CATHOLIC CENTENARY

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1938, Page 6

CATHOLIC CENTENARY

GREETINGS FROM IRELAND. [Per Press Association.! AUCKLAND, February 12. “I have been deputed by the Archbishop and clergy of Ireland to convey to the hierarchy in New Zealand their most sincere congratulations on the attainment of the centenary of the Church in this Dominion, and to express our admiration of the work achieved in building up the wonderful organisation which exists to-day.’ This was the message given by a distinguished Roman Catholic prelate, the Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Gilmartin, Archbishop of Tuam, Ireland, on his arrival by the Rangitiki this morning. He will attend the Roman Catholic centenary celebrations this month, and spend four weeks in New Zealand. , T Commenting on the future of Ireland, Dr. Gilmartin said that the bi o problem there to-day was d l7ls ’*™; Until partition was overcome and the existing boundaries removed. Ire tod could not be really peacelul and prosperous.

Influx to Auckland

I CATERING FOR THOUSANDS. AUCKLAND, February 14. With the approach of the celebration of the Catholic centennial at Auckland this month, comprehensive arrangements are reaching the final stages after several; months of skilful organising by the many committees working under the centenary organiser, the Rev. Dr. L. T. Buxton, administrator of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. By direction of the Catholic Archbishop, the Most Rev. Dr. T. j O’Shea, S.M., ?nd the Catholic hish'ops of New Zliland, Sunda" February 20, will be observed by the Catholic community as a day of national preparation for the centenary. Throughout the celebrations the city will be thronged with thousands of Catholics from all parts of the Dominion as well as visitors from Australia and other countries. About 70 prelates and priests from abroad will attend the celebrations, and there will be over 100 visiting priests from other parts of the Dominion. The Catholic population of Auckland is about 35,000. With the addition of the thousands of visitors, restaurant proprietors and hotel and boardinghouse proprietors will have huge numbers to cater for. Apart from those who will be in Auckland throughout the celebrations thousands more will arrive on oneda y or week-end excursions from as fI• north as Hikurangi and as far south as Wellington. The great number of applications from Wellington indicates that the two week-end excursion trains from that city will be heavily patronised. Accommodation has been widely booked in private homes and boarding houses, while there will also be heavy bookings in hotels. Complete arrangements have been made- by the transport committee, and it is expected that the transport system of the city and suburbs will be severely taxed by children and

adults travelling to and from the outdoor functions. The preparations for the celebrations have involved the expenditure of large sums of money in material for buildings, while several hundreds of workmen have been afforded employment. Carpenters and allied tradesmen have been employed in renovating the cathedral and erecting buildings, such as the stand and tower at Western Springs Stadium. During the celebrations the founda-tion-stones of two large institutions will be laid. The two new buildings will be the Franciscan Monastery at Hillsborough and the St. Vincent de Paul Home of Compassion at Herne Bay. One of the interesting features will be the Maori camp at the Show Grounds, where 330 Catholic Maoris chosen from Maori mission stations will assemble. The camp will be under the supervision of two Mill Hill Fathers and the original rendering of Maori hymns and community prayers will lend interest to the camp. Detailed arrangements have also been made for camps for Catholic Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. These camps will involve catering arrangements and transport facilities on a large scale. A special office and staff has been actively employed, while enrolling secretaries have been working in other centres. The subscribing membership is already about 10,000, and the rush for membership is now so great that the office staff has been augmented. Other requirements being met are for material for hundreds of costumes for the play “Credo,” and material for hundreds of sodality regalia. “Let .us all make February 20 a day of spiritual preparation in our homes and our churches,” says Bishop Liston in an appeal issued to clergy and laity. He exhorts all Catholic men. women and children of every parish to observe the day by reception of Holy Communion and in other devotions which will be held on that day. “The immense task of preparation for the centenary has been carried on ably and devotedly by many workers,” adds the appeal- “Through it all we have received the most cordial help of all public authorities and officials and of the press. We know that our fellow-countrymen not of the faith are looking on with genuine interest and friendliness. All visitors from other parts of the Dominion and from overseas are the guests of the diocese, and in particular of the faithful of Auckland city.”