STRATFORD

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 19, 9 May 1907, Page 19

STRATFORD

travelling rug, and sovereign case. A good programme has been arranged, and a social evening will be spent with one who at all times h.is done his duty and given a goo I example to all. We can ill affoid to lose him, and sincerely Utsl. that he will return, and again take up his old place amongst those who hold him in great respect.

(From our own correspondent.) May 5. On Friday, May 3, his Grace Archbishop Redwood arrived here for the purpose of administering the Sacra L ment of Confirmation. Ihe Sisters of the mission nave had a very busy week preparing the children, aii'd on Saturday Ms Grace examined the candidates. To-iday (Sunday) between sixty and seventy children, and about forty adults were confirmed. Messrs. M. Foley and -P. McLean, and Miss E. Brannigan acted as sponsors. Never before in the history "of our Church in Stratford has such an impressive, beautiful, and edifying ceremony been witnessed. Jn the evening his Grace preached an eloquent sermon on the Rosary, explaining why the month of May was dedicated to Our Blessed Lady, and the graces and indulgences that are obtained <biy those who practise the devotion of the Rosary. At the second Mass his Grace was presented vith an address of welcome, which was read by Mr. J. Sexton, and was as 'follows :— ' May it please your Grace,— We the undersigned, on behalf of the congregation of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, desire on this occasion of your Grace's visit to Stratford to extend to you a most hearty welcome. Since your Grace's last visit, this parish has made great progress with regard to its spiritual and temporal affairs. A large and handsome addition to the convent has been completed, a new school 'built, and ihe congregation has increased to such an extent that an enlargement of the church is a ndcessity of the future. We taKe this opportunity of expressing _to your Grace our sincere appreciation of the energy, zeal, and sympathy displayed by the Rev. • Father Treacy, our esteemed and beloved parish priest, who, during his six years' labor amongst us, has practically liquidated the heavy debt on the church, convert school, and p>res'Uytery. In conclusion, we sincerely hope that your Grace may, with the blessing of God, be I'png spared io rule over us.' Th p address was signed on behalf of the ccniregation by Messrs. Thomas Lawless, James Pexton, Michael Foley, Maurice Keppell, and Peter McLean. His Grace made a brief reply, in which he thanked the congregation for the address, and also for the appreciation of the Rev. Father Treacy's work. We are about to lose one of cr most 7ealous workers, in the person of Mr. Peter McLean, who- is about to visit the Old Land. The congregation aru determined not to allow him to depart without some mark of appreciation, so to-morrow evening he- is invited to meet those who have subscribed for a nice