DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 30 September 1915, Page 39

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

September 27. Mr. Norman Hackett Walsh, a member of the Sacred Heart parish, has just died of dysentery at Malta Hospital. A meeting of the ladies of the Sacred Heart parish was held last week, when it was decided to co-operate with the ladies of the other parishes in promoting a great social to be held shortly in aid of the cost of the additions to the Marist Brothers’ residence, Lincoln street. ' • The devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration commenced in the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, at the 11 o’clock Mass on Sunday, when there was a large congregation. The Marist Brothers Cadets, under Lieutenant Sneddan, marched from the college to the church. A Missa Cantata was celebrated by Rev. Father Murphy. After Mass there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament. The choir, under Mr. Arthur Dobbs, acquitted itself admirably in its rendering of Gounod’s ‘Messe Soleunelle.’ During the afternoon crowds visited the church. The high altar was magnificently decorated by the ladies of the parish. Rev. Father Brennan preached a fine sermon on the ‘ Blessed Sacrament.’ This morning a Missa Cantata was sung by Rev. Father Forde, of St. Benedict’s. In the evening Rev. Father Dunphy, of the Cathedral, delivered an impressive sermon. The devotions were largely attended. On Friday afternoon, Mr. J. 11. Gunson (Mayor of Auckland), accompanied by Mrs. Gunson, visited the Sacred Heart College, St. Mary’s Convent, and the Little Sister’s of the Poor. At the Sacred Heart College they were welcomed by Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook, and Rev. Brother Alphonsus, who showed them over the whole building, about which they expressed great pleasure. The cadets paraded in uniform, and were addressed by the Mayor, who gave them some sound and practical advice, emphasising above all the necessity of thoroughness in everything they undertook. At the close of the address three hearty cheers were given for the Mayor and Mayoress. The party then visited St. Mary’s Convent, where a hearty welcome was accorded them. There were present Monsignor Brodie, Chancellor Holbrook, Fathers Golden, Furlong, Cahill, Kelly, Dunphy, and a large number of ladies. Rev. Mother Alacoque and the community did all possible to make the visit a memorable one. Friday was a red letter day at the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Ponsonby, as three different functions took place during the afternoon. The annual re-union of ex-pupils of the convent was made the occasion for a special meeting of the members of the Mercy Guild, an organisation' of ladies, which is doing most useful work in, providing comforts for the men at the front, especially for the wounded. The institution also received a visit from the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. J. H. Gunson) and the Mayoress. The report, presented by the. president of the Mercy Guild (Mrs. J. W. O Brien), stated that the guild was formed at the end of May last at the suggestion of the Sisters of Mercy, and since then fortnightly sewing bees had been held in the schoolroom of the convent. A sum of ,£55 14s 3d had been collected, and £44 16s 6d had been spent on articles and materials, with the result that the guild had made or purchased a large quantity of comforts, including over 650 pairs of bed-socks, 50 pairs of plippelrs, besides, bandages, towels, handkerchiefs, cholera belts, Balaclava caps, mufflers, and 52 pairs

of slippers. Of this total 500 pairs of bed-socks and a quantity of other articles had been placed . aboard the hospital ship Maheno. V v \ .' • * . • - ■’! Later, a social gathering was held at which the Mayor and Mayoress were welcomed by Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, who mentioned that the Sisters of Mercy began their - work in Auckland as far back as 1850, and that many of those present, including some of the clergy, owed their education to the members of the community. The Mayor, -in reply, congratulated the Sisters on their anniversary, and expressed pleasure at the news that his Lordship Bishop Cleary, for whom he had a great regard, was on the road to recovery from his serious illness. The sixty-five years’ work of the Sisters of Mercy in Auckland, he added, was a fit subject for pride, and he doubted if even the Sisters themselves knew its full extent. The Sisters were a power for good in the community, and he wished to congratulate them on the position they held. The Mayoress was presented by the Mother Superior with a sum of £l6 2s for the purchase of 46 leather waistcoats for the men at the front. The donation was made up as follows: St. Mary’s Convent High School, Ponsonby, 12 waistcoats; Convent School, Devonport, and Onehunga, 8 each; Convent Schools* Te Aroha and Parnell, 5 each; Sacred Heart Convent School, Vermont street, and St. Patrick’s Convent School, Hobson street, 4 each. Mrs. O’Brien also presented the Mayoress with £ls 2s 9d, subscribed during the afternoon by members of the Mercy Guild for the purchase of leather waistcoats or other comforts. The party next visited the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, where Monsignor Brodie, Chancellor Holbrook, and the good Mother showed the visitors over the institution. The Mayoress showed the greatest interest in the old ladies. The Mayor addressed the inmates, and expressed his delight and pleasure, in which the Mayoress cordially joined, at the happy home which was their portion in the evening of their lives. He congratulated them on having to care for them the good Sisters, whose work was so evident to all present. He wished them a continuance of their happy lot. One of the male inmates, in appropriate terms, thanked the Mayor and Mayoress, called for three cheers, which the old men gave with much enthusiasm. The visitors were much impressed at what they saw and heard, and promised to complete in the near, future visits to our other Catholic institutions in the city.