Intercolonial

New Zealand Tablet, 27 May 1915, Page 51

Intercolonial

Preparations are being made in Brisbane to accord his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate a fitting reception on the occasion of "his coming visit. Latest reports concerning the condition of his Grace Archbishop O'Reily, of Adelaide, and the Right Rev. Monsignor 'Byrne, state that both are still seriously ill. The Rev. Father Briody, after carrying on work in connection with the Catholic Church in Western Australia for 17 years, and who has been in charge of the Albany district for the past four years, has obtained leave to make a trip to his home in Ireland. Prior to his departure he was entertained and presented with a purse of sovereigns. There are many funds being raised here in connection with the war, the chief, of course, being the Belgian fund (writes the Melbourne correspondent of the Freeman's Journal). Up to date, his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne has remitted to his Eminence Cardinal Logue £3275. This includes £3OOO from the Archbishop's fund for the Belgian nuns, and £275 from the Advocate shilling fund for the same praiseworthy purpose. Judge Murray, the Lieutenant-Governor of Papua, has a son, Lieutenant T. D. Murray, at the front in Flanders. Lieutenant Murray is in the first battalion of the Leinster Regiment, and was wounded in the arm. He was invalided, but expected to be at the front again very shortly. Lieutenant Murray, who is an Australian, has been in the British Army for several years, and for some time was stationed in India. Judge Murray has also seven nephews in the war. Much regret was felt at Warrnambool and throughout the Western District generally when it became known that Monsignor O'Dowd had passed ,to his reward after many years of zealous labors (says the Melbourne Tribune). The deceased, who was universally beloved throughout the district, had been in ill-health for some time, and his death was therefore not unexpected. Monsignor D'Dowd was born near Castlemaine, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1841, and after pursuing his studies at All Hallows' College, Dublin, was ordained to the priesthood in 1867. He left for Australia almost immediately, and o"h arrival was appointed assistant priest at St. Francis' Church, subsequently being placed in charge of the Brighton mission. In 1870 he was appointed parish priest of Port Fairy and Koroit, and after 16 years of pioneering work, he was transferred to Warnambool. Immediately after his appointment, Monsignor O'Dowd undertook the completion of the church, which is one of the most complete in the diocese. It was erected at a cost of £13,000. There was a large congregation at Mass in St. Carthage's Cathedral a few Sundays ago, when his Lordship Bishop Carroll delivered an inaugural sermon in his campaign for the liquidation of the debt on the Cathedral. A short time ago, it will be remembered, Bishop Carroll on his return from Europe, presented to Monsignor McGuire, for the purpose of reducing the debt, a cheque for about £I2OO, which had been handed to him as a gift of welcome from the people of the diocese. This brought the debt down to about £9OOO. After his Lordship's sermon on Sunday donations and promises of donations were received, and the Bishop announced that the total amount of these was over £3602. He believed that the rest of the diocese would follow this splendid lead, and that by the help of God the Cathedral would be free from debt twelve months hence, and they would be able to have it consecrated next August twelve months, upon the anniversary of its completion. Twelve months was given for the fulfilment of the promises made that day, and those who wished to pay instalments could do so on the third Sunday of each month, but those who could do so he hoped would pay as soon as possible.