NEW CHURCH OPENED

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 140, 28 October 1913, Page 2

NEW CHURCH OPENED

St. ANDREW'S : AT TUAKAU

A HANDSOME AND FINELY APPOINTED EDIFICE

IMPRESSIVE OPENING CEREMONY

Notwithstanding the dull and threatening aspect of the weather there was a large crowd of parishioners and friends at the imposing ceremonies in connection with the opening of the Catholic Church at Tuakau on Sunday morning. The surrouuding districts were well represented, large contingents coming from Mercer, Onewhero, Auckland, Pukokohe, Pukekawa, and even from Auckland.

His Lordship was manifestly touched at this cordial expression of loyalty and congratulated the company upon the groat efforts thoy ha l made in building the Church and rejoiced with them in the consummation of the work. lie experienced great pleasure in being present that morning and ho heartily commended the laudable spirit which had actuated the people in erecting such a beautiful edifice to the service of God.

The Tuakau Band kindly volunteered its services and played outside the church before and after the ceremony, and afterwards in the Domain, to which the congregation adjourned for a picnic luncheon. Considering the short time the band has beeu in existence, the people received a genuine surprise at the effective way the pieces were rendered. Higii Mass was celebrated by the Kov. Father Edge, from Ponsonby, in the presence of the Bishop (the Eight Bev. Dr Cleary), and very sweet it was to witness the reverent behaviour of the fine little Altar boys, dressed in their smart rod cassocks and spotless surplices, and who seemed to quite appreciate their dignified position. The choir are to be congratulated upon the capable way in which they sang Biederman's Mass in GK

A short afternoon service brought the proceedings to a close, His Lordship giving the Pontifical benediction. An enjoyable feature was the line way in which the choir and the whole congregation sang to their heart's content the beautiful choral part of the service. The church and its appointments cost £llOO and the haudsoruo collection «f £lls reduced the rotnaining debt to only £3OO, which is a remarkably satisfactory result. The Bishop took occasion to compliment the wholo community of Tuakau upon the kindly and admirable fueling that existed between tlnjm. Mr Finch was thanked for his free-will servico in using his brake and horses for the occasion. The luncheon arrangements .were altogether satisfactory.

No one listening to them would have believed that this was their first public effort; time and expression were well above the average. The rendering of the exceedingly difficult Cassaline "Credo," which, by the way, is a rare devotional piece of music, would have done credit to a highly-trained and experienced choir. Miss Gladys Foley presided at the harmonium, and handled the instianient with quite professional skill. At the close of the Mass the Bishop addressed the clrldren at some length on the subject of Confirmation in a practical and most interesting discourse. The Sacrament of Confirmation was administered to some eighty adults and children, the latter being tastily dressed in white dresses with veils and sashes and forming a picturesque group. His Lordship was subsequently entertained at lunch in the old church, a large number of guests sitting down, \jhilst the ladies and children picnicked in the adjoining domain. It was a remarkably homely gathering and joyous in spite of the unfavourable weather. Lupcheon being ended, Mr M. Black, on behalf of tho company, presented to the Bishop the following add res 9, printed in gold on white satin, and signed by eveiy representative Cathulic family in the district :

Mr Prescott did the catonng in his department and tho ladies responsible were Mesdames Foley, T. McGahan, Hugh McQuire and B. G. Geraghty, Misses McGuire (2) and Miss Foley. It was a splendid example of hospitality.

To the Right Reverend Dr. Cleary, Bishop of Auckland—

The Old Church. A '.though tho parish takes a very proper pride in the things accomplished in the way of material progress, tender memories will still linger about the old church. It has,with it the associations of nearly half a century, it being some 41 years since the original building was erected. in the time of tho Vory Kev. Dr." McDonald, a great Maori Missioner, and brother of the well-known and well-beloved Father Walter McDonald. This lirst building was 24 x 14 feet in size, and eight years later, in the bright days of Father Golden, the floor space was doubled, another 24 x 14 feet being added. In the usual way thesa beginnings and subsequent improvements wore loyally subscribed for by tho parish'oners. Tho builder of tho first church was Mr John Poland, who still remains a respected settler of Tuakau. The timber was all bush-saw a rimu and much of it is as sound as a bell to-day. It was cut from # tho block upon which Mr J_.ck Lapwood's house

" It is with feelings of very great joy that we, on behalf of the Congregation of Si. Andrew's, bid yo'i welcome on the eccasion of your lirst official visit to Tuakau. Bearing in mind your recent indisposition, we feel deeply grateful that you should give us the privilege of seeing you amongst us. "We hope you will appreciate the. endeavours we have made in the matter of erecting our mew Church, the completion of which has filled us with so much consolation, and we feel that we can hardly thank your Lordship sufficiently for sending the Diocesan Missioner to help us out of our difficulty. " It is more than gratifying to us to witness the many First Communions that have already taken place in the Church, and the great number who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation at your hands this morning. May God who has begun so soon the good work in our Church make it fruitful and everlasting. " We notice with keen irtterest your many good works in your Diocese, and particularly your zeal and devotedness for the spiritual welfare of the children of this Dominion.

now stands, and within a few chains of where the church itse' f was erected. Mr Poland to'ls witli interest that on the building contract ho only oarnod 3 G per day—a price for labour at tho more mention of which buildors would in theso times stand aghast.

