DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 13, 28 March 1901, Page 5

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.)

March 23. An Irish national concert was held in the Opera House on Monday night. Long before the curtain was raised the house was practically filled, in fact the stall doors had to be closed. The audience was the largest and most attentive that had ever attended one of these gatherings. Items were contributed by the following : Misses Lily Thomson, Lena Conway, Madoline Knight, B. Barry, Messrs. Dobbs, and Harking, and Dr. Egan. Among those present were hia Grace Archbishop Redwood and his Lordship Bishop Lenihan. A Bum of £40 was taken at the doors, and when the returns of the tickets given out for sale come to hand it is thought by the committee: that something near £60 will be realised by the concert.

On Sunday evening, at St. Patrick's, the Passionist Fathers brought their mission, which lasted a fortnight, to a close. The Rev. Father Hilary devoted hia closing sermon to the life of St. Patrick. He compared the life and labors of the saint to those of his Divine Master. Before leaving the pulpit the Rev. Father requested all present to stand up to make a renewal of their baptismal vows. After this ceremony was over his Lordship the Bishop thanked the missioners for the great work they had been doing, and he hoped that all present would live np to the good advice that had been given them by the good Fathers, for by bo doing they would surely obtain the crown of immortal glory. At Benediction hia Lordship pontificated, being assisted by the Rev. Fathers Benedict and Corcoran.

The annual pionic of the Catholic school children of the various parishes and orphanages, and the sports gathering in oonnection with the local branch of the H.A.C.B, Society were held in the Domain Cricket Ground on Saturday, March 16. At nine o'clock the children of St. Patrick's parish and the members of the H.A.C.B. Society assembled in the Cathedral and assisted at Mass. After Macs the Rev. Father Corcoran delivered a panegyric on St. Patrick. The children, together with the Hibernians, now filed out of the church into St. Patrick's square, where they were joined by children from the Sacred Heart, St. Benedict's and St. John's parishes. All were quickly in their places, and the procession, headed by the Hibernians, moved immediately for the Domain, The Rev. Father Croke actei as marshal. The procession was a very large one, the numerous banners and bannerettes carried bj the children and the green rosettes and sashes worn by them pre*

Rented a very pretty sight. Among those who joined in the procession were the Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly, the Rev. Fathers Corcoran, Kehoe, Russell, Purton. Dr. Egan and Father U'Hara marched ahead of the Pnnsonby and St. Benedict's children, whilst Brothers Basil, Edward, and Ignatius were in charge of the children from St. Patrick's. Arrived at the Domain the children were marched to the marquees which had been provided for them by the representatives of their respective parishes, and where a plentiful supply of refreshments was provided. Sports were provided for the young folk, and their shouts of laughter and merriment showed how greatly they appreciated the programme prepared for them. During the forenoon the children mustered stronger than the adults, but as the hour fixed for the commencement of the sports approached tiie latter began to increase steadily, and when the first two or three events bad been disposed of their strength was something like '2UUO. His Lordship Bishop Lenihan visited the grounds during the afternoon. The arrangements were excellent, and the meeting was conducted in a manner that reflected the greatest credit on those concerned.