New Convent at Greymouth

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 7, 25 February 1925, Page 27

New Convent at Greymouth

The ceremony of laying and blessing the foundation stone ofthe new Convent of Mercy in Tainui Street' ; by his Lordship Bishop Brodie, took place on Sunday, the loth inst. (says the Greymouth Star). The weather was fine, and there was a large attendance of the public. A procession, headed by the Grey Municipal Band, and composed of the Children of Mary, Hibernians, Marist Brothers, the local and visiting clergy and church members, moved from St. Patrick’s Church, just at 3 o’clock, to the new. convent. The following occupied seats on a dais in front of the main entrance to the building : Bishop Brodie, Rev. Dr. Kennedy (Hokitika), Fathers Fogarty (Ahaura), Roche (Christchurch), Long, McMonagle, Madden, Houlihan, and Fimierty (Kumara), Mr. W. H. Parfitt (Mayor), Mrs. Parfitt, Messrs. Jas. O’Brien, M.P., H. F. Doogan, J. Hart (contractor), and M. Moloney (Clerk of Works). Immediately on arrival the ceremony of blessing and laying the foundation stone was performed by Bishop Brodie. Mr. John Hart, contractor for the building, presented Bishop Brodie with a silver trowel, suitably inscribed commemorative of the event. Rev. Father Long, who was in charge of the proceedings, expressed his pleasure at the large attendance, which he interpreted as a lively interest in, and appreciation of the good work being done by the Sisters of Mercy in Grey mouth. About 12 years ago when the old convent, which has done such valiant duty for forty years, was showing signs of age, it was decided to spend nothing more on it, but instead to establish a fund for a new building. The Sisters had worked steadily to achieve this object, and, with legacies, donations, and various functions, they had got £22,000 in hand. Recent efforts had brought in £922 11s 3d and the dvanoe guard” of the collection they intended to take before the assemblage broke up, amounted to £42 17s. The late revered Dean Oarew had always worked to forward the projected new convent, and it was fitting that on the fifth anniversary, of. his death, they should be assembled for the laying of the foundation stone which represented the consummation of Dean Carew’s great desire The contract price for the new-building was £25,601, but with furnishings and other necessaries, at least £30,000 to £31,000 would bo required. They were still £9OOO off the required sum, but lie hoped, when the convent was opened, at the end of the year, the Sisters would have the gratification of entering a debt free building. He had apologies for the unavoidable absence of Fathers Herring and Herbert (Reefton, and Riordan (Ross). Mr. W. H. Parfitt said he was pleased to be associated with the afternoon’s ceremony He felt he was voicing the sentiment of every citizen in Greymouth when he said he Lwas glad the Sisters of Mercy were to have l a new home. Greymouth owed a debt to •he Sisters of Mercy for their charitable work

FOUNDATION STONE CEREMONY.

done during the influenza epidemic, and for their noble contribution to the education of the rising generation. The erection of an important building in a town was a matter for the interest of the ctiizen. He was sure many friends of the Sisters other than their own co-religionists, would find a tangible means of expressing appreciation of the good services of the Sisters, by helping to find a proportion of the £9OOO still required. Mr. James O’Brien, M.P., said he felt sympathy with the Sisters, who made great sacrifices in giving up their lives to the cause of charity and education; they were at the beck and call of all who were in trouble. So far as general education and music were concerned they were a boon to the community. Surely as the Sisters freely gave their best in charitable work and education to the people, the people would rally round them and help to remove the debt still remaining on the new convent. Rev. Dr. Kennedy said that two factors had made him want to be present —the first was that he had charge of the adjoining parish, and the other was that the St. Patrick’s Convent of Mercy was the child of St. Oolumbkille’s Convent at Hokitika, from whence it sprang just on forty years ago. lie knew he was stating the truth, when he said that in the religious life of the people the Sisterhoods took the place next to the Church itself. He had the authority of the good old Book for saying, “Except the Lord build an house, they labor in vain who build it.” This statement could be applied literally to the building of any house, but specially applied to buildings erected for church purposes. The Sisters gave up their all when they went in the cloister, but it was a strange fact that when they wanted money for work' being done, in love, for the people, it was always forthcoming. While possessing not one penny piece of material wealth, the Sisters of Mercy were rich beyond the dreams of avarice, because they had the love and sympathy of everyone in the parish. The Bishop, on rising to speak, was received with applause. He expressed his pleasure at the splendid attendance, being specially pleased to have associated with him on the platform, the mayor, mayoress, and member for the district. The reason for the gathering was notable to - the church, tlie Sisters of Mercy, and the town. He was reminded that 70 years ago when those spared to come back to England after the Crimean War, arrived in London, the populace were filled with wonder when they saw that the procession was headed by a band of women all garbed in black. One of the generals introduced them as “heroines worthy to take the first place.” These -were Florence Nightingale and her Sisters of Mercy, who had shared the vicissitudes of the battlefield. Their names were written' in history, and the episode was worth narrating, since the call of the sick, needy, or poor was just as eagerly obeyed now by .the Sisters as it was in those dark days for England. Almighty

God has set the standard of good life which nil must follow. The Sisters, however, obeyed the higher evangelical course and forsook all to -follow-• Him, devoting their lives to acts of charity and helpfulness to mankind, and to educating the young. In doing this they were using their talents rightly and their reward would be the greater. He had noticed that in other towns the church was erecting edifices at heavy cost, but he would say the Greymouth people were the best at getting money to pay for theirs. Air. H. F. Doogau said all present would realise that next to religion came education. The greatest essential in life was to grow up with right ideas and right ideals. The Sisters of Mercy wore devoting their lives to the work of educating the young, in addition to the other duties which claimed their attention. Greymouth owed the Sisters a deep debt of gratitude for the way they had developed their talents, and all that was good, in the children placed under their care. It could be said that Greymouth trained young people were scattered all over New Zealand, equipped mentally to take their place as good citizens. These and all others of the legions of pupils who did well, were a living witness to the earnest, loving training done by the Sisters., In recognising nil the good services performed by the Sisters, their increasing devotion to duty, and their many sacrifices, it would he nothing shoft of base ingratitude if the people did not rise and find the money needed for the carrying out of their good work in this parish. He would not suggest that the amount still required should be subscribed by a few who were in the position to give freely. He suggested that all should help and feel they bad a common interest in the new convent. He would not conclude without referring to the excellent music rendered by the Band, which he knew everyone had enjoyed. The Band was leaving in a few days to take part in a contest in Auckland. He knew they would carry the best wishes of all the residents of Greymouth. He wanted to see the Band score a win, but whether they were successful or not. be could assure them Greymouth would welcome them back, knowing they had done their best. (Applause.) The collection taken at the laying of the stone amounted to £351 12s. The Sisters of the Convent of Alercy further acknowledge the sum of £IOO from Mr. T. Clarke, being proceeds of recent entertainments by the “Follies.”