CELEBRATING A CENTENARY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22017, 15 February 1937, Page 16

CELEBRATING A CENTENARY

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND

JAMBOREE FOR BOY SCOUTS

(PEBSB ASSOCIATIOM TELXGBAU.) AUCKLAND, February 13. A Dominion-Wide jamboree for Roman Catholic Boy Scouts is to;be held in Auckland about the time of the New Zealand Catholic centenary, celebrations next February. It was menIroned at an executive meeting considering the centenary plans, that children are to olay 1 a prominent part throughout the celebrations of the church, and a large choir of boys is being organised. Bishop Liston, who presided, said that the Apostolic delegate for New Zealand and Australia, his Excellency Archbishop Panico, would come to Auckland for the centenary. The presence of this distinguished representative of the Holy Father would give much joy to New Zealand Catholics. The eminent English priest and author,

Monsignor Ronald Knox, had offered to consider the translation and adaptation of ;■' a religious presentation entitled. "Credo." This had been staged a series of tableaux in Belgium, and was.a great success. ■..'■' Bishop Liston read encouraging letters received from members of the Australian hierarchy. A publicity campaign was well advanced with a view to bringing.large numbers of visitors to New Zealand. , . Referring to the proposed Maori celebrations at. Totara Point, Hokianga harbour, on the site of the first Mass offered in New Zealand on January 13, 1838, Bishop Liston said that much depended on the provision of an access road. The construction of the road appeared to be practicable, as it had long been desired by the settlers. It was proposed to erect a marble cross on the actual site of Bishop Pompallier's first Mass. The Mill Hill Fathers, who conducted Maori missions. Were * training' a Native choir to sing the Mass. A party of about 100 Maoris would assemble for the Auckland celebrationis. Numerical representation would be in the hands of the missionary fathers, but the actual personnel would be chosen by the Maori people themselves. An essentially New Zealand element would be introduced at manv of the liturgical gatherings, said Bishop Listen: Mass and prayers would be recited in St. Patrick's Cathedral by Natives, who would sing the hymns and chant the Divine praises. The celebrations would be financed on a subscription membership system. It was! planned to create a permanent memorial of the centenary by the establishment of a £IOOO bursary for studentsfor the priesthood. Proposals for chil-' dren's processions and assemblies were outlined.

The main, events of New Zealand's l"0 years of Catholic life would be depicted on a series of banners. A bursary for the oriesthood would be presented by schools as a centenary memorial.