Uiocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 13, 31 March 1904, Page 4

Uiocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

March 26. 4. c^ r^P' Kmi y has resigned his position as organist at St. Mary of the Angels' CMirch. Rev Fathers King and McDermott, Retiemptorists passed through Wellington on their way to the West Coast this week Rev. Fathers O'Dorrnell and Murray of the same Order, leave for Blenheim, wheie they are to give a mission next week. At the ceremonies of Holy Week at the Church of the Sacred Heart the Very Rev Father Keogh will preach on Holy Thursday evening, and Rev. Father Murray on Good Friday evening. At St. Joseph's Church the sermon on Wednesday evening will be preached by Rev. Father Tynions, on Holy Thursday by Rev. Father Giaham, and on Good Fiiday by Rev Father McDonald. In addition to his Grace the Archbishop the following priests from Wellington were present at the funeral of Dean Kirk on Friday last : Yen Aroh'deacon Devoy, Provincial ; Very Rev. Fathers Lewis, V G., and the Very Rev. Father Keogh, Rev. Fathers O'Shea' Ainswortfl], Holley, and Mo'oney. ' The annual reunion of St' Patrick's College, in honor of the feast of St. Patrick, was held on Sunday last (says the ' New Zealand Times '), when many leading citi/cns, includniig the Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, were entertained at dinner. The Rector (the Very Rev. Father Kroeji) presided, and the members of the professorial stafl and a lars>;e number of the ' old boys ' v/ere amongjst those present. The toast of ' The Pope and King ' having been honored, the Rector proposed ' The Day We Celebrate,' saying that every Irishman, no matter 'in what part of the world he lued, felt a thrill of affection for the old l.md when St Patrick's Day came round. Not only those who had been born in Ireland, but their descendants abroad, were actuated by this spirit of affection, and by the sympathy which they had for Irela,nd in her trials and troubles Tie coupled with the toast the names of Mr John Cumin— whom the Rector described as one of the truest friends of St Patrick's College here in Wellington— and Dr. CahiU Mr Cumin buefly acknowledged the toast, and Dr. Cahill also rc/plted, saying in the course of his address, that ho had found that all over the world there was amongst the Irish people to-dny a great tendency to reunion, and a great, desire to forget the past and its misunderstandings In proposing the toa^t ' The. Ministry,' cou,nled with the name of Sir Joseph Ward, the Rector paid a trib-

ute to Sir Joseph for his services to the Colony, and mentioned especially the penny postage scheme. Father Keogh drew attention to the fame which Irishmen htad attained as public men in this Colony, quoting for instance tihe names of Dr. Grace, Sir Maurice O'Rorke, Sir Edward Stafford, John Ballance, and James Edward FitzGerald. Mr. Seddoh had given to Mr. Wyndham certain suggestions for the Irish Land Bill ; but it was mipst generally known that Mr. James Edward FitzGerald had been one of the greatest s-upporleis of Mr. Gladstone in his Home Rule Bill, and had frequently corresponded with Mr. Gladstone on this; subject.

Sir Joseph Ward, replying to the toast, acknowledged tiie hospitality of the Rev. Father Keogh, and expressed his pleasure at the presence of Mr. Gurnwi, who had accupied a very responsible position as law draughtsman in this Colony, and whose name would be kejpt green for all time, so far as the members of the Legislature were concerned by ' Cumin's Index.' Contuniuing, Sir Joseph Ward said that everyone rejoiced in tihe fact that the recent legislation passed by the House of Commons had inspired the Irish race generally all oiver the world with feelings of hope,, and with the confidence that tlhe future of their country would be a bright one. There was always this consolation : Had it not been for the troubles of Ireland, many of the finest representatives of the race who had come abroad would have stayed' in their own land, and the world outside would have been the loser thereby.

Mr. Martin Kennedy, in proposing the toast 'St Patrick's College,' coupled with tihe name of the Rector, apoike of the education question, and of the work done at St. Patrick's College, saying that, as one of those who had assisted in a small way in the establishment of tihe college, no work of his life had given him greater pleasure. There was the greatest possible gratification in meeting the ' old boys ' of St. Patricks College, both lay and clerical ; and they were a great credit to the community. He joined in the expressions of congratulations at the prospects of a brighter era for Ireland. He viewed with great satisfaction the land laws of this colony as being an example for Ireland. Speaking of St. Patrick's College, Mr. Kennedy said that a commercial or professional education could be had there equal to that given at any other secondary college in New Zealand, and at a very moderate expense. He mentioned the work done by Dr. Watters, first Reptor, .Father Devoy, artdi other members of the teaching staff, and said the work begun under such favorable auspices had been carried to a high degree of success by the present Rector, Father Koogh.

The Rector, in responding, said he did not know any person from whom he had received greater kindness personally than Mr. Kennedy, who had always been ready to give every assistance possible to the college. Ho was sure that tihe name of Mr. Martin Kennedy would never be forgotten in St. Patrick's College. The name of Dr. Watters having been mentioned, Father Keogh spoke of him as having been a tower of strength to the college, and said that he had gained a strong hold upon the affections of the old boys. Referring to the work of the college, Father Keogh said that in the senior civil service, university, and junior civil service examinations of the extended district, boys from the college took the fourth and sixth places.