Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 16 July 1914, Page 24

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) July 11. The Rev. Father Mulcahy arrived from Australia during the week on a visit to his brother, the Rev. Father Mulcahy, C.SS.R., of St. Gerard’s, who has been seriously ill. ‘ Celts I have met ’ formed the subject of a highly entertaining address given by Sir Joseph Ward before tire Celtic Club in the Tiffin Rooms last Monday evening. Professor Mackenzie presided over a largo gathering. The St. Aloysius’ branch of the Hibernian Society held a most successful social last Monday evening at St. Anne’s Hall. There was a good attendance, including the Rev. Father Joseph Herring, S.M. The proceeds will be devoted to the funds of the society. At an entertainment given to the inmates of the Home of Compassion, Island Bay, on Tuesday night, a series of pictures was exhibited by Mr. Crane with a ‘ Pathescope.’ The members of the audienceyoung and old —were delighted with the effects produced by the machine, a new home kinematograph. The many friends of Mr. Matthew Mackay, for over forty years a citizen of Wellington and a staunch Catholic, will regret to learn of his death, which occurred at his residence, Stanley street, Berhampore, on Tuesday last. The late Mr. Mackay was in business as a baker and grocer for many years, retiring some fifteen years ago. He had been ailing for some time prior to his death, which was not unexpected. He was attended in his last illness by the Rev. Father

Peoples, S.M. The interment took place on Thursday, prior to which a Requiem Mass was offered up by the Yen. Archdeacon Dcvoy, and the Rev. Father Peoples officiated at the graveside. The deceased was a member of the Hibernian Society, afid four of the members (who were also his nephews) acted as pall-bearers. A widow survives, and to her is extended the sincerost sympathy of a large circle of friends.R.l.P. The half-yearly meeting of the St. Aloysius’ branch of the Hibernian Society was held last Sunday afternoon. Bro. T. Gill, P.P., presided over a large attendance of members, and amongst those present was the Yen. Archdeacon Dcvoy, S.M. (Vice-Provincial). The secretary’s report for the half-year showed a very satisfactory advance, both numerically and financially, constituting a record for the branch. The trustees were instructed to open a trustees’ account in the Post Office Savings Bank and deposit surplus moneys. The election of officers for the various chairs resulted as follows:President, the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy ; vice-president, Bro. T. Murphy; secretary, Bro. Gdes (re-elected); treasurer, Bro. j. Stratford (re-elected); warden, Bro. J. Redican (re-elected); guardian, Bro. T. Pender, P.P. ; sick visitors, Bros. J. Fagan and M. McCarthy: auditors, Bros. C. M. Mocilccn and J. L. Murphy (reelected) ; delegate to W.W.F.S. Dispensary Board, Bro. T. Pender. Bro. T. Pender was elected out of three names submitted to branches in the Wellington provincial district for the position of district deputy. After the election Bro. T. Gill installed the various officers. He was assisted by Bro. J. L. Murphy, P.l*. The Very Rev. president announced that he would present a gold medal for a new members’ competition during his term of office. The Wellington Catholic Education Board held its quarterly meeting at the Catholic Federation Rooms last Wednesday evening. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea presided, and there were present the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M. (Vice-Provincial), Very Rev. Father O’Connell, S.M., the Rev. Fathers W. T. Tymons, S.M., Adm., and Hurley, S.M., Messrs. Burke, Giles, and Hoskins (H.A.C.B. Society Council), Wickliffe (Newtown), Sievers (Thorndon), Tom O’Brien (St. Mary’s) and Doherty (St. Joseph’s). ' Business in connection with the recent interview with the Minister of Education was discussed. The secretary reported that application had been made to the MacCarthy trustees for a grant. The parish committee delegates reported that the reports from the Government inspectors were extremely satisfactory in regard to the recent school examinations. Accounts totalling £l7O were passed for payment. The following motion by Messrs. Burke and Sievers was unanimously carried—‘ That this meeting of the Wellington Catholic Education Board has to enter an emphatic protest against the action of the Government in bringing forward a Bill intituled a Referendum on Religious Instruction in Schools, as they consider the passing of such an Act will be an injustice not only to the Catholics in New Zealand, but also to the teachers in the State schools and to those who are opposed to the introduction of religious training in public schools, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister and the press.’ The annual meeting of the Thorndon parish committee was held in the Basilica, of the Sacred Heart last Sunday evening. The big church was packed and the proceedings throughout were marked with great enthusiasm. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea and the Rev. Fathers Tymons, Adm., and Smyth were present. The report and balance sheet were read and disclosed a very satisfactory position. Mr. M. J. Crombie moved a motion of protest, voicing the objections of 3000 Catholics of the Thorndon parish, against the introduction of Bible-reading into the State schools, and the proposed referendum on the question. In seconding the resolution. Archbishop O’Shea vigorously criticised the leaders of the Bible-in-schools movement, and stated that the Federation would fight the movement till it was killed. If the Bible were introduced it would only be the B*ible in mutilated form. He concluded his remarks by urging all present to oppose the movement

with all the power at their hands. Mr. Girling-Butcher, the organiser for the Federation, and Mr. Flanagan pursued the same lino of argument as the Archbishop. , A crowded congregation listened on Sunday morning to an appeal addressed to them by the Very Rev. Father Roche, Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers, Alt. St. Gerard’s. The speaker stressed the danger of allowing Scripture lessons to be read in' the State schools by lay teachers, urging that the conscience clause proffered by the Bible-in-Schools League was no safeguard, and warning his hearers that the peace of this country was threatened by the attempted introduction of denominationalism into the State schools, which till now were common ground, lie emphasised the grave danger to the ’Catholic faith that such leaching involved, and called on Catholics to rise to the occasion to defeat the attempt being made to undermine their religious liberty. As a result of the address over 150 of the congregation enrolled themselves as new members of the Catholic Federation. Palmerston North (From our own correspondent.) The passing away of Mr. Jesse J. Redwood, on Sunday, July 7, removes one of the oldest and most familiarly known Catholics of the district. The deceased gentleman, who was it cousin to Archbishop Redwood, had reached the ripe old age of eighty-one years. Prior to coming to Palmerston North he lived at Kaikoura and Blenheim. His wife predeceased him some twelve months ago. For some time past a serious internal complaint had confined the deceased to his bed, and his death was not unexpected. Three children—namely, Mr. J. Redmond, of Palmerston North, and two daughters, Sisters of the Mission, at present stationed at Hamilton and Dannevirke respectively, are left to mourn their loss. On Monday evening the body was taken to St. Patrick’s Church, and, on Tuesday, Mass was celebrated at 9 o’clock by the Rev. Father Doolaghty. A large number of friends were present. The funeral loft at 9.30 o’clock for the Palmerston North Cemetery.