Good Work Begun. To Father Kelioc must bo given the honour of commencing tho new chwch at Tuakau. A noble undeitaking for a man advanced in years and spent with toil. At a critical btugo his ho?lth gave way and ho was forced to relinquish a task lie lnvod. But his effous will ever bs remembered with gratitude and have put a lasting crown to his priestly zeal.

" In conclusion we beg you to accept the assurance of our filial love and devotion to your Lordship, and beseeching your episcopal blessing. We beg to subscribe ourselves your Lordship's loving children."

Rev. Father Tigar, O.P. But wo aro sure that tho whole Catholic community will joiu with us in acknowledging that it ia very largely duo to the whole-heartod enthusiasm of the lvcv. Father Tigar that Tuakau parish to-day is indebted for its handsome place of worship. When Father Tigm- came to Tuakau in March of this year—only seven months ago—for' wa'ls and an uu«

lined roof represented the new church. It is true that the walls were substantial but a glance at the photogrjph will show the difference that lias been made, by the addition of the front porch and the insertion of the ornate circular window above it. The acotylene light was installed and the interior was painstakingly and artistically converted from a mere shell into a magnificently appointed church. Father Tigar was the completing architect of the building His was the mind that conceived the lovely High Altar, planned the side altars, devised the adornment of the sanctuary and by a clever device added the appearanco of height to the walls. The handsome seats are the result of his skilful draughtsmanship and his practical mind fitted them with a simple ffxture so that the kneelors can be-swung up to save the sweeper the labour of moving the benches. In a word, in all the appointments of the church may be seen the handiwork of practical director, backed by passionate enthusiasm of the experienced priest. " These things are for God," the works seem to say, " and for God I want the brightest and the best." Father Tigar is the diocesan missiouer. He belongs to the famous order of Dominicans founded <OO years ago, that great missionary force popularly known as the Black Friars that has missioned throughout most countries of the world. Seven years ago he came to this Dominion beloved from the missions in the West Indies at the.j

repeated invitation of the late Bishop Lenihan. The people of Tuakau will Hold in affectionate memory the inspiring service which Father Tigar has rendered in completing the building of the church which now stands as a monument of the generosity of the people of the parish.

The New Church. Standing in its elevated position, facing the main trunk road from Tuakau to Raglan as it winds to cross the Waikato river, the new church forms a striking feature of a charming rural landscape. It stands conspicuously white. The simple lines of the building are chaste, the lighting is ample, and the rusticated concrete of which the building is constructed

gives it an air of permanence. The

church site, of one and a half acres, * was given by Mr C. Dromgool, senr.

In June, 1912, the foundation stone ■was laid, but as we liavo said already it was not until this year that the more pretentious scheme was entered upon and carried to its successful completion. The photograph of the exterior gives quite a satisfactory impression of the appearance of the church from the outside, but the detail of the interior are much richer and more chaste lhan are pourtrayed in our reproduction. It will be noted that the porchway is reached by four commodious concrete steps and the floor of the porch is also in concrete. A sweet-toned bell has been t erected in a miniature turret over the porch. The ceiling', the dados behind the altars, and the other wood fittings are in oiled rimu. The congregational seats are of kauri and are not only substantial but of an elegant type. Tne well-finished confessional is of rimu, built to the diagonal. On the walls are pictorial representations of the fourteen Stations of the Cross, which are striking specimens of the black and white art. The work of Messrs McPherson and Harvey in connection with the church is spoken of in unmeasured praise, whilst Father Tigar declares that the joinery of Mr W. Richardson, of l'apakura, ranks with the veiy be.st that ho has seen. From the substantial stone font at the door entrance the ejn travels to an exquisite piece of carving which came from those masters in the art of expression in wood, the } is Calvary, and the figure of the ' Christ is a remarkably convincing vfurk of art. . . The High Altar is a linely artistic masterpiece. It is of Oauiaru stone, the three steps leading to it being of marble. The baldachino, which occupies the prominent central position in the picture, is especially tine, but even this does not distiact the eye from the daintiness of the two adoring angels, one on either side, or from the splendid brassware employed. The four supporting pillars in front lei.d character and distinction to the

general magnificence of tlio High Altar Above the Altar on a s'.ono bracket an exquisite s'atuo of th« Patron Saint Andrew has been placed.

