THE RIGHT REV. DR. GRIMES, S.M., AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2336, 29 March 1892, Page 2

THE RIGHT REV. DR. GRIMES, S.M., AT TEMUKA.

The Right Rev. Dr Grimes, S.M., Bishop of the diocese of Christchurch, arrived in Temuka on Saturday by the northern express train on his episcopal visitation. His Lordship was met at the station by the Rev. Father Fauvel, S.M., and driven by the rev. gentleman to the presbytery, the bells of ( St. Joseph’s pealing the while. The unsuitability of the day was the reason why no public reception took place. During Saturday afternoon his Lordship was at the disposal of persons desirous of an audience with him. On Sunday morning a procession of the candidates for confirmation was formed at St. Joseph’s schoolroom. The girls were dressed in the symbolic white, veiled, while the boys wore a large red sash. The procession was headed by the standard of the cross, with a large candlestick borne on each side of it. The girls were preceded by a beautiful banner bearing a representation of the Virgin Mother with the infant Jesus in her arms, while in front of the boys was no less an elaborate banner, on which was a representation of the Saviour of Mankind breaking the bread at the last supper. The banners, which were very artistic, were the work of the sisters of St. Joseph. Precisely at half-past ten o’clock the procession made a move for the presbytery to escort his Lordship into the church. Excellent order was kept by the children, who were under the supervision of the Sisters. Upon being joined by his lordship, the priests, and acolytes, the procession made a move for the church by way of the main road. The children formed a guard of honor, through which his lordship and his attendants passed, the choir chanting a hymn. In the porch a stand was made, where Mr M. Quinn read the following address : My Lord, —It is with great pleasure that we, the Priests and Catholics of Temuka, tender to you our most cordial and hearty welcome on this your second episcopal visitation to our parish, recognising as we do in your Lordship the representative of onr illustrious Pontiff and our spiritual father in God, We felt aggrieved at your departure from our midst through ill-health, but are now amply rewarded by your return to our shores in health, strength, and vigour, and we trust that you may long be spared in the diocese to administer to our spiritual wants. During your absence we were mindful of you in our prayers, and we noted with pleasure your interview with his Holiness the Pope. We are glad to inform your Lordship that our beautiful church and presbytery are now clear of debt, and that under the supervision of our esteemed and beloved ..parish priest, we are going to enlarge our school and improve the convent buildings. In conclusion we hope that your Lordship may long continue in health an I strength, i thus enabling you to perform the sacred j duties appertaining to your high office, i Asking your blessing for ourselves an I children, we beg to be permitted to subscribe ourselves yours devotedly, L. Fauvel, A. LePeti, M. Quinn, T. Connolly, P. Warning, J. BfioSNAN, J. Fitzgerald, D. Hally.

I The address having been road -was l handed to his Lordship, who thanked j those present for their welcome, and intimated that he would not detain them , then, but would reply more Lilly later, ni. Upon entering the church a most pleasing and impressive spectacle was to be seen. A beautiful throne had been erected for the bishop in the sanctuary, the work of the Rev. Father Fauvel. The decorations (which were composed of artificial and natural flowers) were moat I pleasiug to the eye, and were tlie work of the sisters. After the recitation and singing of the prayers proscribed by tho Church for such occasions, the bishop gave his benediction to the very lnr»e congregation. In replying to the address presented to him the bishop then said that his first duty was to express his heartfelt thanks for the words of welcome which, through the mouthpiece of their pastor and others, j had been given to him at the door of the I church ; a welcome given him on his own. I account, and as the representative of they Pontiff, the vicar of their Lord amY Saviour. He thanked them especially for their sympathy, and more especially for the prayers they had oifered up oil his behalf. They said they were sorry for the ill health that bad obliged him to leave them, but pleased that he had been enabled to have an interview with the Pope. As a matter of fact he had had several interviews, and the Pontiff had expressed himself as highly interested ' with the condition of their parish, and had empowered him to impart his apostolic blessing to them. He thanked them for their good Avisbes for his future. They Avere good enough to wish great things for him. He knew that of himself ho could do little, but with the grace of Ood ho could do much. That grace came by prayer, and he asked them to#" add their prayers to his. He congratulated them on the liquidation of the debt on the church, and he blessed them for their exertions, not only in this direction, but in the protest they were making in the matter of education. They Avere training their children to become good citiaeus, for iu their schools they

