NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 202, 16 February 1877, Page 13

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

** The tickets for the Art Union, which it is proposed to hold in September next, for the purpose of aiding in the erection of the new conventual buildings so much needed in Dunedin, have now been pretty widely disseminated amongst those persons who are believed to be friendly to the cause of religion in New Zealand and elsewhere, who, it is hoped, will kindly endeavor to dispose of them It is devoutly to be desired that a commendable spirit of zeal may so animate all the parties concerned that satisfactory results may i follow from the steps already taken. There is no doubt but that ' all who will undertake to exert themselves in the matter will be j

engaged in forwarding an excellent cause. Elsewhere will be found a sketch of the impressions received by one who is known to be anything but friendly to the Catholic Church, from a visit paid by him to an institution conducted by nuns in Melbourne. True, ifc is an institution differing widely frooi that whose interests ifc is sought to promote in Dunedin; but it has so much in common with the the latter that it affords a striking example of the thorough manner in which all works undertaken by the members of a religious order are Carried out. And it stands to reason that it should be so, for it is evident that they whose firm and constant conviction it i 3, that their eternal welfare depends upon the faithfulness with which they perform their tasks, and who have, moreover, already sacrificed all worldly pleasures and advantages to the promotion of that welfare, will not now be held back by any considerations whatever from energetically fulfilling their dutie3 ; therefore, the work they do is always the best of its kind. A printed appeal has been forwarded by the Lady Superior of the Dominican Convent together with each parcel of tickets issued by her, and there may, perhaps, be persons who are ready to believe that it has cost this lady no effort to solicit the aid of the public in her undertaking; such, however, is not the case. It is never pleasant to apply for pecuniary assistance, and still less so when it is done with the full conviction that the applicant, however unfairly, will be considered as benefited personally by the advancement of the cause upheld, Where nuns are concerned this is not so : they have literally nothing to gain by any increase to the size or importance of their convent, asylum, hospital, or schools, as the case may be. In all probability they will suffer rather in personal comfort by being called upon to work all the harder, and it is but just to remember that when they solicit help they do so not for themselves, but altogether on behalf of the community in general. In the present instance this is especially so, and we know for a fact that the Dominican Sisters would now hardly have courage for their present task, were ifc not that they believe that by making one bold anl determined effort, they will be able to accomplish, once for all, everything that is requisite, so that in future they may depend on their own earnings, and instead of feeling themselves obliged to claim the aid of their friends and well-wishers, they may become in their turn the dispensers of material charities, amongst whom it is the custom for members of their order to be reckoned.

His Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin purposes to leave Dunedin to-day for Invercargill, in order that he may officiate at the dedication of the church of St. Columbkill at Riverton on Sunday next. His Lordship will be accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Kelly, S.J., and O'Sullivan, who are about to return to Melbourne. The Rev. Father Kelly, however, has consented, prior to his departure from New Zealand, to deliver in the Southland metropolis one of his eloquent and much appreciated lectures. It is our privilege to announce, the conversion to the Catholic faith of Miss Emily Buchanan, a young lady well-known and much esteemed in Dunedin, who has been received into the Church at London.

It is not necessary for us to comment at any great length on the improvements mide in the appearance of our journal, they speak for themselves, and are evident to the dullest eyea. We desire, however, to draw particular attention to our new heading, which is taken from the design of a local artist, Mr. Power, uud which we think will be generally allowed to reflect much credit on the inventive genius and taste of the gentleman alluded to. We -would further hold up to special notice the method in which our advertising columns are arranged, as we believe that the conspicuous position in which the advertisement of each of our patrons is placed cannot fail to meet with his approbation, and deserve for us a continuance of his support. At a meeting of the Dunedin Catholic Young Men's Society, held in St. Joseph's Schoolroom on Friday evening last, the following appointments of officers ware made — nem con : President, His Lordship the Bishop of the Diocese ; Vice-President, the Rev. T. Crowley ; Warden, Mr. R. Dunne j Secretary, Mr. A. Norman j Treasurer, Mr. J. Griffen; librarian, Mr. A Corrigan. It was decided that in future the meetings of the Society should take place on the evening of Wednesday, instead of that of Friday as heretofore. It is to be hoped that the mystery which seems in some degree to have been allowed to attach to the management and inmates of the Fever Hospital, is not about to be dissipated in a most unsatisfactory manner. Above all th ngs, we should say it ought to be made clear to parents, that the tactics of Mesdames G-amp and Prigg are not those in vogue in an institution, whither the law may compel them at any time to send their children.