Diocesan News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1, 4 January 1900, Page 19

Diocesan News.

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.") December 30 The Very Rev. Father Bower is the only one of the college staff at present in Wellington. Fathers Hills, Clancy, Mahony. and Bowden are cruising in the Marlborougb Sounds. Father Servajean, of Te Aro parish, is one of the party. The three city churches were crowded at all the Masses on on Christmas Day. At St. Joseph's Pontifical High Maps was celebrated by his Grace the Archbishop, assisted by Rev. Father Hills (deacon), and the Rev. Father Clancy (sub-deacon). The Very Rev. Father Bower acted as master of ceremonies. At the conclusion of a short sermon on the feast of the day, his Grace wished the congregation a holy and happy Christmas. Miss Hickling sang the soprano eolos in Gounod's Mass, Mr Rowe the tenor, and Messrs. Dunne and Girling-Butcher the bass. At St. Mary's Church, Guildford terrace, the ttev. Father Ginisty, of St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, sang a 31 ma Cantata and Weber's Mass in G was sung by the choir, Mesdainea Swift and Cimino, Miss Pender, Messrs. Gamble and McManaway taking the solos. Under the skilful hands of Mr?. Scanlon tha chapel assumed a very pretty appearance, decorated, as it was, with flowers, ferns, palma, and pot plants artistically arranged. The Yen. Archdeacon Devoy was the celebrant of the Solemn High Mass at H. Mary of the Angels', Rev. Father Servajean deacon, and Rev. Father Bowden sub-deacon. Mr. Oakes had a Btrong orchestra to assist the choir, when Haydn's Imperial was exceedingly well rendered. The soloists were : — Soprano, Mrs. Oakes and Misses Kimbell and Mills ; alto, Misses McPharland, A. Sandbrook, and M. Kimbell ; tenors, Messrs. Brooks and Tabor ; bass, Mr. Law. At the offertory, L. Dwan sang Adam's ' Cantique de Noel.'

The editor of Our Fernery is deserving of congratulation on the effect produced by her article on the work of the Sisters of Our Lady of Compassion The good done by the devoted Sipters of this Order is recognized by the charitably disposed in all parts of the Colony. The latest donation, for which these Sisters are very grateful, is one of £7 from the Sisters of the Convent of Mercy of Hokitika, and the branch houses at Ross, Kanieri, and Kumar a. Let us hope that the example set will be followed by many others. Concluding his sermon or* the Feast of Christmas at St. Mary's Church last Sunday hi-* Gracn the Archbishop made a few remarks anent the Transvual war. Quite recently there had been, he paid, a Peace Conference, but that universal peace sought for was still in the far distant, and until the nations took to heari the principle of universal charity and were less inclined to follow the dictates of passion it would remain so. The Christmas of 1899 would be, in consequence of the present war, one of sadness and mourning in

many a home. In peace as in war it was a duty to do what one could for his country, and fellow-Catholics were among the heroes in South Africa. For the noble and generous hearts who wen giving their lives for their country, for the devout women who, with marvellous courage and devotion, were ministering to the Bick and wounded, he besought the prayers of all the faithful. The picnic for the children attending the Gatholio schools of the city was held on Boxing Day and was the most successful we have had for years. Headed by Jupp'e band they marched from St. Mary of the Angels' Churoh to the station where a speoial train was ilk readiness to convey them to the Very Rev. Father Lane's grounds at the Hutt. Sports and games were arranged for the children, and in this respect speoial praise is due to the local clergy and Fathers Lane and Maples. The picnic was well patronised by the adult population, about 4,000 people being present. During the afternoon the Right Hon. the Premier arrived on the ground and was received with cheers. There was no hitch of any kind and the committee is to bf congratulated on the excellence of the arrangements.