SACRED HEART COLLEGE, AUCKLAND OPENING CEREMONY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 27, 2 July 1903, Page 5

SACRED HEART COLLEGE, AUCKLAND OPENING CEREMONY.

(From our own correspondent.)

Sunday, June 21, the Feast of the Sacred Heart, was a day to be long remembered in the history of the Church in this diocese, as the new college, erected by the Marist Brothers, was blessed and opened by his Lordship Bishop Lenihan. At 7 a.m. the Bishop blessed the building and celebrated the first Mass in the College Chapel. The Brothers and a number of the pupils received Holy Communion, several of the latter for the first time. The formal opening took place in the afternoon in the presence of a large assemblage of people. Three o'clock was fixed for the ceremony, and long before that hour crowds of people thronged the spacious grounds and examined the building throughout. The one verdict heard expressed was ' What a grand building and how spacious the grounds. 'Tis a credit to the Brothers,' etc. Shortly before the appointed time Bishop Lenihan arrived, and was met and welcomed by the committee. The meeting was held in the dormitory, where a platform was erected for the speakers, behind which flags were hung, conspicuous amongst them was the Irish flag. His Worship the Mayor (the Hon. E. Mitchelsoa) took, the chair. On his right was his Lordship the Bishop, and others on the platform were Father Benedict, 0.P., Father Purton, 0.5.8., Father Brodie, Sir G. Maurice O Rorke, the Hon. J. A. Tole, Hon. T. Thompson, M.L.C., Messrs. F. E. Baume, M.H.R., and E. Mahoney, and Professor Tibbs (Auckland University). The Mayor, who said it gave him very great pleasure to assist at the opening of such an admirable Institution as the Sacred Heart College, referred to the progress made by the city of Auckland during the last 40 years. He could remember the time when it was considered a day's journey from Nelson street, where he was livjng, to and from any one of the bays in the Ponsonby district. Now there was every facility for getting up, and Auckland possessed many fine institutions. They all admired those responsible for the founding of the Roman Catholic College for their pluck. He understood that this was the first high school belonging to the Roman Catholic community in Auckland, and he hoped it would have a prosperous career. A boarding school had been greatly needed, and, judging by the excellent character of the accommodation that had been provided, the college would be popular with parents. Much credit was due to all concerned in the great undertaking, the realisation of which they were now celebrating.

Bishop Lenihan's Address.

His Lordship Bishop Lenihan said that his ona thought during the seven years of his episcopate had been the establishment of such a school, which he considered absolutely necessary for the training of their youths and young men. As showing the interest of Roman Catholics in education, he mentioned that the primary schools erected in the past in Auckland had cost, in the aggregate, about £20,000. They would, therefore, be credited with being earnest and sincere in their efforts to educate the children. Throughout Australasia their schools had attracted attention. On Catholic intermediate education he could afford to be very brief. Other grave wants stared them in the face, but in spite of these the Catholics give amplo evidence of the value they set on education. These intermediate schools, standing between primary and university instruction, were being multiplied, for they realised that, perfect as they wished their primary school system, to be, it was but half complete as long as tho children found no kindred atmosphere to pass on to when they left its protection. They wanted to see their youth instructed, not only in *their religion, but perfected in every b.ranch of science, for they were convinced that the world holds nothing more precious or more beautiful than the cultivated intellect of man, enlightened by faith. For this reason the Marist Brothers had joined with him In this matter. The land given by Mr. Hugh Coolahan, for religious and charitable purposes, was now being utilised for this purpose. While the law of the land prevented any hope of great emolument from the land, he had been able to lease a portion to tho Brothers, and they had erected, at their own cost, a building, replete with every requirement for its Success. The name of the Marist Brothers was a household one in Australasia. Their work at Hunter's Hill was so excellent that ho felt no fear but that in a like manner they would reap the fruit of their labors hera.

