OXFORD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 51, 21 December 1899, Page 21

OXFORD.

(From an occasionalcorrespondent.)

A. mission conducted hy the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes and the Very Rev. Dean Foley was opened at Oxford on the sth insfc. His Lordship celebrated Ma*s every morning at 7 30, Dean Foley at 6 30, and the mission Mass was paid at 9.30 by Father Hyhind. The mission sermon was preached each morning by Dean Foley, who a so devoted all the afternoon to the preparation of those about to receive the Sacrament of Coufirmation. Each evening the service consisted of rosary, sermon by the Bishop, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The mission was excellently attended. On Sunday at the Mass celebrated by Bishop Grimes a very large number received Holy Communion, a circumstance which gave his Lordship great pleasure and consolation. At the 11 o'clock Mass, celebrated by Father Hylaud, the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered to 70 persons. Prior to the ceremony, his Lordship preached an excellent explanatory sermon on the Sacrament. His Lordship also made his appeal on behalf of the Diocesan Cathedral Fund, and the collection realised £140. After the Gospel, Mr. J. McCormack read and presented to his Lordship Dr. Grimes an address on behalf of the Catholics of the Oxford district, in which they expressed their pleasure at his visit, and their delight at the success which had attended his efforts in collecting funds for the erection of a cathedral in Chnstchurch The address was signed on behalf of the congregation by Messrs. J. McCormack and H. Hoare.

In replying, his Lordship expressed the great pleasure it gave him to be amongst them and the gratification their kindness afforded him, and assured, them of a continual remembrance in his prayers.

The mission was closed at Sunday night's service, consisting as it did of rosary, sermon, Papal blessing, renewal of Baptismal Tows and Benediction. The Church could not contain the number of people who attended — the sanctuary and sacristy having to be appropriated to provide sufficient accommodation. His Lordship delivered an eloquent sermon on ' Perseverence,' with was listened to with rapt attention.

Mr. McCqrmack conducted and led the choir at all the services, and Miss Donovan presided at the harmonium.