Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 6 November 1919, Page 21

Diocesan News

. t -K; ,s«i: ---- •• • DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND •. .. - V.’a-:. • ' (From our own correspondent.) \ October 31. The anniversary of the opening of the church at Avondalervas solemnlyylobseised. on Sunday last. The parishioners attended in great numbers;;;and their pastor, Rev. Father O’Malley, was very pleased with--their demonstration of faith and devotion to the “Real Presence. 11 .In the morning Father O’Malley celebrated Mass 1 and} preached. Exposition of the Blessed .Sacrament took place during the day, and in the evening a very instructive and interesting sermon on the “Real Presence” was preached by the Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook. Great credit . is due to the Rev. Father Murphy and his parishioners at Otahuhu for the marked improvements effected in the church grounds and surroundings. The tennis courts are a great boon and are a distinct asset to the social life of the parish. Funds are in hand towards the erection of a. new church in brick to replace the present old edifice, which has done duty for close on half a century. The present intention is to have half, of the total cost of the building in hand before contemplating the laying of the foundation stone. In preparation for the Christmas Fair to be held in aid of the funds of the Grey Lynn parish, a benefit picture night was given in the Empress Theatre on Wednesday. October 29.

There will he no lack of interest in the general elections as far as Grey Lvnn is concerned, for as many as six candidates, among them a lady, have so far announced their intention of courting the favor of the electors. It is to be regretted that the health of our Bishop (who is still a patient in the Mater Hospital) shows no sign of improvement. The retreat for all the sodalities in the Cathedral parish, to -be given by Rev. Father McCarthy, Marist Missioner, will be onened on Sunday, November 9. The members of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Sodality of Children of Mary are working very energetically for a great “garden party, which is to be held in the grounds of the Sacred Heart College* on Saturday, November 29. Amongst other attractive amusements a basket ball competition will be provided for children attending the Catholic schools. Proceeds are to augment the funds for the coming bazaar. The Juvenile Hibernians had an enjoyable outing in Henderson Valley on Labor Dav.

The devotion of the Fortv Hours’ Adoration will commence in the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, on Sunday, November .9. x A very successful concert was given by the pupils of Miss Bernice Sanford in the Sacred Heart Flail on last Wednesday evening, in aid of the Sacred Heart Church fund.

A most enjoyable time had the members of the Ponsonby Catholic Tennis Club at Henderson on Labor Day. The party, numbering 30, left town by the 9.20 a.m. train, and on reaching Henderson found a delightfully shaded picnic spot by the side of a stream, and there a delicious luncheon was served by the ladies. Games were afterwards played, and exploring parties wandered through the bush. A merry day was passed, and then “home time” came. At /.30 p.m. town was reached by the happy picnickers. The girls of the Vermont Street School, Pousonbv, won the basket ball competition held in connection with the Labor Day sports. Many teams keenly contested in the tournament.

.In the list of successful candidates in the last annual examination in connection with the Auckland University College appear the names of May A. Ronselle and James D. McGuire, both blind ex-students of the Blind Institute, Auckland. Hearty congratulations are tendered them. At St. Benedict’s Church during the month of October devotions to Our Lady have-been in progress, and on last Sunday evening these were brought to a- conclusion by impressive ceremonies. A special sermon was preached bv Right Rev. Mgr. Gillap, who also consecrated the parish to Our Lady. The excellent music of the choir was a feature of the service.

Mr. /Frank O’Meara and Mr. M. J. Sheahan, the Hibernian delegates to the - Irish Race Convention at Melbourne, left by the Niagara last Thursday week. Since the first visit of the Redmonds to New Zealand, over 30 years ago, Mr. Sheahan has been a time friend of the cause in Ireland, with his purse, voice, and pen. Although

he is the only direct representative from Auckland at the .Convention, yet there are thousands who . will envy his privilege of being present at that epoch-making event for the liberty - and self-determination of “Ireland a Nation.”