DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 9, 28 February 1901, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) February 22. On Sunday night at St. Patrick's Cathedral the Rev. Father Benedict, 0.P., delivered a most instructive sermon on ' Our Blessed Lady,' to a large congregation. All the Catholic schools of the diocese have been opened for three weeks or more, and the teachers are highly pleased with the increase and renewed diligence of the pupils. A mission was commenced at St. Benedict's last Sunday, by two of the Passioniet Fathers. Both at the 11 o'clock Mass and evening devotions the Rev. Father Augustine preached very impressive sermons to crowded congregations. On Sunday at the 11 o'clock Mass at St. Patrick's the Rev. Father Corcoran, during the course of his sermon, made mention to the congregation of the fact that a young men's club had been established in their niidnt, and, if there were any desirous of joining it, they could do so by handing in their names to Mr. James Ford. the hon. secretary. A pa^oral has been issued by Bishop Lenihan to the clergy and lsiity (nays the Auckland Star) detailing the progress made during the year. The pastoral states that the clergy had persuaded the Board of Education to allow their inspectors to examine pupils of the schools. Six Sisters cf Mercy were professed, while the number of Sisters of St. Joseph had increased by 10. New churches had been built at Te K<ipuru, Pahitahi and Coromandel. The reductions made in church debts are shown ; also the debts contracted by improvements and alterations. His Lordship hopes during the year to increase tl c «taff of priests During the year there were 4 GO confirmations. The Pasaionist and Dominican Fatherß will give a series of missions throughout the diocese. His Lurdyhip the Bishop has made the following clerical change- — The Right Rev. Algr. O'Reilly returns to his former parish, the Ihames. Th« Rev. Father Mahony has been transferred from the Thames to I'uhoi ; Rev. Father Patterson from Panmure to the Cathedral ; Rev. Father Corcoran from the Cathedral to Panmure ; Rev. Father Croke from Kihikihi to St. Patrick's ; Rev. Father O'Carroll from the Cathedral to Kihikihi ; Rev. Father Buckley from Hamilton to St. Benedict's ; Rev. Father Darby from St. Benedict's to Hamilton ; and Rev. Father Brodie from Puhoi to Waihi. Regarding the transfer of Rev. Father Buckley from Hamilton to St. Benedict's parish, Auckland, the Waikato Times says : — We learn that the Rev. Father Buckley, of St. Mary's, Hamilton, and St. Peter's, Cambridge, is transferred to Auckland. During the time the Rev. Father has resided in Hamilton he has confined himself to the strict performance of the duties of his office. All those, however, who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance have found him a courteous gentleman and the people of his church an earnest priest. He will be succeeded by the Rev. J. C. Darby, of St. Benedict's, Auckland. We also learn that the Rev. Father Croke, of Kihikihi, is also transferred to Auckland, and will be succeeded by the Rev. M. A. O'Carroll, of St. Patrick's, Auckland. Writing with reference to the departure of Rev. Father Croke from Kihikihi to the cathedral parish a correspondent of an Auckland contemporary writes : — Father Croke will be much regretted by his people. During his stay amongst them he endeared himself to all, and was popular with people of every creed. He succeeded the late Father Luck, and indeed proved himself a worthy successor. The many improvements he effected in his districts are standing monuments of his zeal. His duties extended over a very wide range of country, and were performed under many difficulties, especially in wet weather. In one of his journeys he got a wetting and contracted a cold, from which he still suffers, and which, we regret to Bay, has considerably impaired his health. His medical advisers have recommended him to try a hot climate for a change in the hope that his health may be thereby improved. His parishonera will undoubtedly extend th9ir sympathy to him in his affliction ; for it was in serving them and in discharging hia sacred duties towards them that his present illness was contracted. Hiß speedy recovery and perfect restoration to health is the ardent wish of All.