At the entrance to the sanctuary on either side stand the Sacred Heart and Lady Altars each surmounted by their appropriate statues. These Altars are of stone and are simply but effectively adorned with appropriate siicrod symbols. To the right of the Lady Altar on its stone pedestal stands a handsome statue of St. Joseph carrying the Holy Child. All the statues appeal to the devout mind by their telling grace and please the eyo with their exquisite tasto. These various works represent the gifts of disciples of the church and of woll-wMiors. Before the statues of the Sacred Heart and Blessed \ irgin hang brass lamps, the generous and free-will offerings of the little bovs and girls of the parish, and the happy uso to which their youthful savings were put adequately expresses their loyalty. The church choir is suitably provided for aud it is to bo noted that their situation follows the aucient custom of boing beside the Altar. The Altar rails, in keeping with all the other appointments, are of superior workmauship. The church and the furnishings throughout earn' the impress of chaste design and the whole scheme has been consummated in excellent taste. The exquisite carvings on the altars was the work of Messrs McNab and Mason.

The Patron Saint.

One of our photographs shows :he figure of the Patron Saint of the Tuakau parish, St'. Andrew. On this head an esteemed contributor writes:

"God is wonderful in His saints. Each reflects Him in varying degree and sets before the human race His perfections and His actions in a way that brings them within the comprehension of all, since they are manifested in a fellow creature and seem in consequence to be within the compass of each one's efforts. The Saints are united to Christ in the closest and most intimate bond, even becoming, as it were, members of His own body, as St. Paul writes ' Now you are the body of Christ and members of member.' The vitality which flows from the head, which is Christ, invigorates and vivifies and nourishes each separate part, leaving always a certain sphere of action not incompatible with the liberty and free motion of each part. This- is the ground work of the veneration paid in all ages to the saints, and gives the keynote to the interest we feel in the life of St. Andrew, the beloved patron of our Church Chosen to be an Apostle. Could there be a call more sublime for

any human being '? Chosen to be forgetful of self and thoughtful for others ! To empty himself of all self-love and put in its place love and sacrifice for others! St. Andrew was a native of Bethsaida, a town in Galilee, upon the banks of Genesareth. He was the son of J onas or John, a fisherman of that town, and brother to Simon Peter, and was himself a fisherman. Ho stands quite in the background of the Gospel narrative, yet the few traits recorded of him sufficiently indicate his general character. He seems always eager to bring others into notice, and when called to carry the Cross after our Lord he is said to have grasped it firmly, feeding his soul constantly upon the thought of imitating literally his Saviour. It is no small proof of the ardour and purity of his desires that when St. John the Baptist began to preach penance in the desert St. Andrew should have enrolled himself among the number of his disciples. It was to him and a fellow disciple that St. John revealed the identity of Jesus by pointing Him out when He passed by as 'the Lamb of God.' These mysterious words pierced his soul like a shaft of heavenly light, and he understood. 'Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.' At once he set oil with his companion to follow Jesus, who turning back asked tliern, 'What seek ye?' They replied that they desired to know where He dwelt: and He bade them come and see. There remained but two hours of the day, which they spent with Him, and according to several fathers the whole night following. '0! how happy a day, how happy a night did they pass,' cries out St. Augustine. 'Who will tell us what things they learnt from ihe mouth of their Saviour." The. joy and comfort which St. Andrew frit in that Conversation are not to be expressed by words. By it he clearly learnt that Jesus was the Messiah and the Redeemer of the world, and resolved from that moment to follow him. He was the first of His disciples, and is called by the Greeks in consequence the protoclete, or 'first called.' "With loving affection St. Andrew hastened to his brother Simon. \Vc have found the, Messiah,' he cried out, and brought him quickly to Jesus, who received him as another disc iple and gave him the name of Peter. At the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand in the desert it was St. Andrew who brought to the notice of the Saviour the lad who had five barley loaves and two small fishes. When Christ was at the house of Lazarus at Bethonia a little before Hie

SAINT ANDREW.

PATRON SAINT OF THE PARISH.

Sacred Passion, certain Greeks desired to see Jesus; it was St. Andrew who spoke for them with St. Philip and introduced them.

