NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 49, 9 December 1925, Page 34

NOTES

The American Language For a considerable period during the past' year the writer of these notes found Himself: in countries where- he heard and tried ! o speak foreign tongues all day long It was natural enough to expect to be called on to answer in Italian, French or Spanish, while on the Continent, and in Ireland one 1 was more or less disappointed at not being given more practice in Gaelic. On arriving in die United States a rest from the efforts of memory necessary for conversation in strange idioms was hoped for, hut all in vain, ho, there is a fearsome and horrible language spoken there and it is the despair of all who try to master it. You bear a boy described a a pilly person; going to school is hiking to the sweat shop; a visit to a gymnasium is a round at the perspiracy; and a stupid youth is dumb — who should say a boolavaunl The spoken language is simple compared with the literature. We give you one sample and leave you to recover during the coming week. A lad who was taking a holiday in the country wrote to his friends who were sweltering in the city: “Yesterday we hnggied to the town and basehalled all the afternoon. To-day wo muled out to the cornfield and go-hawed until sundown. After we had slippered we piped for a- little while. After that we staircased up to our rooms where we bedstcadcd until the clock sixed next morning.” Life in New York He was merely an average man, His height was the average height; He followed the usual plan, And came home from the office at night. His wife and his children, of course, Were about what the average had; He lost on the stocks on the bourse, And swore when his golf score was bad. He kicked at the taxes he paid, He grumbled at every new maid; He voted the regular way, And shaved off the stubble cadi day. His morals were good of a sort, He smoked two for a ouarter cigars, ' Kept up, through his paper, with sport And never got seats on his car. He slant the conventional eight, He never neglected a meal, He get bald on-the top of his pate , And was killed by an automobile. ..The mention of. golf recalls something. Passing ,by a park in Canada we - saw a remarkably large number of men playing golf very, seriously. A few perches farther on we came to the. gate. It bore a brass plate on which we. read the words; .' h MENTAL ASYLUM. They .do things -looficallv. in Canada, where the climate keeps their heads nice and cool.

Canon SheehanCMliMßrr . .. . i Recently a. monument to the . memory of Canon Sheehan, was unveiled at Doneraile by the Bishop of Cloyno. In the course of an eloquent panegyric, delivered for . the occasion, Father Phelan. SM., dealt with the illustrious' Canon’s-writings -in a passage which, we take /the liberty. of r reproducing in our columns. Readers .who love My New (larate will appreciate it for the flood of light it throws on. the literary work of this great Irishman; “The reason he wrote novels is that the novel has become the main channel through which men pass their thoughts into the hearts of others. It is said that one of the greatest achievements of St. Thomas’s life was that he seized' on the philosophy of Aristotle and converted it to the use of Christian schools. 'Phis monument of organised thought he baptised and turned to the service of Christ. Stimulated, perhaps. by the Angelic Doctor, Canon Sheehan laid hold of the novel, and made it an instrument to elevate and spiritualise the lives- of men.' Thus an instrument used' so often to inflame passions, pervert thoughts, and pour vitriolic acid on the very foundation truths of Christian teaching was used by him for a high’ and holy purpose. He wrote novels, then, for the same reason as he preached sermonsnamely, to draw the hearts of men close to the Heart of Christ. A.M.D.G. “ ‘ To the Greater Glory of God ’ —might he inscribed on the cover of every book he wrote. “Had he neelocted this artistic gift with which God had so richly dowered him and sent forth his thoughts in a more prosaic form, his works to-day. instead of being translated into the world’s languages, with edition chasing edition, in all probability would he found lying on the top shelves of libraries wrapped in the cobwebs of. neglect. Other masters of .fiction concentrate all their powers on an individual or group of persons. but you will search , in vain through +Ur> works of Dickens or Victor Hugo for .the f e of their respective countries. Canon Sheehan made all his characters subordinate to the grand purpose of flinging on the .canvas The Inner Life of the Entire.. Nation. Vn S , Ireland in sunshine and shade, smiles through her tears out from every page. The aroma- of Ireland everywhere: we- meet th« scent of the wild 1 woodbine and cowslip and the smell : of. the turf fires.’; the immortal hone of a- glorious future, the tone of resonant defiance, the sun flashes of hu,v>o'V a ll the laughter that trembles on the border-laud of tears. As one of his reviewers h'mvtifniiy, put it, The fragrance of Ireland> life exhales from* his works, pungent .cs the perfume of thyme from, the fingers : - '.that - rolled it.’ , .

