DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 41, 8 October 1903, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) October 1. The keenest interest was shown in the city on the question of running of Sunday trams. By the narrow majority of 22 out of a total poll of 7888 the question was decided in favor of the proposal . A bazaar, the proceeds from which are to be devoted to the Sisters of Mercy's new convent building fund at Parnell, was opened last Tuesday by the Mayor of the borough, and will close next Saturday. It promises to be most successful,, and deservedly so. Next Sunday will be a red letter day at St. Benedict's. This fine church is to be re-opened that day after the recent internal improvements. There will be Solemn High Mass, at which his Lordship the Bishop will preside. Special collections are to be taken up, which it is hoped may, with the sum already subscribed, enable the Rev. Father Gillan to announce that the improvements, which ran into several hundred pounds, are fully paid for. An impressive ceremony took place at St. Mary's Convent chapel, Ponsonby, on September 24, when three young ladies made their vows. The names of the newly professed are— Miss Nellie Perking, Haydonton, N.S.W. (in religion Sister Mary Marcellus), Miss Rees, Cooma, N.S.W. (Sister Blandina), Miss McMenamin, Auckland (Sister Theopheme). His Lordship Bishop Lenihan presided, and was assisted by the Rev. Fathers Patterson, Meagher, O'Hara, McGuiness, Tormey, Furlong, and Holbrook. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Benedict, O.P. 'ihe music incidental to the occasion was rendered by the Convent choir, assisted by the Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., and the Misses Lynch. The beautiful little chapel was artistically decorated with arum lilies and lycopodium. The parents and friends of the newly professed were entertained at breakfast by the Sisters. The annual reunion of the ex-pupils of the Sisters was largely attended. Key. Father Benedict, 0.P., gave some selections on the gramaphone. Afternoon tea was served to the visitors. The Sisters of Mercy, who arrived in Auckland in 1850, must have been gratified to see so many of their former pupils gathered round them to celebrate the feast of the Order on September 24. It must also be gratifying to them to see their labors blessed with success at the recent practical music examinations, Trinity College, London, the results being as follow : — Senior division (honors), Rita O'Sullivan and Alda Ralph. Senior division (pass), Janie Amodeo, Gertrude Bray, Josephine Kenealy, Ellen Brown, singing. Intermediate diwsion (honois), Eileen Kenealy, Flora Gordon, singing. Intermediate division (pass), Eileen Cullen, Katie Mahoney. Junior division (pass), Norah Webb, Emily Robertson, and Elsie Maguire. Preparatory grade (pass), Geitrude Daly and May Mann. On Friday evening a meeting was held in the Marist Brothers' Schoolroom to take steps to fittingly commemorate the se^.enth anniversary of the consecration of his Lordship Bishop Lemhan. The meeting was convened by the Rev. Father Patterson, Adm. Amongst those present were the Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., Rev. Fathers Patterson, Meagher. Tormey, Furlong, and Holbrook. Apoliogies 1 were received from the Rev. Fathers GiHan and Kehoe, both of whom regretted their inability to attend, and promised their hearty co-operation. Mr. Edward Mahony was appointed chairman of committee, Rev. Father Patterson, Adm., hon. treasurer, and Mr. M. J. Sheehan hon. secretary. The following were appointed a committee : Hon. J. A. Tole, and Messrs. J. J. O'Brien, J.P., and D. Flynn (Ponsonby), Messrs. P. J. Nerheny, A. Kohn, and M. Foley (St. Patrick's), Rev. Father Gillan and Messrs. P. Brophy, and J. Larkins (St. Benedict's), Rev. Father Kehoe and Messrs. Mulvaney and F. Peacocke (Parnell). The Rev. Father Patterson explained that it was intended to present ihe Bishop with a motor car to cost £290, and he had in hand already £250, the balance being fully promised. He had engaged the Choral Hall for Monday, November 16, subject to the approval of the committee. His Excellency Lord Ranfurly had promised to attend that evening, and he had secured the services of some of the best of our local vocalists and instrumentalists to assist on the occasion. It was decided to heartily thank Father Patterson for his indefatigable labors, and to ratify all the arrangements he had made. It was decided that the children from the nuns' schools should sing one or two choruses that evening.