Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 8 May 1913, Page 24

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON ' (From our own correspondent.) - May 3. The Rev. Father Jas. Tymons, S.M., who has been on an extended visit to the Old Country, returned by the Moeraki on Wednesday last.

Mr. T. O'Rourke, who has been clerk of the court at Otaki for many years, left on Thursday by the Rotorua for an extended visit to the Old Country.

The Children of Mary, Thorndon, held a euchre party on Thursday evening. The boisterous weather, however, interfered to a great extent with the attendance.

On last Sunday special devotions in connection with the archconfraternity of the Holy Rosary were held at St. Anne's. The Rev. Father Gondringer, S.M., of St. Patrick's College, preached. .

Arrangements are well in hand for the schools' social, which is to be held in St. Anne's Hall on May 28. The proceeds are being devoted to the recently established Wellington Catholic education fund.

At the annual meeting of the N.Z. Competitions Society a. vote of thanks was passed to the Rev. Father H ; ckson, S.M., for the valuable services which he has rendered the society since its inception in Wellington.

In municipal politics Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald was re-elected for a seat on the City Council. Mr. W. Perry put up a good fight, but suffered defeat, as also did Mr. D. Moriarty. Mr. Fitzgerald lost his seat on the Harbor Board, and Mr. M. F. Bourke, who was also a candidate, suffered defeat^.

The funeral of the late Mr. R. A. Marshall, an old and respected resident of Wellington, took place on Monday, the interment being made in the Karori cemetery. The Rev. Father J. Herring, S.M., celebrated a Requiem Mass at St. Mary of the Angels', and officiated at the graveside.—R.l.P.

The New Century Hall was the scene of a ' send-off social last Tuesday night to Mr. C. J. McErlean, one of our most popular young Catholic men, on the occasion of his transfer, to Napier. A large number of friends were present, and on their behalf Mr. C. Gamble presented Mr. McErlean with a travelling bag. The school committee elections last Monday brought forth several of our Catholic men as candidates. Messrs.

B. Doherty, J. Hyland, D. R. Lawlor, M. O'Kane, R. Cook, and H. R. Power were returned for Te Aro, Mr. J. Hyland topping the poll. At Mount * Cook Messrs. H. A. Parsonage and B. Ellis were, successful. At Wellington South Messrs. J. E. Gamble, P. J. Relleher and O. Goff were returned, whilst Messrs. T. P. Gill and 0. Krohn secured seats on the Island Bay committee. At Eastbourne Messrs. F. P. Kelly and R. A. Keenan were elected, Mr. Kelly topping the poll. i ■■.■;'

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY. The centenary of Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, was observed by the society in Wellington with. due solemnity on last Sunday. At St. Joseph’s Church, Buckle street, the members received Holy Communion in a body at the 7.30 o’clock Mass, which was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dean O’Shea, S.M., V.G. In, addressing the congregation the Very Rev. Dean reminded them of the day which was being celebrated. In 1813 Frederic Ozanam was born, and proving himself to be a clever scholar he was sent to college, and at an early age was appointed a professor of the University of "Paris. It was whilst at the University that he saw the need of the association which he subsequently founded, and which to-day is world wide, and that society is the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was nettled by the taunts of his fellow-students of the University, who argued that' Christianity was no longer doing any good to mankind. He proved Christianity was not dead, and by his efforts he and a few companions founded a society of laymen to look after the poor. Frederic Ozanam proved that one’s personal efforts on behalf of the poor produced far greater results than donations. That day therefore the members of the society were celebrating the centenary of their illustrious founder in a most fitting way by receiving Holy Communion in a body, and by holding a special meeting in the afternoon. The Very Rev Dean impressed on the members assembled to do the work of the society from supernatural motives, and not from a humanitarian standpoint. No work, he said, was foreign to the society visiting- the sick, the hospitals, and prisons, all came within its scope, and there was no distinction in race or creed. It was a matter of congratulation, therefore, for us to celebrate the centenary of such a great and good man. Frederic Ozanam, though but 40 years ..of age when he died, had shown what a lot can be done in a life so short. He (Dean Shea) therefore, appealed to the congregation to take- a more active interest in the society, and reminded them of one of Frederic Ozanam’s sayings that he wanted to. assure his faith pure by works of charity, as many as possible therefore should become active and honorary members. Others, who could not spare the time, could assist by donations, and the wealthy could greatly assist by remembering the society in drawing up their wills. In conclusion, the Dean reminded the congregation of the holy death of the society’s saintly founder, who, when passing away, was asked by his confessor whether he had any fears, to which Ozanam replied, ‘ Why should I fear the God Whom I loved so much during my life.’ It was a matter therefore of great gratification that they had such a grand society in their midst, and he congratulated the members on the great work accomplished by the society in Wellington during the past few years, and he wished it every success. In the afternoon there was a large meeting at St. Patrick’s Hall, presided over by Bro. B. Ellis, vicepresident of the Particular Council. There were also present the Very Rev. Dean O’Shea, S.M., V.G., Rev. Fathers Barra, Hurley, and J. Herring. Reports from the city and country conferences were read. Wanganui was proving to be a particularly active and live'■conference, and the report disclosed that a wonderful

