DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 30 October 1919, Page 22

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) October 23. His Lordship the Bishop is still a patient in the Mater Hospital, and despite the skill of his medical advisees— Pabst and Gunson, —and the care of the devoted Sisters, ho does not show any signs of improvement. Rev. Father Bailey, M. 5.11., of the Sacred Heart Monastery, Raiidwick, Sydney, is an Auckland-born priest, who is at present on a visit to his people in Auckland. He is a guesli of the Right Rev. Mgr. (Milan, V.G., 'St. Benedict's. During the war period Father Bailey was supervisor of the Catholic Missions in New Guinea. He has during his stay, in his native city given several very interesting lectures in the city and suburban churches on missionary life in New Guinea. Father O'Brien and his parishioners are to be complimented on the improvements effected in the approaches and surroundings of their beautiful church in Tuakau. Arrangements are. in hand for enlarging the presbytery, and also for the holding of a bazaar in January. Rev. Father Fordo, Adm., has arranged with the Marist Fathers for a retreat to be given to the Children of Mary at the Cathedral in November. An enjoyable evening was spent in St. Benedict's Hall on Wednesday, 22nd inst., when a euchre and dance were held. Mrs. Lang and Master Black were the prize-winners. The proceeds are to augment the resources of the forthcoming bazaar in aid of the Cathedral fund. The ladies of, the guard of honor were responsible for the very successful arrangements of the event. ; ,; , ;..:: The: quarterly meeting , of the St. Vincent de Paul Society was held on Monday, October 20, , at St. Benedict's Clubrooms. ; Delegates from all the conferences were pre-

sent, and in the absence of the president (Brother C. Little) and the spiritual director (Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook), Father Colgan presided. Splendid reports were read, from all" the conferences in the diocese. The chairman eulogised the work of the society, and especially the real amount of solid comforts distributed' to the poor]' besides attending, to their spiritual wanife. » ' .. Teams from the various convent schools in the city have entered for the competitions in connection , with tho Labor Day sports. Rev. Father Lynch, of Puhoi, paid„ a short visit to the city during the week. A tennis club, under the auspices, of St. Benedict's Catholic Young Men's Club, is being formed in St. Benedict's parish. The court, which will be laid out on ground at the back of the presbytery, should prove very successful, and supply a want which lias been felt in the parish for somo time. Rev. Father Colgan and Mr. J. Med). Coleman, who were delegates to the Dominion Council of the N.Z. Catholic Federation, returned to Auckland last Saturday. Last 'night, in St. Benedict's Hall, the club held a social and dance, as a welcome back Id its members who have returned from the Front. A very enjoyable evening was spent. A concert was given by pupils of the Parnell convent schools in Bonaventura Hall on October 23. An excellent musical programme, consisting of costume songs, solos, violin and harp solos, was rendered, and varied dances were performed by the pupils of Miss Beresford. ••; / At a meeting of No. 81 branch of the H.A.C.B. Society in the Hibernian Hall on the 20th inst., Bro. P. J. Nerheny, presiding, the opportunity was taken to say au revoir to Bro. M. J. Sheahan, district treasurer, who leaves this week by the Niagara to represent the Hibernians of New Zealand at the Australasian Irish Race Convention, to be held in Melbourne on Monday, November 3, over which the ex-Prime Minister of Queensland, the Hon. T. J. Ryan, is to preside. Bro. D. Flynn, P.D.P., voiced the good wishes and hearty congratulations to the delegate of all those present, in which was heartily supported by the presiding officer. Both speakers. emphasised the great importance of the Convention, and hoped that from it the very best results for Ireland would be achieved, particularly at this juncture in so important a crisis in. Ireland's history. Bro. Sheahan briefly acknowledged the compliments bestowed upon him, and assured all present that he would endeavor to reach tho too-extravagant standard expected of him. He thanked his brother-Hiber-nians, and with them fondly hoped that Ireland's demand for the right of self-determination would soon be accorded to her. Mr. Nerheny was nominated as delegate to the congress for the Auckland branch, but was unable to accept.