Diocesan News

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

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) i October 19. Rev. : Father Kimbell’s many friends here were delighted to catch a glimpse of him in this city last -week. Rev. Father O’Ferrall has also been up for a flying trip. He stayed at St. Pat’s, which was like returning home. Miss Stella Power and her husband, Mr. O’Rourke, arrived by the Ulimaroa this week. The Irish here are all delighted with the chance of hearing this gifted Australian with the Irish name and the European reputation. - Mr. Grogan gave the second of his lectures on ’l6 at . the, Dominion Farmers’ Hall on Sunday night. The lecturer went deeply into the events before the Rising from ©very point of view, and the applause of the audience, showed its appreciation. We hope to have the third soon. On last Wednesday evening, the 17th inst., the St. Joseph’s Concert Party provided a most enjoyable concert to the' Sisters and inmates of the Home y for Incurables, Buckle Street. Contributing to the programme were: Misses Carroll, Q. Whiteford, P. McMillan, J. Moron, “Billie” Murphy, Messrs. W. B. Gamble, E. Reade, R. Taylor, Green, W. Boffa, and F. Taylor. The heartiest thanks of the Sisters and inmates was extended to the performers for their generosity in providing such an enjoyable evening. Misses Carroll and Stubbs .were the accompanists, and Mr. R. S. Dwyer (hon. secretary) arranged the entertainment, "'. On last Sunday afternoon the St. Joseph’s Concert Party entertained the children'and sisters of St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Upper Hutt, by giving them a thoroughly enjoyable concert. A lengthy programme of musical, elocutionary, and dancing items was contributed to by Misses A. Flan, Q. Whiteford, P. McMillan, J. Moron, M. Dillon, L. McKay, “Billie” Murphy, Zelma Carroll, Una Smith, Messrs. R. Taylor, L. Hanlen, W. Conroy, W. Boffa, F. Whittaker. At the conclusion, the party adjourned to the dining-room, where afternoon 'tea was served, the Rev. Mother thanking the performers for their generosity in contributing items. Mr. J. P. Hyland and Mr. R. S. Dwyer were responsible for the arrangement of the concert. < The Marist Old Boys’ bazaar was blessed with fine weather for its ending. As a result the Concert Chamber was thronged. So full it was that only skilled navigators completed the circuit. Others less expert drifted to the centre and were an easy prey. The tug-of-war final between Marist and Petone went to the latter. The Petone captain in answer to Mr. Sievers stated modestly that his team won only because it was in better training. N.B. It had not been troubled by brain-storms and mental worries over bazaars. The Williams and Gibbs School of Dancing contributed items which were greatly appreciated. The St. Mary of the Angels’ Queen, Miss Brennan, was the successful candidate, with Miss Morley of St. Anne’s second. Money slipped from hand to hand and the stall-holders though weary looked triumphant. I understand the final result was over £I4OO. - - An Irish entertainer visiting the city recently had a rare collection of anecdotes concerning the Terror in Ireland.' One' was particularly good. An Englishman returning from a, theatre one night in Belfast found the city picketed with the troops of the two factions. At the first outpost he could afford to be natural and answered triumphantly, “English and Protestant.” But the drawl which proved his salvation in one area betrayed him in the other. He was hailed by a Catholic sentry farther on— “ What are ye?” “I-i-rish and Cartholic,” he stammered. “Oh are ye Say ■ the‘ Rosary till I see!” And the hapless one began with violent fervor “ The hours I spend with thee, dear heart.” He overstayed his. welcome. The Marist Old Boys’ 'bazaar being over, the deck is cleared i for Father Connolly whose course is already half-

