DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 16 December 1915, Page 25

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

December 14.

His Lordship Bishop Cleary left this morning for the Lake Taupo district, where he intends to sojourn until near Christmas. His Lordship during the last few weeks has appreciably improved in health.

The devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration took place at Parnell last week. There was .special music "at the eleven o’clock Mass, the choir being conducted by Miss A. Lorrigan. Right Rev. Dr.. Brodie delivered the opening sermon, and Rev. Father Murphy (Ponsonby) preached in the evening. Very Rev. Father Cahill (of the Cathedral) preached on Monday evening. The devotion closed on Tuesday morning. Throughout large crowds visited the church. Right Rev. Dr. Brodie warmly congratulated his people on their magnificent manifestation of faith. On Sunday morning the men of the parish received Holy Communion.

Another manifestation of Our holy faith was given at the Cathedral at the nine o’clock Mass on Sunday, when- the members of the confraternity of the Holy Family, the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys, and the local senior and juvenile Hibernians approached the altar

rails. Fully 200 mustered. Very Rev. Father Cahill briefly addressed the congregation, and laid great stress upon what a cheering sight it was to see so many men and juveniles receive Holy Communion. He exhorted them not only to go once a quarter but once a month, thereby ensuring for themselves that state of grace so essential to their spiritual welfare and temporal happiness. Breakfast was afterwards served by the ladies of the parish. Father Cahill presided, and was supported by Brother George, both of whom addressed the assemblage, and expressed their admiration for the spirit exhibited that morning, always so encouraging to priest and Brothers. Bro. D. Flynn, on behalf of the Hibernian District Executive, Bro. Woodley (president of the Auckland branch), Mr. P. Sheehan (Marist Brothers’ Old' Boys),''and Messrs. M. J. Sheahan and Wall (Holy Family Confraternity) spoke, each of whom strongly favored a spirit of reciprocity between the various organisations, whose aims and objects were so similar. Mr. P. Sheehan said the Old Boys had sent forty members to Europe to engage in the present terrible war, some of whom would never again return. -

The opening and blessing of the new Marist Brothers’ residence in Lincoln road, Ponsonby, took place yesterday afternoon. The ceremony was performed by the Right Rev. Dr. Brodie, Bislrop-elecb of Christchurch. His Lordship Bishop Cleary was not able to attend. Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, Very Rev. Father Cahill, and Rev. Father Murphy were present. A great deal of interest was taken in the ceremony by the parishioners and others in the diocese, and the attendance was large. Some two and a-half years ago the house was purchased for the accommodation of the Marist Brothers, who are responsible for the teaching in the St. Colmnba School. The building cost altogether £1585. At present four Marist Brothers have taken up residence there, and there is accommodation for three more.

After having blessed the building , and dedicated it to the use of the Marist Brothers, Dr. Brodie said the erection of the new monastery was a sign of the progress of the Catholic Church in Auckland, and of the fact that the work of the Brothers was appreciated. It was thirty years since Catholic education had been commenced in the little school in Pitt street. The work had then been undertaken under great disadvantages, and the Marist Brothers had been content with a very humble abode. In the progress of time, the Pitt Street School had become unsuitable, and St. Columba School had been erected at a cost of about .£4OOO, still the Brothers had not said a word about themselves. They had still been satisfied with a humble cottage. The opening of the new monastery, however, was the consummation of the work of Catholic education in Auckland. The house had not been properly furnished, and he would take it as a compliment to his Lordship - Bishop Cleary, to the clergy of Auckland, and to the Brothers themselves if enough money were collected to defray the cost of appropriately furnishing the new building (applause).

Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook gave an interesting statement regarding the financial position. The whole of the cost, including furnishing and extras, was £6OO. He appealed to the generosity of the people, who were never found wanting.

Councillor Nerheny in a vigorous speech outlined the history of the Brothers’ advent to Auckland. While we had made provision for many parochial needs we had not provided (he said) as we should have done for the Brothers. Now we had a school as good as, if not better than, any public or private school in this Dominion, and the Brothers’ residence, now finished, removed from us a reproach under which we had long labored.

At the collect ion (here t aken up) a sura ''of nearly £IOO was subscribed.