“Before Canon Sheehan’s advent into the domain of fiction other writers all attempted to paint the Irish priest, but every picture is disfigured by bigotry or malice. They./, wrote to gratify the savage racial or religious v hate of their readers. But when we,turn from the true pictures of clerical life as drawn by your late pastor to those of Carleton or Lever, the latter read like literary nightmares. Yet all his thoughts and toil as an author is pervaded by his priesthood. He never forgot that the hand that held the pen was also anointed with the chrism of ordination. This was especially evident from the manner in which he bore himself when blushing honors were showered upon him. He did not seek fame, but fame sought and discovered him. Yet the incense of flattery and the applause of the world’s greatest men failed to disturb his calm equipoise of mind or beautifully balanced character. His gentle, unobtrusive humility was never in danger of being disfigured by arrogant demeanor towards others or a boastful word about his own marvellous triumphs. “Another Christ-like feature was his charitable forgiveness to those who sought to belittle his works. He could indeed well afford to treat with silent pity the vulgar splutterings of human pride and jealousy. He knew poor human nature, its weaknesses and its limitations, too well, to treat them with anything but forbearance.” ❖❖ AN APOSTOLIC BLESSING Apostolic Delegation, 40 Edward Street, North Sydney, N.S.W., November 25, 1925. Dear Sir, — For the satisfaction and consolation of the Faithful who have written to his Holiness during this Jubilee Year, I beg you to publish the enclosed letter received from his Eminence the Cardinal Secretary of State. Thanking you in anticipation, I remain, sincerely in Christ, * B. Cattaneo, Apostolic Delegate. The Editor, New Zealand Tablet, Dunedin, (Translation) Secretariat of State of his Holiness, The Vatican, October 17, 1925. Your Excellency,— Numerous letters from pious persons have reached the Holy Father which express the intentions that have inspired their particular prayers. Their having written to the August Pontiff manifests their desire that he should strengthen their prayers with his own,'’ and at the same time shows the confidence and •devotion that they nourish for the Vicar of Christ. ■ . His Holiness, delighted with this attestation of reverent affection, fervently prays that God will grant the petitions of these ins good children, who, although materially distant from the centre of the Church, show such faith in the spiritual union of all Catholics. • . , , • .

In. confirmation of his sentiments the Holy - Father . most. heartily ' imparts the Apostolic Blessing to all those who in this way had recourse to him. ’ ‘ ■ tfv/* With best regards, . *" , ; ' ■ ~ r< ,' <| H I.' am. Your Excellency,' ' . v .jj' Yours affectionately, • .... (Signed) P. Cardinal ‘Gasparri. Archbishop B. . Cattaneo, : Apostolic Delegate, " /y , . ' North Sydney. , • -U; T'V.> A vi IRISH HISTORY The Examiners for this year arc, as last' year, Rev. John Kelly, Newtown, Wellington, for ; juniors Rev. E. Lynch, Palmerston North, • for ; seniors. ' PRIZE FUND. Mr. Maurice Goughian—Gold Medal. Donations for book prizes may be sent to the Editor. <X> DIOCESE. OF DUNEDIN There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from the eleven o’clock ‘ Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday. .After Compline at which his Lordship the Bishop officiated, the usual . monthly meeting of the Men’s Confraternity of the Sacred Heart was held, followed by sermon, procession, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament given by his Lordship the Bishop. The Sacrament of Confirmation was administered to eighty candidates by his Lordship the Bishop after the "eleven o’clock Mass the Sacred Heart . Church, North-east NValley, on Sunday. In the afternoon his Lordship again officiated, at a Confirmation ceremony at. St. Patrick’s Basilica, South Dunedin, when 188 candidates, including a number of adults, were Confirmed. Rev, Brother Hynes, who for the past five years has been on the teaching staff of the local Christian Brothers’ School, has received notice of his transfer to Australia, and leaves for Sydney this week. In appreciation of his interest in the sanctuary boys and their duties, and on saying goodbye to them after devotions at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday evening, Brother Hynes was, on their behalf, presented .by Father Monaghan with two useful volumes, handsomely bound. During Brother Hynes’ . term of office in Dunedin he has, apait from I his teaching duties, rendered valuable service in training the boys’ choir, arranging school entertainments* and giving musical tuition to f* the pupils generally. . Jj GOLDEN JUBILEE OF CHRISTIAN ’ ' BROTHERS, DUNEDIN. i j • ‘ J' ■ ■. ■ ’ ■ - ’ ” ■ | A, meeting of old boys, of , the Christian ll Brothers’ School,. Dunedin, was held in. St. j; Joseph’s Hall, on Sunday evening,, for the j; purpose of electing a committee to organise {.I fitting celebrations to mark, the . s Golden |j Jubilee of the establishment of the Christian A Brothers ,in Dunedin. Mr. A. ,G. Neill prev, sided over a gathering of some 140 old boys, H representative of every period from the |J school’s commencement fifty years ago. As :j an outcome of the meeting an able and vigori ous committee, led by prominent business and professional men of the city, was chosen to draft ‘ a programme of the festivities and 'commence preparations. , , Another general meeting of old boys will be f held in St. Joseph’s Hall at 8 p.m. on Sunday

