DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 31 August 1911, Page 1686

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

August 28. The senior team of the Marist'Brothers’ Old Boys now occupy the proud position of having to play off for the Rugby Union championship, under the local Rugby Union, with the City senior team. Considering the youth of the former team, this being its second season in the competition, it is to be heartily congratulated. f

The members of the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Club, to the number of 70, received their quarterly Communion in the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, on Sunday last. His Lordship the Bishop celebrated Mass, and addressed the young men in a few wellchosen words, showing the importance of such an organisation from the words of our Holy Father Pope Pius X., and also from the words of the Hierarchy of Ausin Council assembled. After Mass the members adjourned to the schoolroom, where breakfast had been prepared by the ladies of the parish. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Father Edge, Bro. George, and several members of the club.

The Sacrament of Confirmation was administered by his Lordship Bishop Cleary to 50 adults and children at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Parnell, yesterday morning. Some children made their First Communion at the earlier Mass. Punctually at 10.30 o'clock his Lordship arrived, and there was a crowded congregation to meet him. A presentation was made to his Lordship. Rev. Father Patterson and Messrs. Pilling, O'Sullivan, and Cremen welcomed the Bishop to Parnell, and said they were grateful for the honor conferred on them by his kindly visit amongst them. His Lordship replied, thanking them for their gifts, and then preached an eloquent sermon on the Sacrament of Confirmation. There were present in the sanctuary Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly and Rev. Father Clarke of Ponsonby. Rev. Father Patterson celebrated the 7.30 and 10.30 o'clock Masses. His Lordship, clergy, and lay friends were entertained at the Presbytery after the ceremony. , Very Rev. Father Mahoney delivered an interesting lecture last week before the members of the Holy Family Confraternity on Turkey.' He described Constantinople, the history of which he dealt with from the days of Philip of Macedon to the time of Constantino, and its capture by the Turks. The ancient Church of St. Sophia and many fine structures denoting Christian origin were interestingly described. He told of the outline of the blood-stained hand on one of the pillars of the Church St. Sophi.a, which was imprinted there by a heroic priest whilst defending the Blessed Sacrament from the Turks. He had stood on the spot where St. Thomas a'Becket was murdered at the altar steps, and where Rizzio was killed, but the sight of that bloodstained hand in Constantinople affected him more than anything he had seen in his travels The position of the famous city on the Bosphorus, and its suroundings (he said) baffled description, and compared with which the harbors of Cork Sydney and Rio take second place. The enchantment of the scene on the Bosphorus would remain in his memory for all time. He concluded by expressing the hope that the time would soon arrive when the followers of Mahomet would be dispossessed, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass would again be offered in St. Sophia

Remuera

(From an occasional correspondent.) A ladies' branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society has been formed in the parish. Miss Frost was elected president, Miss Jones vice-president, Mrs C. J. McEntie treasurer, and Mrs. H. McEntie secretary. ' The men's branch of the St. Vincent de ' Paul Society now numbers eight'or ten active members, and

nine honorary members. The society is now attending to the wants of the Catholic inmates of the local Blind Institute! His Lordship Bishop Cleary made his first episcopal visitation to the district last Sunday. His Lordship was received by Rev. Father Doyle, and a number of the city clergy, as well as a large body of the parishioners. At the 10 o’clock Mass Father Doyle welcomed the Bishop to the parish, and in doing so pointed out the wonderful growth of the district, Instancing the fact that the communicants for the past six months numbered six thousand. His Lordship then administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to some 60 children and six adults. Mr. Thomas Mahoney acted as sponsor for the boys, and Mrs. Wenzl Scholium for the girls. The Chief Inspector of Schools recently examined the primary school, and his report says:- The work of the school is characterised by earnestness and a genuine desire to do justice to positions of trust and responsibility. Schemes of work, suited to the needs of the various groups, have been carefully drawn up, and in general treated with success. The pupils are well-behaved and attentive under instruction, and a fine spirit of work obtains. Reading and spelling were strong features, and most other work showed commendable progress.’ The roll totals 160 pupils.