BISHOP VERDON IN INVERCARGILL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 14, 8 April 1909, Page 532

BISHOP VERDON IN INVERCARGILL

(From Our Own Corresponded.)

The Bight Rev. Dr. Vordon was tendered a most enthusiastic welcome in the Victoria Hall on Monday .evening, March 29, on the occasion of his pastoral visit to Invercargill. The hall was beautifully decorated with banners, plants, etc., and on the stage -were 130 children, dressed in white and carrying bouquets of flo Avers. The reception was' unique as a function here. At 7.30 p.m. the Hibernian Band, followed ty the members of the local branch of the Hibernian Society in regalia, the children from the convent and Marist Brothers' schools, and a large croAvd of people led his Lordship's carriage in procession from the church along Kelvin and Dee streets to tho Victoria Hall. A great assemblage of people Avaited outside, the hall for the arrival of the procession. The members of the Hibernian Society formed a guard of honor, and his Lordship, accompanied by the Very Rev. Dean Burke and the Rev. Father Lynch, entered the hall to the strains of Irish airs played by the band. The great croAvd, numbering close on -800 people, was then allowed to enter gradually, and ea'cli person Avas presented to tho Bishop, who received, as it" r were, personal _ words of weir come front the majority of his flock in Invercargill. Everything Avas carried oub AA'ith order and precision, and in a short space of time .the hall Avas croAvded to the doors. The proceedings took the form of a conversazione,, with musical and other items, the folloAving being the programme : — Musical selections by the hand, choruses by the choir of children, duets by Misses McGrath and Barrett, songs by Mrs. Matheson, Miss KirAvan, and Mr. Pasco, Avliilst Master J. Woods and Mr. T. Pound contributed recitations.

Presentation of Addresses.

At the conclusion of this part of tlie programme Mr. James Collins read the following address on behalf of the parishioners : — ' May it please your Lordship, — Your presence among us visiting this parish gives us a desiralale opportunity not only to welcome you personally but to declare . our fidelity to you as chief pastor of the diocese. We- know that authority to teach and rule was conferred by Our Lord Jesus Christ on His Apostles; we know that the Bishops - inherited that authority by Divine right; and we know that Our Lord commanded obedience to His teaching Church as to Himself. Hence we find it a pleasing exer-. * cise of our - faith in the Lord's words to assemble here to show you the reverence due to your exalted office in the Church. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews wrote : " Remember your prelates who have spoken the Word of God to you. . . Obey your prelates and be subject to them, for they watch as feeing to' render an account of your souls, that they may do this with joy- and not with grief." Whilst then offering you this testimony of our obedience and submission, we would like to express the hope that you will find the state of religion among us to be such as to cause you not grief but joy. We hope that the condition of our churches and schools, our frequentation of the Sacraments and observance of the Lord's Day, the confraternities and other" organisations active among us are all such as please your Lordship. Eighteen hundred

