H.A.C.B. SOCIETY, CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 15 March 1917, Page 29

H.A.C.B. SOCIETY, CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) The annual Communion breakfast of the combined branches of the Hibernian Society in Christchurch was held in the Hibernian Hall on Sunday, 11th inst., when about 180 members of St. Patrick's branch, together with a large number of St. Mary's, and about 40 ladies of St. Matthew's branch were present. The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and the breakfast arrangements were admirably carried out by the ladies of St. Matthew's branch. Bro. J. Flannelly (president) occupied the chair, and amongst those present were his Lordship the Bishop, Rev. Father Long (chaplain), Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., Very Rev. Father Graham, S.M. (Rector St. Bede's College), Bros. P. Gunn (president) and J. H. Johnston (secretary), representing St. Mary's branch; Sister D. Smythe (president St. Matthew's branch): Messrs. J. R. Hay ward (Catholic Club), J. Griffen (Celtic Club), F. J. Doolan (N.Z. Catholic Federation), G. Dobbs (Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association). An apology was received from Very Rev. Bean Regnault, S.M. His Lordship Bishop Brodie, wearing the collar recently presented to him by St. Matthew's ladies' branch, was greeted with cheers on entering the hall. At the conclusion of breakfast a lengthy toast list was honored. The president (Bro. Flannelly), in extending a cordial welcome to those gathered for a grand re-union of Hibernians, expressed his pleasure at the splendid manner in whieh the m&mbepß had responded on the

occasion and approached the Holy Table. They had the ladies present on all previous occasions, in their' private capacity, but this was the first time they had assembled as part of their own grand organisation, the Hibernian Society, and on that account he accorded them a double welcome. The toast of ' The Pope and King ' was then proposed by the president and duly honored. The toast of ' The Bishop and Clergy' was proposed by Bro. P. J. Smythe, who, in the course of an eloquent address, referred to the splendid body of clergy associated with his Lordship the Bishop in Christchurch. It is just a little over twelver months ago since our beloved Bishop came amongst us, and we know what he has done since then. When in his Irish heart he felt the justice of the appeal which came for funds for the relief of distress in Dublin, he quickly devised a scheme to help the cause. We also remember what followed upon his Lordship's action on that occasion, and the way he dealt with the situation. We love him as our Bishop, but as Hibernians we love him, too, as a brother. He (the speaker) had no hesitation in* saying that, his Lordship had the wholehearted co-operation of every Hibernian and every Catholic in the city. Associated with his Lordship was a noble band of clergy who were prepared to give their lives in order to minister for our spiritual wants. As Hibernians and Catholics we are proud of them. They have our support, and to them we pledge our loyalty. Although faced with a difficult problem (for New Zealand is the only country in the British Empire, and one of the two countries in the world which has thought fit to conscript her clergy for military service), we assure his Lordship that he has the whole-hearted co-operation and support of ever}' member of the Hibernian Society in whatever action the hierarchy of the Dominion take to meet the menace. Rev. Father Long thanked the members for the loyalty they had invariably shown him, and expressed his sincere gratification at the splendid demonstration of faith made by the members in approaching the Holy Table in such large numbers that morning. Greeted with prolonged cheers, the Bishop, in reply, gratefully acknowledged the expressions of loyalty. The Hibernians were ever true to the traditions of the society in advancing the cause of faith and fatherland, and at the present juncture such help would be most valuable in the anxiety which recent legislation and its developments had given to the hierarchy and clergy. He felt it would be unwise of him to speak too fully of the position brought about by the conscription of the clergy and their inclusion in the ballot; especially as it would be his duty to appear before the Appeal Board in a few days. Already a grave mistake had Been made by allowing expressions of opinion which had aroused sectarian bitterness, utterances which in reality violated a fundamental principle of British law by their being calculated to influence the decision of the court while the cases were practically sub judice, awaiting the decision of the court. In due time, however, the people would be notified of the steps to be taken to safeguard the Catholic position, and the Hibernians could be relied upon to rally to the standard of holy faith. The toast of ' The Hibernian '.Society ' was proposed by the Very Rev. Father Graham, 'S.M*., who said he fell it a very great honor to be called upon to propose a toast such as that entrusted to him. I recognise in the Hibernian Society (he said) an organisation that is fighting for the cause of faith and religion, fighting for the principles of the Catholic Church. We have had during the last few years examples in the world of what is meant by organisation, and we will see in this world war which is now being waged that it is organisation, and organisation only, that is going to win. Hence it is all the more to be encouraged in the ranks of the Catholic laity. The Hibernian Society is an organised body of men, and I am pleased to see now it is an organised body of ladies,.banded together not only to promote the material interests and welfare of its jaemfceys, but flJw? fa 3 speml winner to promote fchj

