Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 4 December 1913, Page 24

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) November 29, The devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration commences at the Sacred Heart Basilica on to-morrow (Sunday). Last Sunday evening, his Grace Archbishop O’Shea confirmed a number of children at the Sacred Heart Basilica, and preached an instructive sermon on the Sacrament of Confirmation. There was a very large congregation. Mr. J. W. Callaghan, manager of the Napier Municipal Tramways, paid a flying visit during the week to Wellington on official business. He managed to spare a few moments in looking up the officers of the Hibernian Society. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea left for Napier on Friday morning for the purpose of conducting an ordination ceremony at Greenmeadows. On Sunday he will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation at Napier. The following students of St. Mary’s Novitiate will make their profession in the Marist Order, receive minor Orders, and be raised to the subdiaconate: •—■ Messrs. Ryan, Mark Devoy (nephew of Yen. Archdeacon Devoy), Campbell, Caiman, and Stewart, The first anniversary of the death of the Rev. Father Charles Yenning, S.M., was observed on Monday last, when a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Mary of the Angels’, Boulcott streetthe church at which Father Venning was longest stationed. The Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., was celebrant, Rev. Father A. Venning deacon, Rev. Father Eccleton, S.M., subdeacon, and Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., master of ceremonies. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea was present in the sanctuary. The music of the Mass was rendered by the college Fathers and pupils, under the direction of Rev. Father Schaefer, S.M. Mrs. Venning, of Timaru (mother), Sister Mary Magdalene (sister), and Mr. Frank Venning (brother) were present, as were also the following clergy;— Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M., Rev. Fathers Jas. Goggan, S.M., W. and Jas. Tymons, W. J. Peoples, Barra, J. Herring, O’Reilly, Gilbert, Gondringer, Segrief, and Cullen. His Grace gave the blessing at the catafalque, and the" church was barely large enough to accommodate the large congregation.

Distinctly above the average run of such entertainments was the first annual concert of the Thorndon Marist Brothers' School, held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening. The hall was packed, those present including his Grace Archbishop O'Shea and a number of visiting and resident clergy. The proceedings opened with an overture, ' octurne (Dohler), by Master James Skedden, whose interpretation gained him a well-deserved round of applause. 'When shall the day break in Erin?' by the pupils, and a vocal solo by Master Clifton Quinnell, ' Silver threads among the gold,' were pleasingly sung. The pupils were again heard to advantage in a part-song, 'Charity/ .and executed a dumb-bell drill with precision. A pleasing feature -of this half of the bill was a statue drill on unorthodox lines presented by the senior pupils. ' How Uncle Podger hung a picture,' a recitation by Master James Skedden, and another recitation, ' The inventor's wife,' by Master Fergus Beeves, were among the most popular items of the evening. The main feature of the second half was a well-acted comedy-drama, Look before you leap.' The cast was as follows: John Gubbins (aged sixty), Master James Skedden ; John Gubbins (aged twenty), Master Fergus Reeves; Charlie Wilkins (a carpenter), Master Clifton Quinnell; Mr. Pounce (a lawyer), Master Bert Butcher; and a Waiter, Master Andrew Costelloe. The piece was provocative of much laughter. The concluding portion of the programme included a piano solo by Master Frank Hally, an amusing dialogue in which Master Justin Connor was leader, a plantation song by Master Finucane and troupe, and a chorus, 'lreland, my Ireland.' The accompanists were Masters James Skedden, James Garrett, and Frank Hally. The Brothers are to be congratulated on the success of their concert, and the talent displayed by the pupils clearly demonstrates the patient and careful tuition they have received.

Miss Gertrude O’Flaherty, the popular president of the ladies’ branch of the Hibernian Society, and formerly its energetic secretary, has decided to enter the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, and enters the Convent at Hill street on December Bas a postulant. Last Monday night, being the last meeting of the ladies’ branch at which she presided, advantage was taken of the occasion to tender her a social evening and make her suitable presentations to mark the esteem in which she is held. The function took place at St. Anne’s Hall, Wellington' South, and there was a very large muster of Hibernians both from the city and the Hutt, including the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), the Rev. Fathers Walsh (Lower .Hutt), W. J. Peoples, S.M., James Tymons, S.M., and J. Herring, S. Bros. J. J. L. Burke (vice-president of the District Council), W. Gleeson (president Hutt branch), T. Pender (president St. Aloysius’ branch), J. O’Brien (vice-president St. Patrick’s), C. McKenzie (secretary Sacred Heart, Thorndon). The Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., sent an apology, owing to his absence from Wellington. The Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., in the course of a brief speech, made very eulogistic references to the ability, tact, energy, and, above all, the whole-souled Catholicity of Miss O’Flaherty. She nad done excellent work in the past, but God had destined her for a greater work in the future, and as a Sister of Mercy she would assist in carrying out the splendid work of tiTis great religious Order in the training of the young. He wished her every blessing in her new career.

Sister Daisy McGrath, past president of the ladies' branch, on behalf of that body expressed the regret they all felt at the loss of Sister O'Flaherty's services to the cause of Hibernianism, and their very best wishes for her future. She asked Miss O'Flaherty to accept a framed past-president's emblem certificate and a lady's silver watch, as a slight appreciation of the valuable work she had done for them. Sister McGrath also announced that Sister O'Flaherty had been elected a life honorary member of the ladies' branch. / * Bro. J. J. L. Burke voiced the regret which the District Council felt at the loss of Sister O'Flaherty's services. Sister O'Flaherty was a recognised organiser,

and the present flourishing condition of the ladies' branch was a monument to her ability and tireless energy. He wished her every success in her new life, and asked her to accept an umbrella as a slight remembrance of her connection with the council.

Bro. J. O'Brien, on behalf of the officers of St. Patrick's branch, also expressed regret at the loss of Miss O'Flaherty's services, and voiced their best wishes for her future career. He, on their behalf, presented Miss O'Flaherty with a fountain pen. Miss O'Flaherty very feelingly replied and thanked one and all for their kind references to herself, which she said were undeserved. She owed, she said, much to the loyal support.and assistance she had at all times received from the ladies and the brothers of St. Patrick's. She thanked them for the presents she had received they would always tend to remind her of the happy days she spent as a Hibernian. She exhorted them all to continue in all good works connected with the Church, and make the name of the society one that would always command respect. • Advantage was also taken of the occasion to unveil a beautiful past president's merit board in the St. Aloysius' branch meeting room, and also an enlarged photograph of the Rev. Father A. T. Herring, S.M., Marist Missioner, and lately chaplain of that branch. The photograph was donated to the branch by Bro. John Fagan, P.P. The following contributed to the musical programme:—Misses May 'Curtis, N. Bell, A. Sullivan, M. Griffin, Henry M. Murray, Stella Simon, and Clisby, Messrs! C. J. McErlean and M. Walsh, whilst Miss Una Simon acted as accompanist.