DIOCESE OP DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 14 April 1921, Page 27

DIOCESE OP DUNEDIN

/ Prior to his severing connection with the x Tablet 1 office as travelling representative fqr Otago; and Southland, Mr. D. Beard was met by the * employees - and ! made the recipient of a parting gift, ‘also a present for Mrs. Beard. Mr. J. P. 1 "Walls (manager) - voiced the 1 sentiments of- ; all regarding Mr. Beard, and wished him every success in his future undertakings. Mr. Beard (who suitably replied) has entered upon business on his own account as agent for manufacturers, with his headquarters in Dunedin. '^ A retreat conducted for' the Children of Mary, ; South Dunedin, by Rev. Father Herring, S.M., -was-brought 'to a successful close on Sunday evening in ' St. Patrick’s Basilica. The attendance throughout the week f had (been most edifying, the convent chapel being well filled, at .six o’clock each morning, when Holy Mass was celebrated’ and a practical instruction given. The numbers who attended the evening .exercises taxed the accommodation to its "full capacity, and all listened with the utmost attention to the zealous imssioher, whose meditations were an inspiration to all who had the privilege to hear them. On Sunday morning the soda lists, wearing their ‘ regalia, approached the Holy Table in a body. At the evening devotions, Father Herring, in the presence of a crowded congregation, gave a very line concluding discourse, exhorting all who had made the retreat to persevere in . imitating the virtues of their Immaculate Mother. The sermon was followed by the beautiful ceremony of the consecration of 14 Children of Mary, the reception of 29 aspirants, and the admission of over 30 new members to the sodality. 'The imparting of the Papal Blessing and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament terminated one of the most enthusiastic retreats ever given in South Dunedin. ; The Sisters of Mercy desire to thank the ladies of the Kaikorai branch of St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the ladies of the Gore Catholic Sewing Guild, for parcels of clothing kindly forwarded to the orphanage, South Dunedin. ... .

After devotions last Sunday evening, the members of the Sodality of ; the Children of Mary ,_ South , Dunedin, assembl. d in their meeting-room to make a presentation to one of their number, Miss Maude Nelson, who is about to enter into the holy bonds of Matrimony. The presentation was made by the spiritual .director, Rev, Father De- ; lany, who ,in a happy little speech referred to the recipients many good qualities and wished her every blessing in her future life. Miss Nelson has always been a most faithful Child of Mary, and the prayers and good .wishes of her associates in the sodality go with her to her new home. ST. DOMINIC’S PRIORY, DUNEDIN. , On Easter Tuesday, March 29, Right Rev. Dr. .Whyte, assisted- by Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm.,; and Rev. " bathos Howard and Ardagh, officiated at, the ceremonies of rec; ption and profession in the. Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at St. Dominic’s Priory, Dunedin. Evangrime Ivy Rodgers, (in religion Sister Mary Roch) received the holy habit of the Order of St.-Dominic, and Sisters Mary Casimir McKone and Alary Jarlath Lee had the happiness of pronouncing the holy vows by which i they consecrate their fresh young lives to the love and service of Almighty God. As each succeeding year sees the recurrence of , these solemn ceremonies, there is brought home to us .the comforting assurance that . the Faith ’of our Fathers — Faith that has come down to ns as a precious heritage from Patrick and Brigidis vigorous in this" new land: Year by year ‘ generous and devoted aspirants to the religious life come forward, arrayed in bridal attire, and, with voices trembling with holy • fear and deep ... love of God, beg, humbly and sincerely, to be admitted to the ranks, of those whose lives are consecrated to the' service of. the Divine Master. A time of probation' is ’ appointed, '■ and this being duly accomplished, they 'return, clad in the white habit of the'Order, and; having :, been accepted in God’s name by His representative, * the Bishop, they • pronounce their holy vows, receive the insignia of religions profession, and prostrate themselves in recognition of their absolute unworthiness of so high a calling, and of their contempt of . the pleasures and allurements of the world. During the solemn prostration, the Bishop beseeches God 'to shower down abundant' blessings 1 and graces v on- the souls of the iiewlv-professed who are now’ permitted to" take their places; amongst those whose privilege itihas already been,, <• tto Aftnstc: and see that the Lord ;is sweet.” Then is given .■.•• Benediction of- the Blessed; .Sacrament;;, .during,-,.which, the .Bishop jT priests, and, choir sing a solemn “Te Deum” in ; . thanksgiving, to f God . for that v most wonderful of ’ all His wonderful religious vocation. 1J ’ . p i; ’ ... jgjggga ysdJ ..tihclvf vfrsb.- .