Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 11 January 1917, Page 24

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OP WELLINQTON

(From our own-correspondent:) January 6. The annual retreat of the clergy of the archdiocese will take place at St. Patrick's College. "The Rev. Father Outrim, S.M., who was recently ordained, is at present assisting at St. Anne's Parish, Wellington South. ; ' The Marist Brothers of Newtown, have gone to Auckland , for the . annual retreat of the Order at the Sacred Heart College. The half-yearly meeting of the diocesan council of the Catholic Federation will take place at Palmerston North on January 17. The annual festival for St. Mary's Parish is creating much interest. It" commences on January 30 in St. Mary's Church grounds. \ A retreat for women is : being conducted at the Sacred Heart Convent, Island Bay, and is well attended. The Rev. Father J. Sullivan, S.J., from Australia, is conducting the retreat. Mr. W. F. Johnson, hon. secretary of the Wellington Catholic Federation Diocesan Council, left this morning for Palmerston North to make the preliminary arrangements for the half-yearly meeting of the council to be held in that town. Archbishop Redwood yesterday afternoon entertained M. Selinsky 4 the distinguished Russian- violinist, and Mr. John Amadio, the eminent flautist. M. Selinsky was naturally interested in the ' Strad ' violin of which his Grace is the fortunate- possessor. It bears the date of 1700 A.D., and is one of the few genuine violins of the old Italian master. M. Selinsky was delighted with the instrument, and his Grace entrusted him with its use at his concerts in the Wellington Town Hall next week. The following letters have been received by the Catholic. Knitting Guild from the Catholic chaplains with the N.Z. Forces: 'I acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your parcel containing six pairs of socks, which arrived today. They will be extremely useful now, as we are experiencing winter weather already. The socks are thicker and warmer than are issued to the men, and the benefit of them will be in proportion. Please accept our best thanks for the kind thought of yourself and the ladies associated with you. We have been through a heavy time in the Somme offensive, but all the New Zealand boys are in great heart. We are not away from the firing line, but after the heavy fighting at the Somme our present position seems relatively peaceful. Best wishes from myself and all the N.Z. boys in this battalion for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Yea/. ' Faithfully yours, ' R. Richards, C.F.' ' Your parcels of socks arrive regularly and in good order. The men are delighted with them this cold weather. Very many thanks. ' J. McMenamin.' . In view of these letters the members of the Knitting Guild should be inspired to go ahead with their labor of love and duty. The committee urge all who can do so to join this guild, and do their best. The guild meets at St. Patrick's Hall on the first Wednesday in each month at 3 p.m., but wool can be obtained at St. Mary's Presbytery Library every Tuesday afternoon. LADIES' AUXILIARIES OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. The last quarterly meeting, of the -Particular Council of. .the Auxiliaries, was held in St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott street, on Thursday, December 14. There

were 18 - members present, also Eev. Father {: Venning, S.M. Apologies were received from the spiritual director (Rev. Father Hurley) / and ; the secretary :,(Miss ; Burke). Mrs.- Guanines presided. .;■ After the reading - of the reports, the president congratulated- the • different f conferences, on the i very noticeable increase; of interest - and solid work. Miss Collins, president of the 1 newlyreorganised' Sacred Heart Conference, was specially complimented on the excellent results achieved. daring the quarter. Attention was drawn to the = lapse of the - council monthly meetings, and it was decided on the motion of Mrs. Gamble that the meetings be resumed. It was suggested by the president that an annual report of the work of the Auxiliaries be printed and circulated among- the honorary members. The suggestion was approved. Three new honorary members were proposed and accepted: Mesdames O. Ellis, D. Burke, and Ferris. An invitation to members to attend the coming retreat for ladies to be held in the Sacred Heart Convent was read. Rev. Father Venning warmly congratulated the members on the continued growth of the Auxiliaries and on their good work, Thorndon being specially mentioned. He earnestly exhorted the ladies to take advantage of the retreat, the blessings of which would be so helpful during the coming year, and concluded by wishing all a very Holy and Happy Christmas. Four members (including the president and vicepresident) paid a visit by Miss Kennedy's motor to the orphanage, Upper Hutt, and delivered garments made by the guild. Members regret sincerely the loss of Mr. Martin Kennedy, a benefactor, and father of one of the guild's oldest, members. Sacred Heart Guild, Thorndon (re-organised under the presidency of Miss Collins). —Reports since April— Meetings held 21, visits paid 27, Masses offered 3. Sewing Guild—Garments made 70, habits 2, articles distributed 41, received S. Donations from poor box, secret collection, men's branch, private benefactors, etc., £8 lis 8d ; cash in hand, ,£1 5s 9d. - St. Anne's Guild, Newtown, also under new direction.—Meetings held 14, average attendance 4, visits 8, garments made 89, distributed 29 new (55 to Home of Compassion), also 10 second-hand parcels and 6yds new material given out. Receipts—" Donations, collections, etc., £-8 12s 9d ; expenditure, £2 9s 7d; balance, £6 3s 2d. Particular Council balance sheet for quarter ending .December B.Cash balance forward, £l6 14s 7d ;. collection, £1 18s lOd ; donations, £6 2s. expenditure, £l4 17s ; cash in hand, lis Id ; cash in bank, £9 7s 4d ; balance forward, £9 l£s sd. The reports are as follow: St. Mary's Visiting Guild.—Since last general meeting, July 16, weekly meetings have been held, with an average attendance of 7 ; 147 visits paid, 9 orders given for groceries, 2 for books; 13 babies taken for Baptism. The hospital has been visited twice.. weekly, and delicacies supplied to the sick. Visits were paid to the gaol, the Ohiro Home, and Home of Compassion. Members assist at the monthly services (conducted by St. Joseph's Men's Conference) held at the Ohiro Home. Four Masses were offered for fallen soldiers. Half the proceeds of the poor box (which are shared with the Sewing Guild) from the men's conferences are received regularly, for which the conference is very grateful. The conference also desires to thank all generous benefactors of the past year. The loss of the services of Mrs. Phelan, who has gone to Manawatu district, is regretted. St. Mary's Sewing Guild.—Since last annual meeting the guild has held 46 meetings, the attendance being very good. Some of the older members have left the district, but their places at the meetings have been filled by new members. Active membership now numbers 15 ; five new members joined during the year. Garments made, 260. Assistance has been given to 39 cases ; also Home of Compassion, and Orphanage, Upper Hutt. New garments distributed, 344 (Home of Compassion, 68; Orphanage, 100). Second-hand garments, 154. Donations received— £4 12s; four parcels new material, 27 parcels second-hand garments.