BLESSING AND OPENING OF A NEW CONVENT AT DANNEVIRKE

New Zealand Tablet, 11 May 1911, Page 855

BLESSING AND OPENING OF A NEW CONVENT AT DANNEVIRKE

(From our own correspondent.) May 2. His Grace Archbishop Redwood arrived in Dannevirke last Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning he celebrated the 8 o’clock Mass, and at the 11 o’clock Mass preached a very impressive sermon on ‘ Sanctifying Grace.’ In the afternoon the ceremony of blessing the new convent took place. Punctually at 3 o’clock a procession was formed in the church grounds, which was headed by a cross-bearer and acolytes, followed by the convent school children, Sisters of the Mission, Children of Mary, members of the congregation, followed by his Grace the Archbishop* attended by the Rev. Father Cahill. Appropriate hymass were sung as the procession proceeded to the convert ground, arriving at the main entrance to the new building. At the conclusion of the ceremony of blessing, his Grace addressed the large assemblage. His Grace said he-need not tell them how pleased he was to be among the Catholic people in Dannevirke again, and be able to extend his heartiest congratulations to the Rev. Mother and the parish priest for the fine building erected by their efforts. It was a magnificent pile ‘of buildings, and, in his opinion, would be an attraction to the town, and would help to gain for Dannevirke a larger population. He could assure them that had he been told five years ago that such a building would be erected, he would have thought his informant was a dreamer. The parishioners could rejoice in having such an erection, worthy of much larger parishes, in their midst. It provided good accommodation, so needful to the Sisters in their arduous life. He found he had nothing but congratulations for all concerned in the work. Dealing with the question of education, his Grace said that secular teachings were all right if we were concerned merely, with the things of this world. If, however, it was realised that there was a world hereafter, then education without religion was not complete. The Catholics, he said, are not going to conform to any system of education that is not for the benefit of the children. Man’s life in this world was very short, and it was well to be prepared to meet God on the Day of Judgment. It was, therefore, their endeavor to educate those under their charge for the next world as well as for the present. The children should be brought up in ap atmosphere of Christianity. To be a man of character one must start with, solid Christian principles, and these were imbued by the religious education given in the Catholic schools. At the new convent the children would be taught by Christians, and would be in safe keeping. The Sisters in charge;would be useful to the. whole community. Their prayers were not only for themselves, but were for the good of all, and great is the prayer of the just man. They were pure,’ innocent women, and what better example could be set to the children? The latter would be permeated with an atmosphere of Christianity a fact which was of the utmost importance. All the teachers had had considerable experience, and it must be gratifying to parents to know that their children would have such careful attention. The necessity of preparing for a future life must be realised, and it was absolutely essential, for the welfare of the children, that they should bo trained in a religious belief. Too many children did not obtain this training at home. In conclusion he again congratulated the parish on possessing such a splendid building. Mr. E. A. Ransom, as. Mayor of the town, said he was pleased to have an opportunity of congratulating the Catholics on the result of their efforts. The erection of the convent was a compliment to the town, in that it showed the faith the denomination had in the future prosperity of Dannevirke. He had greatly appreciated the remarks of the Archbishop in regard to the education of the children. He felt that the Protestants would do" well to follow the lead of the Catholics in this matter. Mr. C. Hall, M.P., said he had been struck by. the remarks of Archbishop Redwood iii regard to the surprise he would have felt if he had been told five years ago that such a fine building would be erected in Dannevirke. When he himself came to Dannevirke, thirty years ago, he had never dreamt that so many good buildings would be seen in the town. In whatever they took up the Catholics were

very persistent, and, for this were worthy of great respect. He had to congratulate them on the erection of the convent, ..which. was a credit to .the community. He hoped the good work would continue. odir ' Rev. Father Cahill returned thanks to the community for their attendance, and to the speakers .fori their very kind remarks. He was exceedingly grateful for the assistance. which had been so freely 7.; given - towards the convent movement. , Personally hey would • not mind being moved from the parish, - for he had. very little interest in the buildings themselves. He was interested in the good of the people, and it did not matter in what parish he worked it would be his endeavor to help his people. It should be the endeavor of religious . persons to work together without differences, ;- He was thankful ,to say that generous Catholic people' and their friends had : backed them up in their efforts to build the convent. He again thanked the people for their attendance, and.praised God for giving them such: a fine day for the. blessing ceremony. At the invitation of Father Cahill the large crowd then inspected the building, and were subsequently entertained at afternoon tea. / ... , , .. . • One of the features of the building is the magnificent altar, which , has just been erected in the sanctuary. It is of pure white marble, and is a fine specimen of the sculptor’s art.;" ■ Style and Dimensions. The building, which is in brick, covers an area of 81 feet by 44 feet, exclusive of the porches, and rises to a height of some 30 feet, the inside measurement of the lower storey being 13 feet, and of the upper 11 feet. Two

