DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 07, Issue 23, 7 June 1900, Page 19

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) . May 31. On last Sunday evening fit. Benedict's Church was crowded when a renewal of the Devotion to Mary was made. The vow was read by Miss Evelyn Quinlan. The ceremony was most devotional and instructive, and the effect upon the large congregation was most marked. Rev. Father Gillan preaohed a very telling sermon on devotion to Our Blessed Lady, and dwelt particularly ou its great efficacy, and urged upon his hearers to constantly avail themselves of it. St. Joseph's Orphanage, Takapnna, under the charge of Sister Mary Alphonsus, was visited yesterday by Lord Ranfurly, who expressed himself delighted at the management of the institution and the large surrounding estate in connection therewith. Agricultural and dairy pursuits are being carried forward on a large «wa!e under the able supervision of Mr. Colgan. Extensive improvements are contemplated on this fine property on the return of the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan. The Executive Directory (Melbourne) of the H.A.C B. Society cabled to Bro. W Kane, N.Z. district secretary, last Friday, announcing that the annual movable meeting would be held in Sydney on Wednesday, June 13, and urged the great necessity of New Zealand being represented thereat, and also notifying that the expenses to be incurred by the N.Z. delegate had been passed. The notice was very short, but at a meeting of the N.Z District Executive held last Monday evening the district President, Bro. D. O'Sullivan consented to go, and leaves for Syd- ey next Monday, Juue 4, by the Mararoa. A general meeting of the parishoners of the Cathedral, St. Benedict's, Sacred Heart (Ponsonby), St. John the Baptist (Parnell), and St. Francis de Sales (Devonport) parishes was held on Sunday afternoon at the Marist Brothers' school, to make arrangements for the reception of the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan, who is expected to arrive by the San Francisco mail steamer due at Auckland on July 31. The Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly, in the unavoidable absence of the Very Rev. Mgr. Paul, V.G., presided. The Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., and the Rev. Father Darby were also present The meeting was well attended, and those present evinced great enthusiasm aed interest in the matter, Dean O'Reilly was chosen permanent chairman of the committee, Mr. P. Brophy (St. Benedict's), hon. treasurer, and Mr. M. J. Sheahan (St. Patrick's) hon. secretary. It was resolved that the clergy and laity meet his Lordship on his arrival, and escort him from the steamer to the Cathedral, where the religious ceremony would take place. On the same evening in the Cathedral the addresses to the Bishop would be read, to which his Lordship is expected to reply. On the following evening, in St. Benedict's Hill, a conversazione will be held to enable his Lordship to meet his people. Dr. Egan has kindly consented to arrange the musical programme for the evening. It was decided to present a purse of sovereigns to the Bishop. The secretary was directed to prepare, collecting lists and supply them at once to the members of the committee. A meeting of the ladies of the city and suburban parishes is to be called at the Marist Brothers' School next Sunday iv order to enlist their services to make the reception a success. Various details were discussed, after which a hearty vote of thanks to the Dean brought a most successful meeting to a close. The Auckland branch of the Hibernian Society, with whom were the district officers, attended in a body (over 60) in regalia at St. Benedict's Church last Sunday morning and approached the Holy Table. The members filed into the church and took their seats fronting Our Lady's altar, beside which was shown a large and lovely green banner. Rev. Father Smiers said Mass. The children's choir, under the charge of Miss Willis, pang very nicely the appropriate hymns, amongst which, in honor of the Hibernians' visit, was very devotionally rendered 'All praise to Saint Patrick' Father Gillan thanked the Hibernians for their attendance in such l^rjje numbers that morning. They showed that the old faith of St. Patrick, for which his sons suffered and dared so much, was strong and ardent amongst them to-day. He alwayH admired the Hibernian Society. It was pre-emineutly a Catholic society, and beet vs 3 of that he would urge every young Catholic in St. Benedict's parish to become a Hibernian. Amongst its members now before him he noticed several who were ever foremost since he (Father Gillan) came to Auckland in working assiduously at all times fcr the Church. To-day this parish would renew its devotion to Mary, and it was most appropriate that the sons of St. Patrick, ever famed for their devotion to the Mother of God, should come amongst them to assist them on so great an occasion. On behalf of the parish, and from himself personally, he extended them a hearty welcome, and felt very deeply the great honor conferred upon them by this visit of the Hibernians, and hoped they would visit them ottener. After Mass the members assembled in St. Benedict's Hall, where a sumptuous breakfast was prepared for them by tha officers. Ihe president, Bro. Steal, presided, having on his right D.P. Bro. I). O'Sullivan and Bro. W. Kane, D.S. ; on the left Bros. Patterson, PD.P., and Sheahan, D.T. Rev. Father Gillan also attended and add rested those present. Speeches were delivered by all the officers and past officers expressing the great pi asure they felt at this religious reunion, and expressed the ardent hope that the reunions would be held oftener. .