Grey mouth

New Zealand Tablet, 30 March 1922, Page 37

Grey mouth

(From our own correspondent.) March 20. Two hundred men received Holy Communion on Sunday week, the occasion of the annual Hibernian breakfast. The ladies of the parish, under the direction of Mrs. Donovan, provided the breakfast, which was served at the Columba Ball. The branch president of the Hibernian Society (Bro. E. King) occupied the chair. The following toast list was honored: —“The Day We Celebrate” (Bro. M. Daly); “The Clergy and Religion,” proposed by Mr. F. Doogan and responded to by the Rev. Father Long; “Catholic Education,” proposed by Bro. H. McKeowen and responded to by the Rev. Brother Herbert; “Kindred Societies,” proposed by Bro. F. Deere and responded to by Mr. T. O’Donnell (president of the Marist Old Boys’ Football Club) and Mr. T. Barry (president of St. Columba Club); “The Ladies,” and “The Press,” proposed by Bro. H. McKeowen and responded to by Messrs. M. Daly, M. Stanley, and F. Doogan.

At the annual meeting of the St. Coluraba Club the secretary (Mr. A. McSherry) stated that the club is in a strong position, and that members might look forward to a most interesting year for 1922. After hearing Mr. H. Belshaw explain the history and objects of the W.E.A. it was decided that the club should apply for affiliation with the association. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. T. Barry; vice-presidents Messrs. F. Bayley, C. Hall, and A. McCarthy; secretary, Mr. A. McSherry; assistant secretary, Mr. J. McMahon; treasurer, Mr. L. O’Neill; librarian, Mr. W. P. McCarthy; executive committee, Messrs. M. Keating and W. O’Neill. St, Patrick’s Day celebrations opened with the celebration of Solemn High Mass. Father P. Madden was celebrant; Father McMonogle, deacon; and Father T. O’Regan, subdeaconall recent arrivals from Ireland. Father Long, Adm., was master of ceremonies. A full choir, under the directorship of Mr. H. F. Doogan, sang the Mass of St, Francis. Miss Maureen Griffen was organist. The most demonstrative feature of the celebrations was the annual procession, which marched through the business section of the town to Victoria Park, where the sports were held. All arrangements passed off most successfully, a tribute to Mr. Harry McKeowen, the energetic secretary. At the national concert many were turned away. Among the performers were Miss E. G. O’Connor and Mr. Phil Jones, of Christchurch. A great day ended with the Hibernian ball.

There is a magical change in the Marist Brothers’ Monastery. Under the deft hands of the painter and the gardener this once dingy building is a vision of brightness, and almost a worthy home for the self-sacrificing men who dwell within.

With the addition of the Rev. Father Madden, and, later, the Rev. Father McMonogle, the staff of St. Patrick’s Church is now complete, and is none too numerous for the large parish, extending as far as Otira, which the Rev. Father Long, Adm., has under his care. The priests are settling in their new sphere, and quickly securing the goodwill of the people.

A proposal has been made locally to institute a fund, which, when sufficiently large, will provide a permanent “nest egg” from which the salaries of the Marist Brothers ■and the Sisters may be paid, independent of any strain on parish finances. A similar fund, it is understood, is in existence in Wellington.