Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 7 November 1918, Page 21

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OP WELLINGTON r • (From our own correspondent.) November 2. A meeting, for the purpose of organising the annual schools' picnic on Boxing Day, was held at St. Patrick's Hall last Wednesday evening. Father S. Mahony, S.M., was among those present. The following office-bearers were appointed :—Chairman and treasurer, Mr. J. J. L. Burke; secretary, Mr. P. I). Hoskins; assistant secretaries, Messrs. F. Whitaker and O'Brien. It was decided to hold the picnic at Karori Park if the grounds were procurable, and to promote an art union in connection with ths eventMembers of St. Patrick's and St. Mary's (ladies') branches of the Hibernian Society approached the Holy Table in a body at St. Joseph's Church, Buckle Street, last Sunday. A number of the Marist Brothers' School boys, who were prepared by Father O'Connor, S.M., and one of the Brothers, made their First Holy Communion on the same occasion. Devotional music was rendered by the Marist Brothers' boys' choir. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea celebrated the Mass and addressed the congregation. His Grace reminded the children of the great event in their lives of their First Holy Communion, and asked them to pray for peace so that the world would speedily enjoy that great blessing. He congratulated the members of the Hibernian Society on their excellent attendance and display of faith, and commended the good work of the society to the congregation. His Grace said he trusted the society would grow and prosper. There was also Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and special devotions in the evening. The Feasts of All Saints and All Souls were fittingly celebrated at all of the city churches, and great numbers approached the Holy Table. On December 3 his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, S.M., will celebrate the silver jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood, and it has been decided to commemorate this event in a worthy manner. A representative committee of the city parishes has been formed, and judging by tho enthusiasm manifested the celebration will be most successful. The programme so far outlined provides for a Pontifical High Mass on December 4, in St. Joseph's Church, Buckle Street, and a conversazione in the Town Hall on the same evening. A retreat for the Children of Mary and ladies of the parish is to be conducted by one of the Redemptorist Fathers, commencing on November 12. The sum of £IOO has been received from Dean McKenna as a contribution from the Catholics of New Plymouth to the Field Service Fund ; .£BO has also been received from the Catholics of St. Andrews, being the proceeds of an entertainment organised for the same fund. The sum of £SOO ha« been cabled to Father Richards (London), senior Catholic chaplain to tho

N.Z. Expeditionary Forces; and £4O to Father Segricf (France) from the Catholics of Palmerston North. At the special request of the boys of St. Patrick's College the sum of £2O, being amount raised by the boys for the Field Service Fund, has been cabled to the Catholic Women's Hut, Codford, England, to provide Christmas comforts for our boys. Father Smyth, S.M., Adm., has just concluded negotiations for the acquirement of a splendid property adjoining the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, on the corner of Guildford Terrace and Hill Street. This purchase is of considerable importance to the parishioners of Thorndon, and will enable Father Smyth to carry out valuable improvements in. the future. Motions of condolence were passed at the last meeting of the Hibernian Society (St. Patrick's branch, No. 95) with the'relatives of Sergeant Martin Griffin (son of Bro. M. Griffin), killed in action in France; Private R. J. Nolan (son of Bro. B. Nolan), who died from wounds in France; Mrs. Casey (wife of the late Bro. P. Casey), whose son was killed in action in France; and Bro. P. J. Brennan, who lost his youngest child.—R.l.P.