next, December 13, to approve the general outline and nature "of the celebrations which the committee has-been asked to draw up. All old boys ape asked to again show their enthusiasm by attending in, force on Sunday next, as the committee must set to work immediately. Dunedin men* - will assist their committee in their task of locating other old boys by being prepared to hand in to the sacretary (Mr. J: N. Smith) on Sunday evening the names and addresses of any old boys in other centres whom they know. ■■■• —O-fr ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT CHURCH, PARIKINO BLESSED AND OPENED BY ARCHBISHOP REDWOOD. Parikino, the pah made famous by the well-known challenge to the ordeal of fire so successfully upheld by Father Lampila, S.M., has. raised to the service of Almighty God a church which is to be the centre of Catholic life for a wide area. . Just 18 months ago the fund was opened, and now there remains but £l7O debt , on a church which cost £B9O. St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, one of God’s latest saints, showed her remarkable power of intercession by granting a splendidly fine day after a week of boisterous, weather. The ceremonies commenced at 7.15 a.m., when his Grace the Archbishop of Wellington, blessed the building. . At 7.30 the first Mass in this new church was offered by his Grace. The congregation was entirely Maori, and at this Mass every member of the congregation received Holy Communion. His Grace, preached from the opening words of the ceremony of baptism “What dost thou ask of the Church of God, Faith.” He stressed the importance of a new church, a new altar, the centre of supernatural life, the home of our Eucharistic Lord, the place whence the Sacraments would apply the merits of the Precious Blood to the souls of the faithful. At 10 o’clock the Ohura arrived with 200 Maoris from the up-river pahs, and a few minutes later the Wairere' brought a full compliment of pakeha visitors from Wanganui. The Maoris from up-river were headed bv Rure Manihera, an altar boy of Father Lampila and grand Catechist of the Wanganui River Missions. Tamatea led the Ngati-Hau; Hoani Morehu the Ngati-Ruaka’, and Rangitahua the Ngati-Pomoana. The ceremonial greeting of the visitors, with the huge papal flag at their head, was a most impressive scene. At eleven o’clock Mass was celebrated, his Grace presiding in the sanctuary, Very Rev. Father Yenning, Superior of the River Missions, being celebrant. In the Sanctuary were Very Rev. Father Langerwerf (Waihi, Lake Taupo), Rev. Father Kaveney (Dunedin), and Father J. Riordan, S.M. The altar servers. vyero representatives of Jerusalem, Kawhaiki, and- Ranana. The occasional sermon ; was preached in Maori by Rev. Father Langerwerf after his Grace Archbishop Redwood had addressed the congregation. The sermon of Father Langenverf will be long remembered by the River Maoris. His fluent Maori, his brilliant oratory, and his fine descriptive powers made his sermon an, exceptional delight to the big congregation. of Maoris. Father Venning read the balance sheet which shows that of . a total debt of £B9O, already £650 had been paid. The remaining £240 was reduced by £7O, as a 1 result of the day’s collection. • t Father •

Yenning took the opportunity of thanking his Grace - for his presence and-expressed feelings of appreciation of the ;privilege he had bestowed on them. He also mentioned that his Grace was donating £2O for a bell. He thanked Mother Aubert and the Sisters of Compassion for the donation of a magnificent gold monstrance. The builders, Messrs. J. Wicky and Sons, received their share of thanks. But, above all, the Patroness of the church and her daughters, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, deserved the heartfelt and abundant thanks of the Missionaries and the Maoris for their repeated donations, £25 in cash, all the vestments and altar linen, the crucifix,, the Benediction set and numerous necessary articles. The ciborium was the gift of the children of the parish school, Island Bay. The fine altar was the gift of Miss Frances O’Neill, Wanganui, and was made by Mr. J. Irvine, of Wanganui. After Mass, dinner was served in a large marquee in the middle of the Marae. Six times the three long tables were cleared and re-set before all had been served. At two o’clock his Grace administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 35 candidates, including two converts. A feature at all cei emonies was the beautiful and devotional singing of the Maoris. Among other hymns, they sang two in honor of their patroness St. Madeleine Sophie (Sancta Sophia)—and sang them so very sweetly. ' . At last the time for farewells came and the two boats carried away a large crowd of well satisfied and highly appreciative visitors. A feature of the gathering was its representative character, all the four dioceses were represented England, Ireland, Scotland, Y ales, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, Australia, Assyria, and last, but not least, China had a representative. <X> CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC CLUB (Contributed.) A meeting of all lady friends and supporters of the Christchurch Catholic Club has been called with the approbation of his Lordship Bishop Brodie, to consider ways and means of assisting the club. The meeting will take place in the Marist .Brothers’ Schoolroom, Barbadoes Street, on Sunday next, December 13, after the 9.30 a.m. Mass. All are urged to attend. ' ' For a long time the club has felt the need of the assistance of a . ladies’ committee or branch, and at this meeting the ladies are invited to consider the best means of providing this assistance. There can be no doubt that such an organisation of the, ladies .is needed, and when in working order will find much scope for work. This is noticeably .so when it i s remembered that next Easter, here in Christchurch, will be held the annual conference and tournament (debating, tennis, and billiards) of the Federated Catholic Clubs and Societies of New Zealand, when delegates are* expected from all, over New Zealand. At present there is no ladies’ organisation of a. social nature in Christchurch offering such scope to those who have ever been willing to help in a work so valuable—a work which lias for its object the providing of rational amusement. for our Catholic young men in a trnlv Catholic atmosphere. All are welcome and a very large attendance is hoped for!.