DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 6 May 1915, Page 35

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) May 4. The municipal elections engrossed the attention of the citizens last week, and resulted in the election of a new Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunson). It was virtually a Greater Auckland election. Twenty-one councillors were returned, amongst whom Mr. P. J. Nerheny occupied a very prominent position, He was

fifth on the list for the City Council, with 6614 votes, tjiird for the Harbor Board with 6785 votes, and second for the Hospital Board with 7700 votes. This is a lecord of which any man may feel proud, particularly when that man is always staunch and true to his Catholic principles. Mr. Maurice 'Casey, another Catholic, was third on the list of City Council members with 6741 votes. . - Rev. Father O Sullivan, C.SS.R., has opened a mission at Devonport, Rev. Father Kelly, C.SS.R., gives a three days’ retreat to the boarders at St. Mary’s Convent, Ponsonby, and Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R., left by express to-night for Wellington. This morning the missioners enjoyed a motor drive round to all our religions institutions. The May devotions commenced in all the city and suburban churches on Sunday. At St. Benedict's a general , Communion took place. Our Lady’s altar was tastefully decorated. In the evening a procession took place, in which a statue of our Blessed Lady was borne around the church. At the Cathedral the beautiful altar of our Lady was adorned with much taste, this being the work of the Sisters of Mercy. he three • weeks’ mission by the Redemptorist r atheis at the Cathedral concluded on Sunday. During the whole of last week the attendances were splendid. On Sunday morning a general Communion took place at the early Masses. It is estimated that during the mission six thousand received Holy Communion. ” Impressive sermons were vie live red at the 11 o’clock Mass and at Vespers, the latter on ‘ Perseverance,’ by the Wry Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R. The congregation on this occasion must have been a. record one, as every available seat was brought in after the ordinary seats had been filled, and then hundreds had to stand. At the conclusion of the sermon, Father Roche thanked Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, Rey. : Fathers Cahill and Dunpliv, the Sisters of Mercy, and the choir, without whom the mission would not have been such a magnificent success. He finally thanked the .people for their co-operation, and imparted the Papal blessing. At almost every instruction given by the missioners they exhorted all to join the Hibernian Society and the Holy Family Confraternity. It is hoped these excellent organisations may thus be augmented in numbers. The following important circular has been sent to the Parnell parishioners by the Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie:—-‘An important meeting of members of the congregation will be held in the school next Sunday, May 9, immediately after evening devotions. The object ol the meeting is to consider and devise ways and means of providing adequate support for the Sisters, who carry on the work of our parish convent school with such untiring zeal and with such great success. 1 am in a position to state that the matter is one of urgency, and requires immediate attention. His Lordship the Bishop has issued a letter (o all the priests of the diocese laying down the principle that steps should be taken to see that the various religious teachers have adequate provision made for their support. The spirit of justice will prompt us to do what we can in this important matter. The efforts of the Sisters in the important work of Catholic education deserve due recognition, in a. measure at least that for their work in the school they should receive what is necessary for their maintenance. The spirit of faith will urge us to endeavor to appreciate the work of the Sisters. We know that without our Catholic schools the Catholic faith could not thrive, without our religious teachers our Catholic schools could not continue. Therefore, if we value our faith, let us show that we do -not hesitate to make some little sacrifice to support the Sisters, who devote their lives without earthly reward to the great work of Catholic education. It is then the duty of each and all to help. We must not in a matter of such great importance leave the burden on a few. Every parishioner should deem it an obligation to cooperate in this work, and as the work cannot well be taken in hand without its being fully considered by the people, I ask you to strive to be present at the meeting next Sunday evening.’