DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 8 June 1916, Page 31

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

June 5. The social, under the auspices of the Guard of Honor Confraternity, which took place in St. Benedict's Hall, in aid of the Cathedral parish funds, was an unqualified success. A sum of nearly £9O has been collected by a band of charitable ladies, and handed to the worthy Sisters of Compassion, St. Vincent's Home, Mt. Eden. The effort is timely, and the greatest credit is due to the work of the lady collectors. The-Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, V.G., preaching at St.. Benedict's yesterday, referred to the enormous loss of .life in the North Sea, and enjoined on the congregation the duty of praying for the repose of the souls of-those who had been suddenly hurried into the presence- of Almighty God.

Mr. Pinard, for some time conductor of the Cathedral Choir, was presented yesterday with a case of pipes by Rev. Father Murphy on behalf of the choir. Father Murphy expressed his regret at the departure of the recipient, who was an invaluable member. Mr. Pinard suitably replied. , Rev. Father Mageean, C.SS.R., who, with Rev. Father Mangan, C.SS.R., had been giving missions in the goldfields districts, has, during the last fortnight, been giving retreats to the students of St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, and the inmates of the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Shelly Beach road, where he finished in time to enable him to depart for Wellington on Monday. " Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament took place at the Cathedral after the 11 o'clock Mass on Sunday At Vespers Rev. Father Mageean, C.SS.R., delivered an impressive sermon on the Blessed Sacrament. The rev. preacher showed that in every century the doctrine of the Real Presence was accepted, and delivered to the people, by theologians and saintly men in every known land. There was a crowded congregation, every seat being occupied. A procession of the Blessed Sacrament followed. It is stated that Mr. Hiscocks, after about a quarter of a century as conductor of the Cathedral Choir, will retire from the position at the end of the present month. Priests and people will regret this, as Mr. Hiscocks is a highly capable and zealous conductor; and, above all, most enthusiastic in the work of presenting ecclesiastical music in a manner which has won encomiums from all those competent to judge. Mr. Hiscocks has set a standard in the Cathedral Choir, which his successor may emulate, but will find difficult to excel. The Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook gave a most interesting discourse on a ' Trip through the Holy Land to the confraternity of the Holy Family at the last meeting. He described his visit to the Mount of Olives, whence our Lord ascended into heaven. Over this spot a Turkish mosque now stands. Close by is a Russian Monastery, and down from the summit stands the Monastery of Pater Noster, on the spot where our Lord first gave the 'Lord's Prayer.' A remarkable feature of this monastery is that the ' Lord's Prayer,' in every known tongue, is written on the marble slabs on the walls of the interior, even in Maori, and in the Celtic language, represented by characters similar to those of the Book of Kells.