ST. BRIDE'S CONVENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3089, 11 January 1909, Page 5

ST. BRIDE'S CONVENT.

OPENING OF THE NEW CHAPEL. AN AUSPICIOUS IMPRESSIVE OCCASION. THE ARCHBISHOP OFFICIATES

\ The pretty grounds comprising the

1 environment of St. Bride's Convent, Masterton, were the rendezvous of a \ very large number of residents of Masterton yesterday afternoon, the occasion being the opening of the new chapel attached to the Convent, ■vhich was completed on Friday last. \ ■ function was one of consider[f K -iportance to the Sisters of the ;a'b#K nrking as it did an epoch of Order/ ;S rapid progress, and irg clergy attended in therefore vi ••.s*;., qcc, Archbishop Rednurnner. 1 ?, ?X\s x ; , A ,. Numerous inwood yieirit inc\ lu ;' j.„ o +' all denominato resiA. ~- n \ ' J those who tions hat?'.been iavsv e '^ U r n bett:d over accepted ; 9C ' ee com-, five hundred.- The'■>. with the unmenced at four o'clock ltive tablet veiling of the comis-»iti«> building, onvthe northern side of i&._ ho p aru j At this iiour the ArchlJa. , t - rom clergy marched in proceaswa. , k up the Convent buildings, and to. q, s their station near the stone.

Grace was attended by the Res Father T. McKenna (Pabiatua>, Very Revs. Archdeacon Devoy (Wellington South), and Father Clune (Redemptorist Monastery, Wellington), Rev. Father Bo we v Carterton), Rev. Father De Lach (Otaki Maori Mission), Very Rev. Dean McKenna and Rev. Father Kelly (Masterton). The Very Rev. Dean McKenna, ma brief opening speech, expressed the gratification it afforded him to see such a large and representative attendance. It was his pleasing duty to invite His Grace the Archbishop to unveil the stone of dedication, a service the speaker knew would be one dear to the heart of His Grace, whose interest in the advancement of convent work was so well-known. The Dean said that the Sisters had to thank members of not only their own faith but others outside for generous contributions towards the Chapel Fund. He reserved further remarks until later.

His Grace Archbishop Redwood said lie was very pleased indeed to be pr. sent to perform the duty which devolved upon him. He was extremely gratifkd at the large gathering present at the ceremony, as it showed the appreciation of the people at the work accomplished by tht! Sisters of St. Brigid. The chapel about to be opened was erected by the Sisters for their own use and for the education of the Catholic jouth and others who worshipped within its precincts. To the Sisters it would be a great boon, as their life—as was well known—-was devoted greatly to prayer. Work and prayer constituted the"]ife of the devoted Sisters, and when a chapel such as that attached to St. Bride's Convent was erected for their use it was a great factor of inspiration and devotion, and also a great source of consolation. In the heart of every good Catholic it was a great thing to have a temple in which to worship the Almighty, the b?auty and general character of which were worthy of the Divine Redeemer. Catholics believed that God dwelt in their altars and from them imparted light and comfort. Christ came not only in his own time to irradiate light, but comes for all time. Therefore the object of building such a beautiful edifice as the Sisters of St. Brigid had accomplished the erection of was to make the tabernacle as much in keeping as possible with the greatness of the u:-es it: was to be devoted to. The Almighty being perfect in His power and goodness it could not be hoped to erect any place worthy of Him, but they did their best. The splendid chapel reflected the utmost credit on the Sisters, the architect, | the builder, and all connected with it, and it was warthy not only of Masterton, but of the Dominion. It was a tribute to the power of Christianity in New Zealand, the power which made for a higher civilisation. His Grace expressed pleasure at seeing the Hon. A. W. Hogg present, and congratulated that gentleman for his recent advancement to Ministerial office. The Archbishop concluded by expressing his fervent wish that the Almighty would bless the Sisters in their work, and that the generosity of the people of the district would result in the chapel being soon free from debt. The stone was then unveiled, the Archbishop formally declaring the chapel open, stating that the event would be a memorable one in the annals of the Convent.

The Very Rev. Dean McKenna then made aVief speech. He, too, expressed pleasure at, the attendance of the Hon. the Minister for Labour and Customs, and also at the presence of the visiting clergy. The Dean said that but for the function taking place on a Sunday many other clergy would have attended, but some very handsome donations from clergy in all parts had been received. Referring to the progress of the Convent the speaker said it was only eleven years ago that the site of the present beautiful grounds was a vastly different place. The Sisters had come to occupy a building which was then regarded as a very large place, whereas now that building was only a part of the Convent. The'.fine chapel now being opened was the latest and most beautiful addition. Towards its realisation generous support was forthcoming, and the speaker read a list of donations totalling about £l5O, including numerous contributions from the ranks of the clergy and Sisters themselves. The building was to have three stained glass windows substituted for the tinted Muranese glass now in the sashes. Mesdames-O'Neill and Percy and the speaker having each promised a window. The Dean stated that as far as the general character of the building went it was a monument to the taste, skill and gocd workmanship of the contractors, and he felt he could not say too much in their praise. They had done everything that was porsible to study the wishes of the Sisters, and the result was that the chapel was in every detail as excellent an edifice as they could desire. To the Sisters of the Order the Dean also paid a high tribute for their energy and devotion in the Convent duties, saying that the wonderful progress of the institution in itselt showed that there must be something good and substantia! in what thay were achieving. The speaker then

invited the Hon. A. W. Hogg to give a speech. The Hon. Minister said he found himself about to make th-2 first speech since his recent elevation, and he must say he felt elevated m a very true sense to find himself surrounded by so many earnest and good men and women, He complimented the Sisters on the good influence_ they were exercising not only young people of their own denominaton, but also of the others. The convent was really not a sectarian institution at all, but in many respects secular, and it was a place where young girls finished off their education, and were taught accomplishments which fitted them for the multifarious positions in the ladies' circle both in the home and the

1 social spheres. The moral and religi ious education, which was a leading - feature of the Convent's work, was • one of its chief attractions, to the • speaker's mind, and it was for this i reason that he had always mani- ■ fested great interest in the progress : oj; the institution, JSfo one had worked harder to establish the splen- ; did Masterton Convent than the Very Rev. Dean McKenna, whe, to the speaker's knowledge, had for years previous to its advent set his heart upon its fulfilment. The speaker contrasted the present position of the institution and its beautiful surroundings with the same place prior L o the Convent's establishment, and 1 "d the same great reformation in sa ' material respect was, he bethis being accomplished in characlieved. Minister concluded by wishter. The ters con tmued success in ing the Sit> . or^_

their noble v. tsd tne unveiling proThis termina , public were then eeedings, and tk the chapel iriSide incited to inspect ~ was spent by and out, and an hou. - n g i ar g e the Sisters in escorti. roU gh the gathering of people i. - n e beautiful house cf worship u ow i n g memorial stone bears the fc was inscription:—"This chapel g fc _ erected by the community of •;_'

Bride's Convent, Masterton. Deo., cated Lo the Sacred Heart of Jesus in thanksgiving for many favours, and opened by Most Rev. Dr. Redwood, S.M., Archbishop of Wellington, January 10th, 1909.—John L. 5..an, architect—Taylor and Hodges, builders."

Afternoon tea was dispensed in the grounds to the visitors by Sisters of the Convent, they being assisted by pupils and others. The ceremonies concluded with the very impressive and Beautiful service in the chapel of the solemn benediction of the most blessed sacrament. The chapel was crowded to the doors, many being unable to gam admission. The Very Rev. Father Clune preached a most eloquent sermon on "Faith," his remarks being appropriate to the occasion. The ArchbishoD pronounced the solemn benediction, the Rev. Father T. McKenna acting as Deacon, and the Rev. Father Bowe as Sub' Deacon. The Very Rev. Dean McKenna was Master of Ceremonies, the other clergy being stationed on the ch&ncel. The function terminated at about a quarter to seven o'clock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CHAPEL

The chapel is at ones compact, beautiful and substantial. An the Very Rev. Dean MeKenna said to the visitors, it was a cheap place at £1,200. Like all Catholic houses of worship its interior is very beautiful indeed. The Jimensions of the building are 22ft in width by 55ft in length, the ceiline ridge being 30ft ibove the floor, and the slope from ;he ridge to the eaves being 15ft. ?rt?ssed bricks were used in the outer vail construction, and Keen's cement 'or finishing off the interior wall. Hie latter is coated a bright white ;int, and can be renovated with ens*, so that the appearance of the interor will be easily kept like new in :hat important respect. Gothic is he architectural theme in general wd detailed design. The beams and :ross pieces are of rimu heart, varlished, and the floor of polished natai. The altar is embellished in ;he most costly and elaborate manlcr, the altar rail being a very landsome and striking ornamentation tself, being a cedar rail mounted on solid 'brass body. The altar is of •imu, painted white, and set oft by narble pillars with glass panels, covering a red background. "Bene Dastor, panis vere" ("0 Good Shepherd, true bread"), is inscribed in *old lettering on the front panels. The numerous statues and statuettes and the magnificent brass candlesticks and other altar requisites combine to make the chapel m exceptionally well-furnished and attractive edifice, the walls being lung with pictures depicting scenes in the life of Christ, The Sisters lad the altar and the church elsewhere beautifully decked with flowjrs yesterday, and when the altar famps were lit the chapel looked extremely pretty. The contractors undoubtedly deserve all the praise bestowed upon ;hem for their work, Messrs Taylor vnd Hodges having both spent considerable pains in insuring that the Sisters would be satisfied with the chapel when completed. Mr R. E. Tones did the plumbing work in an unexceptionable manner. Messrs W. EL Cole and Sons, who were entrusted with the decorative work, deserve special mention for the way in which ;hey carried out their contract, originality and artistic taste being shown in this important part of the vork to a commendable degree, the sisters being greatly pleased thereat. The building was completed five veeks ahead of contract time.