DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 12 August 1915, Page 29

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

August 9. The executive of the Catholic Education Hoard met on Thursday last. There were present Very Rev. Chancellor llolbrook, Rev. Fathers Cahill and Murphy, and Messrs. P. J. Nerheny, Thos. Darby, and M. J. Sheahan. The question of enlarging the residence of the Marist Brothers in Lincoln street was considered. - It was decided to call a public meeting to deal with .the matter, to be held in the Marist Brothers' School, 'Vermont street, on Sumtay afternoon, August 22. The extension of the present lease of the building at the corner of Pitt and Wellington streets was declined. Large congregations attended the Masses at the Cathedral on .Sunday. Rev. Father Cahill. Adm.. referred at the eleven o'clock Mass to the New Zealand soldiers at the front, the relatives and friends of many present, and of many Catholics throughout the diocese. He asked the congregation to remember in their prayers those who had already sacrificed their lives in a cause which they sincerely believed to be both sacred and just. He also asked them to add a prayer for the welfare of the brave young men who were still enduring hardships and privations, and were willing to offer up their lives if called upon for the freedom and happiness of their country. After the eleven o'clock Mass and Vespers the organist (Mr. Harry lliscocks) played, the ' Dead March ' from ' Saul.' At St. Benedict's the Forty Hours' Adoration this year will be observed as a special time of prayer for all who are in trouble and sorrow in consequence of the present calamitous war. The Exposition will be continued without interruption from the : Sunday's Mass at eleven o'clock to the Tuesday's Mass at ten o'clock. The men of. the congregation are asked to take their turn at the watches on Sunday and Monday nights. On Sunday, August 15 (Feast of the Assumption), the Mass of Exposition will Be celebrated by the Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, V.G., who will also preach in the evening

at seven o'clock. On Monday, August 16, the Mass for Peace will bo at ten a.m., and in the evening there will be the Rosary and sermon by Rev. Father O'Doherty. On Tuesday morning there will be Mass at ten o'clock and Benediction of tire Blessed Sacrament. On the Wednesday morning there will be a Requiem Mass at ten o'clock. An important event in the history of the Sacred Heart parish, Ponsonby, took place on Sunday evening last, when, at a general meeting of the parishioners, a scheme was adopted, having for its object the abolishing of school fees in connection with the school in charge of the Sisters of Mercy in Vermont street. Since the establishment of the school its support has practically depended on the voluntary fees of the children attending it, but in the scheme now adopted, the finances will be placed on a sounder and broader basis. The school will in future be managed by a committee, and the following were elected for that purpose:—Rev. Father Murphy ('chairman), Messrs. D. Flynn (vicechairman), 11. C'avanagn (treasurer), J. Fitzgerald (secretary), P. Darby, T. Darby, T. Bellamy, A. Bennett, 11. McGuire, J. O'Brien, Prendcrgast, and Shanaghan. The most exciting match of the Auckland Public Schools Rugby Union's competitions this season was played at Alexandra Park on Saturday last between representatives of the Devonport Public School and the Marist Brothers' (St. Columba's) School. The former team (the biggest in the grade) was lea-ding in the competition, having defeated the latter at Shore by 3 points to nil ; but the Marist uoys had made up their minds that they would pay off old scores when. they met on neutral ground. The ma*tch, was very keenly contested, and after a strenuous game the-greens and blacks came off victors by 9 points to 3. , .Their win was very popular, and the lads deserve great praise for the way they battled, especially the forwards, against great odds. The best ot die backs were Dyer, Page, and Griffen. The members of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association and of the Holy Family Confraternity received Holy Communion in a body at the early Mass on Sunday morning at the Cathedral. They* mustered nearly two hundred, and it was most edifying to witness such a splendid body of young men publicly manifesting their faith. During Mass they sang several hymns in a splendid manner. One of the Sisters of Mercy presided at the organ. After Mass breakfast was served. Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, A r .G., presided, and there were also present Rev. Father Cahill and Rev. Brothers George and Fergus. Monsignor Brodie, representing his Lordship the Bishop, expressed his great pleasure at being present. It was certainly encouraging to priests and stimulating to the laity to see such a fine body of men approach the altar rails. He enjoined upon them to continue such practices, and they could depend upon it that, by so doing, their organisation, and everyone of them would prosper. Rev. Father Cahill said it was indeed consoling to him, as their spiritual director, to be with them on occasions like this. In this age young men particularly needed safeguards, which Holy Church alone provided. The worst individual they had to deal with was the nominal. Catholic, who was neither a good Catholic nor a good, citizen. Institutions like theirs assisted to eliminate this class. He hoped to be with, them on many future gatherings of this sort. Brother George, on behalf of the Marist Brothers, expressed his pleasure at the great results achieved by the club. All regretted his Lordship Bishop Cleary's illness, and they asked Monsignor Brodie to convey to him the club's sympathy, and its great desire -for his speedy recovery. Mr. P. Sheehan (secretary) thanked Monsignor Brodie and Father Cahill and the Marist! Brothers for their attendance. He said the club was never more flourishing, both numerically and financially, than at present. A splendid spirit animated all the members, and the future was bright.