DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1, 7 January 1909, Page 14

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph from our own correspondent.) January 4. The Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan is expected to leave Genoa this 'week for New Zealand.- He should arrive, about February 17. ' ■ On. next Monday evening, January 11, a general meeting of the city and suburban parishioners will be held" for the purpose of making arrangements for celebrating St. Patrick's Day. It is contemplated to have a united celebration for the whole of the city and suburbs this year. The annual jetreat of the Marist Brothers of tljp North' Island was commenced in Christmas week. Rev. Father . Tigar, 0.P., conducted the retreat at the SacredHeart College. The Rev. Father Tigar is conducting the retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Auckland diocese this week. At the last Mass at St. Benedict's on Sunday the Very Rev. Dean Gillan, V.G., paid ah eloquent tribute to the labors of the Sisters of St. Joseph in that parish. Without the Sisters (he said) the parish would certainly be badly off. No one knew the amount of' good they performed, and in the instruction and education and training of the children they worked most earnestly. In the interests of the parish they stood aside, repeatedly, and now Fathers Brennan and Williams were about to in-, augurateian entertainment for them which he called upon all to assist, thereby showing their appreciation of what was being done for them by the Sisters of St. Joseph. In all the city and suburban churches very large congregations attended the Masses on Christmas Day. The high altar at the Cathedral was beautifully decorated, and it has seldom, if ever, looked better. The crib was placed near the altar rails. The choir, under Mr. Hiscocks, rendered the music in a finished manner. • They were assisted by several leading members, of Williamson's Company. Rev. Father Meagher addressed the congregation on the day's festival, and wished them every blessing and happiness. The Vicar-General at' St. Benedict's delivered an impressive discourse, and earnestly urged the congregation to constantly practice religious devotions, and to ever keep before their minds the possibility that many present would not see the new year out. They should prepare while there was time to meet their Creator. He was pleased to have in the sanctuary that 'evening a young priest born in this country. He hoped that the example set by Father Ormond would be followed by many nativeborn New Zealanders; too often parents turned away the thoughts of their sons from God's service, thus inflicting a wrong upon the son and loss to the Church. .i . In response to an appeal made by their pastor, Rev. Father Mahoney, the Catholics "of Onehunga gave a practical demonstration of their faith on a recent Sunday. At the suggestion of the members of the H.A.C.B. Society, who were to make their half-yearly general Communion' it was decided that the members of the different societies should approach the, Holy Table on the same day. In addition to the Hibernians the members of both branches of the Sacred Heart Society, the Children of Mary, and the members of the Menjs Club, as well as the children who were making their First Communion on that day, attended at the first Mass and received Holy Communion. In his address to the people, Father Mahoney stated how gratified he was at seeing so many communicants, including several who had heen- neglectful of their duty during the, year, and that since the last mission, nearly three years ago, there had never been so many at one Mass. He reminded them that they were commemorating a happy Christmas in the best possible way, and wished them every happiness for the season.