might think it was very nice and convenient to have a Church, in a good situation, such as the one he was speaking in, but the real object of the Church was to honour and glorify God. By their generosity and faith, those who had worked for and contributed towards the new building had not only erected a building which was a credit to the district, but they had worked for the glorification of the Deity. Continuing, his reverence said that it was customary to dedicate a Church to one of the saints whose names were enshrined in the history of Christianity, and this Church would be dedicated to St. Paul the apostle, under whose protection the adherents would worship and obtain the blessing of Almighty God. The Church was a witness of their faith in the truth of the teaching of Jesus Christ; it was midway between earth and Heaven, to which abode of the blessed, it was a golden stairway. It was the gate of Heaven to us and to those who were now at war with us ; and to men of all races an& tongues. Faith was a ful thing, and the erected throughout the world, in every land and clime, were a beautiful exemplication of the devine attribute attribute in man which ought to honour God. They represented similar sacrifices to the sacrifice on the Cross. ‘

At the conclusion of the service Dean Darby spoke briefly on the necessity of adherents supporting their Church, and rendering all possible assistance to their local priests in his work, which extended over a large district. The collection amounted to £IBO. After the ceremony, the Huntly Hibernians, who attended in full regalia, participated in luncheon at the Ngaruawahia Town Hall, where ample justice was done to the good things provided.