DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 35, 31 August 1899, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent)

August 21. The Rev Father Golden has boon assisting the Very Rev. Mgr. Paul, V.G., in Onehunga parish during the last two weeks. The Rev. Brother" Basil. Superior of the Marist Brothers, ha«, I am pleased to say. recovered from Ins recent indisposition, and is once more at his post. The half-yearly meeting of the X.I. District Board of the H.A.C.B. Society is fWed to take place in the Catholic Institute on Wednesday evening, August 'M) The Sancta Maria branch (female) of the Hibernians hold n social nett Tuesday c\ ening in the Catholic Institute, which promises to be most "ucce^ful. Mr. John J. A. Callaghan. who, for the last two years, worked indefatigably as secretary of St. Patrick* Day celebration, hag been appointed caretaker of ' St. Benedict" a Hall. The selection was a good one. The Very Rev. Canon Franklin left by the Ilauroto last evening for a trip to the ' Summer Isles of Eden.' lie purposes spending a month in the Pacific, after which he will return to AuckCanon Franklin last Sunday night delivered at St. Patrick's an excellent discourse on the Feast ot the Assumption At St. Benedict's the Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly preached a fine sermon on the Sacrifice of the Mass. The Rev. Father Croke, I have been informed, is makmp: very steady progress with Church matters- throughout his wide parish. This is from a visitor tnmi town, who went through it the other day, and who, also, says that Father Croke's, health i\ nowall that his numerous friends uould wi«h Last Monday evening a social was held iv the Oddfellow s Hall, Parnell, in connection with St. John the Baptist's Church. The very large assemblage thoroughly enjoyed them-elvos. The whole proceedings reflected the highest credit upon the committee. The young men of the parish, who have for ned a combination, entitled the ' Shamrock minstrels," have in hand another enteituinnvnt to aid the Church funds. The amusing farce ' Irish Justice 'is to conclude the entertainment. 1 Citizen Sunday ' was the theme for pulpit orations m all the Anglican and other Protestant churches last Sunday. The duties

of citizens to the State and to civil life were hammered into the ears of the congregations. This is all very fine and large, but how often, and with acerbity too, have these reverend gentlemen denounced our prelates and priests for inculcating to their people those same first principles of citizenbhip .' How glibly they aenounced the • priest in politics.' Verily, circumstances alter cases.

Last evening the pupils of St. Joseph's Convent School, Surrey Mills, under the charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph, gave, in St. Benedict's Hal), Newton, a capital musical and dramatic entertainment. A number of musical items of a very high order, was given, including three choruses, vocal ami instrumental solos and duets. Two dialogues. 'Wanted a Lady Help" and 'The Somnambulist,' and a drama, ' Bridget's Investment,' were very creditably performed. The whole performance reflected ereat credit on the indefatigable Sisters of St Joseph, and their talented pupils. The young men's Club of the Sacred Heart parish, Ponsonby, gave an excellent entertainment in the schoolroom on last Monday evening. The building was packed. The programme opened with phonographic selections by Mr. W. B. Leyland, who also gave a further display later in the evening. Both were highly appreciated. Two comical sketches were given, the characters being sustained creditably by Messrs. Bryant (2), Sheath, Patterson, Young, Murray, McCoy, Donovan, Harkins and Symonds. The Very Rev. Dr. Egan delivered two very humorous addresses, which were productive of much amusement — one of them on ' Noses ' was particularly funny. The proceeds were in aid of the Church fund.

On the Feast of the Assumption a number of ohildren belonging to St. Benedict's parish made their first communion. On the three days preceding, the children, to the number of about 50, were present at the nine o'clock Mass in the convent chapel. On Tuesday morning the children assembled in St. Benedict's school, at half -past nine, and from thence marched to the church, the banners of the Sacred Heart, of our Lady and St. Joseph being carried in the procession. The Rev Father Gillan was celebrant of the Mass, Rev. Father Dai by deacon, and Rev. Father Kamp cub-deacon. Just before Communion Father Gillan said a few words to the children. After Mass the children formed again in procession and marched to the schoolroom, where breakfast was provided for them by tha Children of Mary. During the remainder of the day Perpetual Adoration was kept by the children who had made their First Communion. They were present in the evening at Vespers, which were sung by the Rev. Father Darby and the Rev. Father Golden, who was on a visit to Auckland, gave a short address to the children. After the sermon Miss Lillie Behan read the act of consecration to our Lady and Father Gillan consecrated the children to the Blessed Virgin. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was then given by the Rev. Father Golden, assisted by the Rev. Fathers Darby and Kamp.