ST. CATHERINE’S

Southland Times, Issue 21835, 12 October 1932, Page 8

ST. CATHERINE’S

JUBILEE BANQUET

OVER THOUSAND GUESTS PRESENT

TRIUMPH OF ORGANIZATION

The golden jubilee celebrations of St. Catherine’s Convent have passed from one success to another, the highest pinnacle being reached last evening when fully one thousand people attended the jubilee banquet in Zealandia Hall. The banquet was not merely a vivid demonstration of the loyalty and enthusiasm of ex-pupils of the Convent and of the Catholics of Southland, but it was a triumph of organization. . The Very. Rev. Dean Howard presided. On his right was his Lordship the Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr Whyte, his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) and the Mayoress. There were also present a number of visiting priests as well as the local clergy. At the conclusion of the meal Mrs J. Stanton, Riversdale, one of the first pupils, cut the handsome three-tiered birthday cake, pieces of which were distributed to all. The toast of “The Pope and the King” was then honoured; and the toastmaster (Mr H. Grace) took the opportunity of reading a large number of telegrams of good wishes, including messages from Bishop Liston, Monsignor Delaney, Mr James Hargest, M.P., and Mr R. A. Anderson C.M.G. “The Dominican Nuns.”

“A few months ago,” said his Lordship in proposing the toast of “The Dominican Nuns,” “celebrations were held in the south of France to commemorate an important invention made two hundred and fifty years ago. The inventor was a monk, and the invention had to do with putting bubbles into still wines, converting them into champagne. The wine previously motionless thus became full of life and movement. It seems to me that the Dominican Nuns put bubbles into education in Invercargill fifty years ago. The Sisters of St. Dominic who were always associated in our minds wi'th higher education and with populous centres, willingly accepted primary education work in many remote parts of this diocese, and God has blessed them for their sacrifice. Sisters who are engaged in preparing pupils for the proficiency examinations could, if occasion demanded, prepare pupils for matriculation. Sisters who are found teaching easy hymns to a group of little ones have talent enough to teach voice production to advanced pupils. Their services to the sacred cause of Catholic Education in this diocese are beyond all praise.

“The efforts you are making these days to show your appreciation of what they have done for this city and district are truly amazing. Those generous efforts are the very outcome of the training they imparted to you and your parents. The wonderful display of faith and piety on Sunday will never be forgotten by the beholders. Somebody recently said that the High Mass in Phoenix Park was the greatest act of public worship ever seen. Allowing for exaggeration the statement was still near the truth. It may not be an exaggeration to say that never before did the Basilica witness anything more devotional than the scene there on Sunday morning.” After referring to the Nuns’ spirit of religion, his Lordship continued:— Difficult Path. “Recently I read in the breviary of a saint who walked in the snow in front of his companions. They followed in his tracks and by miraculous intervention their bare feet felt a glow of warmth. The Sisters have taken the difficult path by the practice of self-denial, their example has made the road to Heaven pleasanter for their pupils. “Your _ interest in the daughters of St. Dominic does you immense credit. Educated non-Catholics vie with Catholics in paying them marks of respect. During the past few days we have passed from one successful function to another. Last night at the roll-call the tide of memory flowed back with you twenty, thirty, even fifty years and you were little girls and boys again standing at the line or seated in your desks while a white-robed Sister marked the attendance. No wonder that the imagined presence of your teacher has been a. living inspiration. No wonder that bishops and priests throughout New Zealand and Australia find them to be pearls of great price. Dr O’Reilly, C.M., of Sydney, has written a sympathetic poem on ‘The Little Convent School’ in which he lavishes praise upon the patient Sister. I shall read you a few of his lines:— “Unknown, unthanked, unnoticed, She labours from youth to age But the Angel that keeps the reckoning Has filled her many a page. He who shall tell the blessings That come from the Sister’s hand, ’Tis He shall write the story Of the Church in this great Southland.” In responding to the toast the Rev. Father P. J. O’Neill said it was not his place to sing the praises of the Nuns, which had been most admirably done by the Bishop. Speaking on behalf of the Nuns he would attribute much of their success to the co-operation of the people. The Rev. Mother Prioress had asked him to say how touched the Nuns were by the great devotion of the people and by their marvellous sense of gratitude. To the committee, the co-students and to the community generally the Nuns wished to express their heart-felt thanks and to give an assurance that their interest in the welfare of all would never cease. Other Toasts. “We Catholics can have no greater toast than that of ‘The Clergy’ ” said Mr F. .St. J. Loughnan in proposing that toast. He referred particularly to the Irish priests who had saved the faith for Ireland and who in Otago had done wonderful work. Invercargill had been blessed with a number of these noble men, among whom their present beloved vicar, Dean Howard could be numbered. (Applause.) In his reply the Rev. Father Farthing spoke of the loyalty and devotion of the people, but reminded them that the clergy were no less devoted to the service of Christ and were most earnest in the discharge of their duties. “And now in conclusion let me say a word about our Bishop; and in saying what I wish to say I am not looking for honours,” said Father Farthing amidst laughter. “The longer the Bishop is with us and the more we see of him the better we like him. We would not change him for any other Bishop in Australasia. He is the most merciful man I know. Small wonder is it that he is so well beloved. We all hope that he will be spared to us for many years.”

The toast of “Past and Present Pupils” was proposed by Mr F. G. O’Beime who mentioned the names of the Rev. Fathers Monaghan, Collins, Griffin and Loughnan as distinguished ex-pupils of the Convent. More than fifty pupils had entered religious orders. Mr O’Beime gave some interesting historical facts concerning the Convent, reading the names of the earliest pupils. In his reply the Rev. Father Collins spoke feelingly of the wonderful'work of the holy women of the church. He said that a deep debt was owed to Father Mclnroe who had been largely

responsible for bringing the Nuns to Invercargill. The remaining toasts were: “Religious Teaching Orders” (proposed by the Very Rev. Dean Howard and responded to by the Rev. Bro. Tarcisius); “Catholic Societies” (Mr T. V. Mahoney—Messrs J. Hickey, M. Miller and K. F. Jones); “The Mayor” (Dean Howard—his Worship); “The Press” (Mr O. J. Wright—representatives) and “The Committee.”

An enjoyable musical programme was provided by an orchestra under the baton of Mr P. A. Poole and by the Rev. Father Collins, Miss C. Woods, Miss Marie Searle, Miss C. McLaren, Mr W. M. Wills and Mr F. Lister.