Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 31 August 1916, Page 19

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) August 20. - The many friends of the Rev. Brother Emilian, who has been an inmate of the Brougham Street Private Hospital, suffering from pneumonia, will be pleased to hear that he is now convalescent, and will shortly be able to resume teaching. The Rev. Brother Ireneus, of the Thorndon Marist Brothers’ School, who has, through ill health, been transferred to the Sacred Heart College, Auckland, was the recipient of two handsome presentations from the boys of the Thorndon School, with whom he was de-

servedly popular. One was from the boys of the Standards IV. and V. which he taught, and the other was from the school football team, in which he took a great interest. In connection with the jubilee celebrations of the famous picture of our Lady of Perpetual Succor at Mount St. Gerard’s Redemptorist Church, Hawker street, a retreat will be preached to the .ladies of the confraternity attached to the church. The retreat will begin on Wednesday evening, August 30, and will conclude on the following Sunday. A retreat for the Confraternity of the Holy Family (men’s branch) has just concluded. At the close of the women’s retreat (Sunday, September 3) his Grace Archbishop Redwood will preach in the morning at the 10 o’clock Mass, A most deserving cause is now being assisted, and that is St. Joseph's Orphanage at the Upper Hutt, which has, owing to the constant -appeals for patriotic purposes, been somewhat neglected since the advent of the present disastrous war. A strong committee, representing others besides the Catholic -community, is busily engaged in organising a sale of work, which is to take place at the Town Hall on Friday, September 8. Mr. J. J. L. Burke is chairman, whilst Messrs, F. A. Levin and J. Cormick and Miss D. Stace are the joint honorary secretaries. A crowded audience responded to the appeal of the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Association for a piano for the Marist Brothers’ School, Newtown, by attending the excellent concert, arranged by the Old Boys to raise the necessary funds. The following ladies and gentlemen contributed enjoyable items— Teresa McEnroe, Mary McKeowen, R. Payne, Marie Fix, Messrs Kevin Dillon, S. Laslett Exton, Masters H. McLean, Ben and Leo O’Brien, whilst the Marist Brothers’ School Choir, under the conductorship of Mr. F. J. Oakes, rendered four excellent choruses, and the Marist Old Boys’ Association Orchestra, under Master Ben O’Brien, played appropriate music. Miss Phyllis Hannify, organist of St. Gerard’s Choir, acted as accompanist, and Mr. F. J. O’Driscoll efficiently carried out the duties of secretary. Mr. John Duggan, vice-president of the Wellington Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation, has generously devoted his annual vacation to the special campaign inaugurated by that body for the increase of the membership in the Wellington archdiocese, and, on behalf of the diocesan council, he will visit the Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki districts. Mr. Duggan has been connected with the Federation since its inception, having before his transfer to Wellington been secretary of the Waipawa parish committee, and whilst occupying that position he frequently took the platform to further the cause of the Catholic Federation. Since coming to Wellington he has found further scope for his energy, being now a member of the diocesan and Dominion Executive. A meeting of the executive. committee of the diocesan council met last Wednesday night, the Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., presiding. Arrangements were made for a vigorous campaign for new members during September, including an organising tour of the Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki districts by a member of the executive. Encouraging reports were received from many of the country branches, Napier in particular, where nearly one thousand members have been enrolled to date for the current year. The report of the recent conference was presented, and the resolutions arrived at were adopted, and it was decided to hold a similar conference in the near future, with the object of furthering the study of social science among the members of the Federation. There was a good attendance of members of the Catholic Federation the annual meeting of St. Patrick’s branch, Kubirnie, at St. Patrick’s Church Schoolroom last Sunday evening. The Rev. Father Peoples, S.M., presided. The annual report and balance sheet, read by the secretary (Mr. J. Sullivan), disclosed a very satisfactory position inasmuch as the Kilbirnie district formed part of the- Wellington South

parish committee, which occupied the premier position as far as the Federation was concerned, pot only in the archdiocese of Wellington, but also in the Dominion. The Rev. Father Peoples quoted statistics showing that the Catholic adult population of the Kilbirnie district was 500, and he saw no reason why the Kilbirnie branch should not contain that number. 'He trusted that when they came to review the current year’s work they would find every eligible person in the district a member, Mr. P. D. Heskins moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and in doing so pointed out the need for organisation amongst Catholics. Mr. W. F. Johnson seconded the motion, and in a forcible speech appealed to those present not only" to renew their membership for the current year, but also to take an active interest in the work. As a result of a special campaign over 150 members were enrolled.' The following were appointed to the committee for the ensuing year—Rev. Father Peoples, S.M., Messrs. J. Fanning, J. A. Sullivan, J. P. O’Sullivan, W. Fitzgibbon, and T. Bourke. Palmerston North (From our own correspondent.) August 25. At the inter-lodge card tournament on Wednesday evening, the H.A.C.B. Society beat the Druids by six games. The fortnightly meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on Tuesday evening, Bro. Rosnoswski presiding over a fair attendance. Correspondence was read from Bro. Pederson, ‘ Somewhere in France,’ .which stated that he was quite well. A letter was also received from Bro. Breaton, Featherston, thanking the members for there kind wishes. A hearty welcome was extended to a visiting brother from Milton—Bro Craft. _ The St. Vincent de Paul Society held another of their enjoyable social functions in the Empire Hall last evening, when there was a large attendance. Progressive euchre occupied the earlier portion of the evenmg, and resulted in Miss Morgan winning the lady’s prize and Mr. Haydon the gentleman’s. A word of congratulation is due to the joint secretaries, Miss R. Butler and Miss T. Brophy, whose splendid arrangements contributed much to the success of the entertainment.