interests of religion and the cause of Holy Church. Were the Hibernian Society established simply to promote the material interests of its members and to give to one another that help which it does, it would be a sufficient reason why it should be encouraged, but there is more than this in the Hibernian Society. In the forefront the Hibernians place their holy faith. Their emblem, the shamrock, which St. Patrick planted when preaching the faith to Irishmen of old, has been fittingly adopted to show their attachment to the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, and it is because of their efforts in promoting these great virtues of religion that the Catholic Church encourages the society. As we know, a Hibernian is first of all a true Catholic— cannot bo a true Hibernian without practising his religion, and for this reason everyone should be encouraged to join an organisation which promotes so much the spiritual wants of individual members. After love of religion comes love of country, and if there is one thing that distinguishes an Irish Catholic above everything else it is the fact that he is an Irishman. (Applause.) There is no country which has suffered so much for the faith, or has provided so many martyrs in the interests of the Catholic religion as Catholic Ireland. It is always to a society such as this, an organised body, that the Church looks for help, and from the past history of Ireland and of Irishmen we know she does not look in vain. Wherever the Hibernian Society is established the priest had at his command a loyal body of workers, and the greatest encouragement should be given in establishing the society throughout New Zealand.

Father Graham then unveiled a painting of the first president of St. Patrick’s branch (Bro. Taafe, now deceased) and a picture containing the photographs of six pioneer members (Bros. J. Joyce, P. Po[>e, T. O’Connell, D. Curtin, T. Hynes, and Jas. Hogan), who, with the late Bro. Taafe, founded the society, and who are still hale and hearty, now in the forty-third year of the branch’s history.

Bro. M. Grimes (secretary St. Patrick’s branch) responded. He gave statistics to show how the society had flourished in recent years, which was a tribute to the solid foundation laid by the good old members who established it.

Bro. P. Gunn (president) responded on behalf of St. Mary’s branch. The branch was only established shortly before the outbreak of the great war which was now ravaging Europe, but in spite of this it had flourished, and could now number a membership of 70. He paid a high tribute to the kindly advice and willing help always given by the Rev. Father Seymour, S.M., and the officers to whose efforts the success of the branch were due.

Sister D. Smvthe (president), in responding on behalf of St. Matthew’s (ladies’) branch, said that about six months ago there was a great want in Christchurch, but that want had now been supplied by the establishment of a ladies’ branch of the Hibernian Society.

The toast of ‘ The Marist Brothers ’ was very ably proposed by Bro. M. Mannix, who, in the course of his remarks, referred to the Marist Brothers in eulogistic terms, to their scholastic attainments and successful efforts in instilling into the minds and hearts of our Catholic youth a love for faith and fatherland.

