BISHOP REDWOOD AT PATEA.

Patea Mail, 7 June 1881, Page 3

BISHOP REDWOOD AT PATEA.

; 0r ' The Right Rev Francis Redwood, Catholic Bishop of Wellington, accompanied by the Rev Father Le Menant, arrived at Waverley from Wanganui by train on Saturday morning. They were met near the railway station by the Rev Father Grogan and a number of Catholics from the district. The Bishop was then driven in a carriage to Patea, arr&ing here at 11.30. A large number of Patea friends had intended meeting the Bishop on his entry into the town, but as he arrived an hour before the expected time, and much in advance of the coach, this part of the demonstration could not be carried out. A large gatherings of friends took place later at the Catholic Church to give the Bishop welcome; and at half-past twelve he thanked the congregation for the warmth of the reception he had met with. He was pleased to see the work that had been done in this district during his absence, which he said was entirely due to the energy of their pastor, Father Grogan*. After enlarging on the importance of the work of erecting the new church, the Bishop gave the people present his episcopal benediction.

On Sunday morning at 11.30, despite the heavy rain, the Catholic Church was well filled. A temporary addition had been erected, and was much required on this occasion. The Bishop entered the Church shortly before 12 o’clock, and the Rev Father Grogan then read an address on behalf of himself and congregation. The Bishop replied, saying his visit to Rome had been one of great benefit to the colony. He had several audiences with the Pope, and on one occasion he sat beside his Holiness for an hour conversing on subjects of vital importance to New Zealand. His Holiness manifested a great interest in and acquaintance with the affairs of this colony: its natural productions, form of Government, and the men who are at the head of its affairs. The Bishop concluded his reply by informing the congregation that daring his visit be had procured several priests for this diocese, and that on that very day, if nothing unforeseen had occurred, four bad been ordained for this diocese. He again thanked them for their address.

Before mass commenced, which was celebrated by the Rev. Father Le Menant, the Bishop explaivied that as the church to be erected was to be a wooden structure, there would be no foundation stone to be laid ; but if the weather cleared up sufficiently by the time mass was concluded, he would bless the site of the new church. Mass was then proceeded with. At the middle of the mass, the Bishop preached an impressive sermon, taking his text from the Acts of the Apostles, second chapter, “ And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them : And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.” The discourse was listened to with rapt attention, the Bishop being a preacher of unusual power; and at the conclusion he appealed to the generosity of the Catholics of Patea for a subscription towards the building fund of the new church, asking them to respond.with a liberality worthy of their faith and of Irishmen. The Bishop set an example by putting his name first on the list for £lO. The amounts averaged £ls and £2O for substantial settlers, £lO and £ls for tradesmen, £2 and over for servants. At the conclusion of mass the Bishop announced that the amount collected in the church was the large sum of £348, which with money already in hand would clear the cost of construction, about £IOOO, Before concluding the service, the Bishop S|id

he would be in Patea in six months or thereabouts to dedicate the new church, when it was his intention to hold a mission. He had purposed administering confirmation to some children, but said it would be more convenient to postpone it until he returned in six months, when the now church would be finished, and everything could be done conveniently. He then gave the congregation his episcopal benediction, and this concluded the service. It was found too wet after the service lo bless the site, the rain being very heavy at this time. The Bishop, accompanied by Father Le Menant and Father Grogan, proceeded to Hawera yesterday morning ; and they will go to New Plymouth on Thursday, remaining over Sunday. The Bishop will ‘return probably on Friday following to Hawera, preaching there on the Sunday. The Bishop will return to Wanganui, and thence to Wellington.