amount of work had been accomplished. Napier, too, was doing excellent work. Bro. Ellis in addressing the meeting, said he was pleased to see the members taking such an active interest in the centenary of their worthy founder. . The Very Rev. Dean O'Shea also addressed the meeting, congratulating the society on the work accomplished. - - ,

Bro. Fouhy read a most excellent paper on the life of /Frederic Ozanam for which he was heartily thanked. "O *"/- '•■"<' / ' r: / * . '■■-. '-. /-' r

:."?:- Rev. Father Hurley also spoke and reminded members that their own personal sanctification was their first I consideration, and in becoming members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society they had a vocation given them by Almighty God, and as members, God had .given them special graces with which to carry out His work. In conclusion, he trusted that the life of Frederic Ozanam, so ably written and read by Bro. Fouhy, would imbue them with the spirit of the saintly founder of the society. - v ;: Mr. Geo. Girling-Butcher, on behalf of the Dominion , Executive of the N.Z. Catholic Federation, spoke on its objects and the intention of that body to see that the St. Vincent de Paul Society was treated fairly by the Government in connection with the immigration question. - In the evening at St. Joseph's Church before a crowded congregation, the Rev. Father A. T. Herring, S.M., preached a charity sermon, the offertory being taken. up for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Petone

(From our own correspondent.)

May 2.

A meeting of the committee of the Petone branch of the Catholic Federation was held in the presbytery after Vespers last Sunday evening, there being a full attendance of members. Miss nor, and Mr. J. Linehan were elected to represent the Petone branch on the diocesan council.

It was decided to get as many Catholic householders as possible to vote for the election of the public school committee on the following Monday- night. Their efforts were fairly successful, seeing the short time they had at their disposal.

In the course of his sermon last Sunday Rev. Father McMenamin urged all Catholics to vote at the municipal elections to be held during the week. He said that outsiders often said that Catholics did not take any interest in such elections unless Catholic interests were at stake. Catholics should take a lively interest in such matters, and thus show that they were good citizens.

After the usual business had been transacted- at the meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society, Mr. J. Linehan (secretary), who has just returned from his honeymoon trip, was presented with a handsome English oak clock, * suitably inscribed. Rev. Father McMenamin made the presentation, and referred to the high esteem in which Bro. Linehan was held by the members, and wished Mr. and Mrs. Linehan every happiness in their married life. Bro. Linehan thanked the members for their valuable present, and said it would be treasured all his life. Mr. Linehan was also presented on Saturday morning with a tea and coffee service by his fellowRailway clerks. Mr. Pearson (locomotive engineer) made the presentation.

Wanganui

(From our own correspondent.)

April 30. At the recent camp held at Oringi, the Rev. Father Moloney celebrated Mass for a congregation of over 400 men.

