ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 38, 17 September 1903, Page 5

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.) September 12. His Grace Archbishop Redwood leaves next week for Westport to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation and to open the new school. The Very Rev. Father Olier, Provincial of the Marist Fathers in Australia, arrived from Sydney by the Mokoia this week on a visit to New Zealand. Mr. W. Edward Butler has been appointed hon. captain of No. 1 Company of St. Patrick's College Rifle Cadets, and Mr. Richard Timmins, hon. captain of No. 2 Company. The generosity of Mrs. Segrief, one of our highlyesteemed Catholics, has again been shown by the gift of an organ for "the convent chapel, Hill street, and a donation of £30 towards the new music rooms which will be built shortly. At the Foresters' Hall on Thursday evening the Hon. W. Beehan, who has been recently appointed to the Legislative Council, was the recipient of a presentation from the Irishmen of Wellington. The affair was most successfully carried out. Mr. P. J. O'Regan occupied the chair, and spoke in terms of praise regarding the guest of the evening. He felt quite sure Mr. Beehan would give a good account of himself in Parliament and act up to the of the race from which he had sprung. Mr. E. Arnold paid a tribute to Mr. Beehan and to the Irish race. Other speakers were Messrs. F. McParland, J. Stratford, J. Mclnerney, and M. Bohan. The health of the guest was drunk with musical honors. Mr. Beehan replied with a few appropriate words. During the evening songs were given by Messrs. Smith, Hanifin, and Corliss, Mr. Corliss also contributing a recitation. Mr.

Sawtell gave some amusing imitations. Miss Lawlor danced an Irish jig. Mr. D. Murphy was secretary of the gathering.

It is with deep regret I announce the death of a second beloved sister" of the Very Rev. Father Lane Lower Hutt, which took place at St. Mary's Convent, Hill street, on Sunday morning, September 6. Sister Mary Catherine entered St. Mary's in 1890, and was professed in 1894. During her voyage out from the Old Country, Miss Lane seemed to have caught a chill and never to have been able to shake it off. This eventually undermined her constitution so much that none, not even those who came in daily contact with her, understood the full extent of her sufferings. However, with the bravest of hearts, she was ever at her post till the beginning of the present year, when obedience exchanged her school duties for others of a lighter nature. Sister Mary Catherine was best known amongst the junior pupils of St. Mary's High School, where she will long be remembered for the sweetness and gentleness with which she ruled the little ones confided to her care. She was two years younger than her late sister— Sister Mary Vincent. During life they were both so remarkable for their spirit of perfect detachment that few were aware of the deep affection existing between tnem. But now even death seemed anxious to compensate them by placing them side by side on the lonely hillside, never more to be separated. Sister Mary Catherine died on the feast of our Lady Consoler of the Afflicted, and truly she could not have had a more appropriate day than that on which our consoling Mother chose to take to herself one of the most afflicted of her lowly children. On Monday a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in the convent chapel for the repose of the soul of the late Sister Mary Catherine. Rev. Father McNamara was celebrant, the Very Rev. Father Keogh deacon, Rev. Father O'Shea sub-deacon, the Very Rev. Father Lewis master of ceremonies. Very Rev. Father Lane and Rev. Father Walsh were present in the sanctuary. The requiem was chanted by the priests present in the choir. Mr. D. Kenny presided at the organ. In the afternoon the remains were borne to the Church of the Sacred Heart, the pall-bearers being four members of the Hibernian Society, while the Sisters followed in processional order. The Very Rev. Father Lewis read the burial service and also preached a short panegyric on the deceased. The funeral then left for the Karori cemetery, the chief mourner being the Very Rev. Father Lane, of the Lower Hutt. About thirty of the Sisters of Mercy attended the last obsequies in addition to a large number of clergy and a representati\e gathering of the public— R.l. P.