Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 11, Issue 10, 11 March 1909, Page 375

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From Our Own Correspondent.) March 6. On Sunday evening the Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., preached a charity sermon in aid of the funds of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. At St. Patrick's College on Tuesday night a meeting of the old collegians was held, when it was resolved to establish an Old Boys' Football Club. A large number of ex-students gave in their names for enrolment as members. The retreat for members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which was held last week at St. Joseph's Church, was concluded on Sunday evening, February 28. The retreat was conducted by the Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., and was attended by about 200 men. The annual general Communion of the members of tho Wellington Catholic Club took place at St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, on Sunday, February 28, at the 7.30 o'clock Mass. The members approached tho Holy Table in a body. In connection with the St. Patrick's Day celebration s the Right Hon. the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward) and Lady Ward have also extended their patronage to the Irish national concert, which is to be held at the Town Hall on St. Patrick's Night. The members of tho H.A.C.B. Society will make their annual Communion at St. Mary of the Angels', Boulcott street, on Sunday, March 14, after which the annual breakfast will be held. A largo gathering of Hibernians is expected. Arrangements are well advanced for the bazaar in connection with the South Wellington parish, which is to be opened on Easter Saturday at the Skating Rink. There appears every indication of tho undertaking being most successful. Great enthusiasm is being evinced in Carterton over the liish national concert, which will bo held on St. Patrick's Day in the Victoria Hall. An excellent instrumental and vocal programme has been arranged, and talent • from Masterton, Martinborough, Greytown, and Carterton has been secured. Messrs. F. A. Hickmott, J. R. Hunt, JEI. J. Keogh, and C. Pfaff have been elected as a committee on the newly formed dramatic branch of the Wellington Catholic Club. The first-named (Mr. Hickmott) was appointed secretary, and the position of manager will be filled at next meeting. On February 22, at the Sacred Heart Basilica, Miss Johanna Downes, third daughter of the late Mr. J. Downes, of Auckland, was married to Mr. Michael O'Donnell, second son of Mr. J. O'Donnell, of Greymouth. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father BoAvden, S.M. Arrangements have been completed by which the Sisters of Mercy in- Thorndon parish will conduct catechism classes every week in the three outlying districts of Wadestown, ICarori, and Northland. Accommodation has very kindly been provided in Wadestown at the residence of Mr. Knight, in Northland at Mr. Fcnnoll's, and in Karori at Mr. Lissington's. It is witli sincere regret that I record the death, on February 28, of the late Mrs. Maria McManus, the beloved wife of Mr. C. McManus, of Lower Hutt— aged 36 "years. The funeral took place on Tuesday, March 2, leaving the Lower Hutt Catholic church for the Karori Cemetery. The members of tho local branch of tho Hibernian Society, of which Mr. McManus is a member, attended in regalia. The deceased was well known and respected in the Hutt district. — R.I.P. Great preparations are being made by the Maoris of Hamua, a small town near Eketahuna, for the festivities in connection with the opening ceremony of the new Catholic church on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the 12th, 13th, and 14th of March. Over 200 visiting Cath-

olic Maoris, a great number 'from \R,otorua district, are "expected to participate in the celebrations, which will be conducted by his Grace- the Archbishop. At the Conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs" held last Easter it was resolved to hold the 1909 conference at Blenheim. The Blenheim Catholic Club have made, representations to the Federal Executive, which, have resulted in the locale of the conference at Easter • being altered to Wellington, -which, under -the circumstances, is considered to be the most suitable place. All clubs have been - notified accordingly, and a successful gathering is anticipated. A Pontifical Requiem Mass for the victims of the. earthquake disaster in Sicily and Calabria was celebrated by his Grace the ' Archbishop on Wednesday, March 3., The assistant priest was the Very Rev. Father O'Shea, S.M., V.G. — Father Herring, S.M., and Father Peoples, S.M., being deacon and stibdeacon. The music of the Mass was supplied by a choir of priests, under the leadership of Rev. Father Mahony,- 5.M.," Father Kimbell, S.M., presiding at the organ. The pupils of St. Mary's Convent High School sang the hymn (Oh turn r to Jesus,' during the vesting of the Archbishop. - _~ > By the special request of the Very Rev. Father Clune, C.SS.R., the members of the HIA.C.B. Society were presont in regalia at the ceremony of unveiling the handsome marble altar and. windows of the new Church of St. Gerard on Sunday, February 28. The district officers were represented by Bro. J. W. Callaghan, District Deputy. The window on the south side, Avhich represents St. Patrick, was presented by the Hibernians throughout the Dominion, and the Very Rev. Father Clune, in his remarks, thanked the members for their generosity. A sacred concert was given at the Sacred Heart Basilica, Hill street, last Sunday evening, February 28, by the members of the choir, assisted by several ladies. The choruses were Avell rendered by the choir. The were : Mrs. Blytlio, Mrs. Fenneli, Misses Maunsell, Macdonald (violin), and Messrs. J. Flanagan and J. Smith. Mr. Guthrio conducted, and Miss May Putnam presided at tho organ His Grace tho Archbishop, in a brief address, commended to those present the object of the special effort which was being made — namely, for the Penguin relief fund. Tho amount collected was £21 Is 6d. - ' A quarterly general meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was held on last Sunday afternoon in the St. Anne's Catholic Club rooms, Newtown. There was a large attendance of members, including representatives of the various conferences under the jurisdiction of the Particular Council of Wellington; also his Grace Archbishop Redwood, Very Rev. Dean- Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), Very Rev. Father O'Shea, S.M., V.G., Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., Rev. Fathers O'Connell, S.M., Hickson, S.M., and Herring, S.M. The secretary (Bro. L. T. Rcichel) submitted report, and the treasurer (Bro. M. O'Connor) his' balance sheet. The president (Bro. M. Kennedy) outlined the work done by the society, and referred to tho new conference which was inaugurated ay the beginning of the year at St. Joseph's, Buckle' street, and urged upon all laymen to become members of the society. Favorable reports of the various conferences were given by the president on behalf of the St. Mary's Conference; by Bro. Ellis, president of St. Joseph's Conference; by Bro. Gamble, president of St. Anne's Conference; by Rev. Father Hickson, S.M., for the president of the Sacred Heart (Basilica) Conference, Thorndon; by Bro. McCusker, president of the Catholic Seamen's Conference. His Grace the Archbishop then addressed the meeting. Tho Very Rev. Father O'Shea, S.M., V.G., Archdeacon Dcvoy, S.M., and Roy. Father O'Connell, S.M., spoke very ' favorably of the work that the .conferences were doing. The Very Rev.' Dean Regnault, S.M., also spoke in praise' of the work done by, the St. Vincent de Paul Society. /