DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 18 August 1921, Page 27

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

A social will be held in the North-east Valley Schoolroom on Monday evening, 22nd hist., in aid of the piano fund.

There were good congregations at the Masses on Monday (Feast of the Assumption) at St. Joseph’s Cathedral and other churches of the parish. Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral at 6.30, 7,8, and 11 o’clock.

We call attention to the Irish Society’s advertisementin this issue announcing a lecture by his Lordship the Bishop at their meeting on Thursday, 25th August next. Needless to say we feel certain that a large and enthusiastic audience will await his Lordship’s appearance. A treat such as will be given those present is. too good to he missed.

A meeting of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish Committee of the Catholic Federation was held after devotions on last Sunday evening. Very Rev. Father Coffey presiding. The secretary reported that the enrolment of members was being steadily pursued, both by medium of the envelope system and by direct enrolment at the church doors. Representatives on the committee from North-east Valley, Mornington, and Kaikorai also gave satisfactory reports. Encouraged by the results of the work of the ladies’ auxiliaries in connection with the enrolment of members in, the Self-Determination for Ireland League, the lady members of the Federation committee will undertake the enrolment of members at the Cathedral on next Sunday.

The first convention in connection with the Self-Deter-mination for Ireland League of Otago and Southland was held in Dunedin on last Friday. The majority of the more than forty branches were directly represented, and the entire remainder by proxy. The president of the provisional provincial council (Mr. T. J. Hussey) presided over the convention, the deliberations of which occupied over four hours. The principal business was the election of office-bearers to form the provincial council. An extended report of the convention will appear in the next issue of the Tablet.

The Catholics of Mosgiel have lived through two redletter days recently (writes an occasional correspondent). The first young man from the parish to be ordained a priest was Rev. Hugh J. O’Neill, and his ordination on the 31st ult. was looked forward to with much eagerness by those who had known' him from his boyhood. Following this great day, Solemn High Mass was offered in the parish church last Sunday, the newly-ordained priest being the celebrant, and Revs. Butler and O’Aleeghan (who received Major Orders the same day as Father O’Neill was raised to the priesthood) being deacon and subdeacon respectively, St. Mary’s Choir rendered the music of the Mass and some appropriate motets. In the evening Father O’Neill officiated at Solemn Benediction. Revs. Fenton and O’Aleeghan were deacon and subdeacon. The Benediction music was sweetly sung by the choir, and the devotions closed with the hymn “Heart of Jesus, We are Grateful.” Before the congregation dispersed, Father O’Neill gave his blessing to those who were not present at his ordination. The following morning he offered seven o’clock Mass in the parish church. On Thursday evening a farewell social was given to Father O’Neill by Alosgiel and Taieri friends. Rev. Father Collins presided, and the Rector and pro-

lessors of Holy Cross College were present. A musical and elocutionary programme was contributed to by some members of the congregation. At an interval Rev. Father O’Neill was presented with a Alosgiel rug and straps, the handle of the latter bearing the inscription; “To Rev. Father Hugh . O’Neill, from Mosgiel and Taieri friends, August 11, 1921.” A cheque accompanied the rug. Father O’Neill, in acknowledging the gifts, promised to remember his many friends when offering Holy Mass at the shrines in and around Rome. The ladies provided supper, this being the final item in a most enjoyable function. Father O’Neill left on Monday for Rome, where he will further pursue his studies, and will return to New Zealand in two years’ time.

As is customary on the Feast of the Assumption and the other principal feasts of Our Blessed Lady, the children of St. Vincent do Paul’s Orphanage, at the invitation of the good Mother, visited the Sacred Heart Home, Anderson s Bay. These visits have a twofold objectthe little ones are entertained by the Sistehs, all generously Provide for them all that children delight in; and on their part the girls by their singing, dancing, and recitations, make these days occasions of happiness for the old people "'ho are spending the peaceful evening of life under the care of the Little Sisters. In training the children under their charge the Sisters of Mercy strive to cultivate in them the spirit of charity and consideration for others, especially for the poor and the sick. The orphans are taught to look forward to these visits principally for the pleasure they are enabled to give. The older girls, too, value the privilege of a. visit to the Hospital, where they go in turn every week to help to cheer the sufferers. The children are always under the supervision of their good kind friend, Mrs. Baker, who is ever ready to sacrifice her time for their happiness.

