Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 2 December 1920, Page 19

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) November 27. The annual gift tea, which has' been a regular feature for some years at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay, has been arranged for Wednesday, December 8. It is hoped that in view of the great number of small children, old people, and helpless chronic invalids who are cared for by the Rev. Mother Mary Joseph Aubert and her band of splendid workers, that a special effort will be made by the kindly folk, not only in Wellington, but also outside of this city, so as to lighten the burden as much as possible; both for the providers and the provided. Prices as at present in Wellington represent the old Biblical comparison, for whereas other parts of the Dominion are being “scourged with .whips,” Wellington is .being “scourged with scorpions,” in the way of charges for house rent and other absolute necessaries. These prices affect the homes, where so many have to be fed and clothed ; therefore their necessity should receive generous consideration. Those who attend will also have the opportunity of meeting the Rev. Mother Aubert, who has been away several years, and who, in* spite of her 85 years is still as keen as ever in her mission of compassion for the helpless and afflicted. The wedding was solemnised at St. Alary of the Angels’ Church, on Tuesday, of Mr. Eugene Casey, of Auckland, well known in Hibernian and Catholic Club circles, and Miss Beatrice AI. Nolan, daughter of Airs. P. Nolan, of Christchurch. Rev. Father Alurphy. S.AL, officiated. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss L. Nolan, and Air. T. Casey was best man. After receiving the congratulations of a number of their friends who were present during the ceremony, Air. and Airs. Casey left by the mid-day train for the North. The devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration was observed at the Church of St. Francis, Island Bay, commencing with the 9.30 Afass on Sunday, and concluding on Tuesday. “Afissa Cantata” was sung by Rev. Father Mark Devoy,. S.AL, on Sunday, also on the two following mornings. On Sunday evening the Very Rev. Father Gilbert, S.AL, At.A., rector of St. Patrick’s' College, preached, and on Alonday evening Rev. Father Dignan, S.AL, of the Basilica, Hill Street, occupied the pulpit. Hie church as crowded on all occasions, and each morning large numbers approached the Holy Table. The altar and sanctuary were effectively decorated. The music was rendered by an efficient choir under Air. Reg. Oakley, Aliss Alary Redican was organist. A night watch was 'maintained throughout by the men of the parish. Dr. P. J. Alakin, of AVellington. is (writes the London correspondent of the Pouf), taking a post graduate course at A\est Loudon Hospital, where he will remain until about the end of the year, and then be will start off, with Airs. Alakin, on a comprehensive tour of the Near East. They already have had eight months’ travel in the Far East, including four months in Japan. While in Japan Dr. Afackin got to know the country and its cus-

toms and industries intimately, and he ascended to - the crater of the sacred Fuji-Yama, taking numerous photographs. Dr. and Mrs. Mackin stayed in Java, Hongkong, and Singapore, and crossed from Yokohama to Vancouver. After a month in the principal Canadian centres, where many improvements were noticeable after a lapse of eight years, Dr. Mackin crossed to England from Quebec, and they went then to Ireland to see relatives. Altogether, Dr. Mackin contemplates a two years’ absence from New . Zealand. The Boxing Day Picnic Committee mot at the Hibernian Rooms on Wednesday. Mr. j. J. L. Burke presided, and amongst those present were, the Very Rev. Dean McKenna, and Rev. Father Bowe, Adm. Excellent progress reports welrc received from the various subcommittees, and given line weather, everything augurs well for the success of the picnic, the proceeds from which will bo devoted to the Education Fund. The annual concert of the Marist Brothers’ School, Thorndon. will take place at the Concert Chamber of the I own Hall, on Wednesday, December 8, and the annual concert of the Marist Brothers’ School, St. Joseph’s parish, will be given at the Operand on December 15. Rev. Father Mark O’Leary, S.M., Marist Missioner, is at present staying at the Marist Mission House; Island Bay. There was a large attendance of members of the Hibernian Society at the Hibernian Rooms, Willis Street, last Monday evening, the occasion being to mark the 46th anniversary of the opening of St Patrick’s branch (No. Do) in this city, and to present Bro. T. P .Redmond, P.P., who joined on the opening night October 6', —with a past president’s embroidered collar. Bro. Redmond, who is now 82 years of age, filled the presidential chair as far back as 1.877, and for several terms since then. The presentation was made on behalf of the members, by Bro. 0. Krohn, president. Bro. Redmond responded, and gave, interesting reminiscences .of the early history of the society. An entertaining programme was presented, to which the following contributed items: Misses Quinn, Doris and Beatrice Hoskins, and Messrs. Kevin Dillon, J. Clark, I’. Guilfoyle, F. Tavlor, J. F. Carmine, and M. Walsh. A very successful euchre party and entertainment, organised by the Catholic. Ladies’ Club, in aid of the Marist Brothers’ School, St Joseph’s parish, took place last Thursday evening at the New Century Hall, which was altogether too small to accommodate those who sought admission. There is no foundation for the rumor that certain property had been acquired in Wellington by the Lewisham Sisters for hospital purposes, although it is hoped that this excellent Order of Nursing Sisters will, in the very near future, give the Catholics of this city 'the opportunity, when necessary, of availing themselves of medical treatment in a Catholic institution.

