Wellington South

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 26, 25 June 1903, Page 5

Wellington South

(From an occasional correspondent. )

The progress of this parish since the Rev. Father Ainsworth took, charge is something to be marvelled at. No sooner is one improvement effected than another is commenced, and with each it can be said the people work with their priest in such a whole-hearted manner and so willingly that his great responsibilities are considerably lightened thereby. The new school, which is now finished, is the largest Catholic school in the archdiocese, and is to be formally opened and blessed at an early date. The builders are now busy adding a new sanctuary to the church, which, when completed, will give much needed extra seating accommodation in the body of the sacred edifice. New seats are now being made for the old church, the old ones are to be removed to the school. If further evidence were needed of the. progress which is being made it may be mentioned, that prior to Father Ainsworth's advent to the parish, ono Mass on Sunday was not attended by a full congregation, while now the two Masses are hardly sufficient for the numerous congregation which attends,; in fact, at the second Mass extra forms have had to be used for some Sundays past. The church is always crowded at Vespers, no matter what kind of weather prevails As soon as the sanctuary is completed, it is intended to widen the church on both sides, and it is anticipated that this will give sufficient accommodation for some years to come. Father Ainsworth's appeals for money with, which to effect these improvements have met with a ready and generous response from his people. Monthly socials are to be held, and, judging from the success of the first of those, which took place last month, and resulted in a profit of £42, there will be no difficulty

m«c? I?*?** i he ne^axy A collection was S *vL L™ c F hu ? eh d pors on Sunday week last in aid of the new school, and the handsome sum of £130 was tei? .? - w^ to he c ?"ectors. The second social w a s held on Wednesday night last, and took the form of an ♦£ ». «H me *l H t} ? e school. The affair was entirely in H^i l^ 8 ot A he lft? los - a nd proved most enjoyable, and will add another £30 or £40 to the church funds Another step, which shows the progress the new parish is making, is the establishment of a branch of the Hibernian Society here. This branch is to be opened on Sunday, 28th inst., by Bro. Bohan, P.P. of the Wellington branch and perhaps the oldest Hibernian in New Zealand The name of the branch will be St. ww y n i^h o ™* members of the city branch and intendhLTkT^ t? c ne , W Sr ranch are to approach the Holy Table at the early Mas«, after which a breakfast will be partaken of in the schoolroom, and Father AinsZOZ O1 th ?n S H™ ll^ P romis^ to preach a special sermon at the 30 o clock Mass on the benefits of the Society