Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 28, 19 July 1923, Page 35

Commonwealth Notes

. ... NEW SOUTH WALES. A wonderful display of affection towards their pastor (says the Catholic Press) was made by the parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the celebration of the golden jubilee of the Right Rev. Monsignor Collins, P.P. (Archpriest), which occurred on Sunday, the 24th ult. Monsignor Collins was raised to the priesthood in 1873, and since then he has labored faithfully in the Australian corner of the Great Vineyard, and for 41 years he has had charge of the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. A beautifully impressive ceremony took place at the Convent of the Maternal Heart Chapel, Lewisham, on a recent Monday afternoon, when four young ladies who have dedicated their lives to the service of God, received the holy habit of religion from the hands of his Grace the Archbishop of Sydney. The recipients of this spiritual favor were Miss Nellie Spratt (Sister Mary Leila), Miss Muriel Piggott (Sister Mary Ida), Miss Irene Lynch (Sister Mary luda), Miss Margaret Mulligan (Sister Mary Enda). With the exception of Sister Mary luda, the religious names borne by the other Sisters recall the days of monastic glory in Ireland and its islands, Aran and elsewhere, when the lamp of faith was set in eternal light by the labors those chosen children of God. Rev. Father Hanrahan, of Christchurch, N.Z., has been staying at Lismore for a few days, the-guest of Monsignor McGuire, V.G. (says the Freeman's Journal of recent date). He was greatly impressed by the Cathedral and other ecclesiastical buildings at 'Lismore. Quite a stir was caused in Cumnock when it became known that the presbytery had been burned to the ground. At about 4.30 a.m. on the day of the fire, a number # of residents saw the reflection of the burning building, but were unable to definitely locate the fire. The Sisters at the convent, which is about 100 yards distant from the presbytery, were surprised to see only the brick chimney standing in the morning. How the outbreak originated is a mystery, but it is surmised that some cinders from a fire used during the afternoon fell on the floor. The building and its contents were only partially covered by insurance. Set on the pinnacle of North Sydney heights, commanding one of the most compelling views of the harbor and the city, stands the Mater Miseri'cordiao Hospital, a noble bidding erected for a noble cause, and a monument to tho zeal of the late Cardinal Moran (says the Catholic Press). . From an almost insignificant beginning, the Mater Hospital, as it is familiarly known, has developed into one of the largest houses of healing in the Archdiocese of Sydney. Certainly it is most successful. The "Mater" rejoices in a reputation of having upon its visiting list a large number of doctors and surgeons who are" eminent in their respective professions, and the competence and devotion of its nursing and house staff and the complete equipment that it possesses make it foremost among up-to-date hospitals. The remarkable progress that the institution—which is conducted by the zealous Sisters of Mercy— made may be gauged easily from the annual report which was presented at a recent gathering there. Speaking on the occasion, his Grace the Archbishop of Sydney said:—"When the Government wants to be mean towards Catholic hospitals it excuses itself on the ground that they are ' ecclesiastical institutions.' « They are not ecclesiastical institutions,' said his Grace, 'they r-re Christian institutions.' An ecclesiastical institution is one established for the service of the Church. We have a number of Catholic colleges and teaching institutions in this State, but none of them are entitled to be called ecclesiastical except the novitiates and the seminaries. Catholic hospitals are open to the sick * of all creeds; the visits of clergymen of every creed are .* welcomed, and they will be sent for at the request of the N patients. Handsome compliments to Catholic hospitals have been paid by Protestant clergymen, notably by the "*. . Rev. Dr. Carruthers." : . VICTORIA. Another monument to the zeal of the native-born clergy and to the generosity of the Catholic people has been : erected in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. This is the church-school of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Deepdene,

which was blessed and opened by his Grace Archbishop Manmx on Sunday-afternoon, July 1. n spite of inclement weather, many parishioners and visitors from other parishes attended to witness the ceremony. There was great rejoicing in Geelong on Thursday, 21st ult. (says the Melbourne Advocate), when the Very Rev Archpriest McKenna, P.P., V.F., celebrated his golden jubilee of ordination. Close on fifty years, ago the Archpriest, then fresh from Ireland, was a curate at St. Mary's Geelong, under the late Yen. Archdeacon Slattery. Gee' long in those days was a very extensive mission. After a time the Archpriest labored in other fields, and ultimately became Administrator of St. Patrick's Cathedral and VicarGeneral of the Archdiocese. When .Archdeacon Slattery became incapacitated, Archpriest McKenna succeeded him as parish priest at St.. Mary's, Geelong, and he has filled this position ever since. The Archdeacon died about twenty years ago, and to the older generation he is held in affectionate remembrance. Archpriest McKenna's zealous efforts m Geelong have been lately dealt with, suffice it to say that his parish is splendidly equipped, and bears favorable comparison with any other parish in the Archdiocese. At the conclusion of Mass, his Grace the Archbishop, the Most Rev Dr Manmx, felicitated the Archpriest on his golden jubilee. His Grace said: Priests and people will have their opportunities of paying their tribute to the venerable jubilarian, but even if no.other tribute were to be paid to him beyond that which you offer by your presence hero this morning, the Archpriest s heart would be gladdened and .content. He sees gathered round him, not merely his own faithful people or Geelong but representatives of every diocese of the Province of Melbourne. The Bishop of Sandhurst has been good enough to come to pay in person his own tribute of affection and esteem for a friend of long standing. Priests have come from Ballarat and Sale to honor the Archpriest, and therefore it is not surprising that the clergy of Melbourne, with whom the Archpriest has been so long and so intimately and so honorably associated, have come from long distances and in great numbers to show their respect and veneration on this day of jubilee and rejoicing. TASMANIA. His Grace, the Coadjutor-Archbishop of Hobart (Most Rev. Dr. Barry), celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood on June 24 (says the Melbourne Inbune), when congratulatory messages reached him from all parts of the Commonwealth. Dr. Barry is well and affectionately known in Melbourne. He has paid several visits to this city and lias preached to and addressed huge concourses of people, who have been edified and delighted by his personality, his culture and his eloquence. His Grace Archbishop Barry was born at Middleton, Co. .Cork, in 1872, and at the age of seventeen began his studies for the priesthood in the College of Fermov. Three years later he entered All Hallows College, Dublin, where he read a most distinguished course. In the prize list issued during Ins six years' training in that famous missionary school, Dr. Barry's name appears almost invariably among those who merited academic distinction in the various faculties taught. He was ordained on-June 24, 1898, being one of the first students of All Hallows to be raised to the dignity of the priesthood in the beautiful new hall of the college. Coming to Australia, Father Barry was at once appointed to the staff of St, Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. here he remained for twelve years. During that period he was entrusted by the late Cardinal Moran with duties demanding exceptional energy and prudence. He was in charge of the Church of St. Canice for a number of years; he assisted in missionary work among-seamen; he acted as secretary to the St. Patrick's day celebrations in Sydney. One of his greatest achievements was a most successful mission conducted at the direct command of' Cardinal Moran, among the Catholics of far distant Norfolk Island. In 1910 when the district of Chatswood was separated from the parent parish of Pymble Father Barry, because of his energy and enthusiasm, was chosen to be its first rector.