ARCHDIOCESE OP WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1908, Page 12

ARCH DIOCESE OP WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

December 21

The gathering on Friday evening of members of 'the Catholic Club to do honor to the Marist Brothers after a year of arduous effort arid to spend a few pleasant hours with them prior to the vacation, was a most encouraging as well as successful function — encouraging because the large number of young men present anjd the in which they are playing their part in this city augured well for the future welfare of the- Church in these lands. The good Brothers must hlavje experienced that joy and satisfaction" which are born of the knowledge that most of the young men present were representative, to a great extent, of the training that the Marist Brothers have given in" their educational institutions, and that many among these men were already occupying positions of trust and influence in this city in which they were reflecting honor alike on their Church and the teachers of their boyhood. Tihe old guard of the laity was fittingly represented by Messrs. Martin Kennedy • and J. J. Devine —names that haive figured prominently these' 1 many years in Catholic and con-nnercial circles. His Grace and many of the clergy were unable to attend owing to the stress of the duties incidental to the Christmas season. The Rev. Father Kimbell, S.M., spiritual director to the club, was present.

..The chairman, Mr. Albert Casey, in proposing the toast of ' Our Alma Mat.er,' referred to the great regard the ' old boys ' had for the Marist Brothers. They were happy to have the opportunity of spending ,an evening with them, and of assuring their old teachers that the ex-pupils of the school still felt a keen interest 1 in their welfare. On behalf of the Catholic Club he extended to Brother Justin arid his confreres the best

wishes for a bright Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Mr. i J. Gamible, one of the oldest of the ~ex-pupils - present, and- one that was lately raised to a responsible post on the staff of the local- Harbor Board, in supporting the toast, 'endorsed the remarks of Mr. Casey regarding ' the warm feelings of friendship, felt for the Brothers by the ' ' old' boys.' He was glad to see that one of the Wellington boys • had won the scholarship in. connection wilh the "college conducted by the "Marist Brothers in Auckland. He hoped that many more successes would come their way. Brother Justin in reply expressed the pleasure the Brothers felt 'at seeing' such a large 'number of young men present to enter Lain them, and at witnessing the strong/ bpnris that existed between, the ex-poipila and their former "teachers. He w.as told before coming to' this city of the great • regard that the ' old boys ' cherished for' : the old school, -and he found that the story was in no way exaggerated. He took advantage of the occasion to thank the club for its medal for Christian doctrine, and remarked on the discernment displayed in allotting the prize for that most- important of all the branches of our education. He also desired to thank many of the ex-pupils for sending books to supplement- the prize fund. On behalf of himself and his confreres he wished the club continued success and its members a prosperous future. . ' Mr. Martin Kennedy, -in proposing the toast of ' The Catholic Club,' spoke of the great importance of such an institution. He was glad to know - that the' ■ movement for a new hall was being successfully handled, and he . thought that now' was the time for some ' of those that -had promised donations to come forward - with the cash. *"He agreed with Brother Justin that a boys*' club was much needed, and he was glad to know that the new club would not be for young menonly but a .club for the whole Catholic community. Mr. MeG-owan , (secretary) informed the -gathering that the member ship of the' club was increasing steadily. Regarding the formation of a boys' 'club, the executive believed that when the new hall was built the present building might be used by the boys. Mr. Devine, in proposing . the toast of ' Catholic Education"' said that thirty years ago. men set up in this country a system of education borrowed from Europe, where it was established with the ,view of undermining the. Church. It was interesting to note that the Catholics of Mew Zealand ran up a flag of 'no surrender,' and that flag was still flying. Those who wece once „so anxious for State education, now that empty churches were the result. Hence the cry to-day- of ' let us have the Bible in " our schools.' The flag they wished to hoist was buii, a tiny thing to the^grand flag that would always be flown by the -Catholic ""Church over her educational institutions. The Rev. Father Kimlbell in responding said that the Stalte system' of education! oiily educated part of the v man. The intellect was developed but the heart and ■ soul were neglected. ' He paid a warm tribute to -the noble work- done* by the Marist Brothers in the cause' of Catholic education. One had only to know the lives they lived and the hard work they -did to understand the greatness of the sacrifices they were making., - The toast of the ~ H Ladies ' by Mr. Fitzgibbon, responded to by Mr. McGo-vern, and that of. the-'chairman'-were duly honored.- The singing of Auld lang syne and' God save Ireland ' brought to a close a most en-

joy able evening ..