Brother Phelan heartily thanked Dr. Brodie, priests, and people for their kindness and generosity, for which the Brothers felt deeply grateful. - The school choir, under the conductorship of Brother Amelia, gave several fine choruses at intervals,

which added much to the success 'of the gathering. " A hearty vote of thanks to Dr. Brodie brought the meeting to a close. The people were then invited to inspect the new residence, where through the kindness of the members of the Ponsonby Catholic Tennis Club afternoon tea was dispensed. The whole function was eminently successful, and reflected credit on all concerned. On Saturday evening the juvenile Hibernians visited Onehunga, accompanied by Brothers Phelan and Amelia (of the Marist Brothers), and Bros. Woodley (president), P. Duffin (vice-president) of the Auckland branch, and M. J. Sheahan (district treasurer of the Hibernian Society). Right, Rev. Mgr. Mahoney and a. large number of local residents attended the hall, where the boys gave a really excellent entertainment/ under the direction of Brother Amelia, consisting of choruses, vocal solos, and recitations, and terminating with a bright. comedy, entitled ‘Little Gregory. Bro. Dane, on behalf of the local branch of the Hibernian Society and residents, thanked tlnT Marist Brothers, the performers, and officers, and expressed the hope that a juvenile branch would soon be established in Onehunga. Supper was then provided, after which the Auckland contingent left for town. During the journey to the city, the boys lustily sang ‘ God Save Ireland, to the evident delight of the crowded tram car. *

A scholarship of the value of 40 guineas a year, awarded annually by the Sacred Heart College, Auckland, has been won this year by Master Harry McDonald, of the Marist Brothers' School, Wanganui. The runner-up was Master Albert Sc'anlon, of the Marist Brothers' School, Hawkestone street, Wellington. A meeting of the general committee appointed to arrange a reception to his Excellency the* Apostolic Delegate, was held in the Hibernian "Hall a few days ago. Right Rev. Dr. Brodie, Bishop-elect of Christchurch, presided, and there were present: The Very Kev. Father Cahill, Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook, and Rev. Fathers Tormey, Murphy, Forde, and Jansen. There was a large gathering of ladies and gentlemen from the city and suburban parishes. The following names were added to the executive - committee:— Misses Mcllhone and Lorrigan, Messrs. D. Flynn, J. P. Wright, A. Rose, T. Darby, J. T. Fitzgerald, C. Little, P. Dach, G. Wilkinson, P. Dromgool, F. Burns, F. CuTlen, and A. J. Woodley-. An address committee was chosen, composed of Miss M. J. Mcllhone, the Hon. J. A. Tole, Mr. M. J. Sheahan, and Mr. F. G. J. Temm. A children's committee was also appointed, comprising the teachers of the Catholic schools, and Misses A. V. Lorrigan and Mcllhone, and Messrs. A. J. Woodley, J. Fitzgerald, and P. Dromgool. The "annual banquet given' by the students of the Sacred Heart College to the Brothers took place on Monday, 6th inst. A capital programme of music and song, furnished by the students, members of the M. 8.0.8. Union, and 3rd Auckland Regimental Band, provided an enjoyable evening. Half-way through the proceedings the arrival of the Right Rev. Dr. Brodie, Bishop-elect of Christchurch, was the signal for a prolonged outburst of enthusiasm. During the evening the following toasts were honored:—'The Pope and King,' 'Alma Mater,' ' Brothers,' ' Students,' Old Boys,' and 'Visitors.' Songs were rendered by Messrs C. McManaway, J. F. McKenna, W. Dervan, A. Toye, J. Carr, J. Smith, and C. Dod; recitations by J. Mackle and E. Casey. Music was supplied by the College Orchestra and 3rd Auckland Regimental Band. Mr. H. Hiscocks acted as accompanist to the songs. Huntly ; - , i ■.- ■ (By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) December 13. y On Sunday fifteen young ladies were received as members of the sodality of Children of Mary. At the 9 o'clock Mass on Sunday a number of children received their First Communion at Ngaruawahia. ' >v. . ' . ; .-.■.. :•., •.;-:.:,->.. ;i ';-.-.," '*

Next Friday the Convent School children will break up for their Christmas holidays. On last Sunday, after Mass a river excursion and picnic took place, and a most enjoyable time was spent by members of the congregation and their friends. ~•; The Rev. . Father Michael Blakely, one of the recent arrivals in the diocese of Auckland from Ireland, hails from the same diocese (Elphin) and graduated in the same college, that of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo, ,as -the Rev. Father O'Doherty, of this parish.