Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 16 October 1919, Page 21

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) / . October. 4. The Rev. Fathers Griffen (Kerry) and Broughton (Limerick), both students from Thurles Ecclesiastical Seminary, arrived this . AA-eek to take up duties in the archdiocese. The Rev’. Father Connolly, who has been chaplain on the hospital ship for the past few years, has arrived back and will shortly resume duty. The Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M., Marist Missioner, has been conducting a retreat for the Children of Mary of St. Mary’s parish. October 11. The passengers from Sydney by the Maheno last week included the Very Rev. P. M. Lynch, who is on a visit to his native country before going to the East to take up “a position at Malate, Manila, Philippine Islands, as Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers. Since 1898 Father Lynch has been at work in most of the big centres in the British Isles, Commonwealth, Dominion, and lands adjacent to the China Seas. Before entering the Redemptorist Order Father Lynch was a priest of the diocese of Dunedin, and was for years Administrator of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin. For some time after the death of Bishop Moran he was editor of the N.Z. Tablet. Father Lynch was the guest of the Redemptorist Fathers of St. Gerard’s, Oriental Bay, while in this city.

The last of a series of progressive euchre socials in aid of St. Mary's Rebuilding Fund was held at the Marble Bar, Willis Street, and proved a great success. The first prizes were won by Mrs. Cole and Mr. J. McMahon, whilst the consolations went to Mrs. Paton and Mr. V. O'Brien. The aggregate prize for the season was secured by Mrs. Rainey. During the evening, Mr. J. A. Scott, on behalf of the committee, presented Mrs. Lindsay, the manageress, with a small token as a mark of appreciation for the capable and courteous manner in which she carried out the supper arrangements. As a result of these parties the handsome sum of £l7O has been raised.

Mr. M. J. Reardon, at present bound to San Francisco, has written to friends in Wellington as follows; “Sharing the stern of the Tofua with a flock of Corriedale sheep are three families. Three couples, all working people, all apparently in the early thirties, with nine healthy, happy, chubby-faced children, forced tto leave New Zealand by the living conditions. There must be something wrong with the management of this little new country of ours when parents are forced to pull up their tentpegs and seek American soil for themselves and their children. Questioned as to the wisdom of the step, they ‘ couldn’t see how it could be worse.’ Wages had gone up, but nothing like the cost of living. The house problem in Wellington was the last straw. And so New Zealand loses six useful citizens and nine healthy, happy children, ages ranging from 18 months to nine years! And the Minister for Lands would have you believe that ho is solving something by helping the returned soldiers to buy homes!” The funeral of the late Mr. Maurice O’Connor, jun., whose sudden death AA-as recently chronicled, was largely attended, there being representatives from all parts of the archdiocese to pay their last respects to the deceased and to sympathise with his worthy father and relatives. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Anne’s Church by Father Kimbell, S.M., who also officiated at the graveside. Among those present were the Ven. Archdeacon DcA-oy, S.M., and Father H .McDonnell, S.M., of St. Patrick’s College.—R.l.P. Invitations have been received by the various Catholic societies from his Grace Archbishop Mannix to attend the great Irish Race Convention in Melbourne on November 3. If possible the various branches of the Hibernian Society in this city will unite and send at least one member to represent them at this historic . meeting. The United Bazaar, organised by the Thorndon and Buckle Street parishes, will open in the Town Hall on Wednesday, October 22. A feature of the bazaar will be the big tug-of-war contest, for which prize money exceeding £IOO will be given.

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY: 45th ANNIVERSARY. -; Oh October 6, 45 years ago, the Irishmen of Wellington met and decided to form a branch of ; the Hibernian Society ini this city. The gathering took place ip St. Joseph’s

Schoolroom, Boulcott Street, where the Catholic presbytery now stands, and used as a Catholic boys’ school, which was conducted by Mr. J. Hurley, prior to the advent of the Alarist Brothers. Bro. Michael Bohan, who is still living, and who was an officer of the Addisons Flat branch, established a few years previously, AA-as deputed by the executive of the society, • the headquarters of -which were located in. Melbourne, to formally open the Wellington branch. , - ... . . The anniversary celebrations commenced last Sunday, when the members attended St. Joseph’s Church, Buckle Street, for the general half-yearly Communion, The church was taxed to its utmost to accommodate the large congregation. Father Hurley, S.M., Adm., celebrated the Mass. He commended the good work of the society, which stood for Faith and Fatherland. He exhorted those who AA-ere not members to join the ranks. A number of children from the Dufferin-Street High School, conducted by Sisters of Mercy, made their First Holy Communion also, and Father Hurley addressed them on that event and the important part which it would mark in their lives if they were faithful to the regular and worthy reception of that great sacrament instituted by the Divine Redeemer Himself. The celebrations were brought to a conclusion lastMonday night by a very successful social, which was held at St. Peter’s Schoolroom. Despite the inclemency of the weather, there was a large attendance. The hall .was prettily decorated for the occasion. Flags and greenery, with colored shades, gave a fine scenic effect. The supper table was nicely ornamented, the catering being attended to by the committee. A feature of the evening was the “Twilight Dance,” the mechanism for the same being operated by Bro. Kraus. Miss Lily O’Leary’s pupils cleverly danced the Irish jig and Highland fling to the bagpipe accompaniment of the Campbell Brothers. Air. Kevin Dillon’s rendering of “Fontenoy” and “Emmet’s Epitaph” was much appreciated. Bro. J. P. McGowan, president of the society, in a brief speech, referred to the progress and advancement of the Hibernian Society since its establishment that day 45 years ago. It had accomplished many works through the energy of its members, and it had many more to undertake for the future. He thanked one and all for their attendance, which showed their deep interest in the welfare of the society. The committee responsible for the anniversary celebrations' were Bros. J. P. McGowan, M. J. Cleary, J. J. L. Burke, J. Clarke, O. Krohn, 'F. Whitaker, M. Maloney, P. Guilfoylo, P. Sherlock, J. Brennan, P. J. O’Neill, J. Taylor, J. Troy, and J. D. McPhee, the two latter acting as M.O.’s. The music was supplied by Mr. Berthold.