THE ROSARY HALL

Evening Star, Issue 22638, 3 May 1937, Page 7

THE ROSARY HALL

OPENED AT CONVENT WOftK OF DOMINICAN HOMS Tho Rosary Hall which was recently erected in Rattray street for the Dominican nuns was officially opened yesterday by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Whyte. A large crowd attended, including the nuns and the girls ot the college. A procession headed by choir boys, who were followed by with the bishop. Father Gavin, Father Collins, and Dr Morkane at the rear, entered tho new building first, and the ceremony was carried out of blessing the hall and the individual class rooms. On the completion of the service the bishop and his attendants mounted the platform in front of the new building, from where the various addresses were given.' THE BISHOP’S ADDRESS. “ This imposing building has now been blessed," announced the bishop. “In the beautiful prayers of tue liturgy we have repeatedly asked God to aid the teachers and pupils. It is worthy ot mention that tfle first time the cnildren’s voices were heard in this hali it was in the spirited hymn ‘ We Stand for God and for His Glory.’ He then extended hearty congratulations to the architect, Mr John Woods, and the contractor, Mr Denis O’Connell. . “ For many years,” Bishop Whyte said, “ the Dominican nuns have felt the crying need, of two things. They needed a concert room and they need a science hall. The hall has been now provided. The friends of St. Dominic's will appreciate the name Rosary Hall. No Order in the Church has associated itself so heartily with the Holy Rosary as the Order of St. Dominic. It is, indeed, quite appropriate that this hall should get a name so distinctive of the Order to which we owe that popular Catholic devotion. Rosary Hall' will prove itself an admirable auditorium for the concerts that the Sisters are so competent to prepare. New Zealand owes a .considerable part of its culture to the convent schools. Though ‘ canned ’ or ‘ potted ’ music will continue to appeal to many, parents will always be found eager to give their children the opportunity of cultivating their musical talents. In town and country are to be found throughout the Dominion excellent performers on piano and violin, whose training was the work of our talented Sisters.

“ The need of a well-equipped science hall has been long felt by the Sisters and their pupils,” the bishop continued. “ That need was, perhaps, the chief factor in determining the college authorities to undertake this costly work. That need has now disappeared. Nobody need be alarmed on hearing of the experiments that will be made in the science room. Science has shown, no doubt, great activity in discovering deadly gases for the destruction' of cities in war time. The science taught here will be of a more pacific nature. The science room bears the name of St. Albert the Great. The pupils and ex-pupils of St. Dominic’s, are familiar _ with that name. Albert was canonised in 1931 and received the title of Doctor of the Church. : He was one of the great theologians of the thirteenth century, and his fame was little less than that of his pupil, St.'Thomas of -Aquin. He was called the Universal Doctor because of his wide learning which seemed to leave no branch of study untouched. His numerous books on physical science have won the admiration of fairly modern experts. Nothing escaped him; he wrote on every subject, it was said, from the stones to the stars. Quite appropriately, then, the science room has been placed under his patronage. A Dominican himself and almost the greatest, ho will be a model and an inspiration to the pupils of this Dominican college. *• A few months ago,” Bishop Whyte said, “ the Holy Father set up a Pontifical Academy of Science. That hoary calumny that the church was' opposed to science was. once again condemned as stupid. ‘ The Roman pontiffs and the Catholic Church,’ His Holiness had said, ‘ have always favoured the researches of the learned in the experimental field. These researches,’ he added, ‘ have opened the way to the truths entrusted to the church.’ Seventy scientists were nominated by him as members of the new academy, non-Catholics as well as Catholics. It is interesting to note that a New Zealander, Lord Rutherford, is amongst the 70. We ask of them nothing but ,that fliey should contribute ever more and better to the progress of science and work in favour of the truth.

“ The Dominican shield near the top of the building,” Bishop Whyte concluded, “ has ‘ Veritas ’ as its motto. Truth is found in the teaching of the church, in the sacred Scriptures, in the fathers of the early Christian centuries. r JJo the teaching of truth the sisters are devoting their lives. How wholeheartedly and unselfishly and with what remarkable success they have done so in this, city for nearly 70 years their pupils of the present and the past fully realise. The increased accommodation provided by this commodious, handsome, well-lighted building will give the teachers and their pupils better opportunities for success than they had in the limited accommodation of the past.” (Applause.) , CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. The seal for another monument for the cause of Christian teaching and education had been set, said Dr Morkarie, who paid a tribute to the time when, 66 years ago, the light of religious training had been brought to Dunedin. The children who had been taught by the nuns in-those days, he said, to-day had their descendants at St. Dominic’s College. The magnificent work that had been done in the diocese over a long period of years, resulting in the erection of the new building, was another example of the enthusiasm and zeal among the Catholic community for Christian education. Pope Leo XIII. had said that there had not been sufficient Christian teaching for children at intervals. Every subject should be permeated by Christian piety. Teaching without this was in vain. Pius XI. had pointed out that

it was an obligation of Christian toaching which should be saturated with the principles of faith. School must not bo in opposition to, but in harmony with, family and church, said Dr Morkane. Tlic new building had been erected at a cost of approximately £7,000, and he made an appeal for assistance. THE DOMINICAN NUNS. Extending a welcome to those present on behalf of the .Dominican nuns, Father Collins, of Forbury, who mentioned that ho had received his early training from the Dominican sisters, stated that the imposing structure was but another milestone in the cause of Roman Catholic education in New Zealand. The building stood for learning, refinement, culture, and Christianity. Sixty-six rears ago, at the request of the ‘first Catholic Bishop of Dunedin (Bishop Moran), the first band of Irish sisters set forth for New Zealand, a place unknown to them except in name. On February 18. 1871, they entered their first home in a small building on the hillside where the present building stands. The sacrifices made by that bravo and courageous little, party were written in history. l\ith the passing of the years obstacles disap-

peared, and the Id years sinec Bishop Whyte had succeeded Bishop Moran had seen an extension and development unrivalled in the early days of the city. Only one member of that courageous band, Mothdr Mary Bertrand, was still alive. The building, he said, was but a sign that the noble work of the Dominican sisters was nourishing still. The gathering that day had good reason to rejoice. (Applause.) PRESENTATION OF GOLD KEY. A gold key bearing the following inscription was then presented to Bishop Whyte by Air D. A. O’Connell, who was responsible for the erection of Rosary Hall:—“To the Rt. Rev. Bishop Whyte, on the occasion of the opening of the Dominican Rosary Hall and School, Dunedin, from D. A. O’Connell and Co., builders, and J. D. Woods, architect.” At the conclusion of the addresses the building was opened for public inspection. Under the capable direction of .Mr D Whelan, the Waver ley Boys’ Band during the afternoon rendered selections, including 1 11 Parata ’ (Bellini) ‘ March Paramount ’ (Greenwood), and ‘ Memories of Strauss ’ (arranged by F. Wright.).