DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 21, 1 June 1922, Page 22

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) • May 19. A .gift evening in connection with tho bazaar that is to be helcfih St. Benedict's Hall in September, to reduce the debt incurred in the renovation of St. Benedict's Presbytery, was given by Mrs. W. A. Coleman at her residence, "Avonmore," Grafton Road, on Wednesday, May 10. Progressive euchre was indulged in until 10,30 p.m. During supper a dialogue by the Misses Tack' caused much amusement, after which several musical items were given and greatly enjoyed by the many guests; ; Quite, an assortment of very Useful and valuable gifts were the result of Mrs. Coleman's efforts on behalf of the stall over which she and Miss Sutton are to preside. In the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, on Sunday, May 14, the Rector heartily thanked the parishioners for their very generous" response in making the charity social, lately held in the parish, such a pronounced success. As a result about £7O will be handed over to the Sacred Heart

branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society., Although the weather was decidedly unfavorable, a very successful “Paddy’s Market” was held in St. Patrick’s Convent Schools, Hobson Street, recently. It was 1 organised to reduce the debt on the schools, which have just been greatly improved. The energetic committee, who worked so hard to ensure its success, were warmly thanked and congratulated by Fathers Brennan, Adm., and Curley at the Masses on the following Sunday. The Children of Alary and Guard of Honor sodalities in connection with St; Patrick’s Cathedral have organised a ■ series of weekly socials for the winter months, and the funds thus obtained are to be handed over to the St. Patrick’s branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Urgent ■ appeals to assist these laudable efforts were made by the priests at all the Masses in the Cathedral on last Sunday, •and the necessity of funds for the society to carry ,on its great work was very strongly emphasisedfor the poor in the parish are many, and in many cases great are their need.;.

May 26. . The Coadjutor-Bishop, Dr. Liston, left for the south on Tuesday evening, and will be absent from the .city for some weeks. The Redemptorist Missioners, Fathers Whelan, Campbell, Duffy, and Packer, are engaged at present giving missions in various parts of the diocese. Dargaville, Tau-i-anga, and Rotorua have had missions recently. - The missioners' have also given Retreats at St. Mary’s Convent, Ponsonby, and the convent, Hamilton. Early in June all the missions will be completed, and by that time, every parish in the diocese will have had a mission during the past 12 months. Rev. Father Furlong, the zealous.pastor of Devonport, is at present in Australia on a health trip. His many friends earnestly pray that he. may soon be restored to health and strength. Rev. Father Buckley is locum tenens at Devonport. . Great will be the delight of the many friends of his Lordship Dr. Cleary, to learn of the improvement in the Bishop’s health. His Lordship, writing on March 30, states that as a result of hospital treatment and rest he is a new man; he never expected he could ever be so well, and he is now apparently assured of complete recovery. After leaving the hospital in London,, the Bishop went to Ireland for Christmas, and has spent the time there partly with friends and partly in hospital. He hopes to leave Ireland about the middle of May, and to reach Rome in time for the Eucharistic Congress. . A most enthusiastic gathering of clergy and laity of the city and suburbs, crowded St. Benedict’s Hall on Tues-

day, 23rd inst., when it was unanimously decided that a demonstration in honor, of the Coadjutor-Bishop, Dr. Liston, should take place in the near future. Right Rev. Mgr. Hackett, V.F., presided, and the following resolutions were adopted by the meeting:'—(!) That this meeting - representing the clergy and laity of the city and suburbs tenders to his Lordship, Dr. Liston, the expression of their respect, affection, and loyalty to his person, and the .sacred office which ho holds; and further, that we rejoice with him in the signal victory for truth and justice achieved by him in ‘his recent trial. (2) That an address and presentation, be made to his Lordship. (3) That a committee be formed to give effect to the foregoing resolution. The committee to consist of the priest and a layman from each parish in the diocese.. (4) That the method of making the appeal,

whether by collections or subscriptions, or both, be left to the discretion of the priest in charge of each parish. Returns to be sent to the treasurer of the fund not later than June 17. (5) That wd‘ tender our best thanks to Mr. P. J. O’Regan and Mr. J. L. Conlan, barristers and solicitors, for their distinguished services, and their brilliant and successful advocacy of our cause. All the foregoing resolutions were received and adopted with the greatest enthusiasm. An apology for absence was received from the grand old sagart, Rev. Father Golden, who, through illhealth, and under doctor’s directions, could not come out at night. Accompanying the apology for absence was .a cheque for £lO to the fund. The next meeting of the committee will take place in St. Benedict’s Clubroom on next Tuesday, The movement has been taken up with unbounded enthusiasm, and it is hoped that Catholic friends in other dioceses may join to make the demonstration a unique and memorable one. The devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration commenced in the Cathedral parish to-day. , The solemn blessing and opening of the new churchschool in the Epsom parish took place on Sunday, the 21st inst. The Right Rev. Dr. Liston officiated and preached. Full particulars will be given ,in my next letter,. The first quarterly meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for 1922 was held in St. Patrick’s Convent School, Hobson Street, recently. His Lordship Dr. Liston presided, .and there were present Very. Rev. Dean Cahill, and Fathers Brennan and Buckley. All the city conferences were well represented, and many parishioners attended. Reports were read from all the city and suburban conferences, which showed that the good work of the society is being carried on as formerly. The Hospital, the Costley Home, Mt. Eden Gaol, the Blind Asylum, and the poor in their homes have all been visited, and assistance given. Dr. Liston in a short address congratulated the members on the great amount of good work done, and gave encouraging words of advice to those present who were not members, to always help the society in every way possible to give assistance to God’s poor. Arrangements were also made for the society to give help to the commercial travellers, in their campaign to raise money, and also in their clothes-drive for the poor of the city. Present indications point to this winter being a hard one for many, as there are so many people out of work, and the commercial travellers’ campaign will certainly give the various societies much needed assistance in funds and clothes to tide over the coming winter. Through inadvertence, the name of Mrs. Tonks was omitted from the list —which I forwarded recentlyof ladies who will have charge of stalls at St. Benedict’s Bazaar. Mrs. Tonks, who has been an enthusiastic worker in parish affairs for many years past, will share with Mrs. Heighten the responsibility for one of the stalls.