RIGHT REV. DR. LISTON

New Zealand Tablet, 23 September 1920, Page 32

RIGHT REV. DR. LISTON

HONORED AT ST. DOMINIC'S COLLEGE. On Friday evening, September 10. the pupils of St. Dominic's College gathered together to bid farewell to the Right Rev. Dr. Liston, Coadjutor Bishop-elect of Auckland. The guests and pupils were assembled in one of the large study halls, which was tastefully decorated with purple streamers suitable to the occasion. Besides the guest of the evening, there were present the Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., Fathers Delany, Graham, Ardagh, Marlow (Dunedin), Morkane and Collins (Holy Cross College, Mosgiel), also Rev. Brothers Higgins and Fanning. A most pleasing entertainment, consisting of instrumental, vocal, and dramatic items, was given by the pupils and ex-pupils of the school. Individual praise is unnecessary, since all the performers excelled themselves in their undertakings. " The insistent recalls for many of the items bore testimony to the pleasure given to an appreciative audience. At the close of the entertainment Dr. Liston was presented by the pupils with a farewell address, beautifully" illuminated "by the Dominican Nuns, and also with a very serviceable leather writing-case. The address, read by Miss Molly Cullen, was as follows:—■

My Lord Bishop,—We, the pupils of St. Dominic’s College, joyfully make your visit an opportunity of offering, in union with our parents and teachers, our heartfelt congratulations on your elevation to the episcopate. While joining in the glad chorus of jubilation our hearts are replete with thankfulness, as with friends far and near we rejoice at the exalted dignity conferred on you by the Holy Father. Whilst our reasons for gratitude are many, we cannot but regret the loss to this province of the powerful spiritual force which you have exercised in upbuilding, vivifying, and strengthening religion. That the pupils of this college enjoy so many spiritual advantages and sound religious instruction is due to the zealous priests of the institute to which your entire energies have been devoted. Nobly and loyally are the traditions of our revered founder, the late Dr. Moran, and his devoted priests, upheld in the Catholic schools. Ungrateful should we prove if we a 1 lowed this occasion to pass without thanking you peisonally and from our hearts for your most kind interest in our religious education which has been sustained and encouraged each year by the annual examinations ; these not only tested knowledge but Inspired and suggested high ideals for future conduct. Recognising in your Lordship one imbued with truly apostolic spirit, we, in our humble way, confidently pray that the Sacred Heart of Jesus may invest you with the power which of old enlightened the first leaders of the Church, and that you, like them, may lie as some great instrument tuned by the Divine Master to work in harmony, sympathy, and beneficence for all. Wishing your Lordship a. full measure of success in your sacred calling, and begging a remembrance in your holy prayers, we are, your Lordship’s grateful children, the pupils of St. Dominic’s. On rising to respond Dr. Liston was greeted with prolonged applause. He thanked the pupils for their gifts and their delightful entertainment. It had always been a pleasure to him, he said, to do anything « for the pupils of the school. He praised the Sisters for their untiring energy and self-sacrifice shown in the education of the young. In the course of his remarks lie pointed out the great work these nuns were doing, not only in New Zealand, but also in other lands. One ot the most enjoyable afternoons he spent on his recent holiday in Australia was in Waratah, where the little deaf and dumb children, trained by the Dominican Nuns, provided him with an entertainment equal in Us own way to the one given him that evening. He called the attention df those about to leave school to the great work the nuns had before them in this country, and asked them to consider well whether any of

them were called to join in this glorious work. His last request to the pupils was that, they should pray for him when he should take up his duties in Auckland, as he would not forget to pray for them.