DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 12 October 1916, Page 26

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) At the Sacred Heart Church on last Tuesday morning, a Mass was celebrated for the repose of the souls of soldiers who died at the war. Mrs. M. Gleeson and family have very generously undertaken to paint the parish church at Parnell, for which, on last Sunday, the Rev. Father Cahill publicly thanked them. Rev. Father Murphy, Adm., St. Patrick’s, officiated last Sunday at Paeroa, and while in the district will examine the schools, he being one of the diocesan school inspectors. The Right Rev. Monsignor Hackett, of Paeroa, spoke at the Masses and Vespers at the Cathedral on last Sunday in aid of the seminary fund, the response to which was most generous.

The executive of the Auckland Catholic Teachers’ Institute meets on November 1, and any suggestions or business, etc., should be sent to the secretary (Rev. Brother Virgilius) prior to that date. Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, V.G., has returned from his diocesan tour in the interests of the Catholic Fedelation. Father Herring announced at the mission that the Monsignor’s tour was eminently successful. Through a misunderstanding on the part of the Government officials, Father O Doherty was prevented from taking his departure by the Niagara for Ireland last Tuesday, via Vancouver. He now takes charge of Waiuku parish, vacated by Rev. Father Skinner (who has gone as chaplain to the Forces), until the end of the year, when he expects to leave for Home, At the last meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Dr. Averill, was, by several of the members, adversely criticised for appointing one of his clergy to the position of visitor to the Hospital, to the exclusion of another Anglican clergyman who, for a quarter of a century, had filled the position. The Bishop had two defenders on the board, both of whom were Catholics viz., Messrs. M. J. Coyle (chairman) and P. J. Nerheny,—who considered it out of place to interfere with the Bishop in the regulation of his clerical staff. Rev. Father Carran, of Ponsonby, gave a most interesting address to the members of the Holy Family Confraternity at its last meeting. He interestingly portrayed the great workings of natural forces operating in animal and bird life, the most insignificant in the insect life, and then turned to the forest and the plain, the flowers and the vegetable world, and detailed most minutely the wonderful growth and expansion and, above all, the incomprehensible instinct pervading the whole in which was easily discernible the potent hand of the Almighty God. The mission at St. Benedict’s conducted by the' Marist Missioners, Fathers A. T. Herring and McCarthy, during the last week of its course was a great success. The most comforting feature was the great numbers who attended at the early morning Masses. So large was the attendance on Thursday evening that the procession in honor of the Blessed Sacrament had to be abandoned. Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M., will commence a retreat on Sunday, October 15, at the Cathedral, for the women of the parish, and will establish a women’s branch of the Holy Family Confraternity.

' At the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonhy, last Sunday,- the devotion of Quaraut ’Ore commenced, and terminated on Tuesday morning. It was one of the most successful of its kind yet held in the western suburb. No less than ten priests participated in the ceremonies, and 1600 approached Holy Communion. ■ . Judged by the crowds every morning and evening, it W was more like a mission than the Forty Hours’ Adoration. On Monday the officiating priests were Rev. Fathers O’Flynn, celebrant; Taylor and Bleakeiy, deacon and subdeacon; and on Tuesday morning Rev. Father Brennan celebrant, and Fathers Taylor deacon and Kirrane subdeacon. Rev. Father Carran, priest in charge, is to be congratulated upon the great manifestation of faith shown by his people. The new Hostel for girls in Park avenue, which has been established by the immigration committee of the Catholic Federation, was formally opened by ' the Right Rev. Monsignor Mahoney, V.G., on Sunday afternoon. Rev. Father Cahill presided, and there was a large attendance. In declaring the building open, Mgr. Mahoney said the hostel marked a new era in Catholic activities. He congratulated the committee upon its selection of Miss A. V. Lorrigan as matron, and expressed the view that girls from overseas and elsewhere would find themselves well looked after in a comfortable home. Others also spoke of the benefits of hostels generally, after which afternoon tea was served. A collection in aid of the hostel funds was generously supported. The hostel is situated within a few minutes’ walk of the Hospital, and consists of a house 'of 12 rooms, which has been leased at a low rental, with the option of purchase. There is accommodation for about 25 girls, and the building has been fitted with every convenience. An employment bureau is also to be established in connection with the hostel.