received not only mere literary knowledge, but the knowledge of all good, and of past truths. The love of parents was inculcated, ,and they were instructed in their own relations to the Trinity. He was glad they were determined to make their schools worthy of the parish. They required no words of praise from him. In the fullness of time God himself would crown their labors. With regard to the objects of his visit the bishop said it was in compliance with a rule of the Church, in order lhat he might render an account of the state and condition of the parish, the church vessels, &c., to the sovereign Pontiff. Owing to the work of their devoted pastor, and their co-opera-tion with him, this part of his work would be light. He had certain ceremonies to perform in connection with this visit, and these the bishop explained. He reminded them of the articles of their belief, and said that their first duty would be to pray for the poor, suffering souls of the departed. He spoke at some length on the reasons for this, and then reminded them of the loving attachment the Holy Church had for her children, and besought them to yield her loving obedience in return. He was at their disposal during the remainder of his visit to receive confession or to give advice, and he hoped that none, especially the men, would fear to avail themselves of his services. After the delivery of the most eloquent and earnest address preparations were made for the episcopal visitation, which commenced by prayers for the dead. The tabernacle was next examined, and at the conclusion of this examination his Lord-1 ship gave the Benediction of the Blessed ) Sacrament, the choir chanting the « Tantum Ergo.” The bishop, in procession, then proceeded to the baptismal font, which was also examined. The visitation over, His Lordship took his seat on the throne. High Mass was chanted by the Rev. Father Le Peti, and the choir, under the leadership of one of the sisters, rendered with great success the “ Mass of the Annunciation,” Miss Quinn presiding at the harmonium. Tim rlnpt « O JesnDei.” was suns at the

offertory. Other hymns suitable to the occasion were also sung. After the first Gospel was read, His Lordship ascended the pulpit, and preached a most earnest, instructive, and eloquent sermon. The sermon was taken from the gospel of the day (John vi.), which relates the miracle of the loaves and fishes. This miracle, his lordship said, was given not only out of loving sympathy for the sufferings of those who had followed Christ, but as a proof of His divinity. It was a memorable occasion. The people had followed our divine Lord for several days, and, carried away by His eloquence, had forgotten to provide themselveles with food, and He did not wish send them away fasting. The Gospel narrative said there were present 5000 men, and as it was probable that there was a fair proportion of women and children, most likely there would be some 12000. These, as they knew, to the astonishment even of the apostles, were fed with five barley loaves and two fishes. No wonder the people cried out “ There is truth in this prophet that has come to the world.” The narrative went on to say that the people would then and there have claimed Him for their king, but that He fled away to the mountains alone. Of the lessons to be learned from this miracle one stood out prominent. Our Lord had shown them His power to provide, by means of a miracle for their bodily needs, but He promised to give to His Apostles the power to do greater than this, a divine power that was to go on for all time. He was to re-establish an altar and priesthood that should never fail, and He promised His followers they should be fed with the heavenly food of His body and blood. They were the children of promise, and this blessed sacrament was ordained for their comfort, and by their faith they accepted it. By it they knew that when that tabernacle upon the altar was open crowds of angels would

descend and form a court for their Lord, invisible to the material eye but perceptible to the eye of faith. He had lieard some of their separated brethren ask how it was they seemed able to pray more fervently in a Catholic Church than elsewhere. It was because that they were really in the sanctuary of their Lord. In our Lord’s day the people, and even His own followers, at times forgot His divine attributes. Of these He divested Himself for 33 years, bearing the burden of the flesh and consummating all by His death on the cross. When he said, “ Unless ye eat of the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink of His blood ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven,” they could not understand. The people could not brook the thought, it was too much, and they withdrew. Only the apostles were left. To them was given the trust to understand this mystery, and the blessed faith of Peter, who recognised that they had no comfort but in their Master’s presence, was active in their midst to-day. 'The bishop concluded by impressing upon ail the obligation of coming forward to

partake of the sacrament. At the conclusion of the sermon, winch was a masterpiece of oratory, His Lordship granted the usual indulgence. The .morning services concluded at 1 o’clock. The evening service commenced at 4 to'deck. Some time before this hour there was a good congregation in the church, etill there was a very large number outside, waiting to witness the procession of children, who again went to the presbytery to takeHw Lordship into the church, the decorations In which were augmented by the addition of the beautiful chandeliers to the ornamentation on the main' altar. The church was crowded to excess, the congregation about one-half of whom were members of other denominations, numbering fully one thousand. After His Lordship had engaged in prayef, preparations were made for the examination of the candidates for confirmation, who numbered eighty-three,forty boys and fpvtf three girls. The examination occupied a considerable time, and was indeed a very severe one. However, the children, though some seemed rather youthful, answered the various questions put to them in an intelligent manner, and it was plain that they were well grounded in the essential matters relating to their religion. Some were very good. The examination proved interesting to all present The mamination being over, His Lordship addressed those about to be confirmed. He demonstrated to them his authority for the act. He reminded them that our Lordhad promised His disciples to prepare a place lor them, a mansion in heaven.

He would not leave them quite alone, but would send them the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. What took place then was to take place again that day. If God condescended to teach these truths they must obey. In the Old Testament it was said “ Thou shalt send forth thy Holy Spirit, and they shall be regenerated.” At this time not a word of the New Testament ( was written, but they were able to see prophesies fulfilled. They had authority ■for confirmation as they had the canon of the Scripture. The church was authoritative on the point. St. Augustine, one of the greatest of saints, 1400 years ago said, “ I could not know I had holy Scripture unless the Church told me.” So they read in the Acts that the Christians first confessed, then were baptised, and afterwards asked the Apostles to confirm them. It was an awful power given them, because of their unworthiness, but it belonged to their office. They were going to receive the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the gift of the Holy Spirit, of counsel, of endurance, and of piety. They would know the fear of the Lord, which was the beginning of wisdom. The Bishop then instructed them as to the further meaning of the service. It was recited in the Latin tongue, the language which, like their Church, changed not. He asked them in their hearts to join with the Priests in a fervent Amen. While preparations were being made for the confirmation the choir sang “0 Holy Ghost on us Descend.” After the Confirmation ceremonial prayers were offered up by the Bishop, and then the children, and then His Lordship ascended the pulpit and continued the sermon. He spoke of the first confirmation, when the Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles. Did they remember who they were'? They were twelve poor fishermen, who for throe years had been at the school of Christ; who had witnessed His miracles, and yet, after all, they were afraid to follow their Divine Master to the heights of Calvary. One even betrayed Him for a miserable sum of money. After His ascension, they, for fear of the populace, shut themselves in an upper chamber, with doors and windows closed. Yet, lo ! suddenly there was a noise as of a mighty wind, the earth was shaken, and the Holy Spirit came down and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. Then, at once, they arose in the might of Confirmation, their fears vanished, and they, faced boldly the persecutors of their Lord. Such wonderful faith of itself secured numerous converts. Freely, they suffered as martyrs to their faith. He did not know if the children before him would suffer as the Apostles did, but he knew they were now imbued with the same spirit. They had become the temples of the Holy Spirit. They were saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and were enrolled under His banner and wore His livery. They must now become changed. The world might not see, but God must see, and demons must see. If they had already resisted temptation they must still further resist, for they must remember always they were soldiers of Christ. If they deserted they became apostates. He urged them to pray unceasingly, to avoid bad companions, and improper literature. He commended them to the blessed protection of the Virgin who had interceded with Her Son for the performance of the first miracle and would still intercede for them, that they might lead holy lives and in the end obtain a happy release in death. The bishop concluded by urging them to partake of the sacraments. After His Lordship had given the people the authorised blessing of the Sovereign Pontiff’, and a hymn had been sung by the choir, the Benediction of the Blessed took place, His Lordship officiating. The choir rendered the “0 Salutaris” and “ Tantum Ergo ” with much animation, and a suitable hymn at the conclusion. After the “ Divine Praises” had been said, the children again took His Lordship in procession to the presbytery, and the visitation services, which were successful in the extreme throughout, came to a close.

CONVENT SCHOOLS. KERRYTOWN. At the invitation of the children at- ■ tending St. Joseph’s Convent School, Kerry town, His Lordship visited the school yesterday. It was decided by the people there to make the occasion of the Bishop’s visit a memorable one. With this in view the people turned out in great force, many making personal sacrifices to be present to do honour to their Bishop in the shape of discontinuing carting grain, etc. The schoolroom was tastefully decorated, while the exterior of the building was adorned with evergreens. From the belfry were flying flags. An arch was erected over the gate in front of the school, over which waved two flags, and in the arch could be read the motto « Welcome,” Upon His Lordship’s arriving at what is known by the name of “The Old Public House,” accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Fauvel and Le Peti he was met there by a large concurse of people, and the horses were taken out of the carriage, and the party were drawn by a team of stout Irish hearts? to the Convent School, where three ringingpfyeors were given for His Lordship,’ The procession then moved into the school, where ap. entertainment was given in the bishop’s honor by the children. The programme was opened with the chorus “Sevan Hundred Voices,” by the girls, which was pleasing. The “ Dispensary Doctor,” followed, with which Miss Hoare was very successful Npxt v/as rendered the hymn “ O Jesus,” followed by the dpet “ Whispering Hope,” by Misses M, and D. Hoare, and B. Coughlan, and M. Hoare. Miss N, O’Driscoll then sang Old Ireland You’re My Darling.” An action song, “ Little Pickles, _ by five little girls, was succeeded by a piano solo, “ Kilhhop,” by Miss L. Hoare. The “ Convent Bells,' ; was sang as a duet by Misses B. !<soughl»J> and M. W* l “Qod Bless Our Pope, s ”' brought a Very enjoyable anfortainment to' ' a clase - Miss N, O’Driscoll, supported by two little girls, the Missoss Hoare, then came forward, and presented His Lordship with the following address, which was in an elaborate gilt frame, and the scroll surrounded by a traverse border, around W.iICJ was gracefully climbing fuchsia and other flowers ; To the Right Reverend Dr Cjflmes, B Bishop of Christchurch. May it please your Lordship,—We, your loving and faithful children, desire to

I express our unbounded joy and gratitude i at . having our school honored by .Y olll ' presence, and we wish your Lorasnip a thousand welcomes. My Lord, this day is one that was long desired, and many and fervent were the prayers we offered during your absence, for the restoration of your Lordship s health and your safe return. We pray that Almighty God may spare you long to us, and we hope you will alw.u s find us faithful and dutiful subjects. Humbly asking your Lordship s blessing for our parents, our teachers, an-d. ourselves, we remain, your Lordship s affectionate children, The Pupils of &t. Josephs School, Kerrytown, March 28,1892. His Lordship thanked them for the address and the honour they had done him. He replied at length to each sentiment contained in the address, and was moie than eloquent. He also expressed his enjoyment of the entertainment they had given him: He gave a graphic account of his European tour, dwelling at length on the places visited in Rome. He also related the miracles he had witnessed with his own eyes at Lourdes (France), The discourse was most interesting, and was listened to with attention by both old and young. His Lordship then proceeded to speak to the parents on matters of education, which subject he dwelt on with miuh emphasis and at great length, and wound up in suitable terms. The address occupied over an hour. After His Lordship had imparted to the people the Pope’s blessing, three hearty cheers were again given for the distinguished visitor. Outside three ringing cheers were again given for the Bishop, and also for Father Fauvel, and the assemblage dispersed. Miss]L. Hoare ably presided at the piano during the entertainment. TEMUKA. At about 2 o’clock His Lordship, accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Fauvel, Le Peti, and Treacy (Geraldine), attended St. Joseph’s schoolroom, whither he had been invited by the children of the school, who had prepared an entertainment in his honor. The stage was decorated with banners and evergreens, and worked in ivy leaves could be read the motto “ Welcome to our Bishop.” There was a very large attendance of children present, and a sprinkling of adults. A feature of the day was the good behaviour of the children. The programme was opened with the chorus “ Home Again,” in which over a hundred voices welcomed their bishop home again. The singing was exceedingly agreeable. Miss B. Connolly followed with the pathetic solo “ I Cannot Sing the Old Songs,” in which she distinguished herself. Master R. Goldstone’s song, “ Father O’Flynn,” naturally caused much merriment, and was followed by the drama “ Conceit is as Bad as Consumption,” the acting of Miseses M. Lavory, L. Quinn, B. Connolly, Clark, and A. Wareing being excellent. The chorus u Friendship,” by all the children, brought an excellent entertainment to a close. Miss L. Quinn, who was supported by two mites—Misses Beri and Scannell, each of whom had a lovely bunch of flowers to present to His Lordship—then came forward and read the following address, the get-up of which was unique. It was artistically written, and surrounded with a floral border, beautifully painted, surmounted by a crown. It was framed in a splendid gilt frame :

My Lord, —Again it is our privilege and our joy to see you in our midst. We unite in offering a most hearty welcome, and we congratulate you on your safe return to your devoted and anxious children, and also on your perfect restoration to health. We need hardly tell you that we were not remindful of you during your absence, we feel truly grateful to Almighty God and our Lady for having granted our daily petitions. Our hopes are fully realised. Asking your Lordship’s Blessing for ourselves and our feathers, we beg to be permitted to remain your Lordship’s devoted children in Christ, The Pupils of the Convent School, St. Joseph’s, Temuka. His Lordship, in replying, said he felt grateful to them for their expressions of welcome and sympathy. He was pleased to see them attentive to their studies, on which subject His Lordship dwelt for a considerable time, and proceeded to speak on doctrinal matters. He concluded an interesting address by making many happy remarks bearing on the entertainment the children had given him. His Lordship said he supposed they wanted a holiday, and a show of hands was taken, everyone being in favor of it. After His Lordship had said “ To-morrow will be a holiday,” and had given them his blessing, three ringing cheers were given for him, and after a little chat all went home satisfied. A great deal of the success of the entertainment was due to Miss Quinn’s accompaniments His Lordship leaves for Timaru this morning.