DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIV, Issue 1, 4 January 1917, Page 31

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) December 27. - On Christmas Day Rev. Father Taylor celebrated midnight Mass at St. Mary's Orphanage, Hillsboro. The Sisters of Mercy commenced their annual retreat at St. Mary's Convent this evening, under the care of the Rev. Father Herring, S.M. A presentation was made on Christmas Night to Miss Josephine Donovan as a mark of appreciation for her long and constant service as a member of the Cathedral Choir. Rev. Father Murphy made the presentation. Mr. L. Whittaker replied for the worthy recipient, and took occasion to thank Miss Donovan and the members of the choir for their hearty co-operation. Rev. Father Corcoran, S.J., arrived on Christmas morning from Sydney-by the Vancouver liner Makura. He will conduct the retreat for ladies at the Sacred Heart Convent, Remuera, commencing on January 8 and terminating on January 13. The Rev. Mother at the Sacred Heart Convent will receive applications from ladies desiring to participate in this devout and highly beneficial spiritual exercise. -; ' Mr. and Mrs. Victor Casey, at their residence, Nen street, last Thursday, gave a garden party and Christmas tree to those children of t-h« Sacred Heart parish to whom the Society of St. Vincent de Paul devote so much of their attention. The little ones ■were sumptuously regaled by their generous host and Hostess, and at the conclusion of the fete were sent to. their homes in motor cars, all thoroughly pleased with the good time provided for them by Mr. and Mrs. Casey. - ( •"- ~ "" • The city and suburban churches were filled with 'devout worshippers at all the Masses on Christmas T) ay. At ; the Cathedral Masses were celebrated continuously from 6 a.m. till 11 a.m.,' Rev. ' ■ Father Murphy;; Adm. celebrated the early Masses, at which crowds received : Holy Communion. -: Rev. Father Henry, S.M. celebrated / the Masses immediately /following,: and Rev. JFather Taylor sang the Solemn'High' Mass at 11

o'clock, Rev. Fathers f Henry and McLaughlan being" deacon and subdeacon Respectively, and Rev. Father Murphy master of ceremonies.-- Father Murphy at the various Masses briefly addressed the people, arid in view of ; the great festival which all Christendom was that day,; celebrating, ; he ; /en joined upon .them, to pray earnestly, that ,God would restore peace Tto % the warring nations. He thanked the good Sisters of Mercy and . their lay assistants for their constant and invaluable work in decorating-the/ altars and attending to the wants of the sacristy. - He also - thanked the choir and collectors," and finally the parishioners for their hearty co- & operation in every good work in the parish. r The choir, 4 under ,; Mr Leo Whittaker, rendered Haydn's 'lmperial Mass.' The attack 'arid s precision were "noticeable V : features in a very excellent performance. In the even- " ing the choir, in/lieu/of ;•; the ordinary Vespers' service, gave the following programme: —' Gloria ' ' from Mozart's Twelfth Mass, choir . (soloists, Mrs. /Wilson;?§ Mrs. Bourke, Mr. Egan, Mr. Taylor); solo, /■Thus' | Saith the Lord/ Mr. Taylor; solo, Salve Maria' (Mercadante)/ Mrs. Blythe; solo, /'Laudato ' (Zingarelli), v < Mr. J. H. Egan; solo, Nazareth,' Mr. :F. G. Bourke; -' Magnificat (Lambilotte), choir; / Adeste Fideles,' \y. Miss McCafferty, Miss- Grace, Miss Twohill, Mr. Egan, Mr. Taylor, assisted by the choir organ solo, ' Andantino' (Lemare), Mr. G. Allen; solo, ' O/Salutaris/ Miss Coleman; ,' Tantum Ergo,' '.Divine Praises,' and 'Hallelujah Chorus' by the choir. Mr / Leo. Whittaker was the conductor, Mr/G:'Allen presiding at the / organ. Benediction was given by Rev. Dr. Ormond.;; (secretary to the Papal Delegate) The high altar was handsomely decorated, and at Benediction- presented a . beautiful sight. A crib was erected in the southern ~ aisle, and was visited by ] large numbers throughout the day and evening. '~S'-' "... At St. Benedict's large crowds; attended, and at the early Masses it was- consoling to see the large numbers who approached Holy Communion. Right vRe Mgr. Gillan celebrated one Mass at the auxiliary chapelat Mount Roskill and two at r St. Benedict's. Rev. Father Dunphy celebrated one Mass at Mount Eden - Gaol, and the 9 o'clock Mass and Missa Cantata, at 11 a.m. at St. Benedict's. - Rev. Father Bleakely cele- - crated Masses at Avondale, Henderson, and Kumeu. The choir at St. Benedict's at 11 o'clock, under Mr. W. J. Pringle, gave a fine interpretation of Gounod's ' Messe Solennelle,' and in the evening a. recital of sacred music. Mr. Harry Hiscocks ably presided at the ; organ. ' ' \ ,; ; At Parnell, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, and Devonport ' the Masses were well attended, and the priests in- charge ; were edified and consoled with the numbers who received ; ; Holy Communion..' On Sunday week at Purewa Cemetery a monument : . was unveiled over the remains .of the late Frederick s: Moore. It stands about 20 feet high, is of polished ; c Scotch granite supported on a basis , of; Cbromaridel |l granite. It is surrounded by a splendid concrete wall ; the surface of the grave is composed of Mosaic tiles. The whole cost over £IOO. . The ceremony was:performed by Mr. ( P. J. Nerheny on behalf of the committee. ■'■;- He explained that it was tribute from the Irishmen of Auckland to one who for the last thirty years in this city had identified himself actively '-with 5; every movement which had for its object the amelioration of Ireland. ; 7 The Hon. J. A. Tole,*K.C., LL.B., and Messrs., Hall, Skelton, George Higgins, M. J. : Coyle,-and>M. J. Sheahan also spoke in eulogistic terms - of the deceased Irishman, who, in matters of religion differed ; from the majority of his countrymen, but as an £ Irish" nationalist he was ardent, sincere, and generous.; Miss;-Moore,; daughter of > the deceased, on behalf of her mother and sisters, who were present, thanked - the committee and the Irishmen of Auckland for this v munificent testimony of their v appreciation and esteem for ;-'" her dear father. ; All of his .^ spare moments were devoted to ' the study of Ireland. ;; He longingly desired % to see her -governed, but God willed it/otherwise. |5 This monument would always remind them of him and :■ of;. those : generous Irish hearts who knew and - loved 3; him. '• ■--"■.'"■'-. ■•;.-•■. -.-'. ~'-■.- .■---■