Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 15, 19 April 1923, Page 35

Commonwealth Notes

NEW SOUTH WALES. Many years ago (says an exchange) the visiting Catholic seamen were catered for by a band of devoted priests and members of St. Vincent de Paul Society in a small hall at Miller's Point, Sydney, and splendid work was performed there in making the stay of the visitors as homelike as possible. Unfortunately, the march of time left the work in abeyance, as the premises were resumed, and it was only on a recent Sunday that the zealous members were able to give an enthusiastic welcome to the Archbishop of Sydney, who blessed the foundations of a new hall in Kent Street. The plans were prepared by Mr. Austin McKay, the well-known architect, and when completed the building will be one of which the society and the seamen will be proud. Mr. W. J. Coogan, L.C., who welcomed his Grace the Archbishop, after the religious ceremony had been performed, expressed the gratitude of the members for the unfailing kindness of his Grace to the society, and the fatherly interest he had always taken in its work. The ground had been purchased for £2OOO and paid for. As an indication of the excellence of the deal, Mr. Coogan said that a few months after its purchase they were offered £3OOO. The new building would cost £SOOO, of which they were borrowing £3OOO at 5J per cent., and be believed that the two lockup shops to be erected would be the means of producing a revenue that would not only pay the interest on their loan, but furnish a nucleus for a. sinking fund to eventually discharge the liability. (Applause.) On March 24, at St. Scholastica's. Convent, Glebe Point, Mother M. Xavier D'Arcy passed to her eternal reward. A child of worthy Irish parents, James and Margaret D'Arcy, of Killaloe, Co. Clare, Ireland, she came to Australia in 1875. In March of the following year, being then 18 years of age, she entered the Institute of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. During the 47 years of her exemplary religious life, she discharged the onerous duties of Superior' in several houses of the institute. Gentle and forebearing, her wise, tactful government, and her allembracing spirit of Christ-like kindness, made her beloved by all who knew her. Her unexpected death, after a very short illness, is widely and sincerely mourned. A Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Scholastica's Convent, by Rev. Father J. Muirhead, and the last funeral rites were conducted by the Right Rev. Monsignor Moynagh, assisted by Rev. Father J. Muirhead. Rev. Father M. Rohan, P.P., and Rev. Father E. Teehan were also present at the graveside. The deceased was a sister of the late Venerable Archdeacon D'Arcy, of Braidwood, and of the late Sister M. Ignatius, of St. Vincent's Convent, Pott's Point.

VICTORIA. On Sunday, 25th. ult. (writes the special Melbourne correspondent of, the Catholic Press), his Grace the Archbishop (Most Rev. Dr. Mannix) administered the Sacrament of Confirmation at Winchelsea to 60 children and 20 converts, who were members of many local non-Catholic families, who impressed all by their numbers, and by the sincerity of the sacrifices they had willingly made in order to become Catholics. Upon leaving the Church after Confirmation the people gathered round his Grace in large numbers, determined upon hearing an address. He said that it was indeed a unique experience to confirm so large a number of converts, and their conversion spoke volumes for the .virility of Catholic faith in Winchelsea, and was a testimony of the power of Catholic doctrine. He asked the audience to be true Australians, and not be unmindful in their . prayers of his own dear country, which is going through such trials at the present time. Father J. Murphy, the newly appointed Rector of Newman is, for a Jesuit, a comparatively young man (says the Melbourne Tribune). He will not complete his 40th year till '. July 13 next. His academic career fits him admirably for the position. In his youth he topped his years in the classical course of the National University of Irelandor, as it was then called, the Royal University. In the final honors examination for M.A., he was awarded the rare distinction of a studentship (a research scholarship of £300) for specially distinguished' papers. He spent the succeeding year or two in England, chiefly x at Oxford University, where he did research work in classical archaeology t nd political science. He was also engaged in similar work .in London University. He. distinguished himself also in the philosophical and theological courses in the Jesuit Order,

and spent a year among the French Jesuits. He taught the senior classes in Clongours, Wood College, Ireland. He has done a considerable amount of writing, especially for Studies, a quarterly issued by professors of the Irish University. During the war he was a military chaplain. Father Murphy takes over the government of Newman on April 9. He should bo popular with the students and in University circles, as he has had - experiences in the Old World that have made him familiar with the social and literary demands of a university.

• QUEENSLAND. St. Patrick's Day was ushered in with the proverbial fine weather. The various sub-committees were hard at work the previous evening decorating th 6 lorries, and preparing the various tableaux and displays. For their labor of love, artistic taste, and sensible mottoes, they fully deserved all the commendation and cimpliments paid to their workmanship by the throngs of people admiring the procession. Thousands of Catholics attended the Masses at the various churches prior to the procession being marshalled, and it was a most edifying sight to witness the many communicants. The principal streets of the city were crowded with people, and nearly everyone wore the immortal green. The procession, as usual, was led by the boys from the Christian Brothers' schools and colleges, and the sturdy lads, with their neat uniforms, marched with a proud air and a precision which would warm the heart of any drill instructor. The various branches of the Hibernian Society, with their emblematic banners, were strongly represented; the Irish Association, lady Hibernians, and the Irish National Association were also strongly in evidence. His Grace Archbishop Duhig and many of the clergy were also in the procession, which looked most imposing and impressive, when once on the way, with the various bands playing Irish national and Irish patriotic airs. On the arrival at the Exhibition Grounds, his Grace briefly ad- . dressed the processionists, after which the excellent programme of sports, provided was gone through.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Telegraphic news came on Wednesday, 21st inst., (says the Catholic Press for March 29), that the Right Rev. John H. Norton, Bishop of Port Augusta, had peacefully passed away at 9 o'clock in the morning. For some months past Dr. Norton's health had not been satisfactory, and his many friends were anxious on his account. Yet he worked on with the strength that remained to him, and from time to time the Catholic papers of the south gave some news of his activities. The sad news of his lamented death travelled quickly through Australia, and many expressions of regret and sympathy have come from all parts to the authorities who are administering' the diocese. Dr. Norton was a native of Ballarat, a son of Mr. Harry Norton, once manager of the famous Sir William Don mine. He practised for some time as an architect. He became a convert to Catholicism as a young man, and received the elements of classical education at St. Patrick's College, Melbourne, in charge of the Jesuit Fathers. He spent a. year at St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, under Cardinal Moran, and completed his studies at the College of Propaganda, Rome. After his ordination to the priesthood he labored on the extensive mission field of Port Augusta. This territory had been in charge of the Jesuit Fathers since 1852. In 1887 the diocese was erected, and Dr. O'Reily was consecrated its first Bishop. In 1895 Dr! O'Reily was transferred to the vacant archiepiscopal throne of Adelaide, and his Vicar-General, Father James Maher, was chosen to succeed him as Bishop of Port Augusta. Dr. Maher died on December 20, 1905, and his Vicar-General! Dr. Norton, was chosen.as his successor in Port Augusta! He was consecrated in the cathedral, Adelaide, on December 9, 1906, by the then Coadjutor of Sydney, Most Rev. Dr. Kelly. He ruled the See for 17 years, and was aged about 62 years when he died. The'late Dr. Norton was of a very quiet and retiring disposition. He attended with efficient zeal to the pastoral charge of an immense territory, in which Catholics are few and scattered. The Church is well established in many parts of the diocese,"; and in Port Augusta itself the church sites are admirably situated. There are in the diocese 12 parishes, 36 churches, -20 priests, 47 nuns the Catholio population is nearly 13,000. v ; . ' ""'■•-*• - A leader in Israel has been called to God. May his soul find peace. _-.,-.--,,