Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 4 November 1915, Page 23

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OP WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) October 30. Arrangements are being made to organise a monster Catr.o'ic picnic for Boxing Day in aid of the Catholic education fund. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea preached at . St. Joseph’s Church, Buckle street, last Sunday evening. His Grace gave an interesting account of his travels in America, and the growth of the Church in that part of the world. Miss E. M. Carmody, daughter of Mr. P. Carmody, J.P., Mitchell town, president of the ladies’ branch of the Hibernian Society, and for some time its secretary, has joined the Sisters of Mercy, St. Mary’s Convent, Hill street.

Very Rev. Father Taylor, ' Marist Missioner, is conducting a retreat for the Children of Mary at St. Joseph’s Church, Buckle ; street. The services are well attended, and thfe number of communicants each morn-

irig is particularly edifying. ; It concludes to-morrow, when the devotion of - the Forty Hours’ Adoration commences. .

, , Mrs. Segnef, of Daniel street, has received a cabl ® aT. her , sou ( the Chaplain-Captain Segriet, b.M.), who went away as chaplain of the hospital ship Maheno, to the effect that he had arrived in Condon and was in good health. He mentioned that he had visited Chaplain-Captain Dore, of Foxton who was wounded at the Dardanelles, and found him progressing slowly and would soon be enabled to return to New Zealand.

Mr. J ±1 Humphreys, the representative of the .Proportional Representation League, England, who is visiting New Zealand, will give a lecture in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Wednesday, November 10. As the system of Proportional Representation is a subject that all Catholics should be conversant with, they should not miss this opportunity of hearing the system explained by such an eminent authority on the subject. Mr. E. J Healy, who recently resigned the conductorship of St. Mary of the Angels’ Choir, was entertained on Saturday evening by the members of the choir and presented with an illuminated address signed by the members, also a handsome silver rose bowl for himself and Mrs. Healy, suitably inscribed. Advantage was taken of the presence of Corporal A. P Dwan of the Wellington Rifle Brigade, a member of the choir to present him with a pair of binoculars. Messrs. Healy and Dwan suitably thanked the members for their very handsome presents. The evening was pleasurably interspersed with vocal and instrumental items.

At St. Mary of the Angels’ on Wednesday morning Solemn Requiem Mass was offered for the deceased soldiers in the war. The celebrant of the Mass was the Very Rev Father O’Connell, S.M., the Rev. Father O Connor, S.ML., and Rev. Father Smyth, S.M.,were deacon and subdeacon respectively, and Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., Adm., was master of ceremonies. The church was filled with the large congregation. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea presided, and was attended by the Very Rev. Dean Smyth, S.M. (Provincial). Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., and Very Rev. Dean RegnaujL S.M., Adm., occupied seats in the sanctuary. A choir of the city clergy sang the music of the Mass. Among those who attended was Sir Joseph Ward, and also several leading citizens. His Grace Archbishop O Shea, before the final absolution, addressed the congregation. ‘ This country,’ said his Grace, 'in common with the whole of the Empire, is sorrowing over the death of many of her best, and bravest sons, and w© meet to-day to offer up the adorable Sacrifice of the Mass for the repose of their souls. The minds of all are filled with sorrow because of the great loss of life that has plunged so many homes and so many families into mourning.’ This was without doubt for the time it had been raging, the greatest and most frightful war that had ever taken place, and was exacting a proportionately greater toll of human life than any other. This young country, though so far from the centre of operations, was doing its part nobly, and our people were giving an example of the most sublime patriotism. We fought in a just cause, for if ever there was a just war this was surely one, so far as we were concerned. The Archbishop then went on to say that although the war had brought great sorrow, still, for all that, great good was likely to com© out of it. It was noticed in the Home Country especially that the great sacrifices that men were making and the losses that were being suffered, were bringing us all nearer together, and filling our minds with the more serious things of life. It was bringing = out the best that was in us, and we would emerge from it purified, chastened, and strengthened in every way. Patriotism was one of the most sublime of virtues, and those men who had fought and died had performed ah act of the most perfect charity. ‘ Greater love than this hath no man, that a man should lay down his life for his

friends.’ Therefore the soldier who died on the battlefield to defend his home and country, reached the highest degree of charity. His Grace ended with touching words of condolence to the relatives and friends of deceased soldiers. Hastings (By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) . ‘ - November 1. . Quite a gloom was cast over the community, when it became known that Mrs. Bennett, wife of Mr. J. Bennett of this town, had passed away on the 20th inst. The deceased lady was in her usual health, and was at the agricultural show on Wednesday, and had retired in the best of spirits, but when her husband went into the room he found she had expired, death being due to heart failure. She was only 28 years of age, and was held in the highest esteem by all who had pleasure of her acquaintance. She was a member of the choir, and always took an active interest in all Church affairs, being ever ready to assist in any way to promote any charitable project. A Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father McDonald, S.M., on Saturday morning. The funeral, which took place to Takapau the same afternoon, was largely attended by residents from all parts of the surrounding districts, and friends and sympathisers, who came to pay their last respects to one who in life had endeared herself to all by her bright and cheery disposition and goodness of heart. She leaves a husband and two young children to mourn their loss.—R.l.P.