ARCHBISHOP STEINS IN THE WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1202, 11 March 1880, Page 3

ARCHBISHOP STEINS IN THE WAIKATO.

Ox Wednesday, the 3rd inst., the Archbishop, assisted by Fathers Golden and McDonald, held confirmation service in Hamilton East. Fifty-nine candidates, some adults, presented themselves. His Grace delivered an appropriate address, partly in reference to the Holy Sacrament just then administered, and partly of a visitation character. By the late train the same day, the Archbishop and suite proceeded to Ohaupo, where they were the guests of Mr M. Delaney. On the 4th they visited the Rangiaohia church And grounds — before the war a flourishing Maori mission station. In the afternoon, His Grace and attendants were received by Major and Mrs Jackson, at whose residence in Kihikihi they rested for the night. Next day, at the kind invitation of Major Jackson, His Grace attended the cavalry review at Te Awamutu, and expressed himself much pleased with the programme gone through. His Grace and party dined at Lewis's Central Hotel, and, accompanied by Major Jackson, drove to Alexandra later in the evening. Mr Finch, provided excellent accommodation for the night's rest in the Alexandra Hotel. On Saturday the Archbishop celebrated Mass, and confirmed some children in St. Joseph's Church. To the portion of the congregation present he addressed words of encouragement and advice, referring to the pleasure it afforded him to find so neat a church and grounds so well kept, and admonishing them to persevere in their zeal for holy religion. An address jof welcome was read by Mr S. McGuire, on behalf of the Catholics of Alexandra. Ohaupo was reached at 1 p.m. of Saturday, and Mr M. Delaney provided comfortable quarters for the night. About 10 a.m. on Sunday commenced the interesting and impressive ceremony of blessing the church, at the conclusion of which the Archbishop celebrated Mass, and subsequently received a deputation, one of whom (Mr James Farrell) stepped forward and read the following address : — To His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Steins, SJ., Archbibhop, Bishop of Auckland. May it please your Grace — We, the undersigned, on behalt of the Catholics of Ohmupo, and the adjaccut districts, \cnturc to approach Your Grace with profound respect and to offer you our heartiest welcome. Long indeed and anxiously have we been expecting a Bishop to fill the vacant See of Auckland, and we cannot refrain from offering Your Grace our sincercst thanks for visiting so soonaftcr your arrival, this remote portion of \our flock. Already have we heard of Your Grace as a Prelate of great worth, adorned alike with sanctity and learning, the unfailing characteristics of the Society of Jesus of world wide fame ; and whereof you have the happiness to be a worthy member. Your Grace comes to us fresh from Rome with the benediction of the Holy See, and we humbly pray you to bestow the same on us, and on our children. The sacred functions of blessing our new church, also of conferring the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation, which you come to discharge on our behalf, we assure Your Grace we appreciate with all the devotion and enthusiasm of sincere members of the Church oi God and of our Fathers. Mindful, j Your Grace, ot our spiritual guide and director here during the last six years, we, on this auspicious occasion, wish to note our deep sense of the labors endured, and the unremitting solicitude evinced, at all times, and in all seasons, through j the length and breadth of this extensi\ c district \ by our devoted Pastor in the discharge of his sac- i red duties, and in the cause of our Holy Religion. Earnestly praying our Heavenly Father, to vouchsafe Your Grace many years of health and benediction in your new sphere of labors. We, have the honor to be, Your Grace's most humble and devoted servants, — James Farrell, Michael Turney, Matthew Delanej', Richard Burke, Hans Knppner. Ohaupo, March 7th 1880. The reply from His Grace was most eloquent and feeling, touching on a variety of topics, and interesting from every point of view. He praised the Ohaupo people for the sacrifice they had made in erecting so fine a church ; exhorted them to perseverance in the practice of their duties ; and pointed out that religion was man's best friend in life, as it asaatWiy vvoiutt be alter death. He addressed the Germans in their native tongue, and Father Walter McDonald made prayer in Maori for a few natives who were present. Fifty-two candidates, including some fourteen from Kihikihi, and a few from Rangiaohia and Alexandra, were confirmed at Ohaupo. So large a congregation had assembled from the different distx*icts that numbers could not gain admittance to the church. It was the largest gathering ever witnessed at Ohaupo. Having partaken of Mr Delaney s generous hospitality, the Archbishop and party drove to Hamilton, where Pontifical Vespers were held at 7 p.m. Here again the Archbishop preached to a large and attentive congregation. He dwelt on many topics of deep interest ; expressed himself much satisfied with what he had seen in course of his visitation ; exhorted the people to love God above all things ; to be ever zealous for their Holy Religion ; to edify their neighbors ; to merit a Crown of Everlasting Glory. Altogether 144 candidates presented themselves for confirmation in the Waikato, and about 200 communions were made. On Monday, the Bth, His Grace and Father W. McDonald, accompanied to the railway station by Father Golden, took their departure by the afternoon train for Auckland. It may be mentioned that our recent visitors were highly pleased with the picturesqueness and improvements of the Waikato.