ROMAN CATHOLICS AND EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1005, 21 December 1910, Page 6

ROMAN CATHOLICS AND EDUCATION.

■ $ THE MARIST BROTHERS, REMARKS BY ARCHBISHOP REDWOOD. The strong, practical interest which the Roman Catholic community in New Zealand takes in the education of its young people was the keynote of tho principal speeches delivered last night at tho annual re-union of the Wellington Catholic Club and the "Old Boys" of the Marist School with tho Rev. Marist Brothers.

The Rev. Father Hickson said the history, of .Catholicism in New Zealand formed a very bright chapter. It had been- a very noble struggle over a considerable period, and they had not yet fully achieved the victory, though they had won 011 many occasions. .They had been, nnd were, particularly fortunate in their guides. Their chief pastors had always kept the question of Catholic education in the forefront.' The late Dr. Luck, the late Dr. Moran, the present Bishops of ' Dunedin, ' and Auckland. Bisjiop Grimes, of Christchurch, and especially Wellington's own revered and much-beloved Archbishop Hed\voo<l—(applause)— all these had been battlers for Catholic education. Years ago Catholic children could hardly get beyond passing tho Fifth 01- Sixth Standard in the public schools, but the position was now niuch improved, and; they had before them educational facilities which they were, not slow to embrace. (Applause.) Archbishop Redwood said they were very fortunate in having been able to establish a ■really good system of primary. education throughout the arclidiooese, but this had only been possible through the devotion and self-sacrifice of the Brothers : and Sisters. (Applause.) They had been able to obtain Government inspection and examination in their schools, and the results had shown that the schools were on a level with, if not superior to, those kept, up by the lavish expenditure of the Government. Catholics were justly proud of their schools. They had not yet a Catholic University, but they ■ might have that some day. • He congratulated the Catholic body on the state of Catholic education in the Dominion. (Applause.) The chairman (Mr. A. H. Casey), proposing "Our Alma Mater," said the boys received a good sound grounding in .education at the hands of the Marist Brothers, at the school during the last thirtyfive years. He warmly thanked the Brothers for the work they had done. Brother . Justin, gratefully acknowledging the compliments paid to the school, referred also to' the favourable reports | of'the Education Board inspectors and the success of the boys in . -winning scholarships and in the secondary schools after leaving the Brothers' school. Many of tho old boys were a credit to their school' and valuable members of their Church. (Applause.) ' Archdeacon Devoy, responding to the toast of "The Clergy" (proposed by Mr. P. J. M'Govern), said New Zealand owed a deep debt • of gratitude to the pioneer priests of the Marist Order who brought the Catholic faith to New. Zealand in the early days. .One great work they I 'did was to ' send young New' Zealanders to the Old 'World to be trained for. the priesthood. Among those so trained were Archbishop Redwood, 'the.' Yery Rev. Father Kennedy, Rector "of' St; 'Patrick's College, the Rev.. Father ' Hickson, aud many others. ' Other speakers ■ ■ were: Rey. -Fathers Peoples and' Vehning, Brother Lnzarian, Messrs Martin' Kennedy, J. E; Gamble, C. Gamble, J. M'Govern,- F. Ellen, M. O'Kane, and: Leydon. ■ Christmas greetings • and apologies for absence were 1 received from' tho Very Rev. Father O'Shea, S.M. (Vicar-General), and Dean Regnault (Prov. S.M.).' Songs,were contributed by Rev. Father Hickson, Messrs. C. Hickmott; E. Healy, D. Twohill, C. .Gamble, .E. Danno, P.'-: j. M'Govern, R. Miller, D.'/A. Kenny, J. F. Carr, and :!W®Hill< & ?t. The re-union was a very enjoyable one. Tlie chairman observed that it would be the last to be'held in tlio present school . building, as the Brothers would be removing to the new school. in Tasman Street early in, the Now Year. The .chairman,, on behalf of the members of the, 'Wellington Catholic Club, presented Mr. J. M'Gowan, who recently retired from the position of secretary after five years' service with a token of esteem in' appreciation. of his past work in connection with the club.