Hon. Mr. Tole on Religious Education;

Hon. J. A. Tole, 8.A., LL.D., said it was extremely gratifying to him, not only as a Catholic, but as a member of several governing bodies of higher education in the Colony, and especially of the Auckland Grammar School, to offer his congratulations to his Lordship and the Marist Brothers on the accomplishment, so far, of the great work which the day's proceedings marked. The Marist Brothers deserved the highest praise for their Indomitable courage and steadfastness shown in the promotion of education in this Colony. His Lordship had, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone a few months ago, fittingly recounted the progress of the Marist Order; and the erection of this building at their own cost, wrote another page in the historic progress of tho

Order, was further evidence of their religious traditions, and another monument to perpetuate their unselfish devotion to the cause of education. This was the first Catholic establishment devoted to higher education in the diocese, and th«y might marvel at the delay, but he was glad to say it was not from lack of Catholic spirit or enterprise, but solely from want of money. No one better than the Mayor that day presiding knew the struggle of the early settlers, whilst, in addition, Catholics had, for conscience sake, to maintain their own schools as best they could, whilst contributing largely to support the State system. The absence of such a college as this, had placed Catholic youth at a great disadvantage. Years before the Auckland Grammar School was founded, Catholic parents had made sacrifices to send their sons out of the Colony to get a liberal education befitting a Catholic gentleman. Much, no doubt, had been done in that long interval to extend religious and primary Catholic education, but apparently nothing could be done in the way of higher education. They had reason, therefore, to rejoice, that so, early in his Lordship's episcopate, he by determining to offer the site originally bestowed on the Church by that honored Catholic citizen, the late Mr. Hugh Coolahan, had aroused in the Brothers the enthusiasm to i«augurate this beginning of a new era for our Catholic youth, who he hoped would learn from their Irish and English history the great advantages they enjoyed, compared to the educational condition of their forefathers in Ireland a generation or two ago. This college must be efficient, it must be up-to-date, and it must produce the good sterling article, because there was plenty of keen rivalry in the numerous secondary schools around them, and if our Catholic youth were to take their place in educational status, their system of training must be of the best. In this college he was glad to know there were a ■umber of excellent teachers, and that the curriculum would be comprehensive, including Civil Service and Matriculation standards up to the threshold of the university college. But in addition to this secular teaching, he was glad also to know that religious teaching was an important aim of the college. Mr. Tole said he was one of those who firmly believed— and a long public life of nearly thirty years had not removed the belief, that the old expression of ' religion eoing hand in hand with secular teaching ' was an everlasting truth. He further said deliberately that if our youth did not receive their proper religious and moral bent while young, they would never g«£ it afterwards. This joint religious and secular teaching which made up education was the true preparation for the battle of life. In this Colony we had developed and were developing education to the highest pitch from the tenderest years ; we were widening the sphere of education in all its material aspects, in manual, technical, and commercial ; we were training the observation, the memory, and mere reason, but not the will or heart or the ultimate aspects of the life that is so bountifully extended to us. Here the speaker quoted from a speech delivered some years ago by Lord Salisbury, in which the ex-Prime Minister laid it down that there should be the utmost opportunity given to educate the people according to whatever Christian denomination they belonged, instead of ' driving them away to the lifeless, boiled down, mechanical, unreal religious teaching in the Board Schools.' Havine said so much (continued Mr. Tole) on the moral and mental aims of the college, which was a splendid brick building, he (Mr. Tole) had now to move the very concrete resolution placed in his hands, viz., ' that a subscription li3t he opened with the object of raising sufficient funds to furnish this college.' In support Mr. Tole said that in providing funds to build that noble college, Catholics were under a deep debt of gratitude to the Brothers, more especially as their services were Riven gratuitously. They had provided nearly £6000 out of their provincial funds for this structure alone, which was so admirably designed that it might be easily extended to accommodate students for generations to come. The Brothers' claim on their generosity was the more pressing at this juncture, for news had just been received from the Superiors at Home that their houses in Franco had been closed and their confreres rendered homeless. This college was not built for the benefit of the Marist Brothers, but for generations of Catholic youth. The Brothers did not need mere words of sympathy, but our material support, and he (Mr Tole) asked those present to give as the Brothers had given, promptly and generously, according to their means. They wanted a sum of about £500 to furnish the college, and by an effort which the Brothers had never asked before, the sum could readily be obtained. Catholics hoped to accomplish much by" this college, but it could only be done by the co-operation of the general comminnity.

