Diocesan News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 37, 14 September 1899, Page 6

Diocesan News.

ARCHDIOCESE OP WELLINGTON.

September 9. The second annual general meeting of St. Patrick's College Old Boys' Association is to be held on the 29th inst. The social held in the Choral Hall on Friday evening, in aid of Mrs. Cimino's stall at the coming bazaar, was most successful. The Rev. Mother of the Convent, Hill street, and Sister Mary Agnes returned to Wellington on Saturday last from Palmereton North. The examination of the Catholic schools in the city by the Government inspectors, Messrs. Bakewell and Fleming, is concluded. The examiners express themselves as being highly pleased with the results. The church now in the course of ereotion at Pahiatua is to be blessed and opened by his Grace the Archbishop on October 1. Rev. Father MoKenna has asked the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy to celebrate the Mass on the opening day. Sunday last being Exposition Day at St. Mary of the Angels', the music was of a special nature. A Missa Cantata was sung by the Rev. Father Servajean. In the evening Vespers were sung by the Very Rev. Dr. Pestre. Father Servajean preached a most instructive sermon. The Triduum ordered by his Holiness the Pope in honour of the Sacred Heart, was begun last night throughout the archdiocese. St. Joseph's Church was well filled for the opening service in this city. Rev. Father O'Shea, in the course of a telling sermon, explained the meaning and purpose of the devotion, and concluded with a fervid exhortation to his hearers to assiduously practise it and follow devoutly the exercises of the Triduum. The Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, V.G., returned on Tuesday from Greymouth, where he had attended the ceremonies in connection with the Very Rev. Dean Carew's silver jubilee. During his short stay on the Coast the Yen. Archdeacon, who was everywhere mo*t cordially received, took the opportunity of renewing his acquaintance with his former parishoners in Kumara, as well as with his very many other friends in that part of the Colony. The Very Rev. Dr. Watters, 8.M., accompanied by the Very Rev. Father Moran, Superior of the Marist Order in Dublin, had, at latest advice, just completed a trip through Ireland. The rest and change of scene had worked wonders in repairing Dr. Watters's shattered health. Dr. Watters was, at the time of writing, preparing for a tour in France. His brother, Father Miohael Watters, Provincial of the Marist Order in Ireland, was to accompany him. The erection of the new basilica in Hill street is now in full Bwing. The foundations of the building, the oonorete die course of the aisle and sanctuary. walls and piers are alt complete. The building has now reached the level of the aisle window sills or about Bft 6in above ground. The couple of courses of Oatnaru stone ashlar internally, together with the Oamaru stone quoins and equivalent height of brickwork externally — all on top of the concrete die course — give a good idea of the general effect which the completed church will have. The cast irou panel work is also in position, and in all probability the cast iron window sasnej of the aisles will be fixed next week. The method of construction and the materials used have created a considerable amount of attention among those engaged in building operations heie ; the manner o treating the ooncere foundations and die courne and the composite construction of the walls receiving their full share of notice. Mr. Petre, the architect, who was in Wellington from Friday of last week to the following Monday, expressed himself as highly pleased with the progress made.