charted. The s whole parish : is humming like a bee-hive add surely such activity means full honey, cdmbs. The great prize' nugget of £250 for the winning of which one : need only stake a shilling is already proving a great attraction, Mrs. Kennedy is going -to hold a dance in Town, - which, given fine Leather, cannot fail to swell the coffers. If . And. last night the Cumann held its second display of Irish dancing with wonderful success. The four-hand reel © was a thing to remember. Mr. Plunkett sees to it that Mr. O’Tohill’s maxim of—“ Dance as if you were treading ■ on shells”is carried out to the letter. Mr. and Mrs. O’Mara delighted the large audience with their fine old y Irish songs and “come-all-ye’s.” It is a treat to get , songs that are neither suggestive nor libellous and Mr. O’Hara’s V caused a fine gale of healthy laughter. And, of course, Father © Connolly was there with the merry word in season. The : supper arrangements were in the capable hands of Mrs. ©7 T. J. Bourke. Mrs. Collins earned the gratitude of the © Cumann for her fine accompaniments. •‘ ©, On Wednesday, evening the 10th inst., the members of the St. Joseph’s branch . of the Men’s Sacred Heart Society adjourned to the Church Hall, after their meeting . and gave an enjoyable concert, those contributing to the •’ programme being Rev. Father Kingan, Messrs. E. Reade, v F. Dwan,. E. McKenna, A. Kelly, F. McFarland, and W. Boffa. Before the close of the concert the Rev. Father O’Donnell thanked the performers, and also Messrs. "W. ■ B. Gamble and R. S. Dwyer who were responsible for the evening’s entertainment. With regard to this society it,© is a very edifying sight to see so large a number of £ men approaching the Holy Table , on their Communion daythe second Sunday of the month. The number this month reached 216 men, and it is hoped that this number ; will keep on increasing. This great achievement is due to., the excellent work of Rev. Father O’Donnell and the men of the St, Vincent de Paul Society, who have re-©I cently undertaken this new work. © Palmerston North (From our own correspondent.) October 19. The “20th” has become “to-morrow” : street stalls have ceased, dances have ceased; “and all the air, asolemn stillness holds.” To-morrow afternoon at 3 o’clock the bazaar will be opened, and .we hope and pray it will be a great success. There will be the usual collection of.© stalls, stocked with the usual collection of articles. ’ Every -)■ need will be ■ attended .to, every whim and fancy will 1 find an outlet, and willing workers will find plenty of hard work to do. We Palmerston Catholics are very ' human, . and being so, we often wish we could build our' new church -Without all this hard work, and all this trouble. / If only the money could be made some how lovely it would be I ' ■ /. ; - '■ v DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND (By telegraph from our own correspondent.) ■ " October 22. ~ Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M., has just completed a-© successful mission to both Maoris and pakehas_ in the'.*© parish of Rotorua. / ■*. A children’s fancy dress social, held on last Wednesday evening for the benefit of Mrs. Wright’s stall at the forthcoming vDevenport bazaar, proved a great financial sue- '"r cess.. : ■;,.v ..-.-V -7 7 ; •. r •'©■:© A mission was commenced at St. Benedict’s yesterday, and is being conducted by Rev. Fathers ;• McCarthy (super- ' ior), Herring, and McGrath, Marist- oners. The © attendance at the 'opening exercises was the largest ever known in the parish'. • ‘ © The successful mission . conducted in the Grey Lynn parish by Rev. Fathers Herring and McGrath,. Marist © Missioners, was concluded on last Sunday. A Missa -VCantata coram episcopo was sung, and his Lordship Bishop© ;' Cleary administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 60 ©4 candidates, including; a number of adults. . ©©■' .'•‘©•'O' The “Violet Dandies,” a local combination, displayed©© much talent in a \recent entertainment given in aid of

