CATHOLIC TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 21935, 23 January 1935, Page 2

CATHOLIC TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OPENS The annual conference of the Catholic Teachers’ Association of New Zealand was opened yesterday morning tWith. a solemn Pontifical Mass m St. Joseph’s Cathedral, celebrated by [Bishop Whyte, who was assisted by the Rev. Fathers J. Gavin (deacon), J. F. M'Mahon (sub-deacon) and M. Khmeck (assistant priest). The deacons, at tho throne were the Rev. Fathers W . Manahan and W. M'Devitt, and the Rev. Father J. Hally was master of ceremonies. Present in the sanctuary were Bishop Brodie (Ohristchurch(, the Rev. Fathers Collins and Hanrahan, and the Rev. Dr O’Neill (Dunedin), the Rev. Fathers Higgins, S.M., Bell, S.M., and Kennedy, S.M. (Wellington), the Rev. Father Smith, S.M. (Christchurch), the Rev. Father Terry, D.I. (Auckland), the Rev. Dr Courtney, C.M., and the Rev, Father M'Cabe, C.M. (Holy Cross College, Mosgiel). Two hundred nuns and brothers, delegates to the conference from all parts Of New Zealand, occupied special seats in the cathedral, which was well filled by a large congregation. A special feature of the ceremony was the beautiful singing of the plain chant mass by & specially-trained choir of children, conducted by the Rev. Father A. Loughnan. ' . After the Gospel an impressive address op tho Mass was delivered by Bishop iWhyte, who solemnly invoked the blessing of Almighty God on the work of the conference. The opening session of the conference was held in St. Joseph’s Hall at 10.30 a.m., the Rev. Brother M. M. O’Connor (St. Kevin’s College, Redcastle) presiding. After Bishop Whyte had welcomed the visiting delegates and formally declared the conference open, .the president read the annual report, which made reference to the invaluable Work in the cause of Catholic education already achieved by the association, and offered suggestions as to future’ activities. The rest of the morning was spent in discussing the provisional syllabus of religious instruction for primary schools, and considered opinions were given by delegates representing the Dominican Nuns (Dunedin), Sisters of Mercy |<Dunedin), Sisters' of the Missions (Christchurch), Sisters of Mercy (Auckland),' the Marist Brothers, and the Christian Brothers, and by the Rev. Father F. H. Terry (diocesan inspector, ’Auckland), and the Rev. Father J. F. M'Mahon (diocesan inspector, Dungdin). The afternoon session, held at St. Dominic’s Priory, began with an address on educational literature by Mr L. J. Cronin, editor of the New Zealand ?Tablet,’ who stressed the pedagogic value of Publications such as the f Students’ Digest,’ and urged teachers to do all in their power to support the Catholic press. Consideration of the primary syllabus of religious instruction was then continued, Bishop Whyte and Bishop Brodie making important contributions to the general discussion. . A sub-committee consisting of the Rev. Father lorry, D. 1., and the Rev. Father M'Mahon,

D. 1., and one representative of each of the teaching orders was then set up to make a final revision of the syllabus and the conference proceeded to the next item on the agenda paper, thesecondary school religious syllabus. The Rev. Father J. Higgins, S.M., made a strong plea for special attention to be given to instruction of senior secondary pupils in sociology. Many took part in the discussion, which continued until 4.30 p.m., when the conference adjourned until 9 o’clock this morning.