The toast of ' Kindred Societies ' was in the capable hands of Bro. J. H. Johnston, the popular secretary of St. Mary's branch, who eulogised the splendid work done by the St. Vincent de Paul 'Society. The Catholic Club was given due prominence by him. It had (he said) the credit of aiding many members.to attain prominent positions, and many were now taking active parts in civic affairs. The Celtic Club, which had recently been established, was doing good work, and deserved every support. Only a remnant was left of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association members. Out of 300 members over 200 had gone to the war. With these he coupled that great organisation, the Catholic Federation. The toast was heartily honored and responded to by Bro. J. R. Hay ward (Catholic Club), G. Dobbs (M. 8.0.8. Association), J. Griffen (Celtic Club), and F. J. Doolan (Catholic Federation). The toast of ' The Day We Celebrate ' was proposed by his Lordship the Bishop, who, in a few preliminary remarks, complimented the Very Rev. Father Graham on the success he had attained in the recent press controversy on the conscription of the clergy. He said : ' To speak to this subject after the recent developments in the British Parliament must prove a great strain on the feelings of any true lover of Ireland. Lloyd George's speech must prove a great shock to the advocates of Home Rule. Already a measure granting Homo Rule had in the early days of the war been placed on the Statute Book of the British Parliament; since then the Irish at home and abroad had shown their loyalty to the cause of the Empire, and Irish blood had flowed in streams at Gallipoli and on the Western front. To-day we heard a declaration practically annulling the granting of Home Rule, and lovers of Ireland could submit to the humiliation of seeing the Empire's policy to Ireland dictated by Carson, the bitterest enemy of Ireland, by a man who had organised a rebellion against the Crown, and who, instead of being punished, was rewarded by the greatest honors and confidence of the nation. Little wonder "was it that such tactics were shaking the confidence of those who believed in the efficacy of peaceful agitation, and were driving them to revolutionary methods. But lovers of Ireland could rest satisfied that the cause of Ireland was advancing, and the day would come when justice would triumph and the movement initiated by Daniel O'Connell on the lines of constitutional agitation would be crowned with success. Till that day Erin could look through the tears of. disappointment and sorrow with the smile of hope, in the assurance of future triumph in the day when her children could sing with joy and gratitude, " A Nation Once Again." But the toast of "The Day We Celebrate" gave rise to feelings of unalloyed joy and pride when we allowed our minds to dwell on St. Patrick's Day in its relation to holy faith. Throughout the British Empire and the English-speaking world the children of Erin bore the standard of faith and religion, and in this young country they led in every work for the advancement of our holy faith. Here in the city of Christchurch, in the various parishes to-day, the thousands approaching Holy Communion brought joy to the hearts of bishop and clergy, and gave striking proof that the faith' of St. Patrick was strong and flourishing in these southern lands. For these we could offer our fervent gratitude to God and whatever sorrows might darken the history

bf Ireland, the feast of St. Patrick would give cause of intense joy when we recounted the ever-recurring proofs of the love and loyalty to holy faith evinced by the children of St. Patrick in their homeland and in every part of the world.' At the conclusion of his Lordship's speech, ' A Nation Once Again ' and ' Faith of Our Fathers ' were sung. At this stage Bro. J. Curry (past president of the Hibernian Society) was presented with a past president's collar and a gold medal, suitably inscribed, bearing the emblem of the Hibernian Society in recognition of services rendered to the society by him during his term as president. Bro. Curry suitably replied. Bro. J. Joyce, one of the pioneer members present, said it gave him great pleasure to be present as representative of the original founders of St. Patrick's branch. He recited some original lines appropriate to the feelings with which the pioneers of the society were actuated when establishing this branch of the society. The toast of ' Our Boys at the Front' was proposed by Bro. J. Coffey and responded to by Bro. L. Haughey and Lieutenant Thom, who recently returned from France. Mr. M. J. Corrigan proposed the toast of ' The Press,' Bro. R. P. O'Shaughnessey responding. The toast of ' The Ladies ' was ably proposed by Bro. J. Curry and suitably responded to by Sister C. Nelson. A resolution expressing sympathy with the Irish Party, and deploring the state of affairs at present existing in Ireland, was proposed by Bro. J. R. Hay ward and carried unanimously.