years ago, the Apostolic Father, St. Ignatius, wrote' in • • his Epistle to the Ephesians: "It will hecome you to act' together according to the will of your Bishop — which, - indeed, you do ; for your memorable presbytery — worthy- • of God — is fitted as exactly .to the Bishop as the cords are to the lyre. Therefore, in your concord and harmonious • charity Jesus Christ., is sung and every single person among you makes up "the chorus." That union of Bishop, clergy, and so much insisted on in all his letters by St. Ignatius, the disciple of the Apostle of , love St. John, - has ,gone on perfecting itself .more and more, with' the advance of thePcenturies, within the bosom of the Catholic Church. Never was her unity in faitli',- worship, and obedience to lawful 'authority more, perfect than at present. We know that our diocese of Dunedin is not back- ' ward as an example of that unity ; so we are proud to have our small share in the display pf this grand note of the Church. We pray that your Lordship may live long- to ' promote among your flock the spirit of unity and charity and the practice of good works by your example and prudent rule, and that your projects to advance the Christian life in this diocese may be so successful as to turn the - - burdens of your oifice into joy, whilst 'remaining your most obedient servants — J. Collins) C. Tulloek,- P. Joyce, Jno. Caufield.' Mr. T. Pound, P.P., then read the following address from the H.A.C.B. Society: — ! May it please your Lordship,^The Hibernians of Invercargill desire to present you with an address of welcome on the occasion of your official visitation of the parish. The constitution and aims of our Society have, we know, your cordial approbation. From the beginning of Christian history the Bishops and the Popes have been leaders in the work of Christian beneficence. As early as the year A.D. 250 the local Church of Rome was called ' ' the Mother of Charities" — other cathedral, parish, and monastic churches, as well as they could, copying her examplo. The Popes and Bishops of our time are not behind th«ir predecessors in this great matter. • All follow the principles of the* great Founder of the Church: " L give you a new 'commandment that you love one another '"* ; '' By —this shall men know that you are My disciples ;f you love one another " ; " Greater love than this no man hath that a man lay down his life for his friends.' And His own spirit of brotherly love our Blessed Lord infused into the hearts of His Apostles : " We. know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren; he that loveth not, abideth in death" (St. John). " Religion clean and undefiled is tins, to visit the fatherless and Avidows in their tribulation and to keep oneself unspotted from the world " (St. James). " Owe a no man anything but to love one another ; for he that loveth his v neighbor h&th fulfilled the A law '.' (St. Paul). Following upon the rise and spread '^6P Christianity was that ' marvellous efflorescence of benevolent and charitable institutions of which the historians of Christian charity have so much to say. After the heroic communism of the pritimive Church at Jerusalem, we see benevolent organisations founded beside every cathedral and impor- - tant- church. Then arose in the Middle Ages the Orders of Mercy and those for the redemption of captives — Orders ' Avhose members readied .the heroic ideal of Christian charity — " Greater love than this no man hath that a man lay down his life for his friends." In' the same ages of faith arose those great guilds of workmen which did -s ■> much to promote industry and, the arts as veil as the comfort and the religious life of -the members. In recent centuries religious dissensions and conseqxient religious indifferentism and infidelity interfered with or destroyed those pipus industrial guilds. But, in our time, they rise again under the auspices of the Popes, the Bishops, and clergy and illustrious Catholic laymen. ■ Our Society follows the true Catholic models. It is- beneficent, for we help the sick, the aged, the widow and the orphan. It is- Catholic, for we are guided by Christian principles and we follow the Church's ordinances believing that virtue, contentment, and the good order of society are thereby best attained. It is patriotic, for we are ready to join, in heart and hand, with all our 'fellow-citizens in advancing the true interests - of this beautiful '* Queen of the Southern Seas," just as our fathers for many generations labored to maintain the national -existence and~ the national life of the ' ' Emerald Gem of the Western World." 'Asking your Lordship's blessing upon our organisat ion and heartily welcoming you to Invercargill; we beg to remain your most faithful sons — E. J- Columb, P. J. Mulvey, V.P., C. W. Matheson, Sec. : The following address from the Catholic Young Men'a Literary Society was read by Mr. Morton i — ' May it please your Lordship, — The Church of Jesus Christ is a great visible society, a great kingdom, consisting of different classes of -members set in due order and subordination. There are the orders of teachers, rulers,

ministers, and there is the great bo3y of the people. To the former, in the persons of the Apostles, Our IJord Jesus Christ gave authority to teach and rule.' "And Jesus coming spoke to them, saying: All power is given to Me in heaven aaid in earth; going therefore teach ye ail nations ; teaching v thein to observe all things whatever, I have commanded yon." On the latter He placed the duties of obedience, docility, and submission : r ' ' He that heareth you heareth Me and he -that heareth Me heareth Him that sent Me." Now the present is a time when such virtues as obedience, veneration, reverence, and respect are said to be declining among the younger ' people. Such decline we believe is most regrettable. A great Bishop, St. John Chrysostom, said, " Take away from an army its general and it becomes a mass of men- destined for slaughter ; take away the captain from the ship an'i it becomes the sport of wind and waves; take away the shepherd from his flock and it becomes scattered abroad." But of what use are general, captain, or shepherd unless their voice be h-eard and their guidance followed? Obedience and reverence for authority are obviously necessary for the stability and progress of Church and State. Hence we, the members of the Young Men's Literary Society, are pleased to have this opportunity to profess before our Bishop our deepest reverence for the authoritative teaching of the Church, our obedience to her precepts, our love of the Holy Mass and Sacraments, and our respect for the Church's ministers and for the great Catholic Episcopate worthily represented amongst vis by your Lordship. This declaration of our thoughts and sentiments will, we know, be a consolation to Him Who " watches as being to render an. account of our souls." ' Assuring you that you will always have the respect, obedience, and fidelity of the young men and of the rising generation of this parish, we beg to remain, your Lordship's most obedient servants, — L. W. J. Morton, president; T. Pound, vice-president; J. S. Shepherd, hon. sec.' The address from the Children of Mary, which was as follows, was read by Miss Waierston : — ' May it please your Lordship, — We presume to address your Lordship, aware as we are that you are pleased to find the Society of the Children of Mary established and flourishing in this parish. Our society has existed here for the past twenty-seven years. Time, which tends to weaken and relax most organisations, has rather increased our numbers, and, we trust, our fervor. Many old members have, indeed, passed away, and many have been scattered up and dowu the country, still our society keeps tip its numbers and its regular attendance at our devotional meetings. The Little Office, Rosary, hymns, spiritual readings a-nd instruction, the frequentation of the Sacraments, and mutual encouragements maintain the devotional spirit of the members our ideals, and sustain, we would like. to say, exemplary conduct. In onr pious reunions we do not forget the Chief Pastor of the diocese. We know how onerous and full of cares and anxiety is yoiir office. We know that on you rests the duty of watching over the whole flock, of selecting candidates for the altar and promoting their training, of appointing worthy priests to the parishes of the • diocese, oC establishing and cherishing religious" communities for the great work of Christian education and Christian charity, and of organising religious confraternities for preserving and promoting the Christian virtues among the members and deeds of beneficence and kindness to those around them/ We see it to be your duty to supervise all, to go about and visit every parish, encouraging what is praiseworthy and correcting abuses and faults — doing these things regardless of trouble or of disagreeableness. " The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep." "Whilst, then, welcoming you on this occasion and declaring our good will and hearty obedience to your fatherly rule, ive wish particularly to declare that our prayers will follow you in all your ways, asking that heavenly guidance and success may attend them.' An address from the pupils of the Dominican Convent School was read by Miss Mary Baldwin, and from the pupils of the Marist Brothers' School by Master A. Mayhew. His Lordship's Reply. Bishop Verdon then thanked the congregation for the grand welcome -they had given him on the occasion of his first ' official visit to Invercargill since his return from Rome. The beautiful addresses that had been presented to him rang with the true Catholic spirit. Union, attachment to authority, and reverence for the chief pastor of the diocese were the leading ideas in each address. It was wonderful to see that union and charity and sympathy among Bishop, .priests, and people, dwelt upon by St Ignatius as an ideal in the earliest period of the Church's history, reproduced here in this remote diocese after 1800 years. W T hat a continuity of likeness in the ways and Bpirit of the Catholic Church ! Indeed, the union of Pope,

