Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 25 June 1914, Page 24

Diocesan News

(From our own correspondent.)

June 20. Some sneak-thief broke open the St. Vincent de I aul alms box at St. Mary of the Angels’ Church during tho week, and decamped with the contents. Dr. P. J. Kelly, son of Mr. Thos. Kelly, of this city, who has just completed his medical studies abroad,, is spending a short holiday here prior to taking upins residence in Sydney. c . Lt St " d nne ’ s llall > Newtown, on Friday evening, St. Anne s Men’s Club entertained St. Anne’s Ladies’ Club. Ihe Rev. Fathers Peoples and J. Herring were present, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. ° The St Mary’s branch of the Hibernian Society held its eighteenth annual social at St. Peter’s Schoolroom last Wednesday evening, the hall being charm'"gly decorated with Hags, foliage, and Chinese lanterns. Hie affair was a decided success. The committee, of which Sisters E. M. Cannody and A McAlear were secretaries, is to be complimented on the success of the social.

The second extended night of the St. Anne’s weekly social assemblies proved an undoubted success, there being about 140 persons present. Mr. Timmiugs provided the music, and the following formed the efficient committee: — Misses A. Cooper, A. Fitzgibbon, N. and. L. Strickland, Messrs. T. Murphy, C. Hannon, J.. Bradley, T. Gill, T. Pender, J. Fagan, J. Stratford, while Mr. W. 11. Giles was secretary.

The Triduum concluded on Sunday, and at the early Masses in all the churches there was a large attendance of communicants. There were Solemn High Masses at all the churches, and special sermons were preached in the evening by the Rev. Father P. J. Smyth at the Basilica, Very Rev. Father O’Connell at St. Mary’s, Rev. Father Peoples at St. Joseph’s, and the Rev. Father Schaeffer, S.M., at St. Anne’s.

The Particular Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society met last Friday evening at St. Mary’s Presbytery, Boulcott street, under the presidency of Bro. B. Ellis. There was a good attendance of members, and the reports given disclosed -that the members of each conference were doing their utmost to carry on the works of the society in looking after the spiritual and temporal welfare of the poor. The Seamen’s Conference was reported to be doing excellent work for our coreligionists in the shipping service.

A committee of ladies and gentlemen is endeavoring to make the Sisters of Compassion Home for Incurables at Buckle street more convenient by the addition of a glassed-in verandah for the promenade of the inmates, and also other necessaries to aid both the good Sisters and tho inmates. To raise sufficient funds for the carrying out of the proposals an arrangement has been entered into with the management of the King’s Picture Theatre to devote one of its performances, on Wednesday, July 22, as a benefit for the home. Mr. A. Cassie is secretary to the committee.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart was observed in a very special manner at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Island Bay. The Triduum concluded on last Friday with Solemn High Mass at the convent chapel, which was- celebrated by the Rev. Father Bartley, S.M., M.A., assisted by the Rev. Fathers Segrief, S.M. (of St. Patrick's College)*as deacon, and Peoples, S.M. (of St. Anne's), as subdeacon. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea* attended in the afternoon for the closing ceremony and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. In honor of his Grace's visit a very enjoyable entertainment was given by the junior pupils. In addition to his Grace there were also present the Rev. Fathers Hicksonf Peoples, Bartley, and Segrief.

The Inter-Catholic Societies’ Debating Union held their opening debate in the Catholic Federation Rooms last Friday night, the teams representing the Hibernian Society and the Catholic Club. The subject was; Should New Zealand establish a local navv?’ Messrs. Dee, Duignan, and M. Walsh, taking the negative, represented the Catholic Club, and Messrs. Hoskins, Fagan, and McKenzie the Hibernians. There was a good audience, and Mr. .11. F. O’Leary, the judge, decided in favor of the Hibernians. The following have been officers: —Patron, his Grace Archbishop Bed wood; president, his Grace Coadjutor Archbishop O’Shea; vice-presidents, the clergy resident in Wellington and suburbs, and Rev. Father Kimbell, S.M., Messrs. E. J. Fitzgibbon, C. P. Skerrett, P. J. O'Began, H. F. O'Leary, J. E. Fitzgerald, M. Kennedy, M. O’Connor, F. Beeves, R. Sievers, Col Collins, Hon. R. A. Loughnan, and Mr. J. J. McGrath; secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. P. McKenzie; management committee—Misses Saunders and Craig, Messrs. McCarthy (chairman), Dec, and Hoskins. The following is the drawing for the first round for the contest: —City Catholic Club v. Newtown Catholic Club ; subject, Socialism.’ St. Patrick’s H.A.C.B. Society v. Sacred Heart H.A.C.B. Society (Thorndon), ‘ Are wo too fond of sport?’ St. Aloysius H.A.C.B. Society v. SS. Peter and Paul’s H.A.C.B. Society (Unit), ‘Town life v. country life.’ St. Bride’s Ladies’ Club v. St. Mary’s (Ladies) H.A.C.B. Society, ‘That the conditions of life arc better in the United Kingdom than in New Zealand.’ Thorndon Branch St. Vincent do Paul Society (Ladies) v. St. Joseph's Sodality of the Children of Mary, ‘ That Catholics in New Zealand are taking their proper place as citizens.’ St. Anne’s Ladies’ Club, a bve.