Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 12 February 1920, Page 21

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) February 7. Rev. Mother Aubert, who arrived last week after an absence of six years from the Dominion, and who has since been seriously ill, has now considerably improved in health. “Help the orphans” is the appeal of the Sisters of Mercy at the present time. The increased cost of living is seriously affecting the slender resources of the good Sisters in maintaining, feeding, and clothing the everincreasing number of the little inmates of their two excellent orphanages, and an opportunity will bo given the public to help a sale of work at about the end of the present month.

At the last meeting of St. Patrick's branch of the Hibernian Society, Bro. J. F. Taylor (Wellington) was appointed a delegate to attend the district half-yearly meeting at Auckland. He will have associated with him Bros. D. Flynn and R. Moore, of Auckland. Good progress is being made with the building of St. Mary of the Angels’ Church, Boulcott Street. The outside walls have been erected, and the arches are now being constructed preparatory to building the inner side walls, which will rise well over another 12ft above what has already been erected.

Owing to the school holidays being extended on account of the threatened spread of influenza, it is probable that the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Committee will have to abandon the children’s spectacular drill display this year, as the schools will not reopen in sufficient time to permit of the necessary training.

Rev. Brother Clement, Provincial of the Marist Brothers in Australia, passed through Wellington last week, en route to Europe. Brother Clement was the guest of his brother, the Rev. Brother Eusebius, Superior of the Thorndou Marist Brothers’ community, during his short stay here.

The tenth annual meeting of St. Gerard’s Choir was held after the evening devotions on Sunday, February 1. The choir director (Mr. F. J. Oakes) presided in the unavoidable absence of the president (Very Rev. Father Whelan, C.SS.R.). There was an attendance of 20 members. The secretary and treasurer (Mr. J. A. Elliott) read the annual report and balance-sheet, the latter showing a substantial credit balance. During the year (says the report) two new Masses were in rehearsal, one of which, Gounod’s No. 3 Mass, was rendered at Christmas for the first time in Wellington. Six new motets, compositions of the 16th century, were also produced. As'during the previous year, the membership of the choir numbers 22, the average attendance during the year being 20. As showing a practical appreciation of the choir, the very rev. president has presented two valuable and appropriate pictures to the choir-room, and these gifts are most highly prized by the members. The annual picnic, held during the present month, at the Hurt Park, was attended by the choir members and their friends, and proved a very

enjoyable outing. Office-bearers for the ensuing year are: President, Very Rev. P. Whelan, O.SS.R.; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. A. Elliott; librarian, Mr. P. Murphy committee, Misses A. Ross and R. Browne, with the choirmaster, secretary, and librarian, ex officio. Two new members were elected. The secretary voiced the choir’s appreciation of the musical director’s untiring energy, courtesy, and painstaking ability, as proved in the good results already attained. He hoped (he said) that Mr. Oakes would be associated for yet many years with St. Gerard’s Choir, and _ that the pleasant relations existing for the past 10 years would continue. Mr. Oakes thanked Mr. Elliott and his fellow-members for their kind expression of appreciation of his services, and hoped that during the coming months even better results would be forthcoming. No effort would be wanting on his part in making a fitting return to the members for their past loyalty to him. In conclusion he thanked the organist, Mr. James Skedden, and the members of the choir for their services. The choir decided, in view of the near approach of the Easter season, and the large amount of work preparatory to Holy Week and Easter Sunday, to extend the time for rehearsals. VEN. ARCHDEACON DEVOY, S.M., HONORED. The parishioners of Wellington South farewelled the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., and his confreres, Fathers Kimbell, S.M., Dalton Campbell, S.M., and Mark Devoy, S.M., at St. Anne’s Hall last Wednesday evening, on the occasion of their handing over that parish to the secular clergy. Mr. J. E. Gamble presided, and there were also present the Very Rev. T. Dean McKenna, who succeeds Archdeacon Devoy, and Rev. Fathers S. Mahony, S.M. (parish priest of St. Mary’s), Rev. Father Dignan, S.M. (representing Thorndon), Rev. Father Connolly (parish priest of Kilbirnie), and Rev. Father Mangan, C.fifs.R. (representing the Reclemptorist Fathers). Apologies were received from the Rev. Fathers Hurley, SAL, Adm., St. Joseph’s, and Smyth, S.M., Adm., Thorndon. The hall was packed, and the Von. Archdeacon Devoy received a great ovation when he entered. The chairman, on behalf of the parishioners, spoke in eulogistic terms of the great work which the Archdeacon and the other Marist Fathers associated with him had done for the Wellington South parish. The parishioners regretted exceedingly his departure, and wished him every success in his new position as Rector of the Marist Mission House which is being established at Island Bay, and parish priest of that newlyformed parish. On behalf of the parishioners ho asked the Archdeacon to accept a cheque as a small token of their esteem for him. He paid a tribute to the great work of the Marist Fathers in New Zealand, and tho great pioneer work which they had accomplished * for the faith. He then read an address expressive of the people’s appreflation of the venerable Archdeacon’s twelve years’ faithful and valued services in the interests of the parish. Archdeacon Devoy, who was most enthusiastically received, thanked the people for their kindness. His- sojourn amongst them (lie said) was most happy, and he very much regretted his departure. He had been loyally supported by tho Marist Fathers associated with him, and was enabled to carry out many undertakings because he knew he had the co-operation and support of his committee and parishioners. During his 41 years in New Zealand he had seen many improvements, especially in Wellington, where he spent the greater part of his priestly career. He had had a strenuous time and now in his declining years hoped to have more time to devote to preparing himself for the long journey from which no traveller returns. The Archdeacon said lie was glad to know that such a worthy priest as the Very Rev. Thomas Dean McKenna was to succeed him, and he took the opportunity to introduce the Dean as a life-long friend of his, and to ask them to loyally support and co-operate with him in the work of the parish. The Very Rev. Dean McKenna said he was very pleased to be present that evening to witness the great respect and esteem in which his dear friend, Archdeacon Devoy, was hold by his people. Ho personally regretted leaving his country parish, where he had an arduous time in the past; but he would have a more arduous time in the future in endeavoring to fill the position vacated by such a great priest ns Archdeacon Devoy, but would do his best for the parish and for the people. .Father Kimbell, SAL, paid a great tribute to Archdeacon Devoy, and like him as a Marist Father he regretted his severance from the people of Newtown. He thanked them for their kind expressions and assured the parishioners that his sojourn among them for three years was most happy. He was extremely sorry that the time had come for him to say good-bye. Fathers Mark Devoy and Dalton Campbell also spoke and thanked the people for their expressions of kindness. They also paid a tribute to Archdeacon . Devoy. Hearty cheers were then given for Archdeacon Devoy, the Marist Fathers, and Dean Me-

Kenjia. During the evening an ' enjoyable musical . programme was contributed to by Mesdames Agnes Grant. Logan, and Dillon, Miss Nellie Strickland, Mr. Kevin iJillon, and Miss Lily O’Leary’s dancing pupils.