Wedding Bells

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 42, 25 October 1923, Page 13

Wedding Bells

SHEEHAN—WALKER. St. Mary’s Basilica, Invercargill, was the scene of a very pretty wedding, and one in which much kindly interest was evinced by many friends of the contracting couple in Wyndham district, on Wednesday morning, 29th ult., (says the Wyndham Farmer). The brode was Margaret, youngest daughter of Mrs. Walker and the late James Walker, Crinan Street, Invercargill; and the bridegroom, William Thomas, youngest son of ' Mr, and Edward Sheehan,- North Invercargill. Miss Dolly Walker ..(sister of the bride) was bridesmaid; and Mr. Michael Sheehan (brother of the bridegroom) was best man. Very Rev. Dean' Burke officiated. " The sacred edifice was beautifully decorated in honor of the occasion. The bride, who was led to the altar by her brother, looked her brightest and best in a lovely dress* of ivory morocain, with bead trimming, the headpiece of wreath and veil completing a charming attire. The bridesmaid was very winsome in a, lavender dress of crepe-de-Chine, with silver trimming, and hat to match. As the nuptial party approached the altar, the strains of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” was played by Mr. Percy Brennan (Wyndham), and at the close of the ceremony the musician was again heard in Schubert’s “Pastorale.” " An adjournment followed to the Federal Tea Rooms, where 1 60 -guests sat down to a bounteous breakfast, over which the cry Rev. Dean presided, the customary toasts being honored. Incidentally, some agreeable vocal items were contributed by musically-gifted friends. The newly-wedded pair departed North on their honeymoon. For travelling, the bride wore an elegant navy-blue costume, and fawn and apple-green hat, also a costly fur (gift of the bridegroom). The bride’s gift to the bridegroom/ was a handsome. travelling rug bridegroom’s to bridesmaid, -a gold Nellie Stewart bangle. The numerous ..wedding presents from guests and other friends of the happy couple were both of a costly and useful nature, and included severa! cheques. : Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Sheehan intend making their home in Wyndham, where the bridegroom is a wellknown and popular business man, a keen field sportsman, and a commissioner bn the local Town Board. . ; ’ :

A Klan Opportunity y ■; We wish to make a real and honest-to-goodness suggestion to the Ku- Klux Klan. It will be in accord with the ideals of Christianity and i Americanism as held by the Klan and a genuine outlet for their self-sacrificing and unselfish activities. In every respect it will express the true -Klan spirit. .. That they may understand just what >we mean we will tell a little story. ■ . In the dead of the night of November 30, 1894, a little coal barge towed by a tugboat left the pier of New Orleans.’ The tug pulled towards an isolated spot on the Mississippi river five miles from, the nearest railroad. The plantation at which it landed was in a. wretched condition and the empty , slave cabins were not tenantable. The passengers disembarked ten in number. They were lepers.' The State of Louisiana-had purchased this abandoned place to serve as a refuge for the lepers of New Orleans. The board of control asked themselves the question—who will care for such patients? They knew that only love for God could inspire such sacrifice. Their minds turned to the Charity Hospital in New Orleans which was under the care of the Sisters of Mercy. They brought the matter to the attention of Mother Mariana, who was then Superior. The Mother answered that she -would assume the charge. There were one hundred Sisters in the community. The Superior asked for volunteers to take up the work that meant years in a living tomb and death from dread leprosy. One hundred volunteered, A contract was entered into between the Board and the Sisterhood and the Board agreed to pay one hundred dollars a year to each Sister for clothing and incidental expenses. This was the beginning of Marine Hospital No. 6, which is now under control of the Federal Government. A special correspondent of the St. Louis Star visited the hospital and from him we get its story. He tells how the cabins which greeted the Sisters and were to be the homes of the lepers were on low marshy ground which was covered with a rank growth of weeds. When the Sisters went to the bedside of the sick at night, some of whom were housed in the cabins, the feeble flame of a little lantern was scarcely enough to guide them. In times of drought water was brought from the Mississippi in barrels and used without other purification than allowing it to settle for a few hours. The Sisters faced difficulties from the very beginning, probably the greatest of which was opposition on the part of the residents of nearby plantations. All these were eventually overcome, and, as the present Superior of the community says, “the institution has no better friends than its neighbors.” Under the careof these angels of God’s mercy the lepers of this country find themselves surrounded by conditions that equal the best sanatoria in the world. The leprosarium is not the living tomb you would expect, but a place of hope and almost of happiness. There are one hundred and seventy inmates under the care of these women who have given up everything else in life to administer to these sufferers from the most dread of all afflictions. ’ Here is work for the Ku Klux Klan. These Sisters of Mercy are Catholics. They must be driven out of the country. According, to the ethics of the Klan they should be tarred and feathered. Their Superior should be tortured and put to death. We doubt not that the Daughters of the Invisible Eye, feminist branch of the Ku Klux Klan, will gladly take up the work and care for these unfortunate lepers. — Catholic Home. Rangiora Celtic Club . The weekly meeting of the Rangiora Celtic Club was held in the local Catholic schoolroom on last Monday evening. Mr. C. Dash presided. Owing to the unfavorable weather there was a smaller attendance of members than usual. The evening’s programme was a debate, the subject being “That State Control is more beneficial to the community .than private enterprise.” The affirmative leader was Mr. P. Mcßrearty, supported by Mr. H. O’Donnell, and the negative leader Mr* Clem Devlin, supported by Mr. S. Devlin., The negative ere declared the winners. The club’s fortnightly progressive euchre and dance evening was held, in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Saturday last. . The •- ladies’ prize was won by Mrs. Nelmes, and the gents’ prize by Mr. Wm. Watson. -