"St. Andrew was present at the marriage feast of Cana. Also he joined with St. Peter in beseeching Jesus to cure Peter's mother-in-law of a fever at Capharnaum, and on the occasion of Christ's fortslling of the destruction of the temple he, together with Peter and James and John, asked Him privately when this would come to pass, that they might forewarn their brethren to escape the danger. " After Christ's Ascension St. Andrew evangelised the barbarians of Scythia and Greece, and according to the Russian historians carried the Gospel into this country as far as the frontiers of Poland, to the mountains where the city of Kion now stands.

"After a life of hardship and suffering cf all kinds, spent among these wild tribes, his thought was still to endure more for his Master. In fact, he never was satisfied till the day he ended his life on the Cross. He was commanded by the Roman Governor Ageas (or Ageales) at I'atrae, in dchaia (i.e., Greece), to burn incense and offer sacrfice before idols and so save his life. The Saint gave this noble answer: ' I sacrifice daily to the Almighty God the flesh not of oxen, but of the Immaculate Lamb." He was condemned to die on a cross. There never was a man, however fond of pleasures you may suppose him, who craved for them as St. Andrew craved for tortures. Doubtless, like his brother St. Peter, he declared himself ' a witness of the sufferings of Christ,' ready to show his ardent devotion to the sufferings of the Redeemer by himself willingly undergoing them. He is worn out both by labour and old age, yet he gladly runs with joy to the place of execution. When he sees the cross bis heart is at it were enlarged: he bows to it, he blesses it, he embraces it. ' 0 lovely cross,' he cries out, 'thou art to me not an instrument of torture but of joy, and how I hava longed for thee. To behold thee is to love thee; thee have I sought all the days of my life. Now that I hold thee in my possession I wish for nothing more. Receive me into thy arms, taking me away from among men and present me to my Master, that He who redeemed me on thee may receive me by thee !' St. Andrew was bound, not nailed, to a cross to increase his sufferings. For two days he hung upon the cross, preaching continuously to the crowds who came to witness his sufferings—faithfully discharging his duty as an Apostle to the very end. Thousands of the infidels became converted, amongst them the very brother of the Roman Governor. From the city of Patrae, where he suffered, the light of the Gospel spread rapidly to the neighbouring country ; and amongst the growing congregation of that time the Church of Acliaia shines in a special manner, not only by the number but by the fervour of its members, ' The crucified preached Christ crucified." The martyrdom of St. Andrew took place during the reign of Nero on November 30th in the year 60. It is the common opinion that the cross of St. Andrew was in the form of the letter X, styled a cross decussate. The Scottish and the Russian people both claim St. Andrew as their patron saint. As early as the year 369 we read of a church being erected in his honour in Scotland, in the locality where now the town of St. Andrew stands."

Gifts and Givers.

The following is a list of gifts to the new church, with the names of the donors High Altar, the Maguire family; Sacred Heart Altar, Mr Enright; Lady Altar, Mr C. Dromgool. Statues: St. Andrew, Mrs T. McGahan; Sacred Heart, Mr Corneille; Blessed Virgin, Mrs T,,ock&ry; St. Joseph, Mr John Dromgool; St Joseph pedestal, Miss Murray. Adoring angels, Mr T. J. Murray ; St. Andrew's stone bracket, Mrs J. McGahan ; altar rails. Mr Barclay Geraghty ; Remonstrance, Mrs H. Maguire'; Ciborium, Mrs Barclay Geraghty ; Pyx, Mrs M. Black ; High Altar candlesticks, Mrs O'Connor and Mr B. Geraghty ; Vestments (green), Mrs W. Campbell; thimble and boat, Mrs Lockery; Sanctuary lamps, Mrs T. McGahan and Mrs Foley; Asperges vase, Mrs Barnaby; Calvary, Mrs Linborg; font, Mr Corneille; Processional Cross, Mr Kerrigan; Aitar Crucifix, Mr Sarjonovich ; Sanctuary bell, Mrs H. Black : Altar Charts, Mrs J. S. McGahan; branch candlesticks, Mr J. J. Dromgool, Miss Bruce, Mr C. Dromgool, Mrs Maguire, Mr Bruce ; Sacred Heart lamp, little boys of the congregation; Our Lady's lamp, little girls of the congregation ; church bell, the brothers Griffin ; harmonium, Mr M. Foley. Donors of the seats: Mr T. McGahan. Mr J. J. Dromgool, Mr M. Foley, Mr Poland, Mr C. Dromgool, Mr Barclay Geraghty, Mr F. O'Connor, Mrs Maguire, Mr Black, Mr T. J. Murray, Mr J. S. McGahan, Mr J. McOaluin, Mrs Linborg, Mr 11. Maguire, Mr Lockery, Mr I'. Geraghty, Mr J. F. Dromgool.