■ the; Devohport parish funds j. the {hall being over-crowded. These entertainers are prepared -to repeat their perfor- : mance on a fifty-fifty _ basis for the benefit of any local ” parish undertaking. Much credit l is due to Mr. Leo ” O’Malley for his management of the affairs of this excellent ,- : company, {; { " >r . r * “ ■/ ; > * 1 •>. Tv, : The bazaary in connection with the Epsom parish realised over £3OO. As a conclusion to the activities in?cidental thereto; a , “Paddy’s Market” will be held on the 17th of next month. . - v •• .{-; y- . v Rev. Father O’Connor, who has been appointed parish { priest of Tekapuna, was tendered a farewell on last Thurs:day-- 4 by-the congregation of the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsoriby. There -was 'an enthusiastic gathering. A detailed, report .of the proceedings will be forwarded next week. ; ; On last Friday evening a dance in aid of the Young Men’s Stall -in connection with the Devonport bazaar, drew a .large attendance from the city, and proved successful beyond the highest expectations of the promoters. Those attending expressed a desire that the dance should be repeated. .{ . L The death occurred last week,, from a sudden attack /of peritonitis, of Mr. Patrick Alphonsus Cullen, , son of , Mr. J. Cullen (ex-Commissioner of Police), at the age of 35 years. The late Mr. Cullen was educated at the Marist Brothers’ . School, Auckland, and later at St. “ Patrick’s ..College, Wellington, where he had a promising career under the late Father , Keogh, being dux of the College in 1906, and was . considered one of the most brilliant pupils of the college since its commencement. He played in the college’s first Rugby fifteen, and first cricket eleven. The . late Mr. Cullen qualified as a solicitor, and served in the Great. War. Last year ho commenced practice on his own ; account,: and much regret is expressed at the premature close of a promising career in his profession. — - E-IP. | .. " r Gisborne V' (From our own correspondent.) ' - • i- October 17. j-T Rev. Father Brady, who was some time ago assistant priest in Gisborne, has been appointed parish priest of Ormond. . ...., /V - , r ' - K . , The mission conducted by the Marist Missioners in Gisborne was concluded on Sunday night/ ’ The attendance at ,the exercises of the , mission were very large, notably so .at the early Mass, ,at which over 600 Holy Communions were made. ; ;. The Missionersßev. Fathers, Eccleton and - O’Leary—have not spared themselves in their zeal, and they have been ably assisted by Rev. Father Lane. . Short '{missions are- being given at Mangapapa and Makaraka { during the week. - ' {- j The sodality of the Children of Mary has been con- . siderably increased in . membership by the efforts of the Missioners, a large number of aspirants being enrolled prior to . devotions f on Sunday ..night. A confraternity of the Knights of the Blessed Sacrament has also been formed in the-parish, f and every eligible Catholic worthy of the name is-expected to enrol. - : : ■ --W x ~ . • REV. •FATHER SKINNER LEAVES WAIUKU. :{".” v , (Contributed.)' : {{ : : ; {{,.{{■• i; On October 8 X one: of .the largest gatherings ever seem; in the' - Waiuku Town Hall assembled to bid farewell to the Rev. - Father . Skinner, who, after { eleven year's, has been transferred„ to Otahuhu. The entertainment, v in the form of a social evening, was organised by the parishioners but the function was civic in character. {. - {'. - .Mr. D. Neil, on behalf {of the parishioners, presided, i; and read apologies; for the-x absence of Bishop Cleary; Bishop Liston, and . Mr!' Claud. Metieri.’: He spoke of the- kindly feelings existing at all times between Father Skinner and his :people,—of; his great devotion to duty, untiring energy i and self-sacrifice; in the interests of the J Church,'and above • all the deep sorrow and regret felt by all at his departure. : The parish during Father Skinner’s administration, has - advanced wonderfully. \ Newly formed on his appointment, . .. ■--i-ri-5/r : . = y■ -V,-:;•■/•/ :/•'

it is at the present time a flourishing parish without indebtedness.' - • {{'■ {.;- ; .. • ’./- - : Mr. J. Waters (chairman ;of the Town Board) and . Mr. G. Swain (representing the Athletic Club) ‘ spoke of the many good qualities and sportsmanlike characteristics of the guest, and the great loss to the district his departure would mean, as he always took a keen interest in local matters : and sport of every kind. - Rev. Mr. Fussell, speaking on behalf of the, Anglican Church, referred to the departing priest’s broadmindedness, and ..to the good feeling always existing between Father Skinner and members and clergymen of other denomi nations. ’ { • . ’ Several other, good-humored and complimentary speeches were made and the chairman extended, on behalf of the parishioners, a ■ welcome to Father Farragher. - >? Mr. Neil handed a cheque for a substantial amount to Father Skinner; as a token of good will and appreciation. Loud applause greeted , the recipient, as he stood up to responda task which it was quote apparent was a very difficult one. He spoke at some length of his attachment to the people and place, of the eleven happy years spent in their midst, and how deeply he felt his severance from them. Everyone ... knew of the devotion of . Catholics to their priests, but he, had received many kindnesses ( and tokens of good will from every denomination. He looked on Waiuku as his home, and although his new. appointment was in a sense promotion, he would be quite,content to remain among them. He spoke a word for his successor; (Father Farragher) and hoped the same kindness would be shown him as he (the speaker) had experienced. Finally he thanked the people for their generous gift. . ...>. Musical items^dancing, and a daintily prepared supper completed the entertainment. . ... Father Skinner left next day for Otahuhu, but he will live long in the memory of the people whom he served so faithfully and well. ' <X*> • ■ r . -- r DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH (From our own correspondent.) .{. j : , ■>: ■; ■.• „ . - October 22. After the ordinary meeting of the St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society on Monday evening, the members entertained those of the Addington branch to a social evening. The programme consisted of cards,' songs, and the usual happy s speeches. % • . {£ A very, successful. “coin evening” was held in St., Mary’s Memorial Hall on Wednesday last, in aid of the Sweets Stall at the forthcoming carnival. The pupils of “Villa Maria,” Riccarton, held a very enjoyable concert on Wednesday last in honor of the Reverend Mother’s feast day. " ‘ ' " . . : v The usual meeting ~of , - St. Mary’s ' branch of V the H. Society was held on Tuesday last. . Tennis at the Cathedral and St. Mary’s courts was very interesting on last Saturday," and the season promises to be a successful one. . , ' . : ;