An Esteemed Pastor Takapuna, Northcote, and Birkenhead are three marine- suburbs of Auckland and form one Catholic parish with churches at Takapuna and Northcote (writes a correspondent). The Catholics of this scattered district are at present lamenting the loss of. the spiritual guidance of the Rev. Comae Brady, their energetic and zealous parish priest who has been with them for 18 months. During his ministry in the district by his devotion to his duties and personal example Father Brady has won the high esteem and affection of his flock and the respect. of all, including members of other faiths. Although near to the prosperouscity of Auckland and possessing many natural . beauties ' this district has not attracted to it as residents a wealthy all? ff t^ communit y> and the financial support it is iinoo^f ff ° rd i Pr ? St 18 SmaU * Father Brad y has worked uncomplainingly and joyously in his high calling, and it is with sincere regret that it was learnt that his Bishop was Theb- g hxm J® Ormond in the Poverty Bay district. The parishioners tendered Father Brady a farewell at both the Takapuna and Northcote churches, and conveyed to him their-appreciation of his priestly qualities and their best wishes for his future. Substantial cheques were handed to him as parting gifts. ""Father Brady in warmly thank-" ing his congregations bespoke a hearty welcome on behalf of his successor, Father O’Connor. ■ - St. John’s Tennis Club, Timaru (From our own correspondent.) Favored by ideal tennis weather, St. John’s TennisClub, Craigie Avenue, had a most successful opening on Saturday afternoon, when over one hundred members and friends were present, several of the latter representing kindred sporting associations. Kir. J. G. Venning (president of the club) opened the formal proceedings at 3 o’clock sharp. He thanked them all for their attendance, and heartily welcomed the visiioon St 0l ! U ’ S Tennis Club was (he said) founded in loyu, and had been in active operation since with the exception of three years during the war period, when the majority of the male members were called up -for service. It is the second oldest tennis club in Timaru, being preceded in date of, foundation only by the Timaru Tennis Club. Originally playing on grass courts situated on the Priory grounds, they had now two asphalt courts, and that day they were opening their, new specially-erected pavilion, which brought the club thoroughly up to date. He thanked all who had helped in getting the grounds in order and preparing in other ways for that afternoon, and concluded by calling on one to whom the club was deeply indebted, the Rev. Father Hurley, to open the new pavilion and the 1923-24 St. John’s tennis season. (Applause.) The Rev. Father Hurley said he had the greatest pleasure in declaring the courts open and the pavilion ready for service. He took a keen interest in tennis, not only because it was a clean, healthful sport, but also because it was another adjunct, and a very useful one, to the social life of the parish. He wished the club every success, congratulated the officials on the big gathering that afternoon, and said he would be delighted to see the courts well patronised. The handsome pavilion that they saw before them was designed by Mr. Mitchell, and the erection was carried out under the supervision of Mr. W. Hall. He wished to sincerely thank - both gentlemen- for the happy success of their work.. The - pavilion contains dressingrooms, kitchen, servery, and spacious' frontal verandah, and would be a useful adjunct to the club. (Applause.) Play then commenced. ■" v ~ (- Afternoon tea was hospitably dispensed by the ladies’ committee of the club, under the supervision of Mrs. J. G. Venning, and was much appreciated. Among those present during the afternoon were the Rev. Fathers Barra . and More O’Ferrall. From the flagpole over the pavilion there floated during the afternoon the trophy on last T ear / by the club for ' the- third grade competition, held under the auspices of the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association. ; ■■■ . .•" ■ - - . ■ —■ Praises cannot cure i a bad conscience, nor dispraises j wound one which is good. Augustine. '