HUNDRED YEARS OF CATHOLICISM

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 25, 13 February 1937, Page 5

HUNDRED YEARS OF CATHOLICISM

-Presc Association.)

Features of Centenary Next February SCOUT JAMBOREE

(By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, This JJay. A Dominion-wide Jamboree for Catholic fcicouts, to be held in Auckland at about the time of the New Zealand Catholic centenary celebrations next February, was mentioned at the executive meeting in connection with the centenary plans. Children are to play a prominent part throughout the celebrations of the church, and a largb choir of boys is being orgamsed. Bishop Liston, wno presided, said that the Apostolic Delegate for New Zealand anct Australia, His Excellency Arch bishop Panico, wouid come to Auckland for the Centenary^ The presence of this distinguished representa tive of the Holy hather would give much joy to New Zealand Catholics. The eminent English priest and author, Monsignor Bonald Knox, had offered to consider the translation anu adaptation of a religious presentation entitled "Credo." This had been staged in a series of tableaux m Belgium and was a great success. Bishop Liston read encouraging lettera reeeived from members of the Australian heirarchy. A publicity campaign was well advancod with a view to bringing large numbers of visitors to New Zealand. Referring to proposed Maori celebrations at Totara Point, Holcianga Harbour, on the site of the first Mass offered in New Zealand, on January 13, 1839, Bishop Liston said that much depended on the provision of an access road. The construction of the road ap peared practicable as it had been long desired by the settlers. It was proposed to erect a marble cross on the actual site of Bishop Pom pallier's first Mass. The Mili Hill fathers, who had conducted Maori mia sions, were training a native choir to sing the Mass. A party of about 100 Maoris would assemble for the Auckland «|3lebrations. The numerical representation would be in the hands of missionary fathers, but tho actual personnel would be chosen by the Maori people themselves and an essentially New Zealand element would be introduced at many of the liturgical gatherings, said Bishop Liston. Mass and prayers would bo recited in St. Patrick's Cathedral by natives, who would sing the hymns and chant the Divine praises. The celebrations would be flnanced on a subscription and membership system. It was planned to create a permanent memorial of the centenary by the establishment of a £1000 bursary for students for the prihsthood. Proposals for children 's processions and assemblies were outlined. The main event, New Zealand 's one hundred years of Catholic life, would be depicted on a series of banners, A bursary for the priesthood would be presented by schools as a Centenary memorial.