My Mission Field in Sydney.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 52, 29 December 1904, Page 4

My Mission Field in Sydney.

From Ireland I was translated to Australia, and for the 19 closing years of my jubilee period my missionfield has been here in Sydney among yexursefwes. I found here in our faithful people the Siame distinctive' features that ha\e made Ireland singularly attractive amon» missionary countries— fervent piety, abQunhimg charity? great zeal for religion. As regards our religious life we may justly be styled a greater Ireland beyonkl the seas, and may we not hope that like that dear island of the west, it may be Australia's mission to lead manyi natiions to know our Saiviour and to love Him. Why should we not hope for these grandest results. The love of the Redeemer for His Church is not less strong now than hitherto ; His power is not lessened. The Holy Spirit continues to be the abiding guardian and rulec of tihe Church, amd His Divine gifts flow forth as ceaselessly an 4as abundantly as from the beginning. I am convinced that a great future awaits Australia. It was not without a view to a special religious mission that Providence permitted this vast iisland continent, though on the direct highway of commerce, to remain unknqwn and hidden away from the civilised worlid till the close of the eighteenth centfury. She enters late in tlhe field, nut with her vast resources and giant energy sihe Shall attain 'her destiny. We have had as pioneers in t,his fair land goljden Bishops, arid golden priests, ttrid I'cAng mjay their traditions and their example be the heritage of the Australian Church. But, furthermore, we have a golden laity truly golden in their piety and in their desire to promote the interests of charity and religion, and at all times ready to generously co-operate with their clergy in every good work.

And here may I not refer to the grand result just achieved in regard to this bealutiful Cathedral of St. Mary's in which we are assembled. The Cathedral Fi.ir which has jjust hcen brought to a close, has been aitended with complete success. Thanks to the boundless generosity of both clergy and people, and the singular enthusiasm which pervaded all classes in promoting this great cause, St. Mary's has been freed from every fraction of debt, amd may now be solemnly oonsecrated to God. It has not been found possible to brina; fhe art union to a close, but its success is assured, and its proceeds shall be applied to the renewal of the t'rgan Fund. The whole proceedings of the Fair have i'een a genuine triumph ol Australian democracy. Very few large sums have been subscribed. The grand result of almost £16,000 is due to small contributions, many of them from generous fridnds in the remote back-blocks, and not a few ateo from non-Catholics.