ST. PHILOMENA’S COLLEGE, SOUTH DUNEDIN. Two students of St. Philomena’s College, South Dunedin, Misses Phyllis Cheyne and Alary Anne Garr, were successful in the Public Service examinations which were held in June. All the candidates entered for the examinations in connection with the National Business College, Sidney, secured their certificates. Following is the list: Shorthand: Intermediate grade, Isabel Tohill ; elementary, Bessie Bennetts; junior, Nellie Muir, Vera Harrington’ Gw lady s Jones, and Madge McCrac. Typewriting: Intermediate grade, Isabel Tohill and Bessie Bennetts; junior, Vera Harrington, Madge McCrae, Nellie Muir and Gwladys Jones. ’

DOMINICAN PUPILS' JUNIOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL WORK-GUILD. The Feast of the Assumption 'of Our Blessed Lady in the Golden Jubilee year of the foundation of the Dominican Order in New Zealand was fittingly chosen for the inaugural meeting of the above guild. An organisation of this kind has been a project long cherished by the Sisters of St. Dominic, and its realisation gives hope of the establishment of a nourishing society which will awaken in the senior girls, especially in those about to leave school, a sense of responsibility and desire to take an active part in the work of Holy Mother Church, particularly in assisting the priests in both town and country parishes. While still students at the college,, inspired by their motto— Fide et ope re— young members will begin to carry on such activities for the St. Vincent de Paul Society as are suitable to their age, thus preparing them to continue the work of the society in a more active manner when they leave school and so become later' energetic workers in alleviating the sufferings of their less fortunate fellows. The Very Rev. Father Coffey is to act as chaplain, and -his Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Whyte has graciously consented to become patron of the newly-formed guild. '

IRISH LITERARY, MUSICAL, AND SOCIAL SOCIETY DUNEDIN. There was an attendance of' about 250 at the usual monthly meeting of the above society, ’held recently Among those present were his Lordship the Bishop, Rev’ Father Kaveney, and Brother O’Doherty. The chairman in announcing that the society had contributed £lO 10s to

the Irish Relief Fund said there was still urgent need for assistance in this regard,, and it was felt that the society would be neglecting its duty were it not to take advantage of the opportunity of identifying itself with the cause of their country. A feature of the evening’s programme was the singing of Mr. Frank Perkins. Mr. A. Neill spoke on “Irish Life, Wit and Humor.” He handled his subject in a very effective manner, and in addition to dwelling on the characteristics of the Irish people, gave numerous instances of the wit and keen perception of the people. He related a number of amusing anecdotes which were greatly appreciated. Mr. Neill was heartily applauded at the conclusion of his lecture. The following members of the society also contributed to an enjoyable musical and elocutionary programme; —Mrs. Murdoch, Misses M. Dickson, A. Finnerty, McGrath, Rae, Kennedy, Messrs. J. Seymour, M. O’Sullivan, W. Keyes, and P. J. "Wilson. Mr. P. D. Wilson danced an Irish jig, and the accompaniments were played by Mrs. Finnerty, Mrs. Murdoch, and Miss Noonan. ST. THOMAS’S ACADEMY, OAMARU. In the North Otago schools’ writing competition held recently the following pupils of St. Thomas’s Academy distinguished themselves —Rhyming alphabet competition — Standard V., Theo McKay; Standard IV., Ist prize (silver medal), Cuthbert Mowat; 3rd prize, Bernie Mangos. Bullied’s special writing competition Standard IV., prize (one guinea), Cuthbert Mowat. To Cuthbert Mowat was also awarded Messrs. A. S. Paterson and Co’s prize.