Catholic Centenary

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 38, 15 February 1937, Page 7

Catholic Centenary

FEATURES OF CELEBRATIONS NEXT FEBRUARY Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 13. A Dominion-wide Jamboree foi Catholic Scouts, to be held in Auckland at about the time of the New Zealand Catholic centenary celebrations next February, was mentioned at the execu tivo meeting in connection with the centenary plans. Children are to play a prominent part throughout the celebrations of the church, and a large choir of boys is being organised. Bishop Liston, who presided, said that the Apostolic Delegate for New Zealand and Australia, His Excellency Archbishop I’&nico, would come to Auckland for the Centenary The presence of this distinguished represents tive of the Holy Father would giv« much joy to New Zealand Catholics. The eminent English priest and author, Monsignor Ronald Knox, had offered to consider the translation and adaptation of a religious presentation entitled “ Credo.* * This had been staged in a scries of tableaux in Belgium and was a great success. Bishop Liston read encouraging letters received from members of ths Australian heirarchy. A publicity cam- ' paign was well advanced with a view to bringing large numbers of visitors to New Zealand. Referring to proposed Maori celebrations at Totara Point, Hokianga Harbour, on the site of the first Mass offered in New Zealand, on January 15, 1839, Bishop Liston said that much depended on the provision of an access road. The construction of the road appeared practicable as it had been long desired by the settlers. It was proposed to erect a marble cross on the actual site of Bishop Pom* pallicr’s first Mass. The Mill Hill lathers, who had conducted Maori missions , were training a native choir to sing tho Mass. A party of about 100 Maoris would assemble for the Auckland «felebrations. The numerical representation would be in the hands of missionary fathers, but the actual personnel would be chosen by the Maori people themselves and an essentially New Zealand element would be introduced at many of the liturgical gatherings, said Bishop Liston. Mass and praters would be recited in St. Patrick’s 7/afhedral by natives, who would sing tha .hymns and chant the Divine praises. The celebrations would be financed on a subscription and membership system. It was planned to create a permanent memorial of the centenary by the establishment of a £3QOQ bursary for students for the priesthood. Proposals for children’s processions and assemblies were outlined. The main event, New Zealand’s one hundred years of Catholic life, would be depicted on a series of banners. A bursary for the priesthood wonld be presented by schools as a Centenary memorial. 1