Temuka

New Zealand Tablet, 11 October 1906, Page 24

Temuka

The new Catholic presbytery at Temuka was blessed and opened on ' Sunday, the ceremony being performed by the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy (Provincial) There was an exceptionally large congregation (says the 'Timaru Herald'). The new building- which is a handsome and comfort/able residence, is built in accordance with the floor area of the old presbytery but a second s-torey has been added, and this give's it a fine appearance. A fine balcony facing the west runs off from the passage on the second floor, and on each side of the passage are two bedrooms. The ground level surrounding the presbytery has been greatly improved by a three-feet rise, and to obtain this clay and . shingle were carted gratuitously by many friends Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Yen Archdeacon Devoy, Rev. Father Finnerty (Timaru) being deacon, Rev. Father Kerley subdeacon, and the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais master of ceremonies. Rev. Father G-oggan, parish priest, was also in attendance. A' brief sermon on charity was preached by the Very Rev. Father Le Menant »des Chesn-ais.

"Subscriptions were then taken up, and the amount received in the church was more than £100 The ceremony of blessing took place after Mass and was .performed -by the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy' who also delivered a brief address, in the course of which he said the building was a credit to all concerned in its erection for completeness of detail The local priests and people of the place were to be congratulated on having such a fine pres-bytery, one especially in keeping with the church and convent He said the late Father Fauvel intended having the work done some time ago when he got an assistant priest Father Fauvel had left £400 which he had collected for the work, but it was left for Father Kerley to see it through, and now there was v debt of £600 and he thought this was not much for a Temuka debt ; for in a very short time it would be cleared He made a special appeal to the younger members of the congregation to wipe off the existing debt as soon as possible, and he thought one and all should be proud to see accomplished what was an urgent necessity from a priest's point of view.