DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 40, 3 October 1901, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.)

September 26. St. Benedict's parishioners are to perform their Jubilee next month.

Rev. Father Benedict, 0.P., is at present engaged upon a fortnight's mission at the Thames. Rev. Fathers Headen and Crotty left last Tuesday morning by train for Rotorua, where they purpose staying for the benefit of their health.

A social, promoted by the Guard of Honor of the Cathedral, w&b held last evening in the Hibernian Hall in aid of the presbytery debt fund, and was an unqualified success.

Mother Borgia, of the Sisters of Mercy, is, I regret to say, far from showing signs of recovery. Her numerous friends are seriously concerned respecting her.

Our good Bishop has suffered a relapse of influenza, and Dr. Darby has ordered him to remain in his room for a few days.

The plans of a new convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph, Paeroa, have been completed by Messrs. Mahoney, architects. It will be an imposing 1 structure. The Parnell parishioners in charge of Rev. Father Kehoe lant Sunday made their third pilgrimage to the churches. Tluy mustered in large numbers, and the sight was most eilifyin^.

' Are we,' says the Herald, ' to change our postal route because the Union Steam Ship Company has changed partners ? ' The opposition evinced in the south to the excellent 'Frisoo mail service causes much irritation here. As a letter-deliverer the Frisco route is incomparable, because it has been abundantly proved that it can land letters in this Colony from Europe fourteen days ahead of all rivals.

At the usual weekly meeting of the Auckland Catholic Literary Society last Tuesday evening an interesting debate was begun : ' Has oratory or literature tended more to the advancement of civilisation ? ' Mr. W. Tole opened the debate in favor of oratory, while Mr. Levy espoused the cause of literature. Both speakers ably dealt with their respective sides, and the adjournment was moved by the Rev. Father Moore. The Bubject will be continued next Tuesday evening.

His Lordship Bishop Lenihan viewed from the palaoe the parishioners of St. Patriok's and St. John the Baptist, Parnell, performing their Jubilee obligation last Sunday. Subsequently the Bishop said : ' No oeremony or religious f unotion has taken* place in Auckland since my consecration which has gratified me more than that which I saw to-day aDd the two previous Sundays. Mr only regret was that illness prevented me from taking my plaoe with the people. As a manifestation of faith it was magnificent ' The third pilgrimage of St. Patrick's parishioners in fulfilment of the Jubilee took plaoe last Sunday afternoon. There must have been close upon two thousand persons taking part. It was a fine manifestation of Faith, and as it passed through the dtv and suburbs it exoited keen interest and observation. Rev. Father Buckley conducted the services in tbe four ohurohes visited. Rev Father Patterson and Rev. Father Headen (of Holy Cross College, Mosgiel) also aooompanied the processionists. A solemn oeremony took place at St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, on Thursday, September 19, when nine young ladies, who had passed their novitiate, made their solemn vows in the Order of the Sisters of Meroy. The ceremony took place in the Convent chapel, where Mass was celebrated by his Lordshsp the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan. There were also present in the sanctuary Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly Very Rev. Father Benedict, 0.P., and Rev. Fathera Patterson, Moore, Purton, 0.5.8., Buckley, O'Hara, Russell, and Crotty. Rev. Father Benedict delivered an eloquent and touching discourse upon the great event at which they were assisting. The Rev. Father Benedict had previously conducted the retreat for the Sisters. The pretty little ohurch was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and the convent choir, assisted by Misses D. Lynch and L. Thomson and Rev. Father Patterson, rendered in exquisite style Farmer's Mass and the hymns incidental to the ceremony. At the conclusion of the 'Te Deum ' the Bißhop and clergy and the friends of the Sisters adjourned to the convent parlor, where a sumptuous breakfast was tastefully laid out. The names of the young ladies who made their final vows were : Miss Nora Curtain, Orange, N.S.W. (in religion Sister M. Kevin) ; Miss Kate O'Doherty, Greymouth (in religion Sister Mary Eustace) ; Miss Mary Duggan, Wellington (in religion Sister Mary Celestine) ; Misß Emily Wilson, Feilding (in religion Sister Mary Basil) ; Miss Bridget Marnell, Tipperary (in religion Sister Mary Clare) ; Miss Mary O'Flaherty, Paramatta (in religion Sister Mary Philomena) ; Miss Kate Wallace, Australia (m religion Sister Mary Felicitas) ; Miss Maria W. Grace, Manurewa (in religion Sister Mary Carmela) ; Miss Bridget Welsh, Dunedin (in religion Sister Mary Raymond). The whole proceedings were most impressive, there being a large gathering of the Sisters of the Order and of the laity.