Greymouth

New Zealand Tablet, 17 April 1913, Page 25

Greymouth

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) April 14. The Catholics of Greymouth are giving very tangible proof of their devotion to their religion as is evidenced by the large congregations which attend the various services of the mission, now being conducted by the Marist Missioners— Rev. Father O'Connell, and Rev. Fathers Taylor and McCarthy. On many occasions the accommodation of the sacred edifice has been taxed to its utmost, and in fact extra seats have had to be supplied. The wonderful success of the mission was evidenced by the extraordinarily large congregations on Sunday. Yesterday morning there were Masses at 7.30, 9, and 10 o'clock. At the first over 500 people received Holy Communion, and over 100 at the second. At the 10 o'clock Mass a large congregation assembled, when Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., explained the ceremonies of the Mass, and also preached from the text, Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My name He will give it you ' (John xvi, 23). He urged his hearers to be faithful to daily prayer as a means of persevering in the friendship of God. Last evening at 7 o'clock, in spite of the very heavy rain, the church was packed, and many were accommodated in the sanctuary and sacristy. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M., who took for his text—' Without faith it is impossible to please God.' It is safe to say that a more brilliant exposition of the Catholic doctrine of 'Faith' was never heard from any pulpit in Westland. The missionary Fathers have quite won the hearts of the people who are responding in a marvellous manner

to their instruction. The congregational singing, led by Father O'Connell, is quite a feature of the mission. Missions have also been conducted at Barrytown, Cobden, and Rewanui, and the whole-hearted response of the people is most gratifying.