Diocesan News ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 26, 1 July 1909, Page 1022

Diocesan News ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From Our Own Correspondent.) June 26. Latest news from Auckland indicates that Mother Brigid, of St. Bride's Convent, Masterton (who is an inmate of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Mount Eden), is progressing very satisfactorily. St. Joseph's Christian Doctrine Society held a progressive euchre party on Wednesday evening in the Okareto House, Cuba street. The proceeds will go towards the St. Joseph's Sunday school prize fund. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, who on Sunday last opened a new parochial hall in Hastings, journeyed thence to Masterton^ where on Wednesday he presided at a reception ceremony in St. Bride's Convent. Several members of the Wellington Catholic Seamen's Conference entertained the aged inmates of the Ohiro Home on Friday evening. Notwithstanding the inclemency of tlie weather, a most enjoyable evening was spent. A meeting of stall-holders of the Levin Catholic bazaar was held last Monday. Rev. Father Cognet, of Otaki, was amongst those present. Everything points to a most successful gathering. Several valuable and handsome articles have been donated. The Home of Compassion, Island Bay, will benefit by the sum of £3 Is 9d, which has been handed over by the Wellington Gas Company. This amount represents

the proceeds of the sale of material cooked at the demonstrations by Miss Lovell, who has been giving a series of lectures on cooking by gas during the past week. The gift of £20 from the sub-committee deputed to deal with the Penguin stewardesses' memorial fund to the Home of Compassion is especially appropriate from the fact that the mother of the first child received by Rev. Mother Mary Aubert at the Island Bay Home perished in the wreck of the Penguin. On Friday, 25th inst., the boys of the St. Aloysins Club were instructed by Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon, 8.A., LL.B., on the duties of a chairman and a secretary at a debating meeting. Several essays were read by the boys. Next Friday Mr. Stuart will give the boys an instructive discourse on ' Bookkeeping.' The Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., left Wellington for Cliristchurch on Wednesday night, on his way to open a mission in the parish of Darfield. His colleague in mission work (Rev. Father Kimbell, S.M.) is at present in Ahaura district, where he is engaged bringing to a close the mission that was opened there some weeks ago by both priests. Worshippers in the Church of the Sacred Heart early on a recent week-day morning were no doubt edified to see amongst them assisting at Mass and approaching the Holy Table one who was on that day setting out for state purposes on a long and wearisome journey to the Old World. He evidently wished to start on his important mission under the best of auspices. On Wednesday last a reunion took place at St. Anne's Club rooms, Newtown, between the members of the Wellington Catholic Club's Junior Debating branch and St. Aloysius Boys' Club, Newtown, which was largely attended. Among those present were Rev. Father* Herring, S.M., and Messrs. S. J. Moran and Peters. A most enjoyable evening was spent; games were indulged in, and several members contributed songs and recitations. The Triduum in honor of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church of the Sacred Pleart, Thorndon, was preached this year by the Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., with great success. The attendances at the different exercises were very encouraging, while the General Communion of the parishioners on the Sunday morning must surely have established a record. It is worthy of note that for some considerable time the Sunday Communions have become so numerous as to require the services of two priests at the early Masses. At the last meeting of the executive of the Wellington Catholic Club the following resolution was unanimously approved : ' That this executive desires to place on record its appreciation of the action taken by the Rev. Father Yenning in writing such an able letter to the New Zealand Times in refutation of the assertion that the children educated in our Catholic schools supplied a greater proportion of criminals than those educated in the State schools, and that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded the rev. gentleman for his action.' At St. Peter's Club on Thursday last the annual reunion between that club and the Wellington Catholic Club took place. The attendance on the part of both clubs was very large. Several tournament games were indulged in, followed by a musical programme, which was" highly appreciated. Refreshments were afterwards partaken of. At the conclusion of the evening Rev. Mr. Blackburn returned thanks on behalf of St. Peter's Club. Messrs. J. McGowan (secretary) and A* H. Casey (vice-president) responded for the Catholic Club. The presentation of diplomas and conferring of degrees in connection with Victoria University College took place at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Thursday afternoon. The following students from St. Patrick's College obtained degrees : Master of Arts — Rev. Francis William Stanislaus Bartley, Rev. Charles Thomas Graham; Bachelor of Arts, Rev. Thomas Andrew Gilbert, and Senior Scholarship in Latin. Mr. Eves's prize for French and German had been- gained by Rev. Bernard Joseph Gondringer. The quarterly meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society, St. Patrick's branch, took place in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday, June 21, Bro. E. F. Reichel presiding over a large attendance of members. The balance sheets in connection with the St. Patrick's Day celebrations and sports were- - read and adopted. The credit balance (£4O 18s 6d) is ,to be devoted to the new Catholic Hall building fund and the Catholic school funds of Thorndon, Newtown, and Te Aro parishes. Owing to the inclemency of the weather on St. Patrick's Day, the balance for distribution was not quite up to expectations. The annual social evening of the society takes place in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall early in August. Four new members were initiated. The receipts for the evening totalled £85. Tho nominations for officers for the ensuing half-year were re-

ceivod. Bro. G. Sellars, of Cliristchurch, gave the members some instructive advice. The society has a full programme just at present in the way of social functions. On July 21 the society will be entertained in St. Patrick's Hall by the Catholic Club, and on August 11 will hold their annual social in the Town Hall.