VISIT OF HIS GRACE DR. STEINS ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF AUCKLAND TO WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1198, 2 March 1880, Page 2

VISIT OF HIS GRACE DR. STEINS ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF AUCKLAND TO WAIKATO.

RECEPTION" ATCAMBKIUGK. Dr. Steins accompanied by the Rev Fathers Walter Macdonald, and Golden arrived in Cambridge shortly after four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and proceeded to the Criterion Hotel. At five o'clock His Grace attended at the Roman Catholic Church, where a short service was held, at the close of which the following address of welcome was presented to him by Mr R. Kerr :—: — To His Grace The Most Rev. Walter Steins, S.J. Archbishop. Bishop ot Auckland. May it please your Grace — On behalf of the Catholics of Cambridge, and with feelings of unfeigned pleasure, we hail your first visit to the Waikato. For si\ years it was the hard lot of the Diocese to be widowed of a Chief Pastor, but the happy tidings of your Grace's acceptance of the Vacant See, and \ cry soon after, ot your arrival filled us with unspeakable joy, ana proved to us, that, however remote from the Centre of Catholic Unity, we were near the heart ot our boloved Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XIII. Already known to us by Lime, Your Grace conies with the high reputation of solid piety, profound learning, and vast experience gleaned in other fields, and a member withal of the Society of Jesus, illustrious tor e% cry attainment that goes to adorn the life of man on earth ; may we prove worthy of so distinguished a Prelate, and may Your Grace's years in our midst be long, and happy, and prosperous. Bearing in mind that manifold duties of grave importance fill your hands at headquarters, besides those arising from subordinate missions in the diocese, we teel it a duty to express to Your Grace our deep gratitude" for so early a visit. Doubtless other portions ot your floik, more worthy perhaps than we, eagerly look for the high honor it is our privilege to enjoy to-day. With the sentiments ot humble children, we beg a Venerable Father and a Prelate's blessing, and we wish Your Grace the choicest favors of Heaven, and the fullest measure of success in your new diocese. On behalf of the congregation w e beg le:i\e to be your devoted and beloved children in Christ — Robert McVeagh, William Madigan, Thomas Ryan, William Brenan, John OBrien, James Finncrty, Ncal Dougherty, Robert Dr. Steins responded, thanking the congregation for the welcome they had accorded him and for their assurance of devotion to the Church and Its Head, He assured them that though they had been so long without a Bishop, they had never been lost sight of by their Holy Father. Only a few months ago he (the Archbishop) had an interview with tlie Pope, who had desired him to undertake the charge of this distant Diocese, and he had felt constrained to comply. He sincerely trusted that under God, his coining among them would be for good. He was pleased to see in the line building they were congregated much evidence of their faith, and it now remained for them to do their utmost to fill this large church. He concluded by exhorting them all to be charitable and kind to those who were unfortunately outside the pale of their Church, and to be mindful of their spiritual welfare in every way. The Archbishop afterwards inspected the grounds, and expressed in flattering terms regarding the surrounding oountiy. Pontifical High Mass was celebrated in the Cambridge Church on Sunday morning, His Grace the Archbishop being celebrant, the Rev. Father McDonald, deacon, and the Key. Father Golden, subdeacon. After Mass, the Bishop confirmed about thirty children, prefacing the ceremony with a short addreas on the subject of confirmation. In very earnest language he exhorted the children to bo mindful of their duty to theirjHeavenly Father and to themselves, to live upright and virtuous lives, and to obey the laws of their Church. The church was crowded during the service, many visitors from Hamilton and elsewhere being among those present The Archbishop was also present at vespers, aud delivered an impressive sermon, taking for his text the words, " Love the Lord thy God." Tlie attendance at the evening .service was also very large.