Holy Cross College

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 17, 3 May 1923, Page 37

Holy Cross College

Dr. Verdon, the second Bishop of Dunedin, spent the best years of his life in ecclesiastical colleges, in Ireland, in Rome, and in Australia. There was no greater authority on ecclesiastical training under the Southern Cross than the saintly prelate who now sleeps with Patrick Moran in the Southern Cemetery. He was not long in New Zealand until he began to develop plans for the institution of an ecclesiastical college for the training of a native priesthood. He spared no labor and no expense in order to bring his dreams to reality. He founded the college, watched over it like a father, lived in it, amongst the students for weeks at a time, fostering and cherishing it in evry way in his power, until he had the satisfaction of seeing it firmly established and sending forth, year after year, laborers for the Vineyard of the Lord. Holy Cross has had now several generations of students, and four of Rectors. The first Rector was Father Michael R.>an, Father Delany followed him. Father (now Bishop) Liston succeeded Father Delany. And the present Rector of the college is Father Morkane, to whom we wish ad nudtos annos ! The institution affords _ accommodation for more than sixty students at present. It is situated in beautiful grounds, and has in its ball-courts, tennis-courts, and foot-ball-fields ample opportunities for the physical development of the young levites. The college chapel is a real gem. It was specially designed for Dr. Verdon by his friend Signor Leonard!, a distinguished Roman architect. In recent years a new sanctuary has been added, erected as a. memorial to the brave and zealous lather James MacMenamin, who was killed in France, whither he had gone, although broken in health by the untold hardships he endured on Gallipoli. Father MacMenamin was one of the first priests ordained in Mosgiel, and is lovingly regarded as its Proto-Martyr. Besides Father Morkane, the present staff consists of Fathers Collins, McLoughlan, Andersen, and Dr. Buxton. Their efficiency as teachers may be measured by the frequent and creditable successes of their pupils in the University Examinations.