DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 15 June 1916, Page 22

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

- (By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) June 12. Rev. Father Herring, S.M., opens a mission under the auspices of the Holy Family Confraternity and for the men of the city, on Tuesday, June 20, at the Cathedral. Rev. Father Brennan returned to Auckland at the end of last week, and is now enjoying a; three

weeks’ rest with Very Rev. Father Cahill, Parnell, before resuming his duties. *

Very Rev. Dean Van Dyk, Superior of the Maori Missionaries, made appeals at the Masses and Vespers at the Cathedral yesterday on behalf of the Maori mission, with most successful results. A sum of £4O was subscribed, for which the Dean expressed his grateful thanks. ‘

Rev. Father O’Doherty, Cambridge, addressed the Holy Family Confraternity at the last meeting, and gave an interesting description of the composition of an army corps, its component parts, and duties allotted to each—mobilisation, victualling, clothing, and - attending sick The whole made up a most interesting and instructive lecture. At St. Columba’s School, conducted by the Marist Brothers, a new laboratory has been erected, suitable for chemical, physical, and geographical experiments. The Brothers and pupils return their grateful thanks to Mr. J. J. O’Brien, who supplied timber free, to Mr. Michael Reardon, who erected the building free, to Mr. James Duffin, who supplied the plumbing and water services work free. Mr, Thos. Darby contributed in cash.

The annual meeting of the Newman Society wag held last Sunday, at which the Newman Society executive representatives, the Catholic teachers’' executive. Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook, Rev. Fathers Murphy and Dunphy, representatives of the Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of St. Joseph were present. The scheme for dealing with all Catholic children attending secular schools, proposed by the Newman Society, was approved by all present, ‘ I have a sad duty to perform,’ said Very Rev. Dean Van Dyk at the Solemn High Mass at St. Patrick s Cathedral on Sunday. 1 Millions of British subjects profess faith in the Catholic Church, and the Church through her representatives publicly expresses her sorrow at the sudden demise of one who was looked upon by all of us as the one soldier able to defend successfully the interior Empire against the aggressive enemy. To thoughtful Catholics, Earl Kitchener’s death emphasises the well-known truths, too often lost sight of— uncertainty of life and vanity of human greatness. Let us to-day,’ concluded the Dean, * remember not Kitchener the General' but rather Kitchener the man, and pray that he, who was like a brilliant star in the firmament of the British Empire, may continue to shine, although be it in a more modest way in the empire of souls created by God.’ At the conference, held last Sunday on the suggestion of the Newman Society, Rev. Brother Fergus presided, and there were present Miss Jacobson, Dr. O’Shaughnessy, Mr. J. H. O’Connell, representing the Newman Society, and forty others. All those present under seventeen years of age formed themselves into a junior guild of the Newman Society, and decided to meet monthly and study portions of the New Testament each month. At the next meeting, the sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel will be discussed. A course of Church history will be undertaken, beginning with the Inquisition. A complete scheme for the year has not yet been defined. The Newman Society proposes to surround these young people with a sound Catholic atmosphere, and give Catholic direction to their reading. The senior society, in addition to the ordinary syllabus, - will this year undertake a regular course of social science.

The quarterly Communion of the members of St.' Benedict’s Club, who were accompanied by the representatives of other clubs and associations, took place at the early Mass on Sunday, and was largely attended. All assembled at the club rooms at 7.15 a.m., and, led by the officers of St. Benedict’s Club, made an imposing sight as they marched in a body to seats reserved for them in the church. After Mass, breakfast was provided by the club in their rooms. .Amongst those present were Rev. Father Bleakley, Rev. Brothers Calixtus and Fergus, Mr. J. Lees (secretary), and several members of the M. 8.0.8, Club, Mr, H. J.

Skinner (Parnell Catholic Club), Mr. J. Shanahan (secretary) and several members of the Holy Family Confraternity. The president (Mr. G. J. Temm) presided and apologised for the absence of the Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, V.G., who had to go into the country to celebrate Mass. In a brief address of welcome, the president expressed his pleasure at the large number . of representatives of other associations present. Brief vaddresses were also given by Rev. Father Bleakley, Brothers Fergus and Calixtus, and Messrs. Skinner, Shanahan, Reid, Williams, and Tate. Interesting suggestions -were made by various speakers towards further promoting the aims and objects of all Catholic associations which are working for the spiritual an<l temporal welfare of their members.' Stress was laid on present circumstances greatly depleting the ranks of all organisations, and that members left behind should actively take up the work of the senior members, who were going on active service. The breakfast room and tables were tastefully decorated by an energetic band of. ladies, and their work was appreciated by the men present. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded them for their valuable services.

Thames (From an occasional correspondent.) A very successful mission, conducted by the Rev. Fathers F. Mangan and Mageean, C.SS.R., was brought to a close in the parish on Sunday evening, May 28, The mission, which lasted for a fortnight, was well attended from the beginning, and the piety and zeal of the people increased day v by day, until on last Sunday evening the church was filled to overflowing. The earnestness and devotion of the people were particularly displayed during the mission in the numbers who were present at the early Masses. The preacher on Sunday evening referred, in passing, to the fact that exactly fifty years ago the first Mass was celebrated in the Thames by Bishop Pompallier, Then,’ he said, * not more than a dozen Catholics were present at the Holy Sacrifice. Now you number close on 600. Then the Divine Master found His shelter beneath the canopy of heaven, now you have your churches, presbytery, convent, and schools, all .this being due, after God, to the zeal and devotedness of your priests, and to your own fervor and generosity.’ Father Mageeap concluded by congratulating the people on having as their pastor a priest so zealous, so capable, and so devoted to the welfare of his flock as Father Dignan, whom he congratulated on having a people so faithful and generous as those of the Thames. Father Dignan, in a few well-chosen, and happy expressions, thanked the missioners for their labors and the people for their whole-hearted co-operation, and generosity.

Hamilton I -.ws (From an occasional correspondent.) On Sunday evening at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Hamilton, the annual May celebrations were brought to a close. After the Rosary a sermon on our Blessed Lady was preached by the Rev. Father O’Doherty (Cambridge). The Very Rev. Dean Darby (spiritual director of the Children of Mary) then officiated at the ceremonies of consecration and reception of aspirants. , A beautiful procession was formed, headed by the acolytes, and followed by the little children carrying the fifteen banners representing the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary. The Children of Mary -■Sllowed, bearing the statue of our Blessed Lady, prettily ■ veiled and decorated with flowers. During the procession the children, accompanied by the children s orchestra, sang ‘Queen of the Holy Rosary.’ Bene- - diction of the Blessed Sacrament was then given by the Very Rev. Dean Darby. .