COMMONWEALTH NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 5 February 1920, Page 30

COMMONWEALTH NOTES

NEW SOUTH WALES. "I feel just as fresh and young to-day as on the day I left my home to go to college in the year . 1868," said his Grace the Archbishop of Sydney on a recent. Sunday afternoon, whilst referring to his impending visit to Rome. "I hope there will be no submarines in our way," he added, amidst laughter. "I am not afraid of the sea. I think if I was not a priest I would be a sailor. I have not fixed any other arrangements beyond going to Rome, fulfilling my duty there as the representative of the archdiocese of Sydney, and, more or less, of the bishops of Australia." His Grace the Archbishop announces that the Right Rev. Mgr. J. P. Moynagh, P.P.", V.F., is to be "Administrator of the archdiocese as Vicar-General during the absence of his Grace on his ad limina visit. Monsignor Moynagh was ordained in All Hallows College in 1882, leaving for Australia the same year. He was attached to St. Mary's Cathedral for some years in the time of Archbishop Vaughan and also of Cardinal Moran. Monsignor Moynagh was then placed in charge of Lithgow parish, which at the time embraced the Blue Mountains, and extended almost to Bathurst. Thirty years ago he was promoted to the charge of Balmain West, now known as Rozelle. About nine or ten years ago, the late Cardinal Moran appointed him a Diocesan Consultor, and about five years ago he was made Vicar Forane. Monsignor Moynagh possesses" great administrative ability, as the fine church and schools in his parish bear witness, and his zeal in his priestly duties is tireless. His sacerdotal silver jubilee was celebrated with special enthusiasm in 1907. Monsignor Moynagh is chairman of -directors of the Catholic Press Newspaper Company. VICTORIA. An astounding example of sectarian bias has recently been exhibited by the Kew Council (says the Advocate). Mr. Smith, general secretary of. the Amalgamated Men's Clubs, is a returned soldier, and father of seven children, and amongst many others applied for the position of health inspector at Kew. His qualifications and other capabilities were such that his name was among the three from which the final selection was to be made; but, notwithstanding his military service, his seven children, and his general suitability, the question of his religion was put, and out he went, while the non-Catholic applicant, with less qualifications, and but two or three children, was appointed. The facts were ventilated in Parliament by Mr. Slater, who said, in the course of his remarks, that ho trusted the Government would take some action against municipalities which asked a man his religion, and on his answer determined his chance of securing a job. When lie went to the recruiting depot he was not asked what his religion was, and it is a sorry state of affairs if, in time of peace, a man's prospects are to be determined by his religious faith. A graceful tribute lias been paid to the memory of the Very Rev. Father O'Connell by a Presbyterian lady with whom he had been associated in various works of charity. In a letter to the Right Rev. Dr. McCarthy, Mrs. Bon, of Wappam Estate, Bonnie Doon, writes: "Our friendship extended over nearly 45 years, and we worked together on various committees, perhaps the most important being the Hospital for Incurables, whose inmates regarded him as a true and sympathetic friend. He was always courteous, even when dealing with them who opposed him, and was ever ready to champion the cause of suffering humanity. I had the privilege of visiting him during his rather protracted illness, and always found him happy, patient, and resigned to the will of Him in Whose service he had spent so many years of his life. I am glad his mortal remains have found a restingplace in St. George's beautiful church, which he loved so well, and of which ho was so justly proud. . ." . QUEENSLAND. Although St. Stephen's Cathedral is to be materially improved, and its accommodation considerably bettered, the project is not to interfere with the building of „ the new Cathedral, which his Grace Archbishop Duhig has set his heart on, and which, when completed, will be a conspicuous landmark in our city life, a monumental token of love, devotion, and faith of the Queensland Catholic community, a striking and lasting memorial to the organising genius, broad vision, cheery optimism, and the

undoubted courage which has characterised his Grace the Archbishop since assuming the reins of power - (writes the' Brisbane correspondent of ; , the , Catholic Press) . The work which he has accomplished in the archdiocese during the past few years is unprecedented in the annals of Catholicism in Australasia, in spite of the greatest and many unforeseen difficulties, through war and other complications, and could only be accomplished by a man with the determination and vigor of an enthusiast who refuses to be discouraged. ; The moral strength of his Grace to accomplish things remains unimpaired, notwithstanding all that has done, the danger is that he may be, with his overflowing energy, drawing too much on his physical powers, but the Catholics of this State can confidently rely that his Grace will never be satisfied until our new Cathedral, in keeping with the mighty importance of the Church in this State, is built, and that sooner than most people expect. Facilities for carrying out advanced educational work at St. Leo's College are being continually extended and improved. Quite recently his Grace the "Archbishop had a handsome observatory erected in the grounds, and the fine telescope which he purchased some time ago has been installed therein. Some of the students have already become enthusiastic astronomers, and no doubt the study of this science will in future* be one of the features of St. Leo's. But by far the most important step taken since the opening of the college was the purchase recently by the Archbishop of the fine house known as "Erneton," which for many years was the residence of the well-known Buchanan family, and which has latterly been occupied by the Brisbane High School for Girls. The price paid has not been disclosed, but ; we understand it ran into several thousands. The accommodation at St. Leo's was found to be altogether inadequate, and to use "Garth House," which the college owns but which is separated from it by "Erneton," was found- to be impracticable. It was therefore thought most advisable to secure the premises of the Brisbane High School, the trustees having purchased a large private residence in South Brisbane for educational purposes. The purchase of "Erneton" gives the University College a splendid frontage on the best portion of Wickham Terrace, with a fine area of ground at the rear. Whether the University continues to be housed in its present premises, or is removed to Victoria Park, the position of St. Leo's College will be central.

Speaking in St. Stephen's Cathedral recently, his Grace the Archbishop made a welcome announcement that the Sisters of Nazareth, whose head house is at Hammersmith, London, would take up the work of caring for. the aged and infirm of both sexes at Wynnum about the middle of the present year. The Archbishop said that the grand old pioneer Catholics who, through circumstances of one kind or another, found themselves in need and without friends, should not be neglected or forgotten in the evening of their life. They were as much the Church's children as the little ones so tenderly cared for in our Catholic homes and schools, and it was his great desire to see these good old people, happily enfolded in the arms of the Church' and receiving her blessings in their old declining years. The property which he had purchased afforded an ideal site for such a purpose. It overlooked Moreton Bay, and its soil was fertile enough to grow anything. Writing from Nazareth House, Hammersmith, London, on September 24, the Superior-Qeneral of the Order says:—"l have placed your Grace's petition before the General Council, and we have much pleasure in accepting your invitation to open a house in your diocese. . We will begin our preparations without delay, but it would not be possible to go to Brisbane before the autumn of 1920, owing to the difficulties in travelling. By that time, D.V., things will be more normal. ',.. .'.. This is a Feast of Our Blessed Lady, and to her loving care and: protection we recommend our proposed foundation, that all may be done for the greater glory of God and the good and happiness of His poor."