AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 514, 16 February 1883, Page 21

AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.)

m „ February 1, 1883. The Rev. Father Luck, 0.5.8., has gone to Gigborne to hold a mission in that placs.— The Waiwera district has now a spiritual adviser and _, . , administrator in the Rev. Father Le Menantdes Chesnais, who recently arrived here from the south and has been placed m charge of that district.— A sum amounting to £37 13s. waß handed over by the Ladies' Committee to the Sisters of Mercy at Ooromandel for tne use of the convent.— For some few years back it has been contemplated to erect a church at Helensville, and as a site for the same was promised by a member of the community residing in that place, the funds for the erection of the building alone has been an obstacle. However, matters have so eventuated as to make the gift by promise so made a reality. The Eev. Father O'Hara and the parishioners on this account have resolved to hold a meeting for the purpose of carrying matters to a definite issue. The'giftpromised was abandoned, and Messrs. James Hand, Sydney Smith. Martm Walsh, and Daniel O'Sullivan'were chosen' to select a suitable position and piece of ground for the new church. Mr. James Hand handed in a list of subscriptions which summed op to £28 75., and it was also found that Mrs. Stanaway had collected some £3. The people of this enterprising and steadily-rising place will not hav«T long to wait before they have a house of worship of their own.— At St. Benedicts Church, Newton, on Sunday, 21st nit., a large number of girls and boys received their first communion. The usual break- ' fast was provided by the members of the Christian Doctrine Society, and gave every satisfaction to those concerned. Ihe Very Reverend Father Downey, 0.5.8., presided. The children heard Mass at 11 o clock.— His Lordship, who left a few days back for Pukekohe in order to pay a pastoral visit and celebrate Masa there, has now returned.—The Very Rev. Father Walter Macdonald, who had been ill for some days after his return from the Puhoi, has recovered and is about again.— lt having been given out at the Cathedral from the altar, on Sanday last, that a meeting of the parishioners would be neld at d.30 for the purpose of considering the best means of paying off the debt upon the church recently built at Newton at the inst£ gation of the Benedictine Order, a great number in response attended. His Lordship presided. The Very Rev. Father Walter Macdonald and the Rev. Father Vaggioli, 0.5.8., were also present. Mr. Peter Dignan was elected secretary. The meeting decided that the head of each family residing within the district subscribe the sum of £1 during the year, and other adults such sum as they can afford and wish to donate ; also that a committee be appointed to draw up a list of persons belonging to the Church and living within the district, in order to facilitate the collection of subscriptions ; and that the names of those present be taken and the manner in which it is their wish to subscribe be recorded. The following committee was elected to carry out the foregoing proposals :— The Very Rev. Father Walter Macdonald, Hon. P. Dignan, M.L.C., Dr. Lee, Messrs. G. Leahey, W. Byre, W. G. Connolly, B. Mahoney, John Darby, Peter Dignan, Thomas Kelly, W. F. Clifton, Edward Darby, M. O'Regan W. O'Meara, Jeremiah Carrigan, Jas. O'Brien, Patrick Gleeson," James Flyno, and Michael Sheehan. When the lists had gone amongst those present, it was found that £100 odd had been subscribed in the room. Dr. Lee was elected Treasurer. A vote of' thanks to His Lordship the Bishop concluded the meeting.— A meeting for a like purpose as the foregoing was held in the parish of Ponsonby after 10 o'clock service. His Lordship presided. In proportion to the size of the district a fair number were present. The Bishop in a few words explained the cause of the meeting being held and the reasons why the debt on the church should be at once paid off. The following resolution was moved—" That for the purpose of contributing towards the debt on St. Benedict's Church in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that the head of each Catholic family residing in this district contribute the annual sum of not less than £1, and other Catholic adults 6uch sums as they may during the like period be able to afford." Mr. Edmund Mahoney seconded the resolution and it was carried unanimously. It was found that £70 was subscribed in the room and £20 promised after the lists had gone through the meeting. A hearty vote of thanks to his Lordship the Bishop as chairman brought the meeting to a close. From this it will be seen that Bishop Luck is not a man of mean energy, but one of untiring and praiseworthy zeal. He announces his intention of having the debt on St. Benedict's Church wiped off before he can take any steps in the great work of education, and what is more " he practices tbat which he preaches." —On Tuesday, 23rd inst., three postulants (Misses Agnes Prendergast, Mary O'Toole, and Anne Kelly), received tf>6 black veil. The ceremony was as usual and in every degree satisfactorily carried out. His Lordship preached, taking for his text " You have not chosen me but I have chosen you," and in his own able style explained the ceremony— its nature; and the change of life effected, as well as the many good results to be gained by the entrance of such an institution as the convent. He dwelt at length on the four subjects of poverty, obedience, charity, snd self-denial. The vestments being blessed, the newly accepted sisters entered the sanctuary, the choir meanwhile singing the Qua eat ista. The Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed and concluded the ceremony. The-names taken are Sisters

CHURCH MATTEBS.

Mary Columba, Mary Gertrude, and Mary Zita. The choral portion of the ceremony was skilfully rendered by an efficient choir under the leadership of Miss Katie Flood. The Lady Superior had made every arrangement for the reception of the friends of the novices in the community room, ani, all having retired thither, congratulations ensued.

Dally.