Carterton church goers thrilled

The 5ft high candle holder (left) taken from St Mary's Church in Carterton has been replaced by a generous donor. PHOTO/FILE

The theft of a brass candlestick from a Carterton church has sparked a generous gift from the wider Catholic community - a gift with a Wairarapa connection.

St Mary's Carterton was targeted by thieves in September, when it's 150cm Paschal (Easter) candle holder was removed from the church, saddening its tight-knit congregation.

But the parishioners dejection turned to joy when Wellington man Shane Dinnan donated a large lamp holder from his personal collection to the church.

St Mary's lay pastoral leader, Sharron Penny, said Mr Dinnan, who attends St Benedict's Catholic Church in Khandallah, had seen the Times-Age coverage of the theft online and was moved to offer his assistance.

"He rang me, and said the lamp holder was 'just sitting around' at his place, and asked if we'd like it," said Ms Penny.

"We are really humbled that this fellow would give us something of his own as a gift.

"When I told the parishioners, they were thrilled."

Poignantly, the donated lamp holder has a prior link to the Wairarapa Catholic community.

Ms Penny said the lamp holder sat in the chapel of the girls convent school, St Bride's, in Masterton, founded by the Brigidine Sisters on Chapel St in the 19th century.

The lamp and its holder came into Mr Dinnan's possession after St Bride's closed in the 1970s, merging with St Joseph's College to form Chanel College.

"He said he thought it would be nice to give it back to Wairarapa."

Mr Dinnan, with his wife and sons, presented the lamp holder to St Mary's at the church's first Advent Service at the end of November.

Present was Brigidine nun Sister Monica Landy, a former staff member of St Bride's.

"Sister Monica remembers polishing it several times," said Ms Penny.

"It was only fitting she was there to see it come back."

Though the parishioners reported the theft of the original candlestick and appealed to the community to keep a look out, it was not to reappear.

"We never heard anything - I think it's gone for good," Ms Penny said.