The senior group again in a formal photo at Mass. Photo / Dave Murdoch
The congregation was nevertheless very impressed by his wisdom and humour as he led and closed proceedings assisted by Bishop Peter Cullinane and Monsignor Bryan Walshe which made for an interesting morning of worship.
The St Joseph's Choir performed beautifully. Photo / Dave Murdoch
After Saturday Mass, there were group photos in the Church and a luncheon in St Joseph’s Hall followed, starting with the cutting of the 125th Birthday cake.
St Joseph's School Kapa Haka group entertained too. Photo / Dave Murdoch
Children from the school put on a very well-rehearsed kapa haka performance.
Some of the parishioners then adjourned to the Mangatera Cemetery where prominent past members of the church were honoured.
Sunday Mass included Patrick Power singing Panis Angelicus after which the congregation retired to have a morning tea featuring the cutting of a second birthday cake.
Sela Byrne entertains with a Tongan dance. Photo / Dave Murdoch
The weekend’s events matched the sunny and warm weather, friendships were renewed, new ones made and visitors caught up on the changes to the landscape devoid of the palms and the presbytery and heard about the church’s plans for the future, when it will celebrate its 150th.
Dave Murdoch is a part-time photo-journalist working for the Bush Telegraph and based at Dannevirke. He has covered any community story telling good news about the district for the past 10 years.