DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 42, 15 October 1903, Page 20

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) October 8. Special services to commemorate the opening of St. Benedict's, after the new internal improvements, were held last Sunday morning and evening. His Lordship the Bishop was present at the 11 o'clock Mass and at Vespers. The Bishop expressed his great pleasure at seeing their fine church at last finished internally. It was a credit to the great energy of Father Gillan and to his people. A debt still remained upon the improvements, and he hoped that by tiheir generosity this would soon be cleared off. Rev. Father Gillan also spoke, and urged upon all those who had not already contributed to do so. A sium of £40 was received. The total cost of the improvements amounts to £400, of which £200 have been already subscribed.. The Choir, aided by an excellent orchestra, rendered in fine style Gounod's ' Messe Solennelle.' The Rev. Father Benedict, 0.P., preached after Vespers, and also expressed gratification at the splendid appearance the church presented. The energetic parish priest, Father Gillan, solicits subscriptions from all those disposed to help a good work. At St. Patrick's last Sunday afternoon the children renewed their baptismal vows. Although the weather was inclement there was a lairge muster of children. In the evening a procession of the Blessed Sacrament took place, in which the confraternities amd the children joined. Four of the Marist Brothers bare the canopy. The choir, under Mr. P. F. Hiscocks, rendered the music most admirably. At the gathering in honor of the seventh anniversary of the Right Rev. Lenihan's consecration, it is intended to present him with a motor car. It has been ordered from New York, and is due by the next inward 'Frisco mail steamer. Jt will cost £300, the whole of which sum has been collected entirely by the Rev. Father Patterson, Adm.

The committee which is organising the bazaar in aid of the Sisters of Mercy is working assiduously to make it a success. It opens on Saturday, November 7, in the Federal Hall, and will be preceded by a garden party on Saturday, 31st inst., in the convent grounds of St Mary's, Ponsonby. The pupils of the Marist Brothers' school, Pitt street, intend holding an entertainment shortly for which they are at present rehearsing. The superiority of the San Francisco mail route was clearly demonstrated this week. The Suez mail left London on August 28, and the ; iFri,sco mail on September 5, boih mails arrived in Auckland last Sunday within an hour of each other. The Takapuna took them south. The 'Frisco mail should arrive in Wellington on the day it was due in Auckland. A social conducted by the Guard of Honor, St. Patrick's parish, and which terminated the series of the season, was held in the Hibernian Hall last evening, and was a most unqualified success. i'he hall was tastefully decorated, and the attendance was exceptionally good. The committee of ladies, who worked so hard, not only now but throughout the season, is deserving of the highest commendation for its zeal and devotedness.