Archdiocese of Wellington.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 3 September 1897, Page 19

Archdioce se of Wellington.

(From our own correspondent.)

August 28, 1897. From a letter received by the Very Rev. Dr. Watte™, Rector of St Patrick s College from his brother in London, the Very Rev M j' Watters, S.M., I learn that Father Watters called on the Premier of New Zealand whilst he was staying at the Hotel Cecil. The Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Mrs. Seddon and Miss Seddon returned the call a few days afterwards, driving in the royal carriage, placed at the hon. gentleman's disposal, to St. Anne's, Spitalfields, where they we™ received by Father Watters. J According to the same letter the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes had passed through London in the early part of last month on his way to Ireland. Another New Zealand visitor who had paid his respects at St. Anne's during the month, was the Very Rev. Father Lynch o f Dunedin. J The pupils of St. Mary's Convent intend to give a concert in Thomas Hall on the evening of the 16th prox. The programme will consist of vocal and instrumental selections, and considering the reputation which the pupils of St. Mary's enjoy as musicians and the success achieved by them on former occasions, especially at the Industrial Exhibition this year, it is safe to say that a treat is in store for those who will have the pleasure of being present The concert will be under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly, both of whom have signified their intention of being present. Rev. Brother John, Provincial of the Marist Brothers in Australasia, who has recently returned from Europe where he has been for some years in connection with the work of the Order was in Wellington during the week. An entertainment was given at the Brothers school in his honour on Thursday mornin" 1 An address of welcome was read by Master T. McCarthy. Masters D Jones, G. Weight and H. Sullivan contributed recitations, and part songs were given by Masters T. Segrief and D. Twohill. The Very Rev. Father Devoy, V.G. and the Rev. Father O'Meara were present The Vicar-General and the Rev. Brother Superior addressed the boys, and a half -holiday was granted in honour of the occasion. It is understood that his Grace Archbishop Redwood has been invited by Archbishop Carr to preach at Vespers on the occasion of the solemn opening of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne on October 31st. Cardinal Moran will be the preacher at Hi»h Mass Next day being the feast of All Saints the cerernonies°will be continued when other prelates will preach in the mornin^ and evening. ° The Very Rev. Father Devoy, S.M., V.G., celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Tuesday last, the 24th inst. and feast of St. Bartholomew. The children of the parish went to Holy Communion in honour of the occasion and also assisted at Benediction. The children took the opportunity to make presentations of some tokens of their love for the genial and popular Vicar-General. In the evening Father Devoy entertained some friends at dinner. Had it been generally known in the parish that the 24th was the anniversary of the VicarGeneral's ordination the children would not have been the only members to have shown in some way their appreciation of their beloved pastor. Of the twenty years that have elapsed since his ordination Father Devoy has spent over eighteen in this Colony in fact since his arrival here he has not been out of the diocese of Wellington. After his arrival he laboured for some years in Canterbury, which was then under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Wellington, after which he acted for a time as procurator of St Patrick's College, and was finally appointed parish priest of Te Aro. During these eighteen years Father Devoy has not gone outside the boundaries of the diocese even for a short holiday, so that he can be truly said to have placed duty before every other consideration. It is his intention to take a holiday very soon, wht n he will visit some of the other colonies, and will be present at the ceremony in connection with the completion of St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. I am sure I am only echoing the wish of the whole congregation when I express the hope that the trip may be a very enjoyable one and that the Vicar-General will come back in the best ot health. ' It has been decided, with the approbation of the Very Rev". Dr. Watters, to form an '■ Old Boys " Association in connection with St.' Patrick's College, and for this purpose a preliminary meeting will be held in St. Patrick's Hall during the week. It is needless to say anything in support of such an association, for its usefulness and desirability are apparent to all. It is now upwards of twelve year since the College was opened, and since that time a large number of Catholic and non -Catholic boys have received their education and have gone out into the world to fill their destiny in life. Some have taken Holy Orders and devoted themselves to the service of God as priests ; others have gone to the Home countries, to study for some profession, whilst the greater number occupy honourable positions in this Colony ; but one and all feel a pride in their Alma Muter, and remember with grateful hearts the many happy days spent within its walls. There is every reason then to believe that the proposed association will be a success and that the " old boys " will rally round the institution to which they owe so much.