CATHOLIC CENTENARY

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1938, Page 9

CATHOLIC CENTENARY

AUCKLAND CELEBRATIONS. AUCKLAND, February 7. Commencing on February 26th, the Catholic Centenary celebrations will extend over a week at Auckland, will conclude with the spectacular functions at Totara Point, Hokianga, on Wednesday, March 9th. The event celebrated is the first Mass recorded to have been celebrated in New Zealand, the celebrant being the Dominion’s pioneer Catholic missionary, Bishop Pompallier, on Saturday, January 10th, 1838, a few days after his arrival from France, with Rev. Father Servant, S.M., and the Rev. Brother MichaelColumban, S.M.. The centre throughout the rejoicings will be St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland, which has been renovated for the occasion, and now presents a beautiful interior. At Western Springs Stadium, the chief out-door functions will be held. A spacious platform with a high tower above the altar is nearing completion. There the people will congregate in thousands. I Each morning, the day’s functions will commence with Solemn Pontificial Mass for some special group, and throughout the day there will be conferences of Hibernians, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Society for the Propagation of the Faith and for other societies and sodalities. On the morning of Saturday, February 26th, the Wanganella will arrive from Sydney with the Apostolic Delegate, the Most Rev. J. Panico. D.D., J.U.D., most of the Australian Archbishops and Bishops, and about 200 priests and religious. There will also be a large contingent of laity. One of the most impressive and spectacular out-door functions will be the grand demonstration of Catholic men, organised by the Holy Name Society for the night of Thursday, March 3rd, at the Western. Springs Stadium. The leader of the devotions will be the Very Rev. Father W. V. McEvoy, 0.P., of Melbourne. The address will be delivered by the Very Rev. Father Owen Dudley, Superior of the Catholic Missionary Society, London, and a distinguished English preacher, lectuier and author, and a convert to the Catholic Church. There will be a Mass for the children on the following morning, and thousands of children will atteid, while the music will be rendered by a special children’s choir of several hundred voices. There will also be a special women’s Mass. The Auckland celebrations will conclude on Sunday, March 6th, with a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, in which thousands will participate. . The Apostolic Delegate will arrive at Totara Point, Hokianga, on Wednesday, March 9th, for the grand finale of the celebrations.