Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 7 October 1909, Page 1575

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

October 2. On Sunday, October 10, the Rcdemptorist Fathers will commence a mission in the Hutt district.

Mr. Peters, manager of the St. Aloysius' Boys' Club, has been elected vice-president of the Wellington Boys' Cricket Association.

Nearly 200 people assembled at the Hotel Windsor last Wednesday evening for the purpose 6i assisting at the euchre party and social held under the auspices of the H.A.C.B. Society. Miss Ryan and Mrs. Carrigan won the ladies' prizes and Messrs. W. White and P. Gleeson the gentlemen's. The energetic committee, with Mr. J. McCusker as secretary, worked hard to ensure the success of the gathering.

An enjoyable progressive euchre tournament was held at St. Anne's Club Rooms, Newtown, between St. Aloysius' branch of the H.A.C.B. Society and the Island Bay Lodge of Druids, on Monday evening. The tournament resulted in a win for the Hibernians by 36 games to 27. During the evening' items were contributed by Messrs. Corliss, McErlean, T. Pender, J. Smith, R. J. Thompson (songs), and F. Howard (recitation).

Last Sunday (Dominion Day) the Catholic Volunteers, to the number of 120, who attended the military parade, marched to St. Joseph's, Buckle street. The Very Rev. Father O'Shea, S.M., V.G., celebrated Mass. In the course of his sermon Father O'Shea commended the Volunteer movement, stating that he was glad to see so many of his people taking their part as citizens prepared for the defence of their country. He. expressed a hope that a still • larger number would recognise their duty in that respect.

The quarterly meeting of St. Aloysius' branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, Wellington South, was held on Monday evening, September 20, Bro. T. Pender (president) in the chair. There was a good attendance of members. Oh the motion of the president a vote of sympathy was passed to Bro. Giles on the death of his daughter. There has been considerable activity on the part of the officers to increase the membership of the branch during the quarter,

and as a result of a canvass, organised by the secretary, a large number were proposed for membership. i n T i he^ a w ni i al meeti "S of the Petone Catholic Club was held last Wednesday evening in the- local .club rooms,- Mr. A. Coles (president) m the chair. There was a good attendance of members. The following officers were elected : —Patron, Rev. Father Maples; president, Mr. A. Jf les; vice-presidents Messrs. J. Lynskey, W. Redmond, ii t ifV, d Meehan; committee, Messrs. F. J. Connell, T. M Phelan, W. S. Brice, S: O'Leary, M. Ryan, J. May, and A. Cairns ; secretary, Mr. J. Linehan ; treasurer, Mr. L. Gaynor; auditors, Messrs. J. Lynskey and a!

The children of the convent school, AVellington South gave a very good concert and entertainment in St. Ihomas Hall on Tuesday evening. The hall was crowded by the parents and friends of the children, and they showed by their frequent applause and encores how much they enjoyed the different items on the programme. All the items were well rendered and gave" evidence of the zealous care bestowed on the young performers by the devoted Sisters of Mercy. Too much praise cannot.be given the pupils -for the enjoyable entertainment provided by them and the all-round excellence of the various items.

The members of St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C B Society hold their half-j'early Communion at St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, on Sunday, September 26, there being about 40 members present. In the absence of the chaplain (Rev. Father Yenning), who is attending the Catholic Congress, the Rev. Father Graham, S.M., of bfc. Patrick's College, officiated. The quarterly meeting of the branch was held at St. Patrick's Hall on Monday, there being a large attendance of members present, over which Bro. E. F. Reichel presided. Two new -members were proposed. The takings of the evening totalled £70 and the sick pay passed for payment amounted to £5. The officers are now taking steps to form branches at Thorndon and Petone, and so far have met with- every success ,and hope shortly to requisition tlie executive for the necessary authority. It is also proposed to start a juvenile branch where lads of from 7 to 16 years can be enrolled.

A very impressive ceremony took place on Saturday morning, October 2, at the Convent of the Sisters" of Compassion, Island Bay, when three young ladies — Misses Lizzie Devine, of Meanee (in religion Sister Mary Raphael), Miss Daisy Moeller, of Hokitika (in religion Sister Mary Angela), Miss Veronica Wright, of Wellington (in religion Sister Mary Columba) — made their solemn profession, and another young lady — Miss Rhoda Hanrahan, of Wellington (in religion Sister Mary Rose) — was received. The Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., Provincial, officiated, and prefaced the ceremony by an arjpropriate discourse on the duties and responsibilities of the. religious life. The music incidental to the occasion was given by the Sisters' choir. Rev. Fathers Creagh, C.SS.R., Herring, S.M., Peoples, S.M., Bartley, S.M., and Dahdah were present, m addition to a large number of relatives and friends of the newly professed Sisters. After the ceremony breakfast Avas partaken of by the visitors at the convent.

On Wednesday evening at Godber's Rooms a large number of friends assembled to say good-bye to Mr. John Finlay, who is leaving for Australia. During the evening eulogistic speeches were delivered by Messrs. P. J. O'Regan (chairman), T. Boyce, W. Healy, R. Keenan, S. J. Moran, H. McKeowen, J. Ross, and Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald. A varied programme of vocal and instrumental items was contributed to by Messrs. Alexander, Dry, Healy, Hendry, Finlay, Keenan, Millar, Moran, Morris, Olliver, Oswin, and Twohill. He was also ' f arewelled ' on Thursday afternoon by the staff of the Public Trust Office. The Deputy Public Trustee (Mr. H. H. K. Duncan), who presided at the gathering, eulogised the work done by Mr. Finlay as an officer of the department, and also spoke in high terms of the services rendered by him in the promotion of athletic sports and other pastimes in connection with the office. His remarks were warmly endorsed by Mr. F. M. Purdy (accountant), and also Mr. J. W. Macdonald, the office solicitor. Mr. Duncan handed to Mr. Finlay a purse of sovereigns as' a. token of the esteem in which he was held by the ' staff. ! " Until recently he acted as secretary to the United Irish League and was also an executive officer of the St. Patrick's College Old " Boys' Association .