bishops, priests, and people was more marked now than ever before; time and new conditions were drawing tho bonds closer. During his travels last year, he had opportunities of noticing this union/ so wonderful not only" in faith but in love and reverence for the ruling authorities in the Church. To cite a few examples: The Pipe celebrated his Jubilee last year, and during the year thousands of congratulatory messages and precious "gifts came from the- bishops, priests, and people of the whole earth; and on the day appointed to' celebrate "the Jubilee 400 bishops, thousands of priests, and an immense multitude of people surrounded the Holy Father in Rome. Then, again, there was the great Eucharistic Congress at London. Eighty-six bishops, a great number of priests, and 200,000 people assembled to honor our Blessed. Lord in the great Mystery of His love. A Papal Legate came to represent the Pope there — the first seen in England for 300 years; and that great multitude received him enthusiastically, because he had come 'in the name of the Pope. " Take another example: An infidel Government was, as they all knew, trying' to— crush the Catholic Church in- France. . Some time ago a"- law was passed which confiscated the whole of tho Church property of the nation. . The French Government offered a compromise - whereby the use of the churches, presbyteries, and Church property might be retained. This compromise appeared injurious to Catholic interests. The bishops and clergy asked the advice of tho Holy Father, who bade them reject" it. They submitted to his decision; the bishops left their palaces and the clergy their presbyteries and ' went forth homeless, sacrificing millions of pounds' worth of property rather than do anything opposed to the desires of the Pope and prejudicial to the interests of Catholic faith and unity. Those were a few instances of the strongunion and sympathy existing between the Holy leather,- the Supreme Head of the Church on the one hand, and. the bishops, clergy, and laity on the other. And that same bond is found in the several dioceses among bishop, priest, and people. Take this diocese of Dunedin ; the most perfect spirit of unity prevailed in it, and that was why they were able to do i o much work for religion. Churches had been built, schools had been established, religious communities had been introduced, fully equal to the wants of the place, and all was the result of the grand spirit of unity, harmony, and community of action for the general good that prevailed in the diocese. And the common spirit was seen reflected\botiveen pastor and people in their -several parishes. Let them take their own parish of Invercargill. The people loved their pastor, and they respected him for his prudence and ability ; they listened to his advice and were always roa-dy to follow him. The consequences to be expected folloAved. Invercargill had advanced very much for the past twelve years; but the various Catholic institutions had kept well up with the' progress of the city. There was their grand church, towering above all the^ other churches and edifices of the city. A magnificent building it wilL be when fully decorated and completed. There were their schools, thoroughly well equipped and haying- gran.l attendances of children. He "had visited those schools that day — the good Brotliers' school -and ,thY; convent schools — and he was delighted with the number of bright, well-clad, happy, intelligent children he found in them. These schools and these children were the crown and glory of the prospering condition of this" parish. Invercargill had a good name for Sunday observance, attendance at the Masses, and the reception of the Sacraments. Every time he came here he was struck by the numbers approaching Holy Communion — numbers which kept- up steadily Sunday after Sunday throughout the year. That being so, it was hot surprising that the different societies of the parish flourished. It gave him much pleasure to receive the Young Men's Society's address, and to hear the-senti-ments expressed in it. He was glad the society was in a sound state, that it did much good work, and that its spirit w»s so loyal and Catholic. He exhorted the members to use their opportunities to go on fitting themselves foF the battle of life, always improving themselves and doing so under the guidance of. their scholarly director, the Dean. It was unnecessary for him to say that he was pleased to find the Hibernians flourishing here. ' His thorough approval was bestowed on the Hibernians. Benefit _ societies were He knew the Hibernians well; probably the largest branch in^ the Dominion was the Dunedin branch. He knew their spirit — that they helped one another and also the parish priost in every parish undertaking. The Hibernians in looking back at the past should feel proud of the faith and patriotism of their fathers in the • Old Country, and the example of their ancestors should stimulate them to .copy those virtues and reproduce them and show them to be a vital power in the upbuilding of this new country. All that he expected from the numbers of young Hibernians who wero wearing the honored badge of the society throughout this

