Invercargill

New Zealand Tablet, 11 October 1917, Page 23

Invercargill

(From our own correspondent.) October 8. Next Sunday a collection will be made in aid of the diocesan clergy sick fund. Messrs. Casey and Sheehan have been appointed to the Federation Committee as representatives of the Hibernian Society. Last Sunday being Rosary Sunday the usual procession was held in the grounds of St. Catherine's Convent. The Rev. Father Woods recited the Rosary. There was a very large number present, and the procession was probably the longest seen here on a Rosary Sunday. The Very Rev. Dean Burke had suggested that as many as possible should receive Holy Communion last Sunday, on which special prayers would be offered for a speedy termination of the war. The result was that at the 8 o'clock Mass the church was literally packed and over a thousand persons approached the Holy Table. It was a gloriously edifying spectacle, and the Rev. Father Woods, who was celebrant, warmly congratulated the congregation on the splendid manifestation of faith. At the last meeting of the Hibernian Society the members warmly welcomed Bro. M. Sheehan, who had just returned from the war. Occasion was also taken to bid farewell to the president (Bro. W. Barry), who leaves for camp this month. Bro. D. J. Corcoran was nominated for the vacant office and will be installed at the next meeting, when members will also have the opportunity of saying au revoir to Bro. M. Scully, who leaves Invercargill with the next contingent. Bro. Scully had enlisted earlier in the war but was rejected. His three brothers—John, Peter, and Jameshave been fighting in France for some considerable time, and a fifth brother (Benjamin) also enlisted many months ago but was eventually rejected in camp. All are Hibernians, Peter and James being past presidents of the local branch.