DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 5 September 1907, Page 15

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From, our own correspondent.) August 30. At> Manawaru the foundation stone of a new church was laid on Sunday, August 11, by the Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly, , assisted by the Rev. Father, McGuiness, pastor of- the district. The Dunedin branch of the Hibernian Society has forwarded two guineas, subscribed by its members, to his Lordship Dr. Lenihan towards • St., Patrick's Cathedral building fund. This was sent as an appreciation of the Bishop's kindness to the Hibernian delegates when in Auckland • last March. The Dune'Un branch also sent a telegram -on Tuesday, August 27, congratulating Dr. Lenihan- upon his "silver jubilee to the priesthood. 'The Bishop has publicly referred to this message from D.unedin, and expressed great pleasure at it. At the Bishop's house last -Tuesday the Very Rev. Dean Hackett, Paeroa, was the recipient of a beautiful present in commemoration of his silver jubilee as a priest. Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly, senior priest of the diocese, made the presentation, on b-'ehalf of the priests, and expressed their high appreciation of the many sterling qualities of the Dean of whom they all felt genuinely proud. Dean Hackett* replied in felicitous terms, and thanked his old friend, Monsignor O'Reilly, and his brother priests for their kindness towards him. ,He could remerr.ber -with pride that he was held hich in their esteem and affection, and what more could one desire from those with whom he was so closely united in the great work of

God and His Holy Church ? Dean Hackett .was ordained in Rome on March 4, 1882. At St. Patrick's Cathedral on last .Monday evening at the commemoration ,of the Right Rev. Dr, Uenihan's silver jubilee, the Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly read the following letter, which the Monsignor said was like, a ' Voice from holy Ireland.' ' S.S. Sonoma, February 6, 1907. • ' " My dear Rev. Father Holbrook,— l have heard quite accidentally that his Lordship the 'Bishop proposes to celebrate th ( e twenty-fifth year of his ordination to the • priesthood some time during the present year. As the occasion will not only be one of profound interest to his Lordship himself, but of ' great ]6y to the priests and people of . his diocese, 1, have no doubt it will be made an event worthy alike" of the Bishop and his people. If it, were my good fortune to lb)B in iN'ew Zealand I should consider it an honor and a privilege to join in the universal demonstration of affection and reverence which will characterise the jubilee celebrations. But as I cannot bte there I .trust you will allow me to express the hope that the unbounded love of his people, the confidence of his priests, and the warm regard of all creeds and classes may in some degree compensate him for all the troubles and responsibilities incidental to his great office during the eleven years of his splendidly fruit 1 ful episcopate, if a stranger may be allowed to join in this public, tribute, 1 shall ask you to accept the enclosed ten guineas— the small expression of miy warm appreciation of an ideal Bishop, a generous friend, and a true patriot. I trust every happiness and suc-e;* may pursue his Lordship in all the future years. With warm regards to yourself,, I t am, my dear - Father Father Holbrook, yours ever sincerely, - ' " ' • JOSEPH DEVLIN. Over one hundred letters and telegrams from all parts of the Colony have reached his Lordship, congratulating him upon his silver jubilee as a priest.