Intercolonial

New Zealand Tablet, 23 February 1911, Page 355

Intercolonial

A series of farewells to priests of the archdiocese of Sydney, leaving for Ireland, took place on February 8. The parishioners tendered a farewell to Rev. Father M. Rohan, of St. Augustine’s, Balmain; and the Rev. Fathers Dowling (Botany) and J. O’Gorman (Pyrmont) were similarly honored by their respective parishioners. His Lordship Bishop v Carroll laid the foundation stones of the new convent and schools at Smithtown, on Sunday, January 29. There was a large gathering at the ceremony. In the afternoon he laid the foundation stone of the new presbytery at Kempsey. Many hundreds were present, and a collection amounting to £650 was taken.

His Eminence the Cardinal (says the Freeman's Journal) will probably leave Sydney for Western Australia by the Orsova on March 1. The consecration of Dr. Chine, C.SS.R., by his Eminence, has been fixed for St. Patrick’s Day, at Perth. His Eminence will probably be joined on the way by the Bishops of Goulburn and the Archbishop of Hobart.

Speaking at the opening of St. Ignatius’ new school for boys at Richmond, his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne, said that of the two classes of opponents of justice to the Catholic body in the matter of educationthe secularists and the sectarians— preferred the former. Those agitating for Bible lessons in the State schools were simply asking for a subsidy to teach the Protestant religion. A leading Protestant paper, the British Weekly, declared that to grant the request of the sectarians without satisfying the Catholic claims was untenable.

At the conclusion of the blessing of the foundation stone of the new Cathedral, Armidale, on Sunday, February 5, his Eminence Cardinal Moran, who performed the ceremony, said :—‘ I promised Bishop O’Connor £SO now, and £SO when the cathedral was completed, but his Lordship said, “ You had better give me a £IOO now, for you may be in heaven when the building is finished.” I think his Lordship is a wise man,’ added his Eminence, to the accompaniment of universal laughter, ‘ and I will give him the £IOO now.’

The following clerical changes have been made in the archdiocese of Sydney:—The Rev. Fathers M. Rohan (Balmain), R. Collender (Surry Hills), P. Dowling (Botany), J. O’Gorman (Pyrmont), have left for a trip to Ireland, During their absence the parishes will be administered as follows: — Rev. Father P. Brody, Balmain; Rev. Father J. M'Dermott, Surry Hills; and Rev. M. Sherin, Botany. The Rev. J. Hyland, now at Queanbeyan, will be stationed at Pyrmont; and the Rev. M. Hogan, recently returned from a trip to the Homeland, will take charge of Queanbeyan.

The Very Rev. Thomas Lawless, C.M., of Ashfield, passed away on February 2 at St. Vincent’s Presbytery. The deceased, who was 48 years of age, was born at Collon, County Louth. , Father Lawless, while still a student, became a member of the Vincentian Congregation, and was later raised to the priesthood _at Clonliffe College, by the Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin. For six years he professed mathematics and classics at St. Patrick’s College, Armagh. Sent by his superiors to Australia in 1897, he remained for five years attached to the staff at St. Stanislaus College, Bathurst, and thence he was transferred to the Vincentian House of Missions, Malvern (Vic.). _ that centre he was engaged for some years in giving missions throughout Victoria and Tasmania. In 1905 he as appointed parish priest at Ashfield, and local Superior of the Vincentian community. For a short period prior to his death he held the office of Provincial of the Vincentian Fathers in Australia.

The foundation stone of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Arraidale, was blessed and laid on Sunday, February 5, by his Eminence Cardinal Moran, assisted by their Lordships the Bishops of Armidale, Goulburn, Lismore, Maitland, and Rockhampton. About two years ago his Lordship Dr. O’Connor instituted the movement to erect the Cathedral’, and at the first meeting held in connection with the project a sum of £3OOO was subscribed. A tour of the diocese made on behalf of the new Cathedral resulted in a sum of £IO,OOO being on hand prior to the commencement of the work. The Cathedral will be of brick and stone, and the contract price is close on £22,000. 'On his arrival in Armidale on the day prior to the ceremony his Eminence was tendered a public reception in the Town Hall, at which the Mayor presided, and was presented with an address by the Catholics of the town. At the conclusion of the blessing and laying of the foundation stone on Sunday Bishop O’Connor appealed for subscriptions towards the Cathedral fund, and made a beginning by handing in his own cheque for £IOOO. The priests of the diocese subscribed £1222, and his Eminence the Cardinal gave \£loo. At the banquet which was held later on in the Town Hall his Lordship Bishop O’Connor stated that the subscriptions at the ceremony amounted to £SOOO, which, with the amount previously in hand, totalled £15,000. ’