The St Francis de Sales community celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Church during the weekend. The commemorations began on Saturday morning. Fr Paul Shannahan SM, whose first appointment was to St Francis de Sales in 1965, came from Akaroa to preside at a Memorial Mass to pray for deceased parishioners, benefactors, relatives and friends.
The Memorial book with the names of all those who have died was placed before the altar.
Parishioners were invited to come forward and light a candle in memory of family and loved ones and place it on the steps of the altar.
