DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 6, 7 February 1901, Page 7

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) January 31. The Sixth Contingent departed from this port for South Africa yesterday. As a send-off it was not a success. The annual synod and retreat of the diocesan olergy is to take place early next month. His Lordship will Boon afterwards commence his visitation of the diocese. The Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly leaves for the south this week to assist in the ceremonies at Wellington and Christchuroh, where he will represent his Lordship Dr. Lenihan, who is unable to go. Rev. Father Moore, who, about 12 months ago, passed through Auckland, is at present en route to this diocese from Ireland via the United States and intends to join the ranks of our olergy on arrival. From every pulpit, almost, in Auckland last Sunday reference was made to the death of her Majesty Queen Victoria. Sympathetic references were made by Right Rev. Monsignor O'Reilly, Dr. Bgan, and Father Gillan. The local branch of the Irish National Federation meets in St. Patrick's Hall to-morrow evening, when it is expected that a sum of money will be passed for transmission to the hon. treasurer of the Irish Parliamentary Fund at Home. Hiß Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan went over to the Takapuna Orphanage last Saturday evening and celebrated Mass there on Sunday morning. The work of building the new churoh and school on this fine estate has been started. The Bishop is deeply interested in its construction. The present altar boys and ex-altar boys of St. Patrick's have formed an association. The officers are : President, Master Patrick Keenan ; vice-president, Master John Duffin ; hon. sec., Master James Ford; hon. treas., Master George Rice; librarian, Master George Lenihan Sheahan. A large number have already joined. Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reiiiy has kindly allowed the use of St. Patrick's Hall for the weekly meetings. At St. Benedict's last Sunday special services were held at 1 1 o'clock for the Catholic members of Auckland's portion of the Sixth Contingent. A large body of the men attended and were addressed very appropriately by the Rev. Father Gillan. Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Darby, Rev. Father Gillan being deacon and Rev. Father O'Hara sub-deacon. The sohools of the Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of St. Joseph, and the Marist Brothers open next Monday. The resolution requiring parents to send their children to Catholic schools, which was passed at the synod in Wellington, was read at the Masses and Vespers at St. Patriok's last Sunday. In this matter of attending the Catholic schools there is room for much improvement in and around Auckland city.