A WONDERFUL GATHERING

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 16, 28 March 1938, Page 2

A WONDERFUL GATHERING

WAIAWA CHURCH BLESSED C* .'-.v . 1100 PEOPLE - " K <+' The beautiful weather which prevailed yesterday attracted 1100 people- to the site of the new Roman ■Catholic Church at- Waiawa yesterday, when Bishop Liston .blessed church. Picturesquely situated on a lawn surrounded by a stone wall and having the lulls as a, background, the church itself is a beautiful building both inside and outside. Great.preparations had been, made by the Maoris and as usual they left •no stone unturned to male© the function a magnificent- success. As the cars conveying Father A arts, priest in charge; Bishop Liston, of Auckland; the Bishop of Pago Pago, Samoa (Vicar Apostolic of the Pacific Islands); and' Father Brady, together with other notable people, approached Waiawa, the Alaoris greeted them ini their usual manner right along the- - road. Forming a guard of honour they Jed the Bishop with a haka to tlie steps of the Church, where the. Bishop blessed tlie building outside. Bishop Liston then led the procession inside and the interior was also blessed. Alass followed. conducted by Rev. Father Alink,. Provincial of Alillhil! Fathers, whothen preached, blessing the Alaoris in their own language.

The gathering then adjourned to tlie pah, where Bishop Liston spoke in English and Father Alink interpreted. The Bishop of Samoa spoke in the Samoan language which is akin to Alaori and he afterwards spoke in Eng- jo lisli. The sumptuous banquet which had been prepared under a huge marquewas then partaken of: At 3 o’clock came the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Bishops later left by car for Rotorua and the Alaoris continued the celebrations . with a concert, Alaori dances and hakas and concluded with supper, A special collection for the purpose of furnishing the Church realised over £IOO.