Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 35, 16 September 1925, Page 30

Diocesan News

Archdiocese of Wellington (From our own correspondent.) t September 11. The schools have opened again after the vacation, and teachers and pupils are preparing for a strenuous term. The long Christmas spell enforced by the Health authorities has made this a hard year for both. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea left Wellington on Monday night for Blenheim on an episcopal visitation. He is now in Nelson, whence he will proceed to the Coast.

Wanganui (From a correspondent.) September 11. On Sunday, 16th ult., Rev. Father Kimbell received 16 aspirants into the ranks of the Aramoho Children of Mary. This ceremony was followed by a procession of Our Lady in which the Children of Mary, school children, and altar boys took part. Father Kimibell preached on devotion to the Mother of God and Benediction brought the evening's devotions to a close. In one respect only is Aroinoho church behind the times. Electric light has been the fashion in city and suburbs for some time past, hut the Catholics of Aromoho, on Sunday evenings, still peer into their hymn books 'neath the fitful glimmer of gas. With the object of turning night into day at St. Joseph's, the Aramoho Children of Mary put their heads together and decided upon/ a fancy dress ball for the adults and a fancy dress party for the children. "The firstnamed function took place on Tuesday, the Ist inst., in the Aramoho Convent School. The men, for some unknown reason, fought shy of fancy costumes, only two being brave enough to face the music; so that the prizes were carried off by the ladies. Miss M. Luxford's was the most original dress, "N.Z. Products," and Miss Hazel Henry's was the prettiest, "Carnival." The hall was tastefully decorated with greenery, paper butterflies, and streamers, and a very dainty supper was provided. The "Dixieland" orchestra was in attendance and added much to the success of the dance.

The children’s party, which took place on Thursday, the 3rd inst,, was also crowned with success. Over 200 children were there in fancy costumes, and of course many fond rents came along to see and admire their darlings. It was decided that the people should vote for the best fancy dresses, and it was indeed a difficult task, for so many children deserved mention. The ballot results were Girls; Margaret Robinson 1 (“Chicken”); Ellwyn George, 2 (“Bride”). Special prizes: Nellie Beuchar (“Black Cat”) and Cathie Ahern (“Rainbow”). Boys—Bernard Locke (“Bridegroom”) and Eric Georg© (“Swagger”) tied for first place. Pa#j.. Ahern (“Golliwog”) 2. Special prize, Ami ley Healey (“Jazz Band”). Dancing was kept up until eleven o’clock, which is quite late enough for little ones. The final figures’ are not yet made up, but sufficient has been

gathered in to pay for the installation of ffiragaj long-looked-for electric light in s St. Jol y jcrph's. .;. ■ ' ; ;: - C; :: \ Rev. Father Outtrim, S.M. (St, Bede's : College) was here for a few days during holiday time; also Rev. Father Buckley, S.M. • Old friends were pleased to see them both looking, so well. &'l Rev. Father J. A. O'Connell, S.M., is back from Australia well again after his long illlness. He returned by the Mahcno, and has , gone back to Christchurch. / Diocese of Auckland ' (From our own Correspondent.) September 9. There was a large gathering at the usual monthly meeting of the Students Guild, recently held at St. Benedict's Hall. A paper * on the subject of the "Re-union of Christendom" was read by the Rev. Father Higgins, S.M., of St. Mary's House of Studies, Greenmeadows. In the course of an exhaustive address the lecturer traced the various movements on the part of non-Catholics, and at the conclusion of its delivery the Right Rev. Dr. Liston spoke at length on the paper. A three days 'Retreat for the pupils of the Sacred Heart College is being conducted by the Rev. Father McLoughlin.. The annual meeting of the Sacred Heart Old Boys' Association held recently was well attended. Mr. Nesbit Snedden presided. The annual report and balance sheet showed that the association's affairs were in a healthy condition. The election of office-bear-ers resulted as follows: —Patrons, Right Rev. *n ' Dr. deary and Right Rev. Dr. Liston; vice- / patron. Rev. Brother Borgia, B.A. (Director of the college); president, Rev. Dr. Buxton ; secretary, Mr. J. Molloy : treasurer, Mr. C. Stone; committee, Messrs. N. Snedden, Ricketts, Coleman, Sweeney, Harris, Foley, J. Carroll, Flynn, A. Snedden, and Cahill. Rev. Dr. Buxton addressed the members on the future aims of the association. EPSOM'S NEW CHURCH. The dedication of the new Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at Epsom took place on Sunday. The Right Rev. Dr. Liston officiated, and High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Kennedy, assisted' by Rev. Fathers O'Brien and Flanagan; Rev. Father O'Byrne being master of ceremonies. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr. V. Cooke, gave a fine rendering of the music of the Mass. The church, which is built of concrete, is a very handsome structure, and complete in every detail. The edifice is a monument to the energy, zeal, and devotion of the pastor (Rev. Father O'Byrne). who has earned the gratitude of his people for providing a separate church and school for the parish. It is for them now to show it by helping their . .worthy priest by every means in their power ■ +i T'liquidate the indebtedness. The building .4?*denotes the spread and advancement of Catholicity in the district. There is now a potential Catholic population in the locality which ' in a few- years will tax the present I accommo-

