Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 3 October 1918, Page 22

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OP WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) September 28. Lieutenant Eric Reeves, M.C., who sailed with the Fortieth Reinforcements, acknowledges by letter the receipt of a parcel of rosaries, medals, prayer books, hymn cards, etc., placed on board the transport by the aid of the Catholic Field Service Fund. These objects of piety were much appreciated by the men, some of whom fell victims to the epidemic of influenza which ended fatally in so many cases. The roof of the Catholic Institute at the military camp, Featherston, which has been a source of trouble practically since the erection of the hall, is to be replaced by a corrugated iron one. This has been authorised by the Dominion Executive as a charge on the Catholic Field Service Fund. This work when completed will render the institute much more attractive and comfortable. The work of dismantling the old St. Mary of the Angels’ Church has begun. The stained-glass windows have been taken out by Messrs. Smith and Smith, who will store them free of charge until such time as it has been decided to what use they shall be put. The generous offer to remove and store the windows, some of which are very valuable and at present unprocurable, was much appreciated by the Rector (Father Mahonv, S.M.), and was gladly accepted. Mr. R. Nolan, of Broadway Terrace, Wellington, and secretary of St. Joseph’s parish committee of the Catholic Federation, has been advised that his eldest son (Sergeant J. B. Nolan) has been wounded for the third time. Sergeant Nolan left with the Main Body, and has seen considerable service in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France. It has occu arranged to make a special collection at all the churches of the archdiocese in aid of the Catholic Field Service Fund. The Dominion treasurer of the N.Z. Catholic Federation acknowledges the receipt of the following donations to the Catholic Field Service « Fund :—To amount previously acknowledged, £6265 15s 8d ; through N.Z. Tablet —Mr. Cassidy, Heriot, £3 ; Roxburgh and Miller’s Flat (per Father D. A. O’Neill), ■£3 3s ; To A warn £6 4s; Te Karaka, £1 10s; Mrs. Eliza Hales, Weber, ,£2 ; Onehunga (per Right Rev. Mgr. Mahoney, \ .G.), £5; New Plymouth (per Very Rev. Dean McKenna), £7 10s ; Ellerslie (per Right Rev. Mgr. Ilackett), £3 10s; Morven, £l3 9s 3d: Pleasant Point, £l3 -3s: Fairlie. '£ls 13s 6d ; St. Andrews, £8 4s—£B2 6s 9d : total, £6348 2s sd. By amount expended as previously detailed, £3768 8s 6d. Balance at credit, £2579 13s lid. For weeks past Catholics in Wellington have been Busy preparing for the big bazaar which is to help raise funds for the rebuilding of St. Mary of the Angels’

Church in Boulcott Street,' which was burned in May last. The first Catholic church in Wellington was built on the Boulcott Street site in 1843, arid dedicated to St. Mary of the Angels. This was replaced in 1874 by the church which was so recently destroyed, and ever since the necessity of rebuilding it has been before the people of the parish. This was explained by Father Mahony last Monday night to those who attended at the Town Hall, when welcoming the Countess of Liverpool, who performed the opening ceremony. As soon as the fire took place, he said, a meeting had been held with very good results, and it was then suggested that a bazaar would help the fund. A number of ladies volunteered to make the necessary preparations, and nothing had been left untried to make the fete a success. Although only a little over three months’ time had been available, great zeal, energy, and enthusiasm had been brought to the work, and the results were a great number of beautiful articles on the stalls. He thanked Lady Liverpool for attending, also the Mayoress for sparing time to come to them. They were grateful to all who had helped, especially to Mr. Malini, who was giving his services nightly, Die dancing teachers who were putting on programmes, and the musicians who were' assisting. Lady Liverpool, who was attended by Lieutenant Garland, A.D.C., briefly expressed her pleasure at being able, to associate herself with the function and her sympathy with the cause, which might be regarded as patriotic, and wished the bazaar every success. Lady Liverpool was received by Fathers Mahony and Hoare, the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke), Mrs. A. A. Corrigan, Mr. J. A. Scott (secretary), and Mr. Hackett (assistant secretary). She was presented with a beautiful bouquet of red flowers. Afterwards her Excellency made a tour of the stalls and purchased from each. There was a very large attendance for the opening last Monday night, the gallery being fairly full as well as the floor crowded, and the selling of raffle tickets was going on at a brisk rate. Everything promises well for the success of the bazaar, which will be continued until October 9.