Stratford

New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1911, Page 781

Stratford

April 16. •••••• Before, the 11 o’clock Mass on Sunday, the 16th inst., the Rev. Father Treacy unveiled the two beautiful stainedglass windows that had been presented by Messrs. Lavertv and Magnet. He had seen windows that had been made in Aewcastle-on-Tyne, Berlin, and Munich, and he had been advised by a friend of his, who had a great knowledge of art, to buy the windows in Youghal, Cork, and he was pleased to say he was satisfied that he had procured the best that was to bo obtained. Again, they were the only windows in the whole of New Zealand that were of Irish manufacture, and with a view of introducing their work into the nonunion the manufacturers had made a great reduction in the price. The window presented by Mr. Magner was of the Madonna and Child, the one on the Gospel side was presented by Mr. John Laverty, and was in memory of his son, John Edward. It was of St. John the Evangelist. 1 hey were works of art, and gave added charm to our beautiful church. He had also received sanction from his Grace the Archbishop to put up the new Stations of the Cross which now completed the furnishing of the church, they j were bought in Dublin. * They were all taken up, and during .the coming week he would have the donors’ names inscribed on them. Unfortunately, the beautiful oil painting of the Crucifixion that he had bought during his recent visit to Ireland had not yet arrived. He intended to hang that at the back of the Altar. It was again his pleasant task' to thank them for their continued generosity. It would be ten years next month since he first took charge of the parish, and during that time he had collected and spent £SOOO. He thanked them for their kindness, and also for the trust they had reposed in him. He would continue as in the past, to render a strict account of all moneys received and expended. He had collected the whole of that money without an art union or a bazaar, and it had all been given in his own parish. It was a grand record for his people. They had now a church of which they could rightly be proud. The parish was free of debt. The music of the Mass was admirably rendered by the choir, under the able conductorship of Mr. Loneragan. _ Great praise is due to the conductor for the way in which he has devoted his time and ability to the training of the choir. Wiegand’s Festival Mass in B flat was rendered. Mr. Hewes presided at the organ. ' '