DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 10 February 1910, Page 217

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph from our own correspondent.) February 7. The mission at Onehunga concludes on next Sunday. The Cathedral priests are at present busy taking a census of the parish. The Sisters of the Sacred Heart are erecting on their beautiful grounds a temporary chapel. The new system adopted for collecting the Christmas dues at the Cathedral by the Bishop proved an unqualified success. The contributions exceeded former years by over fifty per cent. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament took place after the last Mass and throughout the afternoon at the Cathedral yesterday, and after Benediction in the evening the usual procession took place. The branches of the Hibernian Society throughout the Dominion have nearly all forwarded their opinions to the District Executive upon the question of postponing the triennial meeting, to be held at Wellington, and the result is that by overwhelming numbers the meeting has been postponed until the first Wednesday after Easter. The Bishop’s Lenten Pastoral was read in all the churches of the diocese yesterday. It contains a great deal of information regarding the financial position of every parish of the diocese, the new churches, convents, and schools erected during the year, the financial result of the

&t. Patrick s Day celebration, and the future intentions regarding moneys so raised, and other interesting matters. A splendid meeting of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration committee was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. Nerheny presiding. Rev. Fathers Holbrook, Edge, Brennan, and Ormond were present. A great amount of detail work was got through, sports and concert committees were formed, and the enthusiasm displayed augurs well for its ultimate success. His Lordship the Bishop preached at the Cathedral last evening, and dwelt on the approaching season of Lent and on the obligations resting on every practical member of the Church. It was essentially a time for penitence and mortification and sorrow for our sins, with firm resolution to abstain for all time from again indulging in them. In order to do this the Church in her wisdom commands its children to refrain during Lent from those pursuits from which they derived pleasure, and particularly the pleasures of the table. All this was to curb our sinful passions. The last of all places where we might look for example in this respect was from the Turks, who, at certain seasons, were forbidden to eat or drink from the rising to the setting of the sun. Another feature of the present day was the desecration of Good Friday. If there was one day in the calendar upon which all Christians might universally mourn it was Good Friday. Yet the tendency was to make merry, organise picnics, sports gatherings, and excursions on that day. From all these his Lordship exhorted his Catholic people to refrain. They should attend their churches, and, if prevented, then to show by their comportment that they at least were not unmindful of the great and tragic event which that day commemorated. His Lordship’s appeal fell on attentive ears, because his remarks were timely and so much needed. Ashburton (From our own correspondent.) February 6. The parish schools have re-opened, and the attendances are reported satisfactory. The Catholic Young Men’s Club held a ‘ Mock Banquet ’ at the club rooms on Tuesday evening, when the president (Mr. Frank Pritchard) presided over a very large attendance of members. The following was the toast list: The Pope and King,’ the president; ‘The Parliament of New Zealand,’ Mr. D. McDonnell, and responded to by Mr. F. K. Cooper; ‘The Hibernian Society,’ Mr. M. J. Mori-, arty, and responded to by Mr. T. M. Brophy; ‘The Ladies,’ by Messrs. J. Moison and M. J. Burgess. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs. M. Murphy, F. Hanrahan, and T. M. Brophy; recitations by Messrs. S. Cooper, M. J. Burgess, and M. J. Moriarty. The handsome diploma presented by the Federated Societies’ Executive to the winner of the oratorical competition, was presented to Mr. J. O’Grady. Oamaru (From our own correspondent.) February 7. St. Patrick’s Dramatic Club is now very hard at work rehearsing for the production of Boucicault’s delightful Irish drama, ‘ Arrah-na-pogue,’ which will be, staged in the Opera House on St. Patrick’s Night. The cast has been chosen with much discrimination, and a first-class rendering of the popular play is assured. The second billiard tournament held recently by St. Patrick’s Club was very successful, the winner of the senior grade being Mr. M. Hannon, with Mr. E. J. Barry as runner-up, while Mr. H. O’Donnell carried off the junior trophy, Mr. W. McGombie being second. Another tournament will shortly be held, and Mr. Hannon has kindly donated his trophy for further competition. St. Patrick’s Tennis Club has entered upon a very promising career, there being already over fifty members on the roll, which is decidedly gratifying in view of the fact that the club has only been a fortnight in existence. A tournament will commence this evening, for which 32 entries have been received, and valuable trophies have been offered by Messrs. W. Veitch and F. R. Bartrum. A very pretty wedding, which caused much interest locally, was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Basilica on Tuesday morning last, when Miss Mary Frances Falconer, daughter of Mr. T. Falconer, of Ain street, was married to Mr. John P. Ryall, of the Dunedin Railway Station office staff. The bride, who was given away by her father, was charmingly attired in Ivory charmeuse satin trimmed with pearl embroidery and Limerick lace, and wore the usual wreath and veil. The bridesmaids were Misses Priscilla and Rita Falconer (sisters of the bride). Many beautiful presents received by the happy couple testified to their popularity. The ceremony, followed by the Nuptial Mass, was performed by the Rev. Father Farthing, and was witnessed by numerous friends. The bride’s gift to the bridegroom was a set of gold sleeve links, and that of the bridegroom to the bride a gold watch. To the bridesmaids he presented