reinforced concrete courses run fight- round the building, thus securing it against damage by earthquake. The roof is covered with Marseilles tiles, - and the gables, of which there are four, have been surmounted by large wooden crosses. The exterior brick work has' been finished with the ordinary struck joint, but a modicum of ornamentation has been lent by the : cement facings and label mouldings .which adorn the many windows, particularly on the Allardice street frontage. Here also are two porches, one of which will be used as an entrance to the high: school, and the other as ,a sacristy for the priest conducting service in the adjoining:^chapel. The main entrance is from, the western side through a pair of large glass dorrs which open into a vestibule paved with black and red tiles. This hall is terminated by a lattice door, and the remainder of the passage becomes the corridor, which is reserved exclusively for the use of the Sisters. > - Along the Allardice street frontage there is first a reception-room, in which the Sisters will ■receive their visitors, then follows the music-room, and next to that comes the chapel, and finally the principal classroom in the high school. This is connected with the chapel J>y a series of folding doors, so that the; litter can at any time be considerably enlarged if so desired. The chapel is divided into two parts by the Communion; rail and an elliptical arch, the smaller side being "the sanctuary in ; which the altar stands, and by way of relief this portion of the building has been ornamented with an embossed frieze. The second room in the high school faces" the eastern aspect, and is also connected with the-larger one by folding doors. These rooms, in which the higher branches of education will

be ,'•* taught, " are 7 large " arid"" well lighted apartments, and .._ are,_,.;■".'. fitted with, . school furniture, of : the : most comfortable ""...and,;-;," modern ;, nature. Two entrances have , been " provided for the school, one through a porch on the Allardice "street^side and one at the back of the building. ... The doors in the former have been so' arranged that they can be- opened or closed: on either side of the porch to ' protect , the ;>scholars from the prevailing wind, while the porch at the back has been fitted; with wash-hand basins, for. the'convenience of the childrenAdjoining this part of the.school is the kitchen,, fitted with a range, hot and cold "water,, and . every other convenience which can make for comfort and minimise work. Then comes the refectory, and next to that,the second-music-room, and finally, again adjoining the main entrance, is a small parlor. All these rooms-on the ground floor are large, airy, and well lighted. The walls have been finished in the latest thing in plasters, which will riot crack with earthquakes, and the ceilings are of embossed ?steel. ;,;Every room has a fireplace fitted with a registrar grate and tile hearths. The doors, architraves, and skirtings have all been finished with a coat of oil, and French polished, and now that the floors are covered and pictures hung, the various apartments -bear a neat and homely appearance. The upper storey is approached by a staircase, which lands the visitor almost in the centre of a corridor, which runs the full length of the building. At the western end of this passage is a balcony which opens out under two wide arches. Then on either side of the corridor are the various living rooms set apart for the use of the Sisters. There is a work-room, the Superior's room, the community room, an

infirmary, a nurses’ room, and nine dormitories or cells. A linen cupboard,'bathroom, also a lavatory" and all tho most modern sanitary conveniences have also been provided. The walls on this floor have also been finished in plaster, but here the ceilings are panelled and painted white. The outbuildings necessary to the domestic management of, such an -institution are now in course of erection, arid except for the fixing of the requisite fire escapes, and a few finishing touches at the hands of the painters and plasterers, the building is now practically complete. In general appearance it is: not ,ornate, but it has aT look of substantiality which will wear well. The whole of the work (with the exception of the plumbing) has been carried out by Mr. Fairhurst, whose contract price was something over £3300, and the manner in which he has executed his contract is but another, testimony to his reputation as a conscientious builder. A memorial tablet has been inserted in the outer wall, near the main entrance, which bears the following inscription: —‘ A.M.D.G. Convent of Mater Amabilis for the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. This stone was laid by the Rev. T. J. Cahill, Rector; the Most -Rev. Francis Redwood, S.M., . being Archbishop of Wellington W. J. O’Donnell, architect J. H. Fairhurst, builder,’ . The plans were drawn by Mr. W. J. O’Donnell, -of Dannevirke. The many details of the scheme were most carefully thought out, so as to provide.all the requirements considered # necessary. The plans, on being, submitted to the authorities of the, Order at Home, were passed without alteration, which is a sufficient indication of the care taken

0 j by the architect, and ; Mr. O'Donnell may ; be congratulated on the splendid results achieved. "_ % . - Amongst those present at the ceremony r were visitors from Waipawa, ; Takapau, Ormondville, and Pahiatua, including the Rev. Father T. McKenna, of Pahiatua.' About £2OO were subscribed towards the convent fund during the afternoon. - This : included a cheque for £IOO from the Rev. Father Cahill. •, ' ' '., . j« . The day, which was beautifully fine, marked an important era in the religious progress of the Dannevirke parishl