Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 18 December 1913, Page 26

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) December 13. The Rev. Father J. A. Eccleton, S.M., of St. Patrick's College, left by the Maunganui last Friday on a short holiday visit to Australia.

Miss Effie A. Knowsley, a pupil of the Sisters of Mercy, Sussex square, was successful in the primary theory examinations of the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music, London, held last month.

Miss Gertrude o'Flaherty, the popular president of the ladies' branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, was received as a postulant into the Order of Our Lady of Mercy at St. Mary's Convent last Monday morning. The funeral of the late Mrs. R. A. Marshall, one of Wellington's oldest identities, took place on Monday last. A Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father D. Hurley, S.M., at St. Joseph's, from which placethe cortege left for Karori.R.l.P. The annual retreat for ladies at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Island Bay, Wellington, will begin on the evening of January 2, and will be preached by the Rev. Father Healy, S.J. Ladies desirous of attending are rquested to communicate with the Rev. Mother Superior. Mr. Paul Verschaffelt, F.1.A.N.Z., who was selected from the Lands Department for duty in the Public Service Commissioner's Office last January, has been promoted another step, having received an appointment as sub-inspector on the Public Service Commissioners' staff. St. Anne's and St. Joseph's High Schools, Newtown, and the Sussex square Convent, Te Aro, were very successful in the examinations conducted by the Education Board's Inspectors. The examinations, for convenience sake, took place at Newtown, and all the pupils presented secured proficiency certificates, a result which reflects the greatest credit on the good Sisters of Mercy. The Boxing Day picnic committee met again last Thursday evening under the presidency of the Rev. Father Hickson, S.M., Adm. Reports from the various sub-committees were received, and many details arranged. An excellent sports programme, both for adults and children, has been arranged. The Duchess will leave the Ferry Wharf at 9.30 a.m., and return at 5 p.m. Other steamers will leave at intervals. The following clipping from the Dominion's special Napier correspondent, having reference to Mr. J. W. Callaghan, formerly of Wellington, will be read with interest. Mr. J. Cassin has been appointed chief engineer at the tramway power-house, vice Mr. T. P. Hewitt, resigned. The traffic manager, Mr. J. W. Callaghan, has also had the duties of business manager of the lighting and power-station placed on his shoulders, and £4O added to his salary, which is now £3OO a year. The devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration commenced at St. Mary of the Angels' Church on Sunday with Solemn High Mass at 11 o'clock. In the evening the Rev. Father Bartley, S.M., M.A., preached an eloquent and impressive sermon to a crowded congregation. On Monday evening the Rev. Father Schaefer, S.M., preached an instructive discourse on 'The Mass.' On Tuesday the devotion concluded with Solemn High Mass, which was celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Geaney, S.M., Rev. Fathers Bartley and J. Tymons being deacon and subdeacon respectively. After the Mass there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament. Advantage was taken of the occasion by a large number of the congregation to gain the Jubilee indulgence. A feature of the function was the beautiful decoration of the altar, which was resplendent with flowers and richly embroidered tapestries, the effect lending con-

siderably to the impressiveness of the various ceremonies. A strong choir, under the conductorship of Mr. E. J. Healey, rendered the music.