DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 13 November 1913, Page 25

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) November. 10. A mission was opened in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Parnell, on Sunday morning by Eev Father Tuohey, C.SS.R. According to news received by the last mail Rev. Father Holbrook may be expected to arrive in Auckland at the end of January. Rev. Father Kirrane, of Remuera, addressed the Holy Family confraternity at the last weekly meeting, the subject being the efficacy and great necessity of praying for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. The pupils of the Marist Brothers' School, "Vermont street, repeated their recent performance at St. James's Hall to-night in aid of the Home of the Sisters of Compassion. During the interval cups and medals won by the school Rugby team were presented, the presentation evoking much enthusiasm. The three weeks' mission at St. Benedict's closed last evening. Nine thousand persons received Holy Communion during the time, and on yesterday. (Sunday) one thousand approached the Holy Table. The attendances from the commencement to the close have been splendid. Last evening, Rev. Father Creagh, C.SS.R., preached the closing sermon to a crowded and attentive congregation, and imparted the Pontifical Blessing. Rev. Fathers Creagh, Tuohey, and O'Sullivan, as well as Monsignor Gillan, V.G., and the priests of St. Benedict's, are extremely pleased at the magnificent results of the mission. His Lordship Bishop Cleary during the past week has been interesting himself in striving to moderate the views of the contending leaders on both sides in the unfortunate crisis through which we are now passing. With others, he waited on the Employers' Executive, and personally on the strikers. The following circular, was issued by his Lordship, and read and commented on by the clergy throughout the city and suburbs yesterday : 'At all public religious services in your parish to-morrow (Sunday), kindly ask your people to do what lies in their power by their own example, by timely exhortations to others, by avoidance of crowds, and by such other means as their prudence may suggest, to preserve peace and order during the crisis through which the city is now passing. In your address on this subject you will act not as a ■judge between conflicting parties but solely as a minister of the Prince of Peace at this near approach of the Season of Peace and Goodwill. Both on personal and on civic grounds, I gladly take this opportunity .of informing your people that I was treated with the greatest consideration by the local Strike Executive in my various interviews with them. They seconded, in the most cordial way, my efforts to maintain peace and order under all conditions, and so far as my knowledge goes, they have exerted themselves earnestly to prevent any regrettable collisions, such as have occurred elsewhere. Ask the prayers of your people that the present troubles may have a speedy, honorable, and happy ending, and that they may be followed by a lasting peace and goodwill between elements now so near to an understanding, yet so deeply estranged.' At the Cathedral on Sunday night his Lordship the Bishop dealt.with, the crisis, and referred to the place of religion in social life, and its relation to the industrial problems of our day. He described in detail the

working of the system of profit sharing and mutual control in the great Catholic industrial family of over twelve hundred people of Val des Bois, France. Interesting details were also given of the social reform movements, under the aegis of the Church in France, Belgium, and Germany. One of the worst portents of our time was the action of a growing section of womanhood in dress, behaviour, and ideals. The need of religion in social and industrial life was strongly emphasised. His Lordship concluded by an exhortation to his hearers to do their utmost to maintain peace and order in the city during the present trouble. The efforts put forth by Bishop Cleary have been well and favorably received, and they should prove most efficacious on the side of law and order.

Rotorua (From an occasional correspondent.) November 5. A Rotorua branch of the Catholic Federation, with a growing membership of 185, will soon be ready for active service. _ Under the auspices of St. Michael's Catholic Club, which was only recently founded and affiliated with the Catholic Federated Clubs of New Zealand, last night's meeting in the schoolroom proved a decided success. The musical items and euchre games were greatly enjoyed. About 11 o'clock refreshments were handed round, and the Very Rev. Dean Lightheart in a few well-chosen words thanked the ladies of the parish, especially Mrs H. Cann and Mrs Thompson, with assistants, for their work in connection with providing refreshments; Mr. Geo. Prictor for his general supervision of things; and Messrs. R. Thomson, W. McNamara, T. Fitzgerald, J. Shields, and others for their contributions of vocal and instrumental music. The hearty rounds of applause which greeted the Dean's remarks showed that all were highly pleased with the club's first attempt at entertaining.

Remuera (From our own correspondent.) Rev. Father Kirrane, 8.A., delivered an interesting lecturette on ' Purgatory ' before a large gathering of the Holy Family Confraternity at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Tuesday evening last. Great interest is being displayed in next Wednesday's euchre tournament and social evening, to be held in the schoolroom in aid of the church fund. Useful prizes have been secured, and it is expected that the musical items will be contributed by leading talent. Much interest attaches to the November meeting of the Newman Society, to be held at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Victoria avenue, on Sunday next, from the fact that Very Rev. Canon Sheehan's views on Catholic literature will be discussed by the meeting. The local school, under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph, was examined last week by Dr. Mcllraith, Government Inspector, and, although the official report has not been received, the examiner expressed himself as highly pleased with the work of the children and teachers. There are about 160 children on the roll, and these are under the care of five teachers. This school will be celebrating its silver jubilee of existence in a year or two, when an effort will be made to show in some tangible manner an appreciation of the long and successful labors of the good Sisters of St. Joseph. It is even hoped that the jubilee will be celebrated under the roof of a new and up-to-date primary school.