DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 8 April 1920, Page 21

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) , April 2. Rev. Fathers O’Sullivan and O’Ryan (late of the Melbourne archdiocese, who are returning to Ireland) visited the city last week. VI ;■ • <V I A bazaar and sale of work in aid of the parish funds .was ; held last week in the school hall, Remuera. Some years ago an ideal property of four acres, in Beatrice Road, Remuera, was purchased by Rev. Father Doyle and his parishioners. The new school was erected thereon in 1916-1917. Its plan is similar to that of the Tanmaruuui School, both being designed by Messrs. E. Mahoney and Sons, architects. The Sisters of St. Joseph, who conduct the school) have occupied the large residence on the. property as the convent until recently, when a commodious house adjoining was purchased by the. Sisters and is now occupied by them permanently as their convent. Rev. Father Doyle and his assistant, Rev. Father Kelly, are now in residence in the large dwelling on the new site,; which was intended in the purchase of the property for the presbytery.

The final meeting of the St. Patrick's Day Celebrations, Committee, 1920, was held in St. Benedict's Clubroom on Monday, March 29. Mr. M. J. Sheahan presided, and there were also present Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook, Very Rev. Dean Cahill, Fathers Hunt, Bradley, Colgan, Murphy, and O'Byrne, and lay representatives from the various city and suburban parishes. The' report and balance sheets were presented by the energetic secretary, Mr. W. J. Bird. Special thanks were accorded to the chairman, secretary, treasurer, and the secretaries! of the concert and sports committees. At the conclusion of. the meeting, a special meeting was held to consider the draft of new constitutions for. the annual celebration. Owing to his being at Wellsford on visitation, his Lordship the Bishop was unable to be present, but wrote to the meeting approving of the proposed constitutions, and wishing every success. The principal item of interest in the new arrangement is the section re forms of celebrations: "The Irish National Celebrations shall take (a) the form of a national concert to be held on the evening of St. Patrick's Day, unless the feast falls on a Sunday, and then the concert shall be held on the Saturday before; (b) a procession and athletic meeting to be held on the Saturday nearest the feast day of St. Patrick." The meeting was most enthusiastic and unanimous in the adoption of the report and constitution.

The ceremonies for Holy Week have been carried out with the usual solemnity in St. Patrick's Cathedral. Large congregations have attended the Tenebrae services on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. nights. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and the cantors on Wednesday evening were Rev. Father Forde, Adm., and Father O'Sullivan. On Holy Thursday Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Bishop Cleary at 7 a.m. Rev. Father Forde, Adm., was deacon and Father O'Sullivan subdeacon. The masters of ceremonies were Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook and Father Bradley. Father Doyle preached an eloquent and instructive sermon on the Blessed Eucharist. On Good Friday, his Lordship the Bishop presided. The celebrant was Rev. Father Forde, Adm., deacon Rev. Father O'Sullivan, and subdeacon Rev. Father O'Ryan. Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook was master of ceremonies.- The deacons of the Passion were Fathers O'Sullivan, Skinner, and Flynn. The Right Rev. Dr. Cleary preached an instructive sermon on the "Miserere" on Good Friday night.

On Monday, March 15, a farewell evening was tendered to Miss Lily Ross by the Children of Mary of St. Patrick's Cathedral, who also made the guest of the evening a presentation of a suit-case. Miss Boss, has since left to join the Sisters of the Missions' Christchurch. Musical items were contributed by Rev. Father Forde, Adm., Misses Maher, Miller, Hendry, and McGuinness, and a delightful supper was served in the convent school. The Rev Father Dignan, Rector of the Thames parish, is to leave at the end of the month on a trip to Ireland. Arrangements are well in hand for a suitable testimonial to him from his fellow-priests and parishioners.

Modern controversy would seem to indicate that the “dark ages” after all were not so vulgar or so lacking in civilised ideals. Where in all history has there been found the equal of the working man’s guilds that adorned those early centuries ? Great scholars of to-day are unanimous in the conviction that the guild of the middle ages was a blessing that this era of ours sorely needs. And yet the guild was but the Church in action caring for her own.