Rev. Father McManus, of Palmerston North, was present at the St. Vincent de Paul Society's meeting on Monday evening, when there was an attendance of 39. Father McManus said that he was delighted at the enthusiasm that was displayed by the meeting, and before leaving he gave a short address on the work that is being done by the Palmerston branch. Last Sunday being the centenary of Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the members to the number of 50, approached

the Holy Table in a body. At Vespers the Father McManus, :of Palmerston North, preached : a j charity sermon to a very large congregation, the proceeds of which (£lO 7s 6d) will be handed over to the society.

The members of St. Joseph's Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Aramoho (Wanganui), celebrated the centenary of Frederic Ozanam on Sunday, approaching the Holy Table in a body. In the evening all attended St. Mary's, Wanganui, to hear, a special sermon on charity. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Father McManus, of Palmerston North. ; The sermon was a very eloquent one on the virtue of charity. After dealing in a very able manner with the virtue of Charity,. Father McManus went on to say: The growth of the St. Vincent de Paul Society had been very rapid and now extended all over the world. The work had been taken up enthusiastically in Wanganui. Father McManus reminded the Brothers that there was a lot of work before them yet. God would never ; fail to recognise their good works, and when they departed from this life their good works would not be forgotten, and our Lord will reward them with everlasting life.

A large gathering of members of the St. Vincent de Paul and H.A.C.B. Societies was held in Cutellis Rooms on the 22nd inst., when farewell presentations were made to Messrs. P. Keogh and C. E. Travers. The Very Rev. Dean Holley presided. The following toast list was gone through:—'The Pope and King,' proposed by Bro. A. McWilliams; H.A.C.B. Society,' proposed by Mr. O'Meara and responded to by Bro. A. J. Fitzgerald ;•' St. Vincent de Paul Society,' proposed by Bro. W. R. Setter and responded to by Mr. E. J. Whiting ; ' The clergy,' proposed by Bro. P. Keogh and responded to by Very Rev. Dean Holley ' The ladies/ proposed by Bro. J. W. E. Miles and responded to by Mr. T. Fama; 'lreland,' proposed by Bro. P. Keogh and responded to by Mr. O'Meara. Songs were contributed by Messrs. F. J. Shanley, F. Lawless, C. G. McCarthy, and P. McLean, and recitations by Messrs. T. P. Souter, and A. McWilliams. A resolution was carried, congratulating Mr. John Redmond on the; continued success of Home Rule, and a cable was sent to that effect. Congratulatory speeches were made by Bro. A. McWilliams and Mr. E. J. Whiting, after which terminated a pleasant gathering. Bro. Keogh was presented with a framed certificate and solid tea set, whilst Bro. C. E. Travers 1 was also presented with a framed certificate and salad bowl.

Masterton (From our own correspondent.) . May 1." Great interest was manifested in the election of -a school committee for the Masterton District High School, over 400 persons attending the meeting. All the old committee, with one exception, were re-elected. Only two of the members are in favor of Bible-in-schools.

St. Michael's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society held its usual meeting on Tuesday last, Bro. H. O'Leary in the- chair. It was decided to hold a social to commemorate the twenty-fifth year of the founding of the branch. Bro. B. Chapman, delegate to the triennial meeting at Napier, gave a resume of the business transacted at the meeting.

The polling for nine councillors for the borough was the heaviest in the history of Masterton, sixteen candidates standing, ■ three Catholics being among the number. It is gratifying to record that two of them,. Messrs. H. O'Leary and E. Flanagan, were elected, while Mr. J. A: McEwen, although defeated, was well up on the list, and beat two of the old councillors.

The most successful mission ever conducted in Masterton was that given by the Rev. Fathers Tuohey and Murray, C.SS.R., during the last fortnight. The Masses and evening devotions during the mission were all very well attended. Last Sunday morning at .8 o'clock the church was packed, and practically all present approached the Holy Table, including the membersof

the H.A.C.B. Society, who l went in a body. < In.. the evening, when the mission was brought to a : close, the church was crowded to ; its utmost capacity, and extra seating accommodation had :to be ;provided. "-}-■:: At the conclusion the Rev. Father Tuohey gave the-. Papal blessing. The .Rev.-- Father Murray will : ; spend some time in : the Masterton, district giving. missions in the outlying portions of the parish. 2 ■■.'"■-„