Visit of His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate

New Zealand Tablet, 17 November 1921, Page 22

Visit of His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate

His Excellency" the Most Rev. * Archbishop Cattaneo, Apostolic Delegate -to Australasia, accompanied by the Right Rev. Dr. Whyte, Bishop of Dunedin,, Rev. Dr. Farrelly (Secretary to the Delegation),, and Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., returned to Dunedin from Queenstown and the Lakes District on. last Wednesday evening. At the principal railway stations passed on the trip to the Lakes, notably Milton, his Excellency was very cordially greeted by large assemblages of the townspeople, not the least pleasing being the children of the* Catholic school, who were present on the platform, and who received, with i much appreciation, a few kindly words addressed to them by his Excellency. t Passing through Gore on his return, his Excellency was met by Very Rev. Father O'Donnell, and, together with his Lordship Bishop Whyte, paid a hasty visit to the beautiful church and to the Catholic schools of the town. On Thursday morning thte Apostolic Delegate celebrated Mass for the Dominican Nuns in their, chapel at St. Dominic's Priory. Shortly afterwards his Excellency and party left by motor cars for the north. Visit to St. Patrick's College. Teschemakers Thursday, November 10, was a day of special rejoicing with the Dominican Sisters and pupils of St. Patrick's College, Teschemakers, the occasion being the visit of his Excellency the Most Rev. Archbishop ( Cattaneo, Apostolic Delegate to Australasia. Promptly to time, his Excellency, accompanied by the Right Rev. Dr. Whyte, Bishop of Dunedin, Rev. Dr. Farrelly (Secretary to the Delegation), and Very Rev. Father Coffey, arrived at the convent. The college grounds were decked in their-brightest spring garments; the house and surroundings were decorated with his Excellency's crest and colors, the Papal flag, and Dominican flags; the pupils, dressed in white, each held a small flag of white and gold. Nature, assisted by art, had succeeded in making a glorious setting for the reception, and the distinguished visitor, on alighting from his car, received a most cordial welcome. A dainty luncheon had been prepared by the Sisters, and seated at the table with the guest of honor, were the Right Rev. Dr<» Whyte, Right Rev._ Mgr. Mackay, Rev. Dr. Farrelly, Very Rev. Father Coffey, and Rev. Fathers Herring, Morkane. O'Connell, Kaveney, and Foley. After luncheon liis Excellency inspected the building, and later was entertained at a concert by the boarders. A very effective musical programme was rendered with a skill and artistry characteristic of all the productions of the Dominican pupils. Miss May Ayson then read the following address: Address to the Apostolic Delegate, the Most Reverend Bartholomew Cattaneo, Archbishop of Palmyra, from - the Pupils of St. Patrick's College, Teschemakers, New .. Zealand. May it please your Excellency, While in New Zealand you may be received with more splendor and ceremonial, but we venture to say that nowhere will there be a welcome for you from more loyal and devoted Catholic hearts than those of the Sisters and , pupils of St. Patrick's College, Teschemakers. We deeply appreciate the signal honor done us by your Excellency, in whom we venerate the representative of the Holy Father, XV., Christ's Vicar on earth, and we hail this opportunity to pledge him through you our filial love and our Catholic fidelity. Your Excellency's experience as ' head of the great Missionary College of the Propaganda warrants us in believing that this visit to.St. Patrick's will have a special interest for you, since so many years of your illustrious / career were devoted to the training of students for the . , missions which have borne all over the globe the standard of the Cross; and we know it will please you to be assured that nothing is here left undone by our teachers to make us worthy of the pioneer priests who brought the faith to ";..■■ New Zealand. •"'. •: -'. .'_'; , '■■■ '■ ) ■ r''-. if r This day will be like a thread of gold in the tenor .of ~ ; our lives, and remembrance of it will in future years inspire us to' pray that God may bless \ and protect the illus- , trious Apostolic Delegate whose presence amongst us binds

