Opening of a New Convent at Rangiora

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 10, 7 March 1907, Page 15

Opening of a New Convent at Rangiora

(From our Christchuroh oorrespandeint.) The fine new convent at Rangiora, erected for the Sisters- of the Missions at a cost of a"U)ut £2000, was blessed and formally' opened on- Sunday last by his Lordship Bishop Grimes in the presence of a' large gathering. Although many years have elapsed since a community cf Sisters first settled in Rangiora- to undertake the education of the Catholic children and help in the work of . the parish adaptable to their sacred calling^ they luave resided in a small cot)tia(ge opposite the church, making the best of the limited accommodation afforded. The presentation by Sir Westby Perceval of a convent site 'of three acres, close to thej other church property, encouraged an effort being made to provide funds for the erection ■ of a suitable- building. A bar.a&r was organised, and the energetic pastor of the district, Ihe Rev. Father Hyland, and 1 the congregations in all parts of his wide district assisted him to such good • purpose that tfop work was soon after started. Father Hyland and

his parishioners have well merited the congratulations tendered them on the completion of their task, and the handsome and valuable addition made to their already extensive church property in the town, , and the devoted Sisters on the acquisition of a residence affording facilities of which undoubtedly the best possible use will be made. The building is a solid-looking but handsome twostorey structure of brick", " with Oama.ru stone facings, built from designs supplied by Messrs. Collins" and Harman, of Christchurch. It has both a ground and upper, floor space of 60ft by 38ft, with walls 23ft in height. On the ground floor there are visitors' —rooms reached through a spacious hall with tiled floor, music-room, dfovng-room, parlor, kitchen, wasb>-house, pantry, and so on, and .on the upper floor, reached by two staircases, there is a chapel 27ft by 12ft>, with "a " sanctuary 12ft by 12ft, and sacristy lift' by 7ft ; also a community-room and several bedrooms. From one of the lattef access is gained 1o a ■ spacious balcony, with a re-enforced concrete floor and partly 'glassed in. One object of the balcony is to provide a -health-recruit-ing place for sick and convalescent nuns from other

parts. The roof is covered .with French tilesi. The building is plastered throughout, and the interior woodwork is of ,a substantial description, the floors being of ~4in by lin jarrah. Gothic- windows pioivide an -abundance of light, the chapel windows being colored leadlights. Hot and cold water is" laid throughout the, place, and the "sanitary arrangements .include an up-to-date septic tank. Messrs. Wadey and Efford, builders, of Rangiora, have carried put the con-tract for the building' in a' highly satisfactory manner. At 11 "o'clock Mass was celebrated in the-Churoh of SS. Mary and Francis" de Sales by the Rev. -Father Hyland, at which his Lordship the Bishop and the Rev. Father O'Connell were present in the sanctuary. 'At the conclusion of Mass an •address was read and presented to the Bishop. This was signed on behalf of the parishioners by.. Messrs. J. Hands and J. McAleer (Rangiora), James McCormack (Oxford), William Lynskey (Kaiapoi). and E. O'Cq-nnor (Lobtun).- His Lord L ship appropriately replied, and preached from ' the text, Aggeus, chap. ii., verse x : ' Great shall be the glory of this last house more than of the first, saith- the 'Lord, of hosts; and- in this -place I will give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. After

the sermon and the prescribed prayers, at the foot of the altar a procession was formed and proceeded to the new building, where the ceremonies of the day were completed. A collection ' was taken up with the satisfactory result that about £270 was added to the building fund. Early in "the afternoon the Bishop returned to the- cityin Mr. P.' Henley's new motor car, Mr.- P. Henley being chaffeur. -