St. Brigid's Church, Feilding

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 9, 11 March 1925, Page 27

St. Brigid's Church, Feilding

LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE BY ARCHBISHOP REDWOOD. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, S.M., head of the Catholic Church of New Zealand (says the Feilding Star of the 2nd inst.), yesterday laid the foundation stone of the new church, which 'is being built in Feilding. Father Cahill, parish priest, presided at the gathering, which, in spite of the threatening weather, was a large one. The new church is being erected on a site at the corner of Derby and Monmouth Streets. It is of ferro-concrete, of orthodox style, and when finished will be the most imposing sacred edifice in Feilding. Father Cahill, in his opening remarks, said his first duty was to thank Almighty God for having given them a fine afternoon. Ho then gave a financial statement covering the scheme for the erection of the new build'ing, saying how necessary the finances were in such a proposal. About five years ago a resident died, after having made provision in his will for a sum of £BOO to he given towards the cost of erecting a new church building. This gave the people a start, but evidently the architect had been misled regarding the financial ability of the people, for when he (the speaker) came here two years ago he found. that the plans had been prepared for a building to cost £15,000 or £16,000. This was unreasonable, and the people were most discouraged. They had altogether £3400 in hand then, and he urged them to raise £ISOO and, a friend of , the parish would give £SOO if they did so. In a sustained effort they had raised £1503, so that now they had £5500. He had had plans prepared for a building within the means of the people and suitable for their require-

ments. The architects had prepared a beautiful plan, and the contractors were carrying out the work in a very capable way, putting much more into it than they were required by the terms of the contract. Father Cahill warmly praised the overseer, the foreman, and the workmen employed on the building. Thanks were due to his Grace the Archbishop for coming to Feilding to lay the foundation stone. In the Archbishop they had the oldest living consecrated Bishop in the whole Catholic world. Father Cahill also thanked the Mayor for attending and promising to speak at the gathering. Mr. Tin gey's name appeared on the foundation stone as Mayor of Feilding, a compliment which the speaker desired to pay the Mayor.

His Grace Archbishop Redwood read the offices of the Church appointed for the ceremony and laid the foundation stone.

: Speaking to the gathering he was (he said) proud to be present to lay the foundation stone of such a beautiful building, which 'was an ornament, yet solid and durable. It was a monument to the faith, devotedness, and generosity of the people. The Church was the great centre and source of true Christian life. She was to continue the work of Christ. Christ came as the Saviour of men to teach us our duty to our fellow-men, to ourselves, and to God. We were hero to save our immortal souls. That was the main business of our life — money-mak-ing and the pursuit of an easy way of living. Man was here to believe what Christ teaches and to obey His commandments. In the Church they would receive the means of grace to help them to carry out the commands of God —health for the mind and strength for the will. This Church was to continue the work of Christ. The world was forgetting the commands of God. It was drifting back to Neo-Paganism. It had recently been said of England by an observant man that not one person in five thought of God, and his Grace believed he might say the same of New Zealand. If the white people lost their knowledge of God, in what way were they-superior to other races? They would lose their superiority. The Church was to carry on the work of Christ in teaching the people the truth of God. He was glad, then, to lay this foundation stone of a building which would be the centre of worship and teaching for them and their children's children.

Mr. J. S. Tin gey (mayor) said he rioted with pleasure the fact that Father Cahill was taking a personal part in philanthropic and public affairs in Feilding. To the Catholic community of Feilding it was a matter of congratulation that they were so near the realisation of their hopes in having this Church building erected, and on having his Grace Archbishop Redwood present to lay the foundation stone. It was to be a church of beauty and substance, a monument to the faith of the Catholics of-.Feilding. In New Zealand there were various religious faiths, but not a State Church. That was good. It meant that the . adherents of . each faith had themselves to find the means for raising their own buildings, they had to make the sacrifices necessary. This the Catholics in Feilding had done, and they were to have a beautiful church. 1 . He .congratulated them. (Applause.)

Father Cahill added that the contract price for the building was £7250, to which had to be added £4OO architects' fees, and then there would be the furnishing.

Afternoon tea was served all the visitors to the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, a lumber of cheques and other donations were handed up to Father Cahill, the total amount received being £435.

MISS ETHEL WALLACE. Miss Ethel Wallace, gold medallist, .for the intermediate grade, 'centre examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music, London. In 1924 there -were 153 candidates for the intermediate grade, Miss Wallace being placed first, gaining 140 marks (violin). In 1921 she won a Junior Trinity College exhibition with 95 per cent, (violin), and in 1922 an intermediate Trinity College exhibition with 95 per cent, (violin). Miss Wallace is 15 years of age and lias received all her tuition at the Convent of Mercy, Greymouth, New Zealand.

For unity and peace and concord afford the highest pleasure, not only to faithful men who know the truth, but also to the very angels in heaven; among whom, the Divine word says, There is joy over one sinner that repenteth, and returneth to the bond of unity.—St. Firmilian.

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