DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2, 9 January 1908, Page 14

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) January 3. The annual retreat of the diocesan clergy -is to begin on the 20th inst. St. Benedict's Choir held a picnic yesterday at St. Helier's Bay, where a most enjoyable time was s^eat. At the Sacred Heart Church,- Ponsonby, on Christmas Day, Rev. Father Tormey celebrated a Mi&sa Uantata at 10 o'clock. There was a very large congregation. His Eminence Cardinal Moran is due to ariive on Sunday, February 16. lie opens the bazaar on the fallowing Monday evenijng, g,oc.s to ißotorua on Tuesday, returns on Friday or Saturday, consecrates the Cathedral on Sunday, a>ndj leaves for Sydney on February 24.

On Sunday evening last the Lhoir rendered the ' Miserere ' and afterwards the ' Te Deum,' commemoraU.e of the expiration of the eld year, and the dawning of the new. The Bishop delivered a very fine discourse, ia which he dwelt upon the lax manner of many Catholics in their devotion, and want of love and* sym>pajthy fur the Church and its great work. His Lordship advised all to be honest and upright in their dealings in the world, thereby earning the respect and esteem of those around them. To employers and employees alike he addressed words of siound and wholesome advice, in which he poiiited) out their respective obligations, one to the other and to the community altogether. At the early Masses on Christinas Day very large numbers approached the Holy Table. From six until ten o'clock there were Masses continually at the Cathedral. At the six and seven o'clock Masses the choir of the Children of Mary and Guard of Honor Confraternities respectively sang a number of appropriate hymns. At ti.e 11 o'clock Mass his Lordship the Bishop was present in the Sanctuary. Rev. Father Holbroox was celebrant Rev. Father Farthing, deacon, Rev. Father Doyle subdeacon, and Rev. Father Murphy, master of ceremonies After the first gospel the Bishop addressed the large congregation on the great festival they were that d>ay commemorating, and reminded those present what our Divine Redeemer had suffered. We should always keep this before our minds and it would make of us better Catholics and Christians. We should practice those virtues which Hte taught us while -on earth, particularly those of humility and charity. We should never foreet the suffering poor who at all times, but particularly during this holy season, appealed to our generosity • Let us not turn a deaf ear to their appeah The Bishoo thanked! hid ,priestf/ of the .Qathedxal, .the Confratern lties, the Choir,. the Collectors, and all those who had assisted in the decorations of .the Altars, a md keepino- i n order their fine Church. He invoked God's blessing 0 on all during Christmas and throughout the coming year -At Vespers the Church was filled, the Bishop a ga-n attended. The Rev. Father O'Donnell, C.SS.R., poached on the Nativity. iFtontifical Benediction, followed Tht Choir, under Mr. P F ' Hiscocks, both in the morning and evening, merited 1 the fcigjhest encomiums. A word

of praise is also due to tihe Sisters of Mercy, Miss (lough and Mr*. T. F. Holbrook, for their efforts In decorating the altar, which indeed looked beautiful.