us closer than ever in vital union with the Holy See. ' ; ,;, ; Begging your Excellency's blessing, and with profound • ' ij esteem, we are, your Excellency's devoted children, the ,-jf Pupils of St. Patrick's Dominican College, Teschemakers.". His Excellency, in a particularly happy speech, thanked ' ; the children for the entertainment and address, expressed " \. ■•.'•; his delight over his visit to Teschemakers, and assured the ); Sisters and children that he would remember them and their work when making his report to his Holiness, Benedict XV. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was then given by the Apostolic Delegate, aid as a final gracious act of fatherly affection he distributed sweets to the delighted pupili. At 5.15, amid the hearty cheers of tho, children, his Excellency departed for Oamaru. Thus ended one of the happiest and most memorable occasions in the history of St. Patrick's College, Teschemakers. At Oamaru His Excellency arrived at Oamaru in the evening, and attended a conversazione given in his honor at St. Joseph's Schoolroom, where he was welcomed by a crowded assembly (says the North Otago Times). Monsignor Mackay said that it was his privilege and pleasure to welcome Archbishop Cattaneo. Any words of his failed to give expression to his feelings, but he would call on Mr. P. G. Hjorring to speak on behalf of the congregation. ♦ x Mr. P. C. Hjorring said that it afforded him great pleasure to welcome the Apostolic Delegare to the town of Oamaru. The speaker was pleased that his Excellency could come to a small town such as Oamaru. He wished to assure the Archbishop that although they were far from the Holy See, they had the same regard for it as those who resided near it. The Delegate would see that the people had built churches and schools in order that the faith would be kept up. The speaker trusted that the Archbishop would have a pleasant time while in the Dominion and on behalf of the congregation extended to him a~hearty welcome. - >J His Lordship Bishop Whyte stated that they would see that his Excellency was in excellent form and that they were sending him to the diocese of Christchurch under the most favorable conditions. It was exactly a fortnight since they left Sydney and, if necessary, he could' give his Excellency a diploma as a good travelling companion. He had travelled a good deal while in the diocese of Dunedin and had done well while under the care of the speaker and Father Coffey. Having the true artistic soul of an Italian, his Excxellency . was interested. in art, music, and scenery, and during the stay of his Excellency « in Otago, they had supplied him with that. He had heard the music of the boys and girls at the schools and they had shown him Lake Wakatipu. Tliese did not satisfy/ however, until the Archbishop had evidenced the faith and ~'. piety of the people. The Archbishop had won a place in their hearts by his affability and the speaker was glad that the people had an opportunity of honoring him. His Excxellency, on rising to speak, was greeted with ~ applause. In a happy speech, interspersed with anecdotes, he referred to his pleasure at meeting the congre- * gation of Oamaru. He was extremely thankful to Bishop Whyte and Father Coffey for. the attention that they had shown him. The speaker never anticipated seeing such a beautiful structure as their church, indeed, it could hold v _ its own with the churches of Rome. He thanked Mr. ' . Hjorring for his address and was pleased with the expres- Vsions of loyalty which were, he felt, authentic. With reference to the musical programme, being an Italian and v appreciative of art, he was extremely pleased with the perxormance. . . -o -■ *& Upon the conclusion of the Archbishop's remarks, the v . audience were presented to him individually. . . 0 During the evening a musical programme was pro- '"'" "'i , vided by Miss A. Magee (song with violin obbligato by Miss Leslie), Miss. T. McGrath (song), Misses A. Molloy | and-M. Cartwrigfit (piano duet), Miss Leslie (violin solo), i Mr. W. Watters (song), Mr., J. Roxburgh (song), Misses H Leslie, Cartwright, and Mr. Hedges ■ (instrumental trio). ; ;, A much appreciated supper was then handed round ■by the lady members of the congregation* h ',- \ "'-'' ;..

On Friday his Excellency-celebrated Holy Mass at the Basilica in the presence of a large congregation, and subsequently met the pupils and teachers of St. Thomas's Academy and of the other parish schools. The Apostolic Delegate was met at Oamaru by his Lordship Dr. Brodie, Bishop of Christchurch, accompanied by Rev. Fathers Peoples and Herring, of Waimate. Motor cars decorated m the Papal colors were, in waiting s and his Excellency departed for Timaru, visiting Morven and Waimate en route. 1 " ' . VISIT TO TIMARU : A WARM WELCOME His Excellency Archbishop Cattaneo, direct representative of the Pope in Australasia, arrived in Timaru on Friday, and was given a cordial welcome at the Priory. Later in the afternoon a garden party was held, when he was tendered a formal welcome. The distinguished visitor was accommodated on a dais with Bishop Brodie on his . left and the Mayor "of Timaru on his right. The ground was nicely decorated, the Papal colors predominating. During the afternoon an efficient . orchestra under the baton of Mr. T- J. O'Connor, played pleasingly after the speeches of welcome and the reply. ° Rev. Father Hurley, welcoming the Apostolic Delegate on behalf of the clergy and parishioners, said that they . were very pleased that in a hurried tour his Excellency had found time to call in at Timaru. His Excellency was recognised as a distinguished personage and also as the personal representative of our Holy Father the Pope. Father Hurley referred to the solidity of Catholicity in Timaru, and the progress made since their fore- -. fathers came there. The material prosperity of Catholicity was eclipsed only by the spiritual sincerity which was manifested by the large attendance at Mass. He could assure his. Excellency that the prosperity in Timaru was due to the foresight of the pioneer priests who moved about and selected suitable sites for the buildings of the future, v and the speaker contrasted the old mode of travel with their trip that day. He would also like to welcome to the gathering the Mayor of Timaru, Mr. F* J. Rolleston (applause), whom he called upon to speak. Mr. Rolleston, after thanking Father Hurley N for his last remarks, extended to the Delegate a welcome on be---half of the citizens of Timaru, and expressed the wish that their stay would be enjoyable. He would welcome his Excellency not only as an ecclesiastic who was entitled to all the respect they could show him, but also as a representative of a country which stood side by side with the British Empire during the war. The Mayor spoke of his visit to '-beautiful passionate Italy," its scenic beauties and its art and . architectural treasures, mentioning particularly St. Peter's, Rome, and said he hoped their visitor would find some compensation in natural beauties in this new country for what he would miss in his own, and that they would remind, him of. the beauties of Naples and the Mediterranean. Mr. Rolleston concluded by again expressing words of welcome on behalf of the town gener(ally. His Lordship Bishop Brodie thanked Mr. Rolleston for the kind compliment ho had paid the Catholic body' of Timaru by.' welcoming their distinguished visitor. It was a compliment which was deeply appreciated and would not be forgotten. The speaker admired the fine progress of Timaru, and the civic pride which was always exhibited, and he expressed the hope that his Worship's regime in the Mayoral chair would be one of the brightest spots in the progress of the town, and that it would be a long one. Turning to his Excellency, Bishop Brodie said he came as a personage entitled to the profoundest respect of the Catholic body. He would not hear of passing Timaru by, especially as his predecessor, Archbishop Cerretti, had not visited Timaru, and the speaker was sure the visit would ■'• be a great encouragement to the Marist Brothers and to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, with' whose work he wished to be brought into touch. His Lordship traversed the early days when the, pioneers established the Church in South Canterbury, and referred in particular to the • Rev. Father Chataigner, whose name should be honored I by every Catholic member of the community. He felt . deeply gratified as Bishop ,at the reception given to the ( Apostolic Delegate and to the Holy Father through him. It spoke for the loyalty and attachment to thevJHoly ■ Father. - '..-"' '.' ..-1 . ••'

