Ponsonby

New Zealand Tablet, 29 June 1916, Page 43

Ponsonby

(From an occasional correspondent.) June 20. The Rev. Father Herring, S.M., of Wellington, commences a week's retreat at the Sacred Heart Church on Sunday next. A welcome innovation has been introduced into our parish church by the installation of the electric light to supersede the very unsatisfactory gas lamps which had done service for a number of years. A very successful social was held by the Children of Mary of the. parish last week for the purpose of raising funds to assist in liquidating the expenses incurred in connection with improvements effected to the grounds of the convent school. A most enjoyable evening was spent, and the best thanks of the school committee are due to the organisers for the handsome financial results achieved. Our popular parish priest, Rev. Father Carran, has once more demonstrated that zeal, which has been a marked feature of his ministrations in various parts of the diocese in the past, by gathering around him the young men and youths of this parish/and establishing what it is hoped will be a prosperous club in the parish of Ponsonby. His original purpose was to establish a guild, wherein the young people would be afforded an opportunity of obtaining a wide knowledge of tho truths of our holy religion, and of discussing those questions which would equip them for the sterner realities of life. Successful beyond anticipation have been his efforts, and on Monday evening, June 19, the newly-formed club, to be known as the Sacred Heart Club, was formally inaugurated bv the holding of a social gathering in the parish hall, there being about 50 members present. For the time being the club will hold a weekly general meeting each Monday evening, which will be opened by solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the Sacred Heart Church, after which an adjournment will be made to the parish hall, where the proceedings will consist of debates, readings, etc. It is the ambition of Father Carran and those associated with him that when the club is firmly established on the foregoing lines, to introduce other attractions, which will be for the amusement and physical well-being of the members. The club is under the patronage of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The following officers have been elected: —.Spiritual director, Rev. Father Carran; president, Mr. A. Bennett; vice-president, Mr. J. T. Fitzgerald; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Anderson.