Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 19 October 1916, Page 23

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) October, 14. The Rev. Father Fay, S.M., of Blenheim, ' has notified the Dominion Executive of the Catholic Federation that the Blenheim Patriotic Committee had donated the handsome sum of £IOO to the Catholic Field Service Fund. Lieutenant W. Lance Girling-Butcher, son of the general secretary of the Catholic Federation, is returning invalided from the front and is due to arrive at Dunedin on the 24th hist. The net profit from the bazaar and sale of work organised for the Thorndon parish suburban, church realised the handsome sum of £2BO. The building is now nearing completion, and is on an excellent site, easily accessible to the Catholics of Kelburn, Northland, and Karori. Mass will be celebrated every Sunday, and a school will be opened in the New Year. The fortnightly socials organised by the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association still continue to be successful both socially and financially. It is the intention of the association to hold their last social of the season on Wednesday evening, October 25, in the New Century Hall. Mr. F. O'Driscoll and his energetic committee intend to leave nothing undone to make the evening a success. An old identity and parishioner of St. Joseph's, in the person of Mr. James Trainor, died last week. He was a member of the N.Z. Defence Forces for many years, retiring with the rank of -Major Artificer some years ago. He leaves two children—Mr. J. Trainor, of the Education Department, and Mrs. C. B. Tasker. The funeral took place on Tuesday.—R.l.P. The Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., and Mr. W. F. Johnson (diocesan secretary) will, at the invitation of the parish committee of the Catholic Federation at Feilding, visit that town for the purpose of addressing the Catholics on Federation topics on Sunday, October 21. Mr. P. D. Hoskins will visit Eketahuna for the same purpose on the same date. I very much regret to record the death of Mr. Felix McGowan, son of Mrs. McGowan, of Tinakori road, formerly of Timaru, and brother of Mr. J. P. McGowan, P.P. of St. Patrick's branch of the 1T.A.C.8. Society, and a prominent member of the Catholic Federation and Catholic Club, which occurred rather unexpectedly last Sunday. The deceased gentleman was an officer of the Railway Department, but whilst engaged on duty some years ago he met with an accident which necessitated a prolonged spell from duty, and although he resumed his duties he was never the same after the accident. The interment, which was a private one, took place on Tuesday. The Rev. Father O'Leary, S.M., celebrated a Requiem Mass and also officiated at the graveside.R.l.P. The Thorndon parish contributed its effort towards the Federation membership rally by holding an enthusiastic'quarterly meeting in the Guildford Terrace Schoolroom on Sunday evening, October 8. The Rev. Father O'Leary, S.M., in the absence through illness of the president of the branch (Rev. Father Smyth, S.M.), took the chair, and in opening„the meeting congratulated the committee and members on the large attendance at this the first of the local quarterly meetings to-be held in connection with the Federation. It had been arranged that the Rev. Father should give a lecture on 'Catholics and the State System, Education,' but he was laid aside by illness, and Mr. Duggan, a prominent member of the Dominion and of the Wellington Diocesan Councils, spoke on the subject of 'Catholic Federation.' In the course of an able address he made the point that the Federa-

tion stands for Truth, Liberty, and Justice, and in this connection he stressed the point that |fas present system of State education violated all of those principles, and could only be properly described as persecution. The only answer to the National Cabinet's statement refusing the Federation's requests on behalf of Catholic education, was to increase the membership so that it would present a solid front on behalf of its rights. A very pleasant musical programme was contributed to by Mr. E. J. Healyj and the Basilica Choir.In proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Duggan, who is about to enter camp, Mr. Sievers, on behalf of the meeting, assured him of the great appreciation all members throughout the archdiocese, and particularly in the Thorndon parish, had for his efforts in the Catholic cause., He expressed the hope that he would return in good health to continue his good work. The rev. chairman and Mr. Walsh supported the resolution, which was carried by acclamation. Mr. John Duggan goes into camp at Featherston on Monday. During the week he was bade farewell by the different organisations with which he has been connected. On Monday night he was accorded a sendoff by the members of the D Battery Reserve. He was presented with a knife, specially adapted for artillery work, and a cheque with which to purchase in London a prismatic compass. In making the presentation, Captain G. Goldie said that Lieutenant Duggan had had the battery in a firm grip for a considerable time, and he would have a tight grip on their memories until such time as he should return. Lieutenant Duggan had been a forcible example to them, and everything he had done for them had been done in a spirit of pure unselfishness. In reply, Lieutenant Duggan said he hoped he would be able to justify the many things that •had been said about him. He would long treasure his acquaintance and friendship with the Battery Reserve. At the weekly parade of the D Battery R.N.Z.A., Major A. J. Petherick, T.D., O.C. of the Battery, bade farewell to Lieutenant Duggan, and expressed, on behalf of the officers and men, their keen appreciation of his services during his membership of the Battery, and wished him every success. He trusted that he would he spared to take his place with them again in the very near future, and that as a result of his participation in actual warfare his experience gained thereat would be of benefit in the future to the Battery. Mr. Duggan was on Friday farewelled by the teachers and pupils of the Berhampore Public School, where he is engaged as assistant master. The head teacher, Mr. Bennett, in a eulogistic speech, paid a glowing tribute to the work of Mr. Duggan in the education service, and particularly his connection with the Berhampore school. He, on behalf of the teaching staff andthe pupils, asked Mr. Duggan to accept articles which would, he thought, be suitable to him in his new sphere as a soldier. They consisted of a regulation trunk, kit bag, and fountain pen. These articles were, he assured Mr. Duggan, accompanied by their best wishes for his welfare and safe return. Mr. Millar, one of the teaching staff, supplemented Mr. Bennett's speech, and the children sang with great gusto ' For he's a jolly good fellow ' and ' God save the King.' HOME OF COMPASSION. ■ As a result of an appeal made last week a number of persons attended the Home of Compassion grounds last Saturday for the purpose of clearing the gorse off the grounds so as to provide grazing space for the home's cow herd, which provides the seventy or more baby inmates of the home with the necessary means of sustenancea very big item at the home. Owing, no doubt, to the threatening weather and the patriotic sports at the Basin Reserve, the number that attended did not reach expectations. Those who did attend, however, did good work, which was much appreciated by the v Sisters, who generously dispensed afternoon-tea to the workers. Next Saturday it is hoped there will be a laree number of volunteers present. There is much to be done, and those who can possibly assist will

be helping an excellent work. It lias been suggested that in establishments where a large number of employees are engaged a working bee from each might be organised. This would be an excellent means forgetting the work accomplished in the minimum of time, and it is to be hoped that the suggestion will be heartily taken up.