dation. However, Father O'Byrne has advanced with' the times and has now a fine imperishable monument of his life work. . >Vsv**fs»r*o\ ■■';• ''-■■■■- ■■". The Right Rev. Dr. Liston, in the course of his sermon on the occasion, said' it was a day of: rejoicing for the pastor and parishioners of Epsom because it marked the opening of a new Catholic church to the honor and glory of Almighty God. It is now four years since the parish was formed, and during that time the pastor has been revolving in his mind plans for the erection of this building. It is a fitting occasion on which to speak of the meaning of this day of rejoicing, and to take to heart the lesson conveyed in the solemn blessing of - another House of God.. His Lordship went on to speak of the apostolate of the Church, incidentally dwelling upon the noble work of New Zealand's first Bishop and his band of heroic missionaries. At the evening devotions held in the new church, the Right Rev. Dr. Liston again preached ; Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament concluding the day's ceremonies. &> Diocese of Christchurch (From our own correspondent.) September 12. The members of the Catholic Club are establishing a library at their rooms, and .have already quite a. good collection of books. Donations in this respect would be gratefully received. Ex-pupils of Sacred Heart College are busy promoting a big social evening, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the Foreign Missions. .Misses I). Brittenden, I. Hanrahan, M. O'Brien, B. Kingan, T. Mannix, Messrs. V. Smith. G. Brittenden. and J. Crocker constitute the executive committee, and the function is to take place on September 30 at '-Dixieland." Rev. Father Finnerty, West Coast, is at present the guest of his Lordship the Bishop. Father J. O'Connor, pastor of Addington, is a patient at Lewisham Hospital. Rev. Father Lordan is looking forward to a big muster of the Children of Mary on the third Sunday of this month, when they will approach Holy Communion in regalia. At Woolston there is keen wholesome rivalry between the various stallholders in view of the fete day (November 28). The latest development is a produce stall under the leadership of Mr. Rich. His Lordship Dr. Brodie intends making an appeal on Sunday evening in the Cathedral for the "Propagation of the Faith." Taking into consideration the very unfavorable weather conditions of the past two months, satisfactory progress is being made with the new school for the Marist Brothers. The principals.for the roof are now in position and it is hoped to have the school ready for use early, in the new/(-ear. St. Patrick's Hibernians partook of the hospitality of the New Headford branch on Tuesday last in order to play the challenge cup return card match, some thirty brothers making the trip out. - Although New Headford won,' their-victory was 12 points short

of their previous defeat and consequently the cup remains v for • this -year the property-of St.• Patrick's branch. > : K . :i , .:«_,,... '; ; ,;,, £._. § .Following, on a series .of ; entertainments, for St. Anne's Church, Woolston, the Sunbeam Concert; Party presented. , a very fine . programme in , the , Druid's Hall on Thursday last, in aid of the tea.stall. •. Songs were given by Misses Joyce and Mavis Nixon, Lily and Mavis Kinsella, Doris Donnelly, Gracie McCaw and Mr. Shirly- Cook. "Billy" .Cook was heard to advantage in recitation, as was Miss M. Carroll in a pianoforte solo. Mr. Brown, and Miss M. Carroll played the accompaniments. ,i-. i The kindly thought of Mr. Geo. Hayward was responsible for a concert party visiting Mt. Magdala on a recent Sunday afternoon. The entertainment given was of a high standard and was thoroughly enjoyed by the Sisters and their charges. Songs were given by Mrs. Frank O'Brien, Miss Elsie Ives, Miss E. Carney, Messrs. Bracy Wilson, Woodward, Tre.wern, and Arthur Macdonald; recitations by Miss Colleen Costolloe, Mr. j. Darragh, and Mr. Tustone ; piano solo by Miss Mavis O'Brien; and violin solo by Mr. J. Gallagher. The accompanists were Mrs. A. Macdonald. Miss E. Ives. Mr. Hayward, on behalf of the Rev. Mother and Sisters, thanked the performers and those who generously placed their cars at Mr. Hayward's disposal— C. Farra, Messrs. W .G. Ives, H. St. A. Murray, John Murray, and Pink Taxis', Ltd. The other evening, under the auspices of the Marist Carnival Committee, a very happy and well-attended children's fancy dress dance was held in ''Dixieland." The members of the committee, who are to be congratulated on the splendid organisation of the function, were: Mesdames C. Baker, E. Fitzgerald, J. Blackaby, J. Coffey, Brosnahan, Miss C. O'Connor, Messrs. P. Clarkson (hon. secretary), Smythe, E. T. Daly, Blazey, McQuillan, V. Smith, Coffey, Ormandy, and O'Shaughnessy. The judges were Mrs. Archer, Miss Morkane and Mrs. McCullough. The music was supplied by Mrs. Fitzgerald and Miss Flynn. An exhibition dance (Gayotte) was given by Nola Donovan and Ralph Richards, dressed as Early Victorians, and a recitation by Rita Dempsey. The prizes were awarded as follows: Best dressed girl over ten, Nellie O'Brien; best dressed boy over ten, Victor Dixon ; best dressed girl under ten, Joan Coffey; best dressed boy under ten, Noel Humphries; most original costume. Dave Fowke: most humorous costume, Jim Humphries largest family party, Sutherland and Humphries families; best poster costume, Gladys Kerr; special prize "By Mayoress, Master Coffey (Marist League player); best dressed pair (Ralph Richards and Nola Donovan). ' '■'• • : •■'-■■ ■ : RETURN OF FATHER O'CONNELL. Rev. Father J. O'Connell, S.M., parish priest of St. Mary's, was accorded a "welcome home" on Friday evening last on his return from a health-recruiting trip to Australia. St. "Mary's Memorial Hall was crowded and a very enjoyable concert programme was presented. Songs were contributed by Mrs: F. O'Brien, Rev? Father Outtrim (St. (Continued on page 35) . L v