CATHOLIC BAZAAR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5196, 28 October 1927, Page 2

CATHOLIC BAZAAR.

SUCCESSFUL SALE OF WORK.

ADDRESS BY FATHER DUNPHY.

The members of the Paeroa Roman Catholic Church last night concluded a very successful two days”' sale of work which was held at the Gaiejty Theatre. <

The function was formally opened by the Rev. Father W. C. J. M. Dunphy, who, in the course of his address, said: —

“My lir e <t duty to-night is to extend to you a right hearty .welcome to pur bazaar. We know that your presence means generous support in our efforts for a noble and meiritorious cause. But over and above the benefit, of your support we appreciate the social harmony, fellowship, and good-will that your presence betokens, and we rejoice to know that the lapse of time has caused no diminution ip the quality of these deferable elements in our community life. So right heartily do we welcome you, and we .trust that our bazaar will prove for you all an event of happy memory. “Besides being a time-honoured means of raising funds for deserving causes, a. bazaar is an occasion of many good influences in our social and civic life. Indeed, in many places and in the highest ranks of Kjciety a bazaar is usually a social event of outstanding importance. During the years I have been in Paeroa it has always been my aim to instil into our bazaars the significance of their social aspect. For it is on such occasions that we are wont to unfold and develop the best that is in us. And this applies both to organisers and patrons. Again, a bazaar is the test of our friends, for friendship that is true and sincere is nowhqre better manifested and nowhere more sincere in its expression than on occasions that demand some personal effort and sacrifice.

“Standing as I do to-night on the threshold of my departure from Paeroa, there are many thoughts) I wpu(d like to express. Time will not permit me to say all I would; but there are a few things I must say. Ip the first place I wish to place on record my enduring sense of gratitude to all our patrons who time; and again and year after year have come forward to help us in generous measure. They have certainly proved themselves friends indeed. I know them all and you know them. Our efforts would have) brought disappointment without them. - As it they have contributed in no small degree to the social wellbeing and spiritual uplift of the whole community. For whether they be one in Faith with us or otherwise, they must know that out supreme; object is the maintenance of those ideals and standards of life and conduct that spell harmony, righteousness, and good order in society. I thank them one and all to- night, and I pray that their regard may be great. “Arid now for my workers. In the years that have; gone by I have time and again been defied, charmed, and strengthened by the hidden springs of activity, zeal, enthusiasm, and loyalty that each succeeding bazaar has revealed in the persons of my workers. On the eve of my departure from the parish. after close on ten years’ association with its people, I have nothing but the deepest, sense of gratitude towards the good workers who have stood by me in all the years gone by. My appreciation of their worth and loyalty is beyond expression. My affection for them is deep and lasting, and, through our association in the work of the parish, if by no other way there has developed an attachment and a mutual understanding that will endure for all the years to be. In a reminiscent mood, I. go back over the years and L recall our associated labours, efforts, and successes. I bless and I thank everyone who has ever helped or shared in the work. Many are the families in the parish whose records of service are emblazoned with letters of gold in the annals of memory. (Some good workers are no longer with us, others have passed to their Reward, others again have been prevented from continuing their labours for one cause or another. But here to-night we have a band of workers of whom any parish might be proud. I am proud'of them. And I say this, that a more noble, generous, active, whole-hearted band of workers could not be found anywhere. They are my joy and my strength. “Now I would fain make public record of my appraisement of each individual worker past and present, but it would take too long. I cannot even limit myself to those who took leading parts, lest I seem to institute) invidious comparisons. However, you will pardon me if I make record of my enduring affection for one who helped me in my work and difficulties in my first years in Paeroa —one whom I hold in revered memory—l refer to the late Mrs Dean. To characterise her worth in a few words I say she was a tower of strength, t;he soul of loyalty, an indefatigable worker, and a faithful soul. The proof is my enduring memory of her works and labours, and the record I feel compelled thus to make to-night. I crave another license. Mrs Dean’s lamented death was a great loss to the parish. But Divine Providence came to our aid. We had lost our chief worker, but there was given to us, another equally as good. You know wq humans need a leader and guide for success in our combined efforts. We need one who will so shoulder responsibilities and so marshal affairs as to give cohesion to effort and point to inspiration. The individual soldier may glow with enthusiasm, may be ready to do, to dare, and to die ; but unless he has a leader his enthusiasm may be without object or without effect. Well, we have had splendid workers, and there is, a. noble band of them here) to-night. They know how I value their individual efforts ; they know the deep sense of gratitude and the sincere affection I bear to them. But I cannot fail to recognise that their work is crowned with success by the cohesion, direction, and spirit it receives from their capable and esteemed leader,

Mrs Taylor. Words fail me to express my personal sense of gratitude t° her for all that she has been and has achieved since she took up thq burden of responsibilities many years ago. I owe her more than I can say and more than any of you can realise — and what only I myself as parish priest can know. I am glad, therefore, to have this opportunity of placing on record my enduring sense of gratitude apd appreciation. I thank Mrs Taylor for her faithful loyalty, her unswerving devotion to the cause, to the work, and to myself, and for her effective consistent, and unostentatious leadership these many years. “One< more debt .weighs upon me. To-night you will witness and listen to a fancy dress and song recital by the Convent schoolchildren. This artistic and delightful entertainment we owe entirely to the Sisters apd to one of them in particular whose name I dare not mention out of consideration for religious propriety. In her work she was ably and faithfully assisted by our organist. Now we all owe a. debt of gratitude to the Sisters. In fact, any individual whose life and conduct is an inspiration apd a beacon light unto higher things deserves well of all with whom he comes in contact. In this sense the sisters deserve well of the whole community. They cannot pass by, but you are reminded of that spirit of renunciation and high idealism that is at once the glory and the uplifting inspiration of human society. As such, if for no other reason, you one and all owe them a debt of gratitude;. But for myself, how can I express all that. I owe them for their work, their loyalty, their faith, their idealism. The debt, indeed, is beyond me. But I am glad at least to have the opportunity of acknowledging it as I no.w do before you. “Well, I have detained you unduly long. But you have heard me with manifest interest and good-will. lam not given to much praise at ordinary times, but for me to-night the occasion is historic —my last bazaar with you. And I only assure you that every word I. havq said is from the depths of a sincere and grateful heart. In conclusion, I welcome you all again and I declare our bazaar officially opened.”

THE STALL-HOLDERS. The following is a list, of the stalls and stall Plain and fancy work, Mesdames G. H. Tayor, W. P. Pennell, J. McClinchy ; jumble stall, Mesdames W. M. Harold, F. T. V, Johnson, Frazer, and Miss H. Johnson ; sweets stall. Misses C. and I. Taylor, S. Gordon, M. Bertelsen, E. and N. Ryall, V. Charlesworth, P. Treanor, and E. Poland; tea and supper-rooms, Mesdames Burkhardt, C. Nielsen, W. Armour, Johansen M. Goonon, Verran, and Misses K. Egan, M. O’Neill, and J. Kilbride. . GOOKING COMPETITIONS. Satisfactory entries were received for the cooking competitions, and many delectable edible® were arrayed before the eyes of the judge;, Mr T. H. Hale, who had some difficulty in making the awards owing to the high standard of cooking maintained. The following is a list of the prize-win-ners : Sponge without butter, Miss E. Poland ; sponge with butter, Mrs J. Darbyshire ; cream puffs, Mrs F. T. V. Johnson; plain scones, WCharlesworth; fruit scones, Mrs Egan; pikelets, Mrs Darbyshire; gems, Mrs W. Charlesworth ; nut bread, Mrs Johansen ; home-made bread, Mrs H. A. Mills.

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT.

During the evening a number of character songs and dancejs were contributed by pupils, of the Convent School. The entertainment was much appreciated, and the efforts- of the children who were trained by the S'sters, were heartily applauded. The lion’s share of the work fell oh Miss C. Taylor, who acted as accompaniste during the evening. Included in the items contributed were: “The Bird’s Carol,” by the senior girls; song, “Sing of Sprintime,” by the infant girls); song, “Jolly Old Men,” by the senior boys; dance, “The Irish Washerwoman,” Avril Hughes, Dorothy* Capill, Patricia Ryall, and Monica Ellis; song, “I Shan’t go to School any More,” P. Hart, F. Harvey, M. Charlesworth, J. Ryall; ribbon dance, senior girls; song, “Four Little Curly-headed Coons,” senior boys; dance, Butterfly skirt dance, by Veronica Ellis, and Maud Handley ; and a song and drill, entitled “Poppies,” by the junior girls.