DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 13 November 1919, Page 21

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) November 7. His Lordship the Bishop still remains a patient in the Mater Hospital, with hardly any change perceptible in his condition. The summary of the diocese prepared for the Australasian Directory for 1920 is interesting. There are 46 parishes; diocesan clergy number 47; Fathers of St. Joseph's Foreign Missionary Society (Mill Hill), number 20; teaching Brothers, 15; Sisters, 281; boarding school for boys, 1; for girls, 16; superior and primary day schools, 37 teachers, 175; number of children receiving Catholic education, 5613. From the last two items it would appear that there is one teacher in the Catholic schools in this diocese, in the aggregate, for every 32 children, a.staffing which is very creditable indeed; thanks to the members of the religious Orders —the glory of the Catholic Church. A most interesting entertainment was given on Monday night in the Richmond Hall, in aid of the funds of the Grey Lynn parish. The junior pupils of St. Joseph's School, and Miss Sanford's pupils gave a delightful performance. Great improvement's are being effected in the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby. Interior and exterior have been painted, and the general appearance materially enhanced. Recently through the energy of the Administrator of the parish, Rev. "Father Car ran, his energetic assistant, Father Hunt, and the beneficence of a benefactor, a beautiful shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes has been erected in the church grounds.

The children of Mount St. Mary’s Orphanage, “The Pah,” Onehunga, assisted by friends, will give an entertainment in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Wednesday, December 3. All arrangements were in hand for a similar function last year, when the engagement had to be cancelled owing to the influenza outbreak. The proceeds will be devoted to general improvements at the orphanage, the beautifying of the school grounds, and providing facilities for various games and pastimes. The objects are such, coupled with the appeal for the orphans, that a crowded house is assured, and a substantial cheque will be presented to ‘ the energetic superioress, Sister M. Ligouri, and her devoted assistants.

The Sisters of Mercy, Onehunga, held a very successful garden party in the school grounds on Saturday, November 1, when the sum of £l7O was realised. The basket-ball competition was won by a team from the Pah Orphanage. . . .

The i annual meeting in connection with the Auckland Catholic Women’s Hostel will take place in St. Benedict’s Hall on . Sunday, November 9. All are delighted to know that the hostel is in a flourishing condition, for now nearly 40 ■ girls have made it their home.

The Redemptorist . Fathers will open a mission in the new church at Devonport . on Sunday next.;

Father Ryan, •of the archdiocese of Brisbane, and Father Walsh, of Rockhampton, are visiting Auckland; the latter is on his way to Ireland, . after an absence of 15 years. ..

Very Rev. Dean Power, of; Hawera, who was here in connection with the opening ceremony of Devonport’s hew church, addressed the men of the Holy Family Confraternity on Tuesday' evening, in St; Patrick’s Cathedral, and gave an interesting discourse on “the " Church.

The conference for the priests of the Manukau Deanery . was held at Pukekohe on Wednesday - last.? Right Rev. Mgr. Mahoney, the Dean of the district, presided, and the priests were entertained by Father Molloy, the popular pastor of the district. i

With regret I have to report the death on Sunday, November 1, of Hubert Nerheny, son of our greatly respected Councillor P. J. Nerheny. At the funeral ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, in the Waikaraka Cemetery, there were . present :: Right Rev. Mgr. Hackett, Very Rev. Dean Power, Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook, Fathers Buckley, Forde, and —R.I.P.

The beautiful new altar in the new church of All Souls, Dovonport, is a credit to the artistic taste and generosity of the parish priest. Rev. Father Furlong.