Wanganui (From our own correspondent.) November 24. Since my last, the men of the St. Vincent tie Paul Society have hold the annual breakfast, this year in the A rain olio School. About GO in all took part, including the

members of the Hibernian Society, the breakfast being arranged and served by Aramoho —Mesdames Richardson, Ahern, Coxon, and Purnell, and the Misses Richardson and Mahoney. The president of the Aramoho branch (Mr. Paul Fremont) was in the chair, and the usual toasts were honored. Breakfast and pleasant conversation (men don’t chatter!) spread itself over most of the forenoon, and everyone spent a happy morning. On last Sunday there was a First Holy Communion at Aramoho of about 20 children, boys and girls' assorted. The children sang ever so sweetly during the Mass, and afterwards hurried along in the dreadful rain to the school, where breakfast awaited them. The same good folk who officiated at the men’s korcro saw the children through their Communion feast. We are busy about the garden party which takes place in a. week or two. There is to be an abundance of buying and selling, for which the coronation ceremony makes a delightful peg. We are beginning to talk of prize funds, for the exams are over and the school year has lost its terrors for all excepting those going up for the higher examinations. The weather seems to have decided all of a sudden that we are well into summer, and those of us who have been caught napping have to be satisfied with what is left of last season’s finery. Anyhow, if we got Wanganui heat from now oh to Easter it will be as much as anyone needs. The Governor-General and Lady Jellicoe made their, first visit here during the week and spent a few hours in official happenings. There was a flower show to be attended, various schools to be visited, a club or two, but nothing of ours to be opened or shut this time, so our pleasure is deferred for another visit. Also we have had a Scottish fair, which used up the best part of a fortnight and a fair amount of tho spare cash. The Kilties, were very helpful to us during our carnival, the skirl of the pipes generally drawing the unwary into the toils of the filers. Our share of the recent fair was the goodly sprinkling of names familiar and beloved on the lists of prize-winners. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea spent a few days in Man garni i recently, coming on here from Marten. Miss B. Lavery (Pa tea) has been in Belverdale Hospital for a few weeks, but is recovering from her serious illness.

Palmerston North (From our own correspondent.) November 27. Mrs. C. Brown, president of the local branch of the St. Vincent do Paul Society, was recently presented with a tea service by the members of the society as a tribute of appreciation of her work. Rev. Father McManus, in making the presentation, made eulogistic reference to Mrs. Brown’s services to the poor and distressed, and expressed the hope that she would long continue to direct the energies of the society. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, accompanied by the Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna, V.G., paid a short visit to Palmerston North recently. A Solemn Requiem Mass was offered hero for the repose of the soul of the Into Lord Mayor MacSweenev, and was largely attended, the Rev. Father McManus being celebrant.

Levin November 20. The beautiful impressive devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration was observed with befitting solemnity a t St Andrew’s Church Levin (writes a correspondent). Be<dnniim on Friday morning, November 19, the devotion was brought to a close on Sunday after the 11 o’clock Mass Rev Father Hannigan, O.SS.K., officiated throughout the solemnities. His highly instructive discourses captivated the attention of large congregations each evening. The encouraging feature of the devotion was the large number of the parishioners who approached the Holy ’Table. -