DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 19 March 1914, Page 25

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

March 16. Mr. Girling-Butcher, organiser of the Catholic Federation, is at present in Auckland diocese, on the East coast. Rev. Father Paul Kehoe, of Wexford, a friend of Bishop Cleary, arrived in Auckland yesterday, and is at present the guest of his Lordship. Mr. Power, the American athlete, accompanied by Rev. Father O’Doherty, visited the Sacred Pleart College last Friday evening, and addressed the Marist Brothers and their pupils. He said that when he left Boston, he promised his parish priest, Father Hayes, that whenever he visited city, town, or village, the first friend he would make would be a priest. He had done this, and his trip had in consequence been most beneficial to him. God had been with him,'and without ,Him life was nothing. He urged the students always to bear this in mind. Mr. Power then gave them instructions how to train, with practical and tKeoi-etical illustrations. Above all, they should remain amateurs. Mr. Power*was heartily applauded, and afterwards answered many questions from Brother Clement and the students. He left for America the next day.

Before the meeting of the St. Patrick's Day Celebration Committee concluded last Wednesday evening, Mr. D. Flynn, chairman, said it was, he felt sure, the ardent wish of all, that before celebrating next St. Patrick's Day, the Irish Parliament would be opened and legislating for the welfare, as we all knew it would, of Ireland as a whole. The Bill had been, or was proposed to be, altered, and concessions made to those who sought not to mend it, but to end it. This had gone far enough, and he hoped there would be no more in the same direction. These remarks were received with loud approval by the representative gathering present from the city and suburbs, which included Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, V.G., and Rev. Fathers Cahill, O'Doherty, and. Forde. Mr. Nerheny followed, and spoke with force, saying it was to be regretted that the Government had given way to bullying and threats, and to those who styled themselves loyalists, but who were in reality disloyalists. He moved the following resolution—- ' This meeting, thoroughly representative of the Irish residents of Auckland," protests against the mutilation of the Home Rule Bill, and the concessions offered to the forces of anarchy and .disorder, tending to the dismemberment of Ireland, and perpetuating dissensions between Catholics and Protestant.' Mr. Nerheny moved also that a copy of the foregoing resolution be immediately cabled to the Right Hon. H. H. Asquith, Prime Minister of England. Mr. Hurley seconded the motion, which, when put to the meeting, was unanimously and enthusiastically carried. Mr. Nerheny very generously offered to defray the cost of the cable, which was sent to Mr. Asquith on the following morning.

The Hibernian Society, including the district officers, received Holy Communion in the Cathedral on Sunday morning, in honor of St. Patrick's Day. His Lordship Bishop Cleary celebrated Mass at 7 o'clock, assisted, by Rev. Father O'Doherty. There was a good muster of members. At the conclusion of the Mass his Lordship addressed the congregation, referring to the advent of the great national festival, and eulogising the Hibernians, with whose work he had been in close touch for many years. The Bishop then reminded his hearers of the arid, parched areas of Queensland, where astute scientists and engineers had recently introduced irrigation, and where hitherto barrenness had obtained, a complete change has been effected, and there are green pastures, abundant crops, luxuriant orchards of fruit, and smiling homesteads: Confraternities in the Church were performing in the spiritual, temporal, and social sphere, a similar service. The Hibernian Society in particular, whose motto, ' Faith and Fatherland,' was so commendable, fostered a love for Holy Church and for the land of their fathers, as well as for the land

of their adoption. It was also a benefit society, and he exhorted ©very young man and woman, and indeed everyone eligible for membership, to- join the Hibernian Society. The manifestation by the members this morning was most edifying and encouraging to himself, and to the priests and people of Auckland. The Hibernians thus showed their love for the faith of Patrick, and he hoped they would always continue to do so.

At Vespers his Lordship the Bishop again attended the Cathedral, accompanied by Rev Father Paul Kehoe, The Hibernians formed the guard of honor, which stretched from the presbytery to the Cathedral. As the Bishop passed the members closed in rank and followed him up the centre aisle to the front seats near the altar. A large congregation was present, and Right Rev. Monsignor Brodie, V.G., preached the panegyric on Saint Patrick. He showed the state of Ireland in pagan times immediately prior to the advent of Patrick. He then went on to speak of his bloodless victory over the whole of Ireland, the latter's ready acceptance of Christianity, and the tenacity with which her sons and daughters had held to it, whether in opulence or poverty, in happiness or persecution. A more insidious foe now pressed upon them, and oh the so wow of it, when the sons and daughters of Patrick proved false to his teachings. He enjoined on all present, particularly on the Hibernians, to hold fast the principles of St. Patrick. They had a noble mission to-day; let them perform it with credit to God, to St. Patrick, and to Ireland, and the result would be that they would live and die worthy members of holy Church. It was an excellent discourse, and would produce a lasting effect on the congregation, who listened with evident attention.