Convent of the Holy Infancy.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 67, 21 February 1885, Page 2

Convent of the Holy Infancy.

[Hawera Star], Tuesday was to a great extent observ-^ ed as a holiday by the Roman Catholics of the district. The occasion was the opening of their temporary convent and its dedication to the Child Jesus. The convent is situated on two sections close to the presbytery, which was lately purchased for the sum of £300. For a temporary convent, we must say that it is well and comfortably finished and furnished. It is a branch of the Wanganui convent,, and, like the mother-house, is under the directions of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Three sisters arrived yesterday — Rev. Mother Hyacinth, Sister Clare, and Sister Bridget. We understand that the Rev. Mother Hyacinth intends to remain only for a short time, till things are put m working order. When she returns, one or two other sisters will arrive to carry on the work. The reception of the sisters was hearty and well carried out. About 15 buggies and 30 horsemen met them at Manutahi. The horses were symbolically and neatly caparisoned with rosettes of green, white, and blue. As the procession was nearing Hawera, it was met by a contingent of about 50 children, all carrying bouquets of flowers, wearing rosettes, and the girls dressed m white, with blue sashes. When the procession arrived at the convent grounds, it halted for a short time, when the Rev. Father Mulvihill, Rev. Father Cassidy, of New Plymouth, Rev. Father McManus. of Pahnerston, and Rev. Father Morrissey, with the alter boys of the church, retired to vest. Soon the procession was re-formed, crossbear first, and two acolytes, followed by the rev. clergymen. The children, choir, and the buggy m which the sisters rode, passed under a neatly festooned arch, with a hearty, " Cead mille failthe " worked thereon. When the sisters had taken their seats on the verandah of the convent the choir sang " Hail, holy Joseph, hail." At the conclusion of the hymn, the. Rev. Father Mulvihill, by special faculty from Bishop Redwood, proceeded to bless the convent and dedicate it to the Child Jesus, after which the choir san? " Star of the sea." Addresses, short but .eloquent, were given by Revs. Fathers Mulvihill, Cassidy, and McManus, after which a collection was made, when the sum of about JSO was partly made and partly promised. Then the children retired to -the ground prepared for their picnic, and all adults to the presbytery and grounds, where lunch was prepared for all. The day passed off m a very pleasant manner, no hitch having taken place m the arrangements. The, Rev. Father Mulvihill deserves a worid of praise for the bringing of the sisters to Hawera and for his generosity towards the convent, also towards his hospitality to all visitors on the occasion of the opening of the convent of the Holy Infancy.