Diocese of Dunedin,

New Zealand Tablet, Issue 31, 3 December 1897, Page 15

Diocese of Dunedin,

about by the zeal of our priests, and the loyal co-operation of their devoted flock. Expressing 1 our grateful thanks for your first visit, and wishing your Lordship may be spared many years to carry on the work of the diocese, and especially the glorious work of erecting the Catholic Orphanage which you have now in hand, and which, under God's blessing, will be a secure shelter and home for the fatherless of your flock, — We remain, your loyal and obedient children, (Signed) Timothy Wilkins, Thomas J. Collins, Charles Todd, Charles Cassidy, on behalf of the Catholics of Heriot. November, 1897."

BISHOP VERDON AT RIVERSDALE.

OPENING OF NEW CHURCH. (From the Matnura Ensign, November 23.) The ceremony of opening and solemnly blessing the new Catholic Church was performed on Sunday by his Lordship Bishop Verdon. The festal proceedings of the day commenced with a service at 8a m. The ceremony proper was performed at 1 1 o'clock. Mass was chanted by the Roy. Father O'Donnell (Gore), after which the Bishop, according to the impressive aud beautiful formula provided, dedicated and solemnly blessed the edifice for its sacred purpose. Dr. Verdon thereafter preached a scholarly sermon on " The General Judgment." During the progress of the dedication service the choir (under Mr. Fendall), as-isted by members of the Gore Catholic choir and friends, rendered the '• Kvrie," " Credo" and '• Sa'ctus " from Concone's Mass ; the " Gloria," from Farmer's Mass ; and the '• Agnes Dei," from Weber s Mas«. the solosts being Miss Matheson (soprano). Miss Black (contralto), Mr. Cookson ( tenor ">. and Mr. Fendall (bass). All these items were splendidly given. Miss Matheson also sang •■ Aye Maria " (Gounod) in a highly artistic manner. Miss Hoffman supplied ths organ music. During the afternoon the Bishop administered the rite of Confirmation to over 00 candidates, and gave an address specially applicable to the young people. At the evening service the Bishop preached another eloquent sermon on ■• The Love of God." The congregations throughout the day were very large, visitors attending from Balfour, Waikaia, Chatton, Gore and Mataura. Over £100 was collected during the day, towards wiping off the debt on the new building. Those of the Roman Catholic communion are to be congratulated upon having erected such a handsome edifice. The church is a most commodious one. costing £340 to build, and is a decided ornament to the district.

WYNDHAM

HIS LORDSHIP'S FIRST VISIT. (From the Wijnilhani Farmer, November 19.)

Wednesday last was an important day to the members of the Wyndham Catholic congregation, it being the occasion of the first visit to this part of his diocese by Most Rev. Michael Verdon, D.D., Bishop of Otago and Southland. His Lordship arrived in Wyndham by the morning train from Gore, where he had conducted service on the Sunday, and proceeded shortly afterwards to the local chapel, where a large congregation awaited him. Service began at ten o'clock, when Rev. Father O'Donnell, senior parish priest, celebrated Mass, and about eleven o'clock his Lordship entered the chapel.

Dr. Verdon U essentialy a man of dignified appearance. Tail, of fine physical proportions, with clearly-cut intellectual forehead, finely-chiselled mouth and expressive eye. he stood at the altar before the faithful every inch a prelate. A feature of his preaching was his partic ilarly clear enunciation and easy delivery. He gave his message on spiritual things in language so plain that not even a child could have doubts as to its import and reality.

On Dr. Verd on ascending to the altar, Father O'Donnell presented to him seventeen young persons — nine males and eight females — as candidates for the rite of confirmation. The candidates ■were presented in pairs, and solemnly blessed by his Lordship, by the imposing of hands. Dr. Verd on then proceeded to address the congregation, his remarks more particularly being addressed to the young communicints. After explaining the nature of the different sacraments, and especially of that which they had ju*t received, his Lordship charged them to avoid scandal, b. id co npany, and impure reading. If they did all these things well, God would always watch over and bless them, and give them au abundance of grace ; they would then advance easily in virtue, and after death God would receive them into His kingdom.

IIEIUOT.

(From the Tuptinui Coun'ii; November 24.)

Friday was an eventful day for the Catholics of Heriot and district, the occasion being the first visit of Bishop Verdon to this part of the diocese to hold a Confirmation service. The church was comfortably filled to witness the sacrament being administered to about fifty children and adults. Mass was celebrated at it a.m., after which the Bishop preached on '• Man's love to God and his neighbour, which is necessary if he wished to attain to everlasting happiness." After the Confirmation and after a few words of advice from the Bishop to those who were confirmed, Mr. C. Cassidy read an illuminated address, to which lUshop Verdon replied that it gave him much pleasure to meet his people that day, and congratulated them on their neat church, and especially on the

fact of the building being free from debt. The following is the address : — "To his Lordohip the Most Rev. Dr. Verdon, Bishop of

Dunedin. — We, your faithful children of the district of Ik-riot, » express our heartfelt delight at seeing you in our mids-t. We have heard of your many excellent qualities — of your paternal fcolicitude everywhere throughout your diocese ; of how you have endeared yourself to the heart.-, of all those with whom you came in personal contact ; and therefore we anxiously looked forward to the time when you would pay our district an episcopal visitation. Owing to ill health we were precluded that privilege from your ever beloved predecessor. Dr. Moran, whose memory we ever cherish and hold dear. It w;b during his lamented illness that our church was ercLte«l, and th.nik God we can now announce to your Lordship that yuiir \isit finds us entirely free of debt, brought