Wanganui

New Zealand Tablet, 2 September 1920, Page 23

Wanganui

(From our own correspondent.)

r August 26. Sunday. (Feast of. the Assumption) was a day of special devotion, it being the 63rd anniversary of,.,the opening of old St. Mary’snot the present church. Big Communion of Children of Mary and others at early Mass, devotions in the afternoon instead of at night, and the reception of a big batch of aspirants. Such a lot of girls, ranging from nice little innocents to big grown-ups. It is ever so long since we had such a fine muster, and the procession of the Blessed Virgin was quite a big one instead of the usual handful of weather-worn veterans. Some of us, Children of Mary especially, have been, going so long that we have almost forgotten when we started and cam only calculate in decades, so that the new girls are more welcome than they even imagine. There was quite a big congregation, too, having devotions in the afternoon, making it easier for the long-distance people to come. Our cars are not running yet, and there is so much illness about that folk are half afraid to stray away from the fireside at night. Talking of Children of Mary reminds me that they have a splendid sodality up at Mount St. Gerard. For a long time the boarders at the convent have had their own sodality, and now-a-days, Rev. Father O'Connor, among other duties, gives them lots of helpful instructions. , Although there is an endless variety of ’demies in the town, the schools so far have managed to keep going, but almost every household is busy with cough mixtures. ° Very Rev. Dean Holley, S.M., spent a few days heie last week, but has gone on to Taranaki, where he will visit Rev. Father Sonias, Am very sorry to have to write of Mrs. Reg. Richardson’s almost unexpected death, which happened during the week. Mrs. Richardson, who was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Campion, Ohau, was well known here and in the Manawatu district, and had lived since her marriage in the Brunswick and Westmere districts. Although not really well for the last few weeks, no one dreamt of anythin* happening, but on Sunday last she became so ill that she had to be hurried into a private hospital here. An operation was performed, but . she gradually sank, and died early on Thursday morning'. Our sincere sympathy is extended to Mr. Richardson and his little daughter, also to Mrs. Richardson’s family. R.I.P. ~ Di e . d i' ecentl y also, Mr. John Flynn, ‘father of Mrs D. Dwyer, of our congregation. Mr. Flynn had lived most of his time in Taranaki, having come but to New Zealand from Ireland in his youth. Interestmg were the stories he told of the early gold rushes and the Maori war, as well as the excitement attach-' ing to coaching in the early days. Mrs. Flynn died some years ago but a family of four sons and four daughters are left.—R.l.P. Fr«nt n °S e u well-known old settler, Mrs. Hannah Frances Holt, died a week or two ago. The late Mrs. Holt was niece of u Mrs. J. Russell, Harrison Street, and had lived with her for some time. R.I p r , n Mrs. W. H. Redwood, music mistress at the Girls’ ,o lege, is not at all well just now. Fortunately the holidays are not so far distant, and we hope 7 Mrs Redwood will soon be quite better P