Sir Maurice O'Rorke's Speech

Sir Maurice O'Rorke said it gave him sincere pleasure to be present and to inspect the fine building and noble site dedicated by his Lordship and the Marist Brothers to purposes of education. He learned that day for the first time that this site of some 40 or 50 acres was a gift of his old friend Mr. Hugh Coolahan for religious and educational purposes. I am particularly pleased (continued Sir Maurice) to see Mr. Mitchelson as Mayor of the city of Auckland, presiding over this meeting and showing his sympathy with this effort for dissemination of education among the youth of this S! ty^ X ana also j?lad to see here my old friend Mr, Darby, Mr. George Leahy, and the daughters of Mrs' Coffey. I miss one old friend, but I suppose his clericai dbties detain him at his post in Onehunga. I refer to

one of my oldest and best friends in Onehunga, the Key. Father Paul. For five and forty years his friendship towards me has never once been broken, and in my long political career as member for Onehunga and member for Munukau there has been no wavering in his support. Reverting now to the matter of education, I agree with Mr. Tole in deploring the separation ofi religious and secular education throughout the Colony. I do not disparage the present system ; I mark the contrast. Under the old system parents had to pay school fees ; now it is free, but I miss the services of the clergy of all denominations in promoting education. The present system falls particularly hard on the Catholic community, for they, bcinc unable to surrender the religious education of their youth, do not participate in Xho £400,000 or £500,000 that education costs the Colony annually. No one can fail to admire the courage with which the Catholic body maintain the schools, but is it -fair to exclude their schools from participating in the educational grant because they combine religious education with general education ? We must all admire the courage and consistency of the Catholic body in maintaining their schools, bu<t it must be a great drain on their resources, and I often fear that their clergy are the sufferers. I am glad to see this noble building completed, and I fervently wish it a glorious and prosperous career. 1 am glad my old friend Mr. Coolahan's name is associated with it. It does not seem a very long time to me, though it is over 40 years ago, since I met him before the days of railways and busses walking out to Onehunga to record his vote for me on that my first election. A vote was valuable in those times, as my victory over my two opponents was only won by a majority of one. I hope that in this school the genuine system of temperance will be inculcated, and that the model that will be set for the youth will be that of the great apostle of temperance in Ireland, Father Mathew. He did not confine his mission to Ireland. alone, but he preached temperance throughout England and Scotland and the great Republic of the West, which is such a place of refuge for the Irish race. I am wandering somewhat from my text, but if you will bear with me for one moment while I tell you of the great hope I have for our race from the legislation that is now being enacted in the Imperial Parliament. I rejoice to think that landlords and tenants have at last come to terms under which tenants will become the owners of their holdings and the landlords are to be bought out. Although the Home Rule for which Mr. Gladstone so nobly struggled is laid aside temporarily, the settlement of the land troubles of Ireland will be a glad biessing to the people. To think that the horrible system of evictions is at an end must cheer every lover of his country, and that England instead of having a palsied arm dangling at her side would feel the vigor of a limb restored to life. Rev. Father Brodie's Address. Rev. Father Brodie, Waihi, said : As an ex-pupil of the Mari&t Brothers, the recollections and benefits derived from their care and tiaimng urge me to express my anxious desire for the success of the institution being opened to-day, l'eisonallv 1 might say that I owe it to the Marist Brothers and to their careful guidance that I have now the great honor of being a priest, for at a time when the fascinations of other professions presented themselves to allure me from the path of religious vocation, then it was that the kindly monition of Brother Basil gave me courage to follow that call by which I felt I was drawn to the priesthood. Auckland, and especially the Catholics of Auckland, have reason to be proud of this new college, the latest acquisition to the educational establishments of the city. The Brothers ha\e long since proved their ability in the great work of education. Take, for example, the record of St. Joseph's College, Sydney. Year after year has this college occupied a foremost rank in the number of successful candidates in the Sydney University Examinations, and to the success must be added the subsequent history of the stAidents of the college. The boys of St. Joseph's Colleg-e are now to be