ST. MARY’S MISSION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5140, 17 June 1927, Page 3

ST. MARY’S MISSION.

LAST SUNDAY’S DISCOURSE,

CHURCH PACKED TO THE DOORS.

Last Sunday night will long he remembered by the Catholics of Paeroa. It was the close of a wonderful Mis- . sion. The church was packed to the doors by the largest congregation ever seen in the district. The solemnity opened with the recitation of the Rosary and the singing of the Holy Name hymn. Then, in a discourse of majestic eloquence, compelling exposition, and invincible appeal, the Missioner dealt with the divine origin, constitution, and purpose of the Catholic Church. “Divine- Faith,” said the preacher, “is the key that opens the door to the Church. Its absence is the cause that explains why many remain outside, Faith is God’s greatest gift to man, and is bestowed upon all who place no obstacles to its operation. The chief of these obstacles is that pride of intellect that knows not man’s need of God and that precludes the condition : ‘Unless you . . . become as little children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.’ An earnest desire to serve God and to do His Will are the prerequisites of Divine Faith. Nay, an upright, God-fearing life conjoined with the spirit of prayer will merit from God the gift of Faith, as is evidenced by the story of the Centurion in 'Acts, chapter 10.’” Continuing, the preacher expounded the nature and purpose of Faith and exhorted his hearers unto gratitude to God who, through no merits of their own, had endowed them with that supreme faculty through the Sacrament of Baptism in their infant days. Having thus premised, Father McCarthy unfolded the Divine plan for man’s salvation in God’s Kingdom on earth, the Catholic Church. “The - supernatural life will all its faculties is given to the soul by baptism, whereby man is ‘born again*—a new life is given to him —a very participation in the Divine Nature, without which it would be impossible to see God. This new or supernatural life is strengthened, fostered, or repaired, as the case may be, by the other Sacraments. The instrument of this supernatural life and 'sacramental system is the Apostolic Priesthood sent forth by Christ to teach and rule to be His ambossadors, to dis pense His Mysteries, and to exercise the Ministry of Reconciliation until - the consummation of the world. Finally, the truths revealed by God are taught by infallible utterance, as the very sanction, ‘he who believeth not shall be condemned,’ demands. Such infallibility follows on Christ’s promises that He will remain always with His Church that the ‘Gates of hell’ shall not prevail against her, and that the Holy’Ghost, ‘the Spirit of Truth,’ will abide with her forever, Ch’irst is God,’’ said the preacher in a brilliant climax, “and His promises of perpetual guidance and jndefectibility cannot fail.” In the course of this eloquent exposition the Missioner outlined the origin of the Church in the Calling of the Apostles and in the powers conferred upon them; apd he demonstrated the constitution of the Church £in the Promise to St. Peter of the Keys of the Kingdom and of the power of “binding and loosing,” and, further, in the chaise made to him to feed the whole Flock and to confirm his brethren. “Peter was the principle of unity of Faith a.nd Government and Peter lives, to-day in his 260th successor in the City of the Seven Hills.” At the conclusion of this striking sermon the appropriate hymn “Faith of our fathers” was sung’ with great fervour. Then followed the inspiring ceremony of Renewal of Baptismal Vows. Standing and holding lighted candles in upraised hands, the congregation repeated after the Missioner the solemn pledges of Baptism, to which were added the special promises of the Mission. The Apostolic or Papal Blessing was then imparted, and there followed the soulstirring strains of the Benediction hymns which were enthusiastically rendered by the grateful worshippers. The solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament brought to a close the most memorable Mission ever held in Paeroa. In the course of the week the great Missioner made a wonderful impression upon the hearts of all. In the prime of his singularly robust and vigorous manhood, Father McCarthy is richly endowed with talents of mind and heart. His discourses and instructions are full, illuminating, and convincing. The crowds who persevered in attendance morning and evening—records for Paeroa —were v eloquent testimony to his masterly presentation of Divine truths, to his effective appeals, and, to his own mag- ’ netic personality. Zealous missioner that he is, Father McCarthy subordinates everything to the work of the Mission. Hi's tireless energy, his transparent sincerity, and his innate kindness of heart make irresistible appeal to those to whom he comes as “Ambassador of Christ and Dispenser of the Mysteries of God.” That he may long be spared to continue his glorious work is the prayer that arises throughout the parish, where his name will live in hallowed memory for many years to come.