ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6, 8 February 1900, Page 5

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.) February 'J. The Homo for Incurables, established by Mother Mary Joseph Aubert, Superior of the Sisters of Oar Laiiy of Compassion, was blessed and opened by his Grace the Archbishop on Sunday. Tho home is situated next to St. Joseph's Church on the eastern side, and is intended for destitute people s-uftxring lrom incurable diseases. Solemn High Ma&s was celebrated in tit. Joseph's Church, Rev. Father George Mahoney (Xeleon) being the celebrant, and Rev. Fathers Clancy and O'Reilly deacon and sub-deacon respectively. Rev. Fathers Soulas (Wanganui) and Hickson (Napier) were present in the sanctuary. Weber's Mass in G was sung, the choir being ably assisted by Misses Rose Blaney (Dunedm) and Hickling. the former also singing the offertory piece, Mercadante's 'Salve Maria.' At the conclusion of the Mass his Grace preached a particularly stirring sermon on charity, showing the motive which actuates the Catholic Church in her practice of it, and explaining Christian charity as distinguished from mere philanthropy. Christ, he said, had shown how great was His charity and love of the poor at all times by going about among the most lowly, soothing them in sorrow and healing them in sickness. Even ( hrist Himself, Who had He chosen would Lave been born in i iches and luxury, was pleased to come into the world amidst tlie lowliest surroundings, and all to teach fortitude to the suffering ami charity to those blessed with riches. His Grace, in condition, made special mention of the very excellent work which Mother Mary Joseph Aubert had already done. She was, he said, esteemed not only in New Zealand but throughout the Australian colonies. For half a century she had persistently exemplified her Chri-tran charity and her devotedness to the poor of all denominations. She was born in Lyons, and from her parents, who were in comfortable circumstances, had received a very high education, butatGol's call had left her home aud friends to carry on with Bishop Pompalher the mission to the Maoris. Since her arrival in New Zealand she had devoted her acquirements and accomplishments to the benefit of her fellow-beings, and was now about to extend her beneficence in another direction by providing this Home for Incurables. The noble work done by her and the nuns could not be over estimated. There was no charitable work lrom which they shrunk, the more humiliating the more they gloried in it ; for they saw in the poor the person of Jesus Christ. Should we not, therefore, feel proud of these noble and devoted beings, and by every means in our power aid and assist them. Alma giving paved the way to salvation, and he hoped that the congregation would, at the opening of the home, subscribe generously and willingly, resting assured that what was given to the poor was but lent to the Lord. A procession, in which the congregation took part, was formed at the conclusion of the sermon, and the home blessed and declared open by his Grace. The collection taken during the inspection of the building amounted to about £80, for which the good Sisters are extremely grateful.

The Catbolic schools of the city were re-opened on Monday, when the attendance of pupils was very satisfactory. St. Mary's Convent ex-Pupils' Association's picnic is being held at TitaM Bay to-day.

Miss Girvan Runcie, a pupil of St. Mary's Convent, was successful at this year's Matriculation examination.

On account of Brother George's? removal to Timaru, Brother Borgia has been transferred from Auckland to Wellington.

hi tho liot of the ouocofsful candidates for the Medical Preliminary examination, I notice the name ot Mr P. J. Garvey. He has buca i-ludying at Si raiiiok'c, College.

The Rev. Father Servajean took up his new duties as parish priest in Blenheim during the week. Rev. Father Fay, his curate, j'Jso left for Blenheim on Wednesday. The Rev. Father Patterson, until recently parish priest at Palmerston North, has been appointed to the vacancy caused by the eath of Monsignor McDonald at Panmure, Auckland. St. Patrick's College re-opened on Thursday. Rev. — McGrath, from the Meanee Seminary, replaces Rev. Father Moloney on the staff.

The Rev. Facher Bowden's friends will be glad to know that he is rapidly recovering from the effects of an operation to which it was found necessary to subject him a few weeks ago.

The Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy passed through Wellington on his way to Meanee this week. His holiday, if such it might be called, was pretty well taken up in preaching retreats in various parts of the Colony.

The children of St. Joseph's Orphanage were treated to a picnic by Mr and Mrs Martin Kennedy last Saturday. Before leaving Gladstone Terrace the children gave hearty cheers for their host and hostess, who spared no pains to make the day enjoyable. Another old and well-known resident, Mr A. S. Allan, passed away at his residence, Featherston Terrace, on last Saturday. Mr Allan, who was for some years Deputy-Registrar of the Supreme Court here and later on the Registrar, retired from the public service on pension some twelve years ago. The Rev. Father Holley conducted the funeral service at Karori on Monday. — R.I.P. The Romance of an Unfrocked Priest, of which the Rev. Father Cleary (editor of the Tablet) is the author, is attracting wide attention here from people of all classes and creeds. I append the reference made to it in the New Zealand Times of the 31st ult- :—: — Jouj/h Slatt, ry : The Romance of an Cnf rocked Priest, is the title of a spirited pamphlet just issued in Dunedin — the author being the Rev. H. W. Cleary, editor of the New Zt aland Tablet. The word 'romance' is strangely misapplied, it will seem to most readers, in the case of an unfortunate victim of intemperance who now makes a living as an itinerant lecturer, and has been imprisoned in America for selling indecent literature. Slattery, in company with an alleged ' ex-nun,' is said to be on a visit to New Zi aland, delivering lectures antagonistic to the Roman Catholic religion and it>, institutions — lecture-* in which, as Mr. Labouchere of Truth has said, ' pruriency ,-nd indecency are appealed to under the yuise of religion.' It must have been a wholly distasteful task for Father Cleary to expose the pretensions of such people ; but having deemed it nee e-sary to do so, he has performed the task in the most thorough manner. Both in this pamphlet and in another, published In London, and entitled The Slatterys, by Mr. James Britten, K.S.O , ample and satisfactory documentary evidence is reproduced of the falseness of the statements of Joseph Slattery and the so-called ex-nun who travels with him. Protestants as well as Catholics in the community should be grateful that the truth regarding these people has been published.