Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 16 December 1915, Page 23

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) December 11. The Rev. Father Seymour, S.M., succeeds the Rev. Father Moloney, S.M., Wanganui, who went away as chaplain to the Hospital Ship.

Mr. John Duggan, a prominent member of the Dominion Executive of the Catholic Federation, left for Australia yesterday on a holiday visit.

A preliminary meeting to arrange for the reception of his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate will take place on next Sunday afternoon at St. Patrick’s Hall.

The retreat for women, conducted by the Rev. Father Hurley at St. Mary of the Angels’, concluded on Sunday, and was most successful. All the services were well attended.

The parish festival now being organised by the Very Rev. Father O’Connell promises to be successful in every way. A large number of the ladies and gentlemen of the parish are working energetically to make the function, which is to commence on January 22, eclipse last year’s efforts.

A very successful concert was' given by the pupils of St. Anne’s School at St." Anne’s Hall last evening. There was a large attendance, including his Grace Archbishop O’Shea and the Rev. Fathers Peoples, O’Connor, and Finnerty. Very excellent items, which were given by the . children, reflected much credit on their instructors, tlie Sisters of Mercy, who have charge of the school.

The committee responsible for organising the Boxing Day picnic at Karori Park are sanguine of success should the weather be favorable. The various sub-com-mittees are working hard in their respective departments, and are doing everything possible to make the function both a financial and social succcess. The tickets are now in circulation, and the proceeds are to be devoted to the Catholic Education fund. The Catholics of the Lower Hutt are holding their annual picnic in Very Rev. Dean Lane’s grounds on Boxing Day in aid of the local school.

The death occurred last Thursday evening, at the Wellington Hospital, of Trooper Denis Patrick Burke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Burke, Tasman street, Wellington. Trooper Burke, who was a native of Wellington, was connected with the Railway Department for some years, and took a prominent , part in football circles prior to the outbreak of war. He 'was on© of the first to enlist, and sailed in the First Expeditionary Force to Samoa, and on his return to Wellington he again volunteered for active service, and had been in camp preparing , to leave with the next contingent. On Thursday afternoon he was admitted to the Wellington Hospital to undergo an operation for tonsilitis, and succumbed during the operation. Trooper

Burke, who was only twenty,-on© years of age, was' very popular, "’ He was accorded a military funeral, which took place this morning. Trooper Burk© was also a member of the Hibernian Society, and the members of that society attended in regalia.-R.I.P. -

Mr. Gerald Griffen, the popular Irish-American singer, left for Sydney on Thursday. During his stay in Wellington Mr. Griffen entertained the Catholic soldiers at Trentham in the Catholic Federation hall on two occasions. His kindness was very much appreciated by the men who, through their chaplain (the Rev. Father Daly), thanked Mr. Griffen most, heartily, Mr. Griffen also entertained the children at St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Upper Hutt, and those of the Convent, Lower Hutt, His sweet songs and humorous stories were much appreciated. On Wednesday evening Mr. Griffen visited St. Patrick’s Hall, where a large number of members of the Hibernian Society were present and, during the course of a most pleasant evening, he sang and recited, much to the delight of all who heard him. Mr. Griffen is a staunch Catholic, a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and also a member of the Catholic Temperance Society of America. Although only a short time in Wellington he made many friends, who all join in wishing him success in his tour.

The devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration began at St. Mary of the Angels’, Boillcott street, last Sunday at the High Mass, which was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father O’Connell, with Rev. Fathers O’Leary and Venning as deacon and subdeacon respectively, and the Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., Adm., as master of ceremonies. There was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament, in which the various sodalities participated. In the evening the Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., preached. On Monday the Rev. Father. Venning celebrated High Mass, and the Rev. Father Gilbert preached in the evening. On Tuesday morning the Very Rev. Father O’Connell celebrated High Mass, with the Rev. Fathers Kimbell and Venning as deacon and subdeacon respectively. The altar was tastefully decorated by.the ladies of the Altar Society, and music was rendered by the choir under the baton of Mr. A. McDonald, with Mr. Mount as organist. The devotion was marked by the great number of communicants at the early Masses.