Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 52, 30 December 1925, Page 30

Diocesan News

Archdiocese of Wellington (From our own Correspondent.) December 24. Ven. Archdeacon Devoy returned from Lewisham Hospital very much improved in health. All his friends are rejoicing that the Grand Man of the local clergy is himself again. The recent garden party at the Lower Hutt, in aid of church funds, was a great success. Four hundred pounds odd was cleared. The parish priest, Rev. Father Daly, and his efficient helpers are to be congratulated on the result. The Retreat for the Sisters of Mercy, Hill Street, has just concluded. It was preached by the Rector of St. Gerard's, Rev Father Collins, C.SS.R. Rev. Father Johnson, S.J., arrived by the Sydney boat this week, in time to keep his appointments for the various Retreats. Father Johnson is to preach the. Retreat at the Sacred Heart Convent, Island Bay. The Retreat for the Sisters of Mercy, Seatoun, was preached by the Provincial of the Redemptori.sts, Very Rev. Father Walsh C.SS.R. . ' ? Last week his Grace Archbishop O'Shea unveiled a monument to the memory of Dean Lane in the Petone cemetery. His Grace stressed the qualities of the departed soggarth, who was indeed a soggarth aroon to his people. A number of his faithful friends were present for the ceremony. Rev. Father Gilbert, S.M., M.A.', rector of St. Patrick's College, is going to cross the Tasman for a well deserved holiday. Wanganui x (From our own Correspondent.) December 24. All the schools finished up nicely, some with a picnic and some with distribution of prizes, but all with great joy! The Sacred Heart Girls had a picnic up-River, making a day of it at Hipango Park. That was followed m a few days, by their prize-giving. There was no concert or exhibition of work this year. St. Joseph's and St. Mary's pupils had a mixture of functions—an afternoon, with a

playlet and concert, for .the Far East; a picnic for the little ones, and a prize-giving for everyone. No concert here either. Aramoho School had a grancf'concert, in which the full strength of the school took part. The first part of the programme was given over to singing and recitations, and the second part all went in an operetta. All the items were very well done, some specially so, and the school was so packed out with .audience that quite a number of fathers had to stand. Next day these pupils had a picnic at Victoria Park on St. John's Hill. Gonville and Castlecliff Schools had their prize-giving and concert both these days going off well. The Brothers and their senior boys had a day out at Kai Iwi, making a picnic of it. They had races, swims, and a good all round sun-burning. Christmas will be our next excitement, and we are to have the great privilege of midnight Mass once more. As I write this we are in the throes of Christmas shopping and bustle. Trade, very quiet" for long enough, decided at last to brighten up, and the week before Christmas was brisk enough to moan that Christmas week would be even better. So far so good. Everything is ready for the Retreat for laymen to be held at the Villa Maria in January, 1926. It will commence on the evening of Thursday 21 at 7.30 p.m. and will end on Monday morning, January 25 — 3 days. The Villa is admirably suited for this purpose. On the ground floor is a large dining-room lounge, and a reading room, also a well-appointed kitchen where the meals are prepared. This department will be in charge of a lady who is noted for this kind of work. Retreatants will be served with meals equal to a first-class hotel. On the second floor is the chapel, where all the exercises of the Retreat will be held. There is a vestry room and a separate room for hearing confessions, etc.. St. Joseph's Hall, on the same section, is fitted up as a dormitory which has accommodation for 50 retreatants. Many people are under the impression that the making of a Retreat is a difficult undertaking, quite beyond the capacity of ordinary mortals. This idea, which is false, keeps some men from attending. The preacher will be Rev. Father T. G. McCarthy. Marist Missioner. Intending retreatants should forward their application at an early date. The youngest son of Mrs. Greener, of St. Mary's parish. Brother Philip, is home just now spending a few days with his mother, and renewing old friends. This is Brother Philip's .first return to Wanganui since he went away to join the Marist Brother,, and we are all. delighted to see him looking so well. He was stationed at Timaru this year and is on his way to Auckland for the Retreat and holidays. Our Brothers will be going there too during this week.

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