; Dr. J. R. Loughnan then read the following address , to hia Excellency:— '-.■-' I .' To His Excxellency the Most Reverend Bartolomeo Cattaneo, D.D., LL.D., Apostolic Delegate to Australasia. ' '"•'■•'•. May it please your Excellency^ It is with no mere formality or conventional phrase that we bid you welcome. Not only as a distinguished visitor and revered prelate do we greet your Excellency, but most of all do we appreciate the inestimable honor of having in our midst the direct representative of our deeply "* venerated Father, Benedict XV. Your coming amongst us helps to strengthen the link of love and faith that binds us-to the See of Peter, and through you do we in. these most uttermost ends of the earth pledge our unfailing devotion and loyalty to the Holy See*. But while we greet your Excellency first as Apostolic ' Delegate, we wish to extend a hearty welcome also to your Excellency in your own person, and the one small shadow in the sunshine of our joy in your presence here to-day is the knowledge that your time amongst us is so brief. With no little pride we beg to direct your Excellency's attention to our beautiful church, our fine schools, and splendid convent, as evidence of the zeal of the Fathers of the Society of Mary, and the devotedness of the religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Marist Brothers, and of the loyal and generous spirit of the people of Timaru. With renewed expressions of allegiance and personal greetings Signed on behalf of the people of Timaru by representatives of the various guilds and societies Sacred Heart Men's Society, N. D. Mangos; Sacred Heart Women's Society, Elizabeth Cunningham; Hibernian Society, W. G. Stirling; Children of Mary, Catherine. J. Collins; Celtic Club, M. J. Hyland; St. John's Tennis Club, J. G. Venning; Altar Society, Esther H. Doyle; St. Anne's Guild, Flora Deeming; choir, T. J. O'Connor; parishioners' representatives: J. R. Loughnan, J. Venning, sen., J. O'Rourke, J. P. Leigh,. D. Scannell, T. Brosnahan; D. H. Hurley, S.M. Mr. J. G. Venning, secretary to the reception committee, also presented a splendid album of photographs to his Excellency, which included views of the church and parochial buildings, and a bird's eye view of Timaru. The photography was artistically done by Mr. H. Williams. Responding to the welcome, Archbishop Cattaneo said he would like to have fuller use of the English language to express his sentiments, for he felt extremely glad at the reception given him. He had seen and admired the beautiful church and buildings, and he felt it would be a sin not to stop a few hours to see them and the beautiful town of Timaru, and to admire their progress. They might easily understand the great pleasure it gave him to stay and he had to thank their Bishop and those who had arranged the programme. To quote from the address just presented to him, the only shadow of his great joy was in not, being able to stay longer, but it was his intention to come back as soon as possible so that he would be able to make longer sojourns in places at which the previous Delegate had not. been able to pay prolonged visits. (Applause.) He had also to thank the Mayor of the town —or city he should say —for so very kindly coming to the function, and he would much like to be able to express in 1 better English his sincere feelings. He was really pleased and thankful for the Mayor's- welcome on behalf _of the community over which he presided. He would also like to tender his thanks for the kindly references to Italy. It was no fault of the people of New Zealand that they did not have Italy's art treasures, because it was a young country, but time would pass, and with the great spirit of progress which prevailed and the aesthetic sense of the people, the time would come when New Zealand would compare with Italy from an artistic point of x view. He had seen a refined sense of music in New Zealand which told well for future artistic development. Referring to scenic affairs, there was some, he said, in New Zealand which surpassed that of Italy. He spoke of the magnificent " church in Timaru and the schools, and ' congratulated the Catholic body on their possession. In conclusion he thanked Father Hurley for the welcome. ' . r After the ceremony, his Excellency, mingled with the > V;. (Concluded on page 27.) ' \