ST. MARY’S PARISH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 April 1940, Page 6

ST. MARY’S PARISH

MEN'S GENERAL COMMUNION ANNUAL BREAKFAST OF HOLY NAME SOCIETY ADDRESS BY FATHER C. H. SEYMOUR Following Mass at 7 o’clock and an inspiring manifestation of piety and love of Jesus Christ by attendance at Holy Communion, men of the Holy Name Society, associated with other men of the parish, congregated in St. Mary's Hall for Communion Breakfast, where the very gratifying attendance demonstrated the loyalty to God of men of Nelson Parish. Bro. J. Johnsen, vice-president of the Holy Name Society, presided and following grace, delivered by the Rev Father Brice S.M. the usual prayer for the Pope was recited by the Spiritual Director, Father C. H. Seymour S.M. The toast to the King followed with the singing of the National Anthem. Father Seymour then addressed the large gathering and expressed gratification at the magnificent response made during the Retreat, not only by the men of the parish but by the Children of Mary, members of the Sacred Heart Confraternity and parishioners generally. Continuing, the Spiritual Director made reference to the sacrifice of the soldiers who were offering their services to their country, and went on to emphasise the important part to be enacted in the war spiritually—on active service by Catholics who offered themselves in a righteous cause overseas and by those at home, in an endeavour to foster the true spirit of Christianity which was gradually becoming not only dormant but contested by the powers of evil in the form of Communism and Nazism. An appeal to the men present for continued wholehearted support was made by Father Seymour, who stressed the urgency of combined and powerful effort to suppress the rapidly growing evil of atheism. On behalf of the assembly the chairman extended sincere appreciation to Father Seymour for his magnificent uplifting address. The toast of the Holy Name Society was in the hands of Mr T. Mahoney who gave an interesting resume of the activities of the society since its inauguration in 1274, outlining the various stages of its progress, in different countries. finally coming to New Zealand ! where, at the Catholic Centenary in Auckland in 1938 thousands of Holy Name men participated. Bro Johnsen responded on behalf of the society, expressing gratitude to Bro. Mahoney for the capable manner in which the toast had been proposed and the activities of the society outlined to members. The hymn of the society was then sung. Outlining the difficulties facing the hierarchy and clergy in their glorious work in the service of God, Mr M. O’Sullivan, in proposing this toast, rendered glowing tributes to the untiring and zealous manner in which this work was conducted for the benefit of mankind. Father Brice S.M., who conducted the Retreat over the past fortnight, responded to the toast and accepted the opportunity of complimenting the members of the Holy Name Society on their wonderful demonstration of piety. Reference was also made to the foresigse of the late Father O’Leary, who was responsible for the formation of the society in Nelson. Nelson Catholics were also complimented by Father Brice on the fact of having for Parish Priest, Father Seymour, whose zeal and energy were unbounded and Father Cahill as curate of whose excellent woi’k in other parts of the Dominion he had come upon many evidences. The toast of the visitors was proposed

by Bro. T. Murphy and responded to by Mr Cook of Richmond and Bro. Fitzpatrick, Australia. Bro. F. Fauchelle paid glowing tribute to the ladies and their willingness to render all possible assistance, Bro. J. Byrne replying on their behalf. The singing of the hymn. “Faith ol - Our Fathers” brought to a close the 1940 annual communion breakfast of the society.