Our Lady of the Woods
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 30 Aug 2014 22:27
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Our Lady of the Woods,
Whataroa
 Still in search of the elusive heron
colony stragglers, we left the main road to follow the signs to the Wetlands.
Along the road we saw a church, so very similar to Haast, Fox and Franz Josef,
this one was called Our Lady of the Woods Catholic
Church.
  Next door was a
lovely home we assumed for the Parish Priest. Would the door of the church be open ???
  Outside, this Our Lady was dedicated to Timothy who died accidentally at Mount Cook in
1982.
   In the porch was a large piece of
wood, beautifully finished with all the Parish Priest names
neatly painted on in gold. Gorgeous polished wooden
doors with pretty windows. And Bear’s new friend. This time I got a
picture of His Holiness with a window reflected next to
him. Still looks mischievous with that
twinkle.
 So lovely inside.
   Traditional
as we have come to expect in these small alpine churches.
   Bear was very taken with the organ, especially the converted
hoover business at the back. As we had finished admiring the church,
we were joined by the current Parish Priest. We talked about his flock, if
everyone turns up for todays five o’clock mass, there would be fifteen to
eighteen people. We were then shocked to find out that this one man looks after
five parish churches, his furthest is Haast, some good hour or more away and the
same in the other direction. We told him how sad we were to fine Our Lady of the
Alps, Franz Josef locked and he was very cross. He said if we went back he could
tell us where the key was “lazy lot” was his comment. Father Michael invited us
for a cup of tea or some lunch but we declined as this is what is taking us so
long to go round the world.
 Father Michael apologised for the
garden equipment having to live in the porch, but the
garage was badly damaged in a storm. We bade him ‘farewell’ and went in search
of the heron. He doubts we will find one but wished us luck.
 The view of Our
Lady has got to be one of the best ever.
ALL IN ALL SO SIMILAR BUT SO
LOVELY
WHAT A WONDERFUL
ORGAN |