Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1916, Page 20

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

May 13. '

The London correspondent of the Evening Post announces that Mr. T. H. S. Retling, an old boy of St. Patrick's College, is a prisoner of war at Ruhleben, Germany.

His Grace Archbishop O'Shea, S.M., left on Friday morning for Auckland, where he will be engaged for some time in administering the Sacrament of Confirmation.

On last Friday evening in St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, a beautiful life-size statue of the Blessed Peter Chanel, S.M., the first martyr of Oceania, was unveiled and blessed. The ceremony was performed by the Very Rev. Dean Smyth, S.M., Provincial of the Society of Mary, of which the martyr was such an illustrious member. At the close of the devotions, the Very Rev. Dean spoke of the great pleasure it gave him to be present at, and preside over, such a ceremony. He congratulated the congregation on the beautiful addition to the church, and felt sure that the life and example of the Blessed Martyr would increase in their hearts a deeper and stronger devotion to the Mother of God.

A large number of the parishioners of St. Joseph's, Te Aro, assembled last Sunday after devotions to bid farewell to the Rev. Father Barra, S.M., who has been stationed in the parish for the past five years.

The Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., Adm., presided, and apologised for the absence of his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, who was absent from Wellington. Father Hurley, in announcing the object of the meeting, made eulogistic references to Father Barra both as a devoted priest and as a congenial companion. No one would miss him so much as he would. He regretted very

much his departure, but the call came, and had to be obeyed, and he could only congratulate the Rev. Father Galerne, S.M., and the Catholics of Reefton, at having been given such a zealous and devoted priest as Father Barra. He wished him on his own behalf, and on behalf of the parishioners, an affectionate farewell, and every success in his new sphere of labor. He then called upon Mr. J. J. L. Burke to make the presentation, which consisted of a travelling bag, set of Breviaries, umbrella, and purse of sovereigns. Mr. Burke said he regretted exceedingly Father Barra's departure they were all dumbfounded when the news came some few days ago, and they were determined, although at exceedingly short notice, not to let Father Barra depart without showing in a small way their keenest appreciation of his labors on their behalf during his sojourn amongst them. Speaking as a West Coaster, he assured Father Barra that he would find the people of Reefton the best of Catholics, and would soon feel quite at home with them. They all regretted exceedingly his departure, but at the same time wished him every blessing for the future. They would always watch with interest his career, and they trusted that he would not be unmindful of them when offering the Holy Sacrifice.

On rising to respond, Father Barra was most enthusiastically received. He thanked them in the first place for their kindness to him at all times, and their attendance there that evening was most flattering to him. He regretted as much as they did his departure from among them,, but, as a religious, he had to obey the commands of his superiors. He thanked them most sincerely for their nice presents; they would continually remind him of the pleasant time he had spent amongst the good people of St. Joseph's. He would remember them when offering up the Holy Sacrifice. He wished them and their families every grace ana blessing, and trusted that they would remember him in their prayers. Father Barra was also the recipient of presentations from the altar boys and the pupils of the Marist Brothers' School.