DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 11 October 1917, Page 27

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

The Rev. Father James Goggan, S.M., having concluded the retreat to the members of St. Patrick's Sodality of the Children of Mary, South Dunedin, went, north by Monday's express. At the half past 7 o'clock Mass on Sunday (Rosary Sunday), a number of little children received their First Holy Communion, and were afterwards entertained to breakfast by the Dominican Nuns. The Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm. The Rev. Father Mangan, C.SS.R., left Dunedin for Invercargill on Monday morning, where the same evening he commenced a retreat for the local Sodality of the Children of Mary. At the close of the retreat in Invercargill Father Mangan is to commence a retreat for the children of Mary at Oamaru. There was a good attendance on Wednesday afternoon week at the usual meeting of St. Patrick's Patriotic and Red Cross Guild (South Dunedin), when the following parcel was packed and forwarded to the Patriotic Society:—37B handkerchiefs, 256 tea towels, 14 pairs of socks, 6 balaclavas, 6 day shirts. The guild is willing to supply wool to anyone wishing to do work at home. On last Sunday afternoon, in honor of the Feast of flic Most Holy Rosary, the Children of Mary and other sodalities attached to St. Joseph's Cathedral, together with the school children—boys in red sashes and girls wearing wreaths'and veils, —formed in processional order at St. Joseph's Schoolroom and entered the Cathedral, where the fifteen mysteries of the Holy Rosary were recited. Many of the congregation also attended, and the Cathedral was quite filled. At St. Dominic's Priory on Wednesday, September 26, an impressive ceremony took place, when Miss Molly Sweeney, of Dublin, Ireland (in religion, Sister Mary Aloysius Gonzaga) and Miss Mary Ellen Dillon, of Strokestown, Ireland (Sister Mary Peter Claver) were admitted to Holy Profession. His Lordship the Bishop officiated, and was assisted by the Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm. St. Joseph's Cathedral. « In the sanctuary were the Rev. Fathers Morkane, Collins, Scanlon, E. Lynch, Kaveney, and Ardagh. Several of the relatives and friends of the newly-professed were present, and were afterwards entertained by Rev. Mother Prioress and community. At the meeting of St. Joseph's Red Cross and Patriotic Guild, held at the rooms, St. Joseph's Hall, on Wednesday week, the Red Cross work for September was pressed and parcelled. The following is a list of the garments finished for the month: Six sets pyjamas, 6 operating gowns, 6 under pants, 40 pillow cases, 6 day shirts, 6 hospital shirts, 9 pairs socks, 5| dozen tea towels, 6 wool shirts, 6 under vests, 6 balaclavas. The guild acknowledges with thanks a parcel from Mrs. Gumming, Arthurton. In connection with the street collection for- the Red Cross, saleable goods of any description will be gratefully received, and should be sent to St. Joseph's Hall, addressed to Mrs. Stone, on or before Wednesday, October 17, preparatory to the "Our Day" effort on the 18th. At a gathering of members of St. Joseph's Ladies' Club at their rooms, St. Joseph's Hall, on Wednesday evening, October 3, a welcome home from the war was tendered to Private Arthur Gustafson, who returned with the last detachment of invalided soldiers. Private Gustafson, who is an ex-pupil of the Christian Brothers, Dunedin, left with the 9th Reinforcements when only in his twentieth year of age. After spending some time in training in Egypt, the brigade to which he was attached was drafted direct to the French frontthe first of the New Zealanders to go there,— and who very soon afterwards were in action in the great Somme push, and won their, objective. \f Being severely wounded, Private Gustafson spent a consider- • able time in hospital, and when sufficiently recovered was sent back to New Zealand. ;. Vocal and musicals selections were given by Misses Salmon (2), Kilroy, and*

G. Wilson, and Miss L. Foster recited. ' Card games were played, refreshments served, and a generally pleasant evening spent. His Lordship Bishop Verdon leaves this week on episcopal visitation to the Milton, Lawrence, Roxburgh, and Cromwell parochial districts. During the whole period of existence of the diocese of Dunedin, the diocesan sick clergy fund has been maintained solely by the priests themselves. In late years, and especially at the present time, the demands upon the fund have been very considerable, with every prospect of continuing. To aid the clergy in maintaining the fund, those of the laity who felt disposed to do so, were for the first time, invited recently to contribute, with the result that the parishioners of St. Joseph's Cathedral, including those who form the congregations at the various suburban churches of the parish contributed £9O. On Monday morning the Children of Mary, South Dunedin, assembled in the convent chapel, where Mass was celebrated for the deceased members of the sodality. The retreat, which was an unprecedented success, was then brought to a close by the renewal of Baptismal vows and the imparting of the Papal Blessing, followed by Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament. During the course of the retreat the Director, Rev. James Goggan, S.M., asked that a general Holy Communion be offered for the boys at the front—a request that appealed to the sodalists, whose custom it is to have Holy Mass said each month for the soldiers. Throughout the week the exercises were well attended, and a large congregation was present in the Basilica on Sunday evening, when the ceremonies were most impressivel7 members were consecrated, 7 received the aspirant's badge, and 16 new members were admitted to the confraternity. A most successful sports meeting was held at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday, under the control of the Otago Centre, N.Z.A.A.A. There was a fair attendance, and big fields. An enthusiastic band of past athletes managed the meeting, and a number of members of the Caledonian Society were also present. The St. Kilda Band played during the afternoon. The St. Joseph's Club had a great day, winning every race they entered for. L. McAllen (St. Joseph's) was in great form, and won all his events. In the 220yds Secondary Schools' Handicap, L. McAllen won the second heat and was first in the final. The Half Mile was won by J. Toomey and W. Lucas (both of St. Joseph's Club), the result being a dead heat. In the 220yds Harrier Handicap L. McAllen won his heat and was first in the final; In the One Mile Handicap L. McAllen (Byds) ran a great race, just beating W. Lucas (St. Joseph's) on the tape. W. Lucas also ran well. The public cheered McAllen on his fine performance. The sports wound up with a relay race, each contestant to run 400yds. St. Joseph's (McAllen, Burk, Toomey, and Lucas) won with ease, J. Burk running splendidly. Mr. Rosevear (president of the Otago Centre N.Z.A.A.A.) afterwards congratulated McAllen on the very fine performance he had given.