Diocese of Auckland.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 37, 14 January 1898, Page 5

Diocese of Auckland.

(From our own correspondent.)

Thursday, January fi, 1 S!K The Christmas ccrenonies and festivities were observed in the churches in the city and suburbs with befitting solemnity. Father Hills, S M., of Wellington, sang the High Mass at the cathedral. Fathers Croke and Mulvihill. deacon and sub-deacon. His L wish ip Dr. Lenihan attended in the sanctuary, and after the first Gospel addressed the congregation treating ot the greit festival. and the lesson which the humble birth at Bethlehem brought home to us all. The Bishop tendered his gratitude to the choir, those who took such pains in decorating the altars and the cathedral anel to the collectors, and said he loir suiv tlv.r labours would meet the reward of Him tor whom they did s,i much. Tru- choir, uirlcr Mr. Hiscocks, ably rendered Tambillotlc's Ma«s, performel for the first time in this Colony. The composition is on an elaborate scV. anel requires most careful study and rendition. The author asks a great deal of the soprano soloist. At the early Mass a very large number received Holy Communion including the Confraternities of the Children of Mary and Guard of Honour.

At St. Benedict's a very large number approached the altar at early Mass, the Children of Mary must .ring in lirge force. The choir performed Mozarts •' Twelfth Mass," tLe Very Rev. Dr. Egan assisting. On the Sunday following the newly-ordained Rev. Father Darby sang High Mass : Fathers Brodie anel O'Gallagher, deacon and sub-eleaoon. In the evening the Very Rev. Fath r Vincent Grogan, Provincial of the Passionists occupied the pulpit and delivereel before a large congregation a splendid sermon.

The Sacred Heart, Ponsonby. and St. John's. Parnell, celebrated the great festival in a worthy manner. The former church as usual was prettily decorated.

Father Plills. S.M.. who is en route to Wellington to tike up Ms duties at St. Patrick's College, com<v< from Duiulalk M.irist, Seminary. He has been nineteen ye.ira doing duly in Ireland Ho has been a keen observer of events in the Old Country, and is conversant with the stirring times of the last decide. To the professorial staff of the college he will prove a great acquisition. He is the possessor of a splendid voice, and it is quite a treat to listen to him singing the Mass and Vespers.

The foundation of St. Benedict's Hall, adjacent to the magnificent church of that name, was laid by his Lordship the Bishop last Sunday afternoon. Dr. Eg an, who has taken up the matter very warmly, was, owing to illness, prevented from attending, and this

was much regretted. There were present Rev. Fathers Kehoe, Mulvihill. Croka, Buckley. O'Gallagher and Brodie. The Bishop performed the ceremony, and addressed the large assemblage, complimenting the good priests and people of Newton upon the very important step they had taken to-day. The building was also to be used for the parochial school, and that of itself was sufficient recommendation. He assured them of his hearty appreciation of their laudable efforts, and at all times his active co-operation in their welfare. The Bishop contributed £10, and those assembled added to it £45. The foundation-stone was of Oamaru stone, and the present of Messrs. Bouskill and McNab, stonemasons. The Newton brass band, under Bandmaster Tru«sp], provided excellent music. It is gratifying to chronicle the activity of the good priest and people of Xewton. and Though their burden is no light one, yet to such a parish it ought not to prove burdensome.

The Very Rev. Father Ginaty, S. *1., still continues his spiritual labours in our midst. Yesterday he commenced a retreat to the Sisters of Mercy at St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby. Eighty-four Sisters have assembled from all parts of the province to attend this annual retreat.

Speaking of the Sisters of Mercy reminds me that they have taken over the management of the district hospital at Coromandel. Two of them proceeded to Sydney to undergo a course of training to fit them for tneir duties. Where could better or more disinterested nurses be found ?

The timely and spirited article headed " Rampant Bigotry,' from the editor of the Tablet of December 24, was much prized. For downright bigotry of the Sandy Row type, and eminating, too, from the New Zealand Parliament, it lacked nothing. In addition to the five bigots stated in the article there should be added one more, the greatest, because the cleverest bigot of them all — viz., the titled Radical (?) Sir Robert Stout. He certainly spoke not against it, but it was he who unearthed the clause and raised the hubbub, leaving to the bigoted quintette the task of howling- about it. Wellington, like Dunedin, should, at first opportunity, relegate to private life this spurious Radical with the handle to his name.

The Sydney Freeman of December 4 last, said : " We in Australia know the secret of Dr. Lenihan's popularity in New Zealand. His elevation to the Episcopacy has not in the least degree changed him. He is still an ideal ' parish priest,' knowing everyone, kind to everyone, and beloved by all." Excellent in every respect, because in every respect literally true.

The great success of Irishmen in governing New York has rekindled the ire of our morning journal the Herald. A whole tirade of conturnity was heaped upon the progressive Irishmen, accusing them of every crime in the calender. The peaceful and constitutional victories gained in New York are decidedly more humane and commendable than those sought to be obtained over the brave Afridis Irishmen, outside their own country, have a big say in the go\ eminent of every country under the sun ; and in Ireland they are taunted with incapacity to govern.

The JFemld would like to see ihe cultured classes and not the ignorant mas-es rule the land That porio.l h.is gone, and its return is just as probable as the renewed potency of Rome and Carthage.

Bishop Cowie on Chri 'tmas Day informed his congregation that the Church of Rome had on its own caprice entirely altered the form and rneming ot the ceremony of ordination to the priesthood. The Primate reminds one of the sin. ill boy in the woods who continually bellows out to bhow all and sundry that he is not frightened.

The centenary of '98 is to be commemorated in Auckland, and the local branch of the Irish National Federation has it in hand. To pass silently over the hundredth anniversary of such an important and stirring epojh in Ireland's sad history would be unpardonable on the part of her sons and daughters wheresoever situated.

The altar boys in the Cathedral, accompanied by Fathers Croke and Buckley, h< 1.1 a picnic at Howick, whither they proceeded in brakes, and spoilt an enjoyable day. Refreshments were liberally provided. Monsjgnor M'Don Jd joined the boys during the day and was heartily welcomed. The Bishop, with his usual generosity, provided the turnout, for which the boys returned their gratitude.