Dominion. It gave him much pleasure to receive an address from the Children of Mary. He glad to hear that time was not diminishing, rather increasing their numbers', t.lieir fervor, and their, exemplary influence among the female portion of the parish. He prayed that God would** shower His blessings upon them all; but he particularly exhorted the younger members to be faithful to the rules of their society and to follow the counsels of their pastor and the advice of the nuns who presided at their meetings. "If they did that they would be saved from many dangers which lay in the path of the young and inexperienced. He need not say that he was pleased with the joyovis welcome he had received that day- from the happy and fortunate children of the Catholic schools. It was entirely necessary, if wo were to have true Catholic men and women in the future and not merely ill-instructed poor-spirited nominal ones, to have children brought up at home and in school in a Catholic atmosphere; they should have before them, during the years their characters were being formed, the example of good parents and the saintly lives and spirit of good teachers. At home and in school they should be learning, all the day, sweetly and silently the way to sanctify their actions and to govern their conduct by Christian thoughts and maxims. It is of the first importance for Catholic children to be surrounded, during the period of their education, with what is so justly called ' a Catholic atmosphere.' In no way that can be named can the mind be so deeply imbued with sound principles and the heart be so firmly habituated to virtuous practices as by close contact with others thoroughly animated by such principles and practices. See how even some well-educated and already grown-up become the victims of bad and irreligious surroundings and companions. What a gross neglect of duty then it is for parents who, where good Catholic schools exist, pass them by and expose their children, whom they are so strictly bound to protect, to an atmosphere indifforentist, irreligious, and often anti-Catholic. Unhappy children ! their own parents exchange their glorious birthright for a miserable mess of pottage. But he was glad to be able to say that there were few Catholic parents in this town who, in view of their splendidly equipped Catholic schools, were so callous — he would say so cruel — towards their children as to victimize them in this way. The Bishop said he could not conclude without speaking some words of praise of their Catholic band. He knew something of music and of its difficulties, hence he was surprised at the state of efficiency the band had reached in so short a time. He must congratulate the members on their playing that evening, and particularly the conductor, who must be a most capable man, seeing that he had already produced such fine results. There was, he felt sure, a bright future " before their Catholic band. Having again thanked the parishioners of Invercargill for their splendid demonstration of welcome and fidelity the Bishop sat down amid enthusiastic applause. The Mayor (Mr. W. B. Scandrett) said he had listened to the addresses and to the Bishop's forcible reply with great pleasure. After the Bishop's eloquent speech, he should come in as a -very poor second. He was deeply impressed by the sentiments of unity, kindly sympathy, and reverence for authority that pervaded that enthusiastic meeting. He Avas an old citizen of Invercargill. He knew the good old French missionaries avlio built old St. Mary's. He knew many of the priests Avho had labored in this town and district ever since, and he kneAv them to be worthy and efficient men. The present pastor, Dean Burke, was much esteemed by his own people; but more than that, he was as a churchman and citizen the object of what he might call cosmopolitan admiration. The institutions of the Catholic Church -were keeping fully abreast with the rapid progress of the city. That was not surprising, seeing that the people had such men as their fatherly Bishop and their cultured Dean to lead them. He was much pleased with what he" had seen and heard at that large and enthusiastic reunion ,of the Catholic people of this city. , ' The band here struck up ' Faith of our Fathers,' and the people sang the hymn. All thenf knelt down and the Bishop chanted the episcopal benediction, the choir responding. The band played the Bishop back to the presbytery, arid about 300 persons not yet fatigued by a long" ceremony, followed to. the gate, Avhere three cheer* for the Bishop closed the proceedings.

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