Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 29 June 1916, Page 21

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) June 24. The ladies' branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, of St. Anne's parish, has been reorganised. New officers have been elected, and arrangements made to have weekly sewing bees to provide for the necessitous poor of the parish. The first Sunday in July being Federation Sunday, the local parish committees are organising themselves for a special effort on that day. A special campaign for the enrolment of members will be held. The members, at the invitation of the Dominion Executive, will approach the Holy Table that morning. . The Wellington diocesan council of the Catholic Federation is making strenuous efforts to aid the Catholic field service fund, and, with that object in view, have arranged with Hay ward's Pictures for the loan of some splendid films, depicting excellent views of the Vatican, etc. The Town Hall has been secured for Wednesday, July 5, to screen the films. His Grace Archbishop Redwood has extended his patronage to the entertainment, and in doing so wished the council every success in acquiring a fund for an object so worthy as that of providing comforts and necessities for our Catholic soldiers. A very successful progressive euchre party was held at the Catholic Hostel on Saturday last in aid of the piano fund. A great number of people were present,' the hostel accommodation being taxed to its limit. Prizes, donated by members of the hostel board, were won by Mesdames Dunne and Carter, and Messrs. Hackett and O'Flaherty. Supper was served by the residents. A very enjoyable evening closed with a

hearty rendering of the National Anthem. A social will held at the Alexandra Hall on Thursday, July 27, in aid of the piano fund. The committee hope to see a great gathering of friends and well-wishers anxious to help in liquidating the debt remaining on the piano. A very successful retreat has been conducted by the Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M., Marist Missioner, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Thorndon. It commenced on June 15, and concluded on Thursday. Large congregations filled the spacious church nightly, and listened with close attention to the eloquent exhortations of the rev. missioner. It was extremely edifying to see the large numbers who approached the Holy Table each morning. Last Sunday evening the basilica could barely accommodate the large congregation which attended. Father McCarthy preached an eloquent and very instructive sermon. As a result of the retreat the men's and women's confraternities of the Sacred Heart were considerably augmented in membership. At the conclusion of the retreat a Triduum in honor of the Blessed Sacrament is being conducted by the priests of the parish. This year's break-up for the winter vacation of St. Patrick's College took the form of a Shakespearean festival, and was held in the college hall. Among those present was his Grace Archbishop Redwood. The proceeds have been diverted from the library fund, to which they were originally intended to be placed, to the Empire Schools Belgian Children's Relief Fund. The programme was first class, the work of the college orchestra being particularly good. The pageant in costume was well carried out, L. and F. Reeves respectively performing their parts creditably. The trial scene from The Merchant of Venice was also good, J. Kennedy representing Shylock, and Lynch Portia. The second part of the programme consisted of the kitchen scene from Twelfth Night. ' The singing of Elgar's ' Land of hope and glory,' and a number of other . musical items, concluded the entertainment, which was a success in every way. Napier (From our own correspondent.) June 23. The collection which was taken up last Sunday in aid of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, was most satisfactory, the sum raised being £39. The local branch of the Hibernian Society has two teams entered in the euchre tournament for the friendly societies' shield. The ' A ' team is now leading by two points. M. Paul Dufault gave a concert in the Municipal Theatre last Wednesday to a crowded house. He was

in fine voice, and had to submit to recalls in each item. The feast of Corpus Christi was observed yesterday, and is being followed by the Triduum, which will be brought to a close on Sunday afternoon by an outdoor procession of the Blessed Sacrament. Rev. Father Ainsworth, S.M., continued his course of sermons on the ' Catholic Church ' last Sunday evening in St. Patrick's Church, when he gave a very fine discourse on the true Church and its distinguishing marks. There was a large congregation, including many non-Catholics. Sergeant R. Aldridge, who was invalided from Gallipoli, having been seriously wounded, and who has undergone several operations since, has sufficiently recovered, and has now been appointed recruiting officer for the County Council. His brother, Sergeant George Aldridge, who has been wounded by a bomb explosion, is, according to cabled advice, improving satisfactorily, and is now in the London Second General Hospital. Mr. Allen Doone, the celebrated Irish singing actor, opened a short season here last night, when he was greeted by a crowded audience. He has issued invitations to the fifth and sixth standards of the Marist Brothers' School, and for which the boys are thoroughly grateful.