GREYMOUTH

New Zealand Tablet, 1 May 1913, Page 45

GREYMOUTH

; A MOST SUCCESSFUL MISSION As was predicted (says the Greymouth Evening Star of April 21), the closing ceremony of the Marist Fathers' mission was a record in point of attendance. St. Patrick's Church may, on former occasions, have been well filled, but last night it was packed to its utmost limits and it is safe to say that it would have been impossible to squeeze another person into the spacious building. The attendance all through the mission has been most gratifying to the Very Rev. Dean Carew and his assistant priests as well as to the missioners themselves. Last night's service was a fitting close to the past fortnight's ministrations of the devoted priests, who labored from early morning till past midnight. The work of the mission was not all performed in the church ; the missioners sought out the erring ones in the highways and byeways ' and were successful in bringing back numbers who had strayed from the Church) of their fathers, and consolation has been brought to hundreds who have reason to sincerely thank the Marist Missioners who have so worthily upheld the best traditions of the Catholic priesthood. The closing sermon on Perseverance was preached by Very Rev. Father O'Connell at the conclusion of which there was a renewal of Baptismal vows, followed by the Papal blessing. Father O'Connell then paid a high compliment to the Very Rev. Dean Carew, whose parish was a model one and whose hospitality and kindly help they could never forget. The organist, choir-master, and the choir were also thanked, as were the ushers, collectors, and altar boys. The generosity of the people also called for special commendation. The Benediction was then given and was followed by the singing of 'Hail, glorious Saint Patrick.' Thus closed a mission, the success of which has been nothing short of marvellous; beyond comparison from every point of view, the most successful ever given in Westland. The present Pontiff, Pius X., will be known to posterity as 'The Pope of daily Communion.' In like manner, this mission in Grey mouth by the Marist Fathers will long be remembered as the mission at which that pious and beneficial custom was inaugurated. At the 8 o'clock Mass on Sunday the church was crowded with the male members of the congregation only. The Very Rev. Dean Carew was celebrant. -Over 400 received Holy Communion at this Mass, and at its conclusion the men all marched to the school grounds, where a photograph was taken of the record gathering. An adjournment was then made to the clubrooms and; Hibernian Hall, where breakfast had been prepared by members of the clubs and their lady friends. Very Rev. Dean Carew occupied the head of the table, having on his right hand Very Rev. Father O'Connell, and on his left the president of the Hiber-

nian Society (Mr. T. Keenan). At the other end of the hall the ' president of the St. Columba Club (Mr. A. McSherry) occupied the vice-chair, having on each side of him the secretaries of the two associations (Messrs Keating and Rasmussen). The first toast—that of the pope and King'—was proposed by Dean'Carew, and honored in the usual manner! - ; - . ; -

Mr. Keenan.then, proposed the toast of The Missioners.' He paid a high tribute to the glorious work achieved by the missioners, which was largely due to their magnificent zeal and splendid eloquence. Through their energy and efforts the mission had been the most successful ever held in Grey mouth and the West Coast.-: -■;.,■; A ' * "

: On rising to respond, Father O'Connell received air ovation. He said the demonstration that morning was sufficient to show their loyalty and faith to their Church and it was one of the most: magnificent sights he had ever witnessed. In Australia where he had given missions the results were splendid, but in proportion to the size of the place this demonstration eclipsed the lot. He referred to the work done by the pioneers of the Coast, many of whom were present at that gathering, and he hoped their sons would follow in their footsteps and be as good. Catholic unity stands for progress * he said, and he therefore appealed to:them.all■ to join the Catholic Federation. He felt proud of the good results of their work as missioners and hoped the good fruit would be lasting. - '" - Father McCarthy, who was received-with cheers, said he congratulated them on theirs manifestation of faith that morning and all through the mission. "He was proud that morning that he too was a Coaster. * He was proud to be a Catholic and proud of such results from the mission. He hoped the good work would continue. - ' - . v Mr. H. F. Doogan proposed the toast of.. The Catholic Associations/ and in doing so placed the St. Columba Club first as doing an enormous amount of good for the young men from the time they left school. Then when they got married they could join the Hibernian Society and derive benefits equal to those of any other benefit society, and finally all should join the Catholic Federation. :;'- • The toast was responded to by Mr. Keating (Hibernian Society), Mr. McSherry (St. Columba Club), and Mr. B. Rasmussen (Catholic Federation). _ Mr. W. B. Gilbert proposed 'The local clergy,' whom he said couldn't be excelled anywhere. The various works and Catholic institutions proved that. Very Rev. Dean CareW- thanked Mr. Gilbert for his kind remarks: He felt proud of his assistants. A more humble man and a better* priest than Father Taylor he had never met, and one " w&uld go a long way to match the zeal of Father McCarthy. The hearts' blood of the best Irish was to be found in the natives of the Dominion, and though the old people die off the young ones come on and help to keep the grand old faith ever green. . The other toasts honored were The ladies' and ' The press,' both of which were proposed by Very Rev. Father O'Connell, who paid a special meed of praise to the local papers for the great assistance they had given the mission by their reports. ,