Akaroa

New Zealand Tablet, 27 August 1908, Page 14

Akaroa

(From our Christchurch correspondent.) At, the, invitation of the parish priest of Akaroa, the Rev. Father.- O'Cqnnell, S.M., gave a week's mission, beginning on • Sunday,. August 1 6. -. • During the week -the. Rev. . Father -gave - three instructions each day, and in a special way devoted himself " to the children and adults preparing' for~the- Sacrament of Confirmation. On Wednesday evening a large congregation assembled for "trie special- sermon on the solemn consecration' of the' >_< parish 'to the Blessed Virgin. . Or\ Friday, there was again a large gathering for the consecration ,-to the Sacred Heart- of ■ Jesus. It was consoling to find how many approached the Sacraments during the mission. ■ - His Lordship the Bishop ' arrived from Christchurch on Friday, having been •driven' 7 from Little River by the Rev. Father Bonetto.- At Akaroa his Lord- ' ship>was- met by the members of the Church committee, the school children, and a good number of the Catholics "of the

district. A beautiful triumphal arch, erected under the direction of Mr. James Poff, jun., was- placed at the entrance to the church grounds. In the church the Bishop was welcomed by the pastor, and expressed his pleasure to be amongst the faithful people of Akaroa, the oldest parish in his diocese, and the spot where Holy Mass was first offered in the South Island. His Lordship assisted at the mission services on Friday evening. _Qn Sunday last the visitation of the parish took place at. 10 o'clock. In the afternoon at 3 o'clock a number of candidates received, the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., proceeded to Little River on Saturday morning, and in. the afternoon and evening had special devotions. , Mass was celebrated on Sunday, and preparations made for the reception of his Lordship the Bishop on Wednesday, the 26th, when several - will be confirmed. - . • -