Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 47, 23 November 1905, Page 4

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

November 18. This year's session of the Catholic Young Men's Literary Society will conclude on Monday e\ening, when an oratorical competition will be held. The competition promises to be keen and interesting, and is open to the public. The glee club formed in connection with the Young Men's Club holds its meetings every Tuesday e\ening, and, under the able tuition of Father Kimbell, is making good progress. It will, no doubt, be heaid in public ere long at one of our social functions. The Redcmptorist Fathers have purchased the fine property at Oriental Bay recently occupied by the family of the late Auditor-General, Mr J X FiUgerald They will leave their present quarters in Kilbunie eaily in the New Year. The Yen. Archdeacon Devoy returned on Thuisday from the West Coast. He went as fai south as llokitika, and was waimly received by his old friends on the Coast, lie left this morning foi Meance, wheic he will assist at the ordination cciemony there on the 26th inst. Mr. F. C. Tracy, with his wife and daughter, returned to Sydney by the ' Waikaie ' on Satuiday last, to start business there on his own account. The members of St. Anne's choir, Wellington South, took occasion prior to his departure to present him with asihermounted baton suitably inscribed. During Ins stayheie Mr. Tracy, by his uniform courtesy and unassuming manner, made himself a host of fuends, who wish him every success in his new venture. The devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration began in St. Anne's, Wellington South, on Sunday, and was concluded on Tuesday morning. On Sunday evening a special sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Giaham, of St. Patrick's College On Monday evening Hie sermon was by the Rev. Father Maples, of Petone The congregations at the various services were very large, and great numbers approached the Holy Table. On Sunday morning next quite a large number of children will receive their First Communion, and in the evening there will be the solemn ceremony of the renewal of the baptismal vows, in which the whole congregation will take part. On Sunday last the members of the St Aloysius 1 and St. Patrick's branches of the II AC B Society received Holy Communion in a body, the former at St. Anne's, Wellington South, the latter at the Sacred Heart Basilica, Thorndon. At Wellington South, the members ihad breakfast, together, and afleiwards discussed the question of their club rooms with the parish

priest. A subscription in aid of the building fund realised over £40. Committees were set up to superintend the collection of subscriptions and the erection of the building and furnishing of the rooms. It has now been decided to have three rooms, one to be used as a billiard room, one as a reading room and social room, and one as a lecture hall. It is hoped to have the building erected before the close of the present year. The Sacred Heart Basilica was crowded on Tuesday evening, when an organ recital was given by Mr. Maughan Barnett. Mr. Barnett's items consisted of Bach's ' Toccata and Fugue in D minor,' the ' Pilgrim's March ' from Mendelssohn's ' Italian Symphony,' Handel's rippling ' Concerto in F,' the ' Am Metr ' of Schubert, Handel's dainty ' Minuet in G,' the weird ' Dornroschen ' of Bendal, Wely's ' Storm Fantasie,' and Guilmant's ' Grand Choeur.' Mr. Barnett was assisted by four vocalists. Of these the soprano was Miss Lilian Irvine, who created such a favorable impression in the Town Hall quite recently. She was in capital voice, and sang ' Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets ' from Mendelssohn's ' St. Paul, 1 and ' Salve Maria ' with excellent effect. Mr. Ernest Parkes sang Faure's ' Les Rameaux,' and Mr. J. F. Carr gave ' Consider the lilies.' Miss Nora North-Barrett succeeded well with a very difficult solo, ' Like as the hart desireth.' During the programme his Grace the Archbishop expressed his pleasure at the attendance being so large. They were there, he said, to listen to good music — one of the most noble and inspiring of earthly delights, and also to assist in a good work. Alter paying a high compliment to Mr. Barnett, he thanked* the vocalists who had contributed so acceptably to the programme. The collection yielded the sum of £20. This now leaves an unpaid balance on the organ of £ ( J5.