Diocesan News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 20, 17 May 1900, Page 5

Diocesan News.

. DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND. (From our own correspondent.) May X) The Dublin I'ret man's .Journal of April H announces the arrival in Ireland of the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan. His Lordship Dr. Lenihan was recfived most kindly in the House of Commons by several of the Irish members, who showed him the greatest possible attention and consideration. The Very Rev. Father Hackntt. in very forulA- nnd convincing language, and from every pulpit throughout hi* w ide parish, has been exhorting his people to subscribe to and bupport the N Z Taulft. The old pupils of the Sisters of Mercy are now busily engaged canvassing the old identities and the new for monetary help in order to make a worthy presentation to the Sisters in commemoration of their golden jubilee. Last Sunday, the first in May, the Confraternity of the Children of Mary at the Cathedral, St. Benedict's, and the Sacred Heart approached the Holy Table. St. Patrick's was thronged in the evening. The usual procession of the Blessed Sacrament took place, and the Rev. Father O'Connor preached a fine sermon on Charity. In the report of the proceedings in connection with the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Auckland I omitted to state that letters and telegrams of congratulation were received by the good Sisters from his Lordship Bishop Grimes and many priests and religious of the Christchurch diocese, and also from his Lordship Bishop Lenihan. His Lordship the Ri/ht Rev. Dr. Lenihan attended the House of Commons on March 21th to listen to the debate on the Catholic University question. lie was deeply interested in the speeches delivered on the occasion. Mr. Balfour's speech on behalf of the measure was considered very good by our Bishop, but his subsequent action in the interests of party &omew hat marred its effect. On Thursday, March LM). Bishop Lenihan was to meet his Eminence Cardinal Vaughan. His Lordship expected to onnd out during April two priests for the diocese. He met at Ramsgate Rev. Father O'Gara, 0.5.8., now stationed at Dover, and Rev. Father F0x,0.5.8., who is doing good work at Ramgsate. The two Benedictine Fathers asked very kindly after their old friends in Auckland, and begged the Bishop to convey back their kind regards to them. The Church of St. Joseph, Helensville, was opened and dedicated last Sunday. The re-erection and renovation was placed in Mr. Becroft's hands, and the work was successfully carried out. The sacred edifice now occupies a frontal position on Commercial road, having been enlarged by the addition of a sacristy and porch. For the occasion, the interior of the church was tastefully decorated. The Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly performed the opening ceremony, assisted by the energetic priest in charge, the Rev. Father Brodie. A procession, in which a large number of children took part, walked round the church. After the blessing and dedication, High Mass was sung by the Rev. Father Brodie, the Dean being present in the sanctuary. The latter preached an excellent sermon, in which he very clearly explained the ceremony of the day's function, and made a very effective appeal to arouse the generosity of those present, and so lighten the burden on their fine church. The Parnell choir, under the conductorship of Miss Annie Lorrigan, rendered very efficiently the solemn music of the Mass. At the evening devotions, Dean 0 Reilly preached on the divine origin of the Catholic Church. The Dean congratulated the zealous young pafctor and his congregation on the improvement effected by the removal of the church to a central and more suitable site, and added that it was quite an ornament to the township, ne also thanked all those who subscribed so liberally towards the fund for carrying out these improvements. A specfal collection was taken up, and the handsome sum of £.">0 was contributed, which leaves but £30 necessary to free the church from debt. The Catholics of the district are to be congratulated upon the possession of buch a nice church. Ouite a number of visitors from the city assisted at the ceremony.