gold bangles. As the bridal party left the church Mendelssohn’s Wedding March ’ was played by Miss Hannon. At the wedding breakfast the principal toasts were proposed in happy terms by the Rev. Father Farthing, Mr. P. A. Duncan (stationmaster), and Mr. Ryall. After the breakfast Mr. and Mrs. Ryall left by motor en route for Auckland and the Lake District, » Westport (From our own correspondent.) The adjourned half-yearly meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in St. Canice’s Club rooms on Wednesday evening, the president (Bro. W. Lauder) occupying the chair. The agenda paper for the forthcoming triennial meeting was discussed, and Bro. D. Dennehy was appointed delegate. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Bro. W. Lauder; vice-president, Bro. P. Niven; secretary, Bro. D. Dennehy; treasurer, Bro. J. Dickson; warden, Bro. P. Murphy; guardian, Bro. E. Carmine; sick visitors, Bros. Hughes and O’Gorman; auditors, Bros. Radford and O’ Gorman. The annual smoke concert of St. Canice’s Club took place in the club rooms on Thursday evening last. Over fifty members were present, and Mr. F. O’Gorman (president) occupied the chair. A number of toasts were honored, the speakers being Rev. Father Bergin, Messrs. Roskenge, Lincoln, J. J. Molony, W. Lauder, J. L. Leydon, D. Dennehy, J. Radford, J. Ryan, P. Molloy, R. Hansby, F. F. Munro, and S. Strachan. During the evening the president, on behalf of the members of the club, presented Mr. J. L. Leydon, of the Railway Department, who is being transferred to Wellington, with a handsome gold-mounted watch guard, suitably inscribed, and a case of pipes. In making the presentation the speaker referred in eulogistic terms to the many admirable qualities of Mr. Leydon, and of the good work he had done in connection with the club. Mr. Leydon in replying thanked the members for their valuable gift, and, in the course of his remarks, stated that where such good fellowship existed it was a pleasure to work. He regretted that he was not permitted to remain longer in Westport, but wherever he went he would never forget the kindness of the members of St. Canice’s Club. At a later stage Mr. F. F. Munro, representing the elocutionary contest committee, presented Mr. J. L. Leydon with two gold medals won by him at the recent inter-club contest. The chairman, on behalf of the club, also presented Mr. J. Radford with a silver shaving outfit as a mark of appreciation for his valuable services as secretary of the club. Presentations were also made of a dressing case to Mr. C. Reece, winner of the billiard tournament, and a case of pipes to Mr. F. Hansby, who secured second place. Mr. L. De Vere, vice-president, handed to Mr. F. O’Gorman the diploma awarded by the Federated Catholic Clubs for oratory. A feature of the social was the eloquent speech of the Rev. Father Bergin in replying to the toast of Our Fatherland.’ The singing of ‘ Auld lang syne ’ and cheers for Mr. Leydon brought to a close the most enjoyable function the club has ever held. The following is a list of pupils of the Convent of Mercy, Westport, who were successful at the recent musical examinations: Associated Board. Miss Mumm, L.A.8., Teacher’s Certificate. Advanced grade Ella Crowther (violin), Ivy Thompson (pianoforte), Ada Carlyon. Intermediate grade Lizzie Martin. Higher division — Pain, B. Doyle, Maria Kaye. Elementary Maude Doyle, Rose Seaton. Primary— Hanna. Two of the —Vida Turnbull and Maude Doylewere successful at the recent Civil Service examination.