Takaka

New Zealand Tablet, 15 May 1913, Page 47

Takaka

■' 'V* (From an occasional correspondent.) i. > . - It: is not often that the Catholics of this district have the f opportunity ; offered them of practising their religion in a manner similar to that of their co-religion-ists in the larger towns; it is, therefore, no wonder that when their worthy pastor /Father Ainsworth) announced that he intended : to conduct a : week's mission they were more- than delighted. The mission was opened on Sunday, April 20, when there was a large congregation, and day by day the attendance "at Mass and evening devotions steadily increased. The general

The church at Takaka is situated about'four miles from the town, and as the increasing Catholic'population requires a large edifice, a movement is on foot to build a new church in a more central position. When this matter was mentioned to the people, the response was marvellous. In a few short hours the generous sum of £350 was collected. To this will be added the amount derived from a very successful concert held on Monday, April 21.

Father Ainsworth, not satisfied with his success at Takaka, proceeded to Tarakohe, where he preached a two days’ mission and met with the same success as attended his efforts during the preceding week. He has every reason to be proud of his flock in the Takaka Valley; he left them . anxiously waiting .'for the third Sunday in May, the day ; that will bring him amongst them once more, when they will have an opportunity of renewing the good resolutions made during the mission.

topic of conversation among all classes was the eloquence and zeal of the missioner. Never before has the writer witnessed a more solemn and genuine profession of faith than that made by the handful of Catholics in the valley across Golden Bay. On the closing day upwards of, eighty men received Holy Communion at , the first . Mass,.'< and it is .estimated that only half a dozen failed to approach the Holy Table. On arrival at the little church for evening devotions and close of the mission, Rev. Father Ainsworth found it was impossible for the building to hold -two-thirds of the people assembled. In order that no one would be disappointed he had the seats placed outside and the people made as comfortable as possible,: and from the church steps he recited the Rosary, preached the ; final sermon, and conducted the beautiful ceremony of the renewal of Baptismal vows. It was a splendid sight to see the people’ with their candles held aloft renewing the vows made for them by ,their sponsors when they, received the Sacrament of Baptism. The congregation, or to be more correct, as many as could do so, crowded into the church, where Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament brought to ,a .close one of, the most successful missions held in the Nelson parish.