THE VISIT OF HIS LORDSHIP, BISHOP REDWOOD, TO LYELL.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 279, 26 June 1886, Page 2

THE VISIT OF HIS LORDSHIP, BISHOP REDWOOD, TO LYELL.

According to announcement, His Lordship, Bishop Redwood, of Wellington, arrived at Lyell on Monday afternoon, accompanied by the Rev. Father Rolland. About 80 of the Catholic residents met him at the punt and escorted him into the township. The Catholic Church was tastefully decorated with evergreens and artificial flowers, and presented a very pleasing appearance. At the entrance a {nicely arranged arch was erected, having spread across it a banner bearing the time-honoured motto of " Caed Mille Failthe."

At seven o'clock His Lordship entered the church and took his seat at the altar, when the Church Committee met him and were introduced by the Rev. Father Rolland.

The following address was then read by John Fennell, Esq., M.C.C. :

" To the Most Reverend Dr. Redwood, 11 Bishop of Wellington—--41 May it please Your Lordship, " We, the Catholics of this isolated part of your Diocese, humbly beg to oiler you our felicitations on your safe return from the eternal city, Rome. " It is now many years since Your Lordship conferred a similar honour on your children here, an honour which has always resulted in much good to one and all. And we pray Almighty God to spare you life and health for many years to come, to again and again honour us with your illustrious presence. " Though hidden in this corner of your Lordship's Diocese, we have had occasionally, and with great satisfaction, read in the public press of the Colonies the high position you have at all times and places oceupied amongst the Holy Bishops of the Church in the Southern Hemisphere ; assisting and advising them by your unsurpassed eloquence, ability, and great piety. " Praying that our Blessed Lord may long endow you with strength and ever increasing grace to labour in His divine service, and that we may be long afforded the felicity of Your Lordship's paternal guidance,

" We beg to remain, " Your Lordship's devoted children, " John Fennell "James Ryan 11 James Edge " Edward Carroll " John Cullen " Louis Carmine " Michael Dunn " Michael Lynch."

Lordship returned thanks for the address and the welcome accorded him. After vespers His Lordship delivered a lengthy and interesting sermon, which was attentively listened to by a large congregation. The following day (Tuesday) two masses were celebrated, after the second of which a Confirmation Service was held, and ten persons presented themselves (having been examined the previous evening) and passed with considerable credit, Vespers were held on Tuesday evening, and His Lordship again delivered an impressive and eloquent sermon, taking for his text "The Virtue of Prayer." On Wednesday morning the Bishop celebrated mass at 7.80, and then took his departure by coach for Westport. About 30 residents assembled and wished him " good-bye.'*