REQUIEM MASS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1943, Page 4

REQUIEM MASS

FOR MAORI FIGHTING MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN REPRESENTATIVE ATTENDANCE IN WELLINGTON. AT ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Church of St. Mary of the Angels was filled this morning, when there was a special requiem mass for Maori soldiers, sailors and airmen who have fallen during , the war. Archbishop O’Shea, Metropolitan of New Zealand, presided at the throne. The assistants were the Very Rev. Father ,J. Stewart, S.M.. Parish Priest of St. Mary’s and the Very Rev. Father McGrath, S.M., of Island Bay, editor of the Marist missionary periodical, the “Marist Messenger.” The celebrant was the Rev. Father A. Pennington, S.M., of Otaki, and the altar servers were two Maori pupils of St. Patrick’s College, Silversircam, relatives of deceased soldiers. The members of the choir were all Maoris and the hymns were sung in the native tongue.

Mrs Love, supreme chieftainess of Raratonga, occupied a special priedieu. Among the Maoris present were Lady Pomare, Mr R. Pomare, Mrs Love Senr., the father of the late Colonel Love, Mr Kingi Tahiwi, Mr Manihera Keremeneta, Captain Tahiwi, Mrs Heketa, Mr T. Parata, Mr F. Katene. The Government was represented by the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, Minister of Native Affairs. Mrs Fraser was also present. The sermon was delivered by Father Riordan, who paid a tribute to the dead and exhorted the living to uphold the tradition of sacrifice unto death, if need be, for the cause of justice and truth.