ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 40, 2 October 1902, Page 19

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

September 27. Rev. Father Kimbell left on Thursday by the Mokoia for Melbourne, after a visit to his parents at Stratford. Very Rev. Dean McKenna, of Masterton, announced at the Masses on Sunday last that additions would shortly be made to St. Patrick's school and St. Bride's convent.

The two large sized pictures, representing the Holy Family and St. Joseph, recently procured by his Grace the Archbishop from Rome, have been hung in the Church of the Sacred Heart over the aide altars.

Miss Augusta Fitchett and Miss Jeanette Levestam, pupils of St. Mary's Convent, were successful in passing the senior pass section of the theoretical examination recently held by the representative of Trinity College, London. The marks obtained were 82 and 90 respectively.

The sacred concert which the members of the choir of the Church of the Sacred Heart have been busily rehearsing is to be given on the second Sunday in October. The following ladies and gentlemen have been engaged for the solo work : — Madame Carlton, Miss E. Maginity, Messrs Searl, Rowe, and Ballance.

It is with regret that I have to record the death of Mr Hector McDonald which occurred at his residence, Horowhenua, on Sunday, September 14. The deceased gentleman, who was well known along the coast, suffered from consumption, and had been ill for three months. The funeral took place on Wednesday, the 17th inst., and was one of the largest yet seen in the district. The burial service was read by the Rev Father Delaob, and among the mourners were the representatives of several native chi< fs. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs McDonald and family in their sad bereavement.— R.I.P.

The fourth annual dance of the Convent Ex-pupils Association was held at the Sydney street schoolroom on Wednesday, aud proved one of the most enjoyable of the season. The decorations were on an elaborate scale, and reflected great credit on the committee. Among those present were Lady Ward, Miss Ward, Mrs Grace, Dr Cahill, Mr A. McDonald and several o'her prominent citizens. An excellent supper was providt d by the Association for their friends. The installation of Father A ins worth as parish priest of Newtown took place at the schoolroom on Sunday afternoon when a large gathering of Catholics was present. The ceremony wbb performed by Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, Provincial. After i he recitation of prayers by Father Ainswortb, the Archdeacon gave a financial statement of the new parish since bis taking charge of Te Aro some 12 years ago The puto of £3,050 has been spent on parish matters in New town. The prinoipal works executed were the purchase of the large section of land on which tbe schoolroom now stands, the building of the convent and the presbytery, where the newly appointed parish priest would take up his residence shortly. He spoke in the highest terms of Father Ainsworth, whom he had known as a boy, aud whose career as a student of St. Patrick's College had been continually under his notice. Father Ainsworth was ordained priest in 181)4 and ispent four years as curate in Te Aro parish. Since that time he bad with his Grace ihe Archbishop been fulfilling the important duty of pn aching missions through out the archdiocese. With the authority of the Archbishop aud as Provincial of tbe Mari><t Order the Aichleucon coucluded his remarks saying, ' I hereby appoint Father Ainsworth aB first parish priest of Newtown I trust you will all be very loyal to your new pastor, whom I wit-h every success and blepsiug in the great work he has now undertaken.' Father Ainsworth replied by thanking the Archdeacon for bis kind remarks and good wishes, and also thanked the people of Newtoxn for their continual request that he should be appointed over them. He compared the parieh to a child

Jjj SfV 6611 ***** **$ cared f « in the past by the mother house, St. Mary of the Angeh', but had now begun an existence of its own and must in future Care for itself. Realising the obligations they had undertaken they must be united with their priest and if such was the case he was confident of success. A Catholic priest, said he, is uot merely a recognised head but a divinely appointed minister. He asked the blessing of God upon himself and hu people and expressed a hope that the parish would become a model one. He thanked them in anticipation for their co-opera-tion m all works undertaken, and concluded his remarks by sayine You are now my dearly beloved flock, I shall always endeavor to care for you, assist, encourage and guide you to your eternal home/ The choir of school children, under the guidauce of the Sisters, rendered excellent music during the ceremony. Arohdeacon Devoy announced that there would be two Masses every Sunday at half past seven and 10 o'clock. *

The attendance at the Victoria Hall on Tuesday evening, when a public weloome was accorded Father Ainsworth, was very large. The presentation of an address, beautifully illuminated and framed, was made on behalf of the parishioners by Mr H. McCarthy, chairman of the Church Committee. It read as follows •

Rev, and Dear Father,— On the eventful and happy occasion we beg to tender you a most hearty welcome to our midst; and in so domg we feel deeply consoious of our good fortune in securing as our parish priest one who has by his energy and ability proved himself eminently fitted for the high vocation in which God was pleased to oall him. The district of Wellington South has of late years increased wonderfully in population, nnd the need of a resident priest was keenly felt. Now, thanks to those ever watchful ones in authority, our wants have been supplied by your location amongst us, and we sincerely trußt and pray that God in his goodness and mercy will shower down upon you in abundance his cnoioeet graces, so that we may all work as a united people supporting one another in charity, and that you will have the health and strength to ever perform the works necessary for our salvationworks that will bring honor to God and that will be the means of procuring for you an increase of His grace.'

The Newtown Brass Band played selections outside and also contributed an overture in the hall. The following ladies and gentlemen contributed largely to the success of the evening in their different items : Misses W. Birch, L. Maher, Daniel, Messrs R. Butcher, Smith, Zachariah, and Samuels.

Rev. Father O'Shea delivered a short address eulogising the work of Father Ainswor h, and expressing his opinion that Newtown parish would nourish under his control. Father Ainsworth suitably replied, thanking them for their good wishes, and said he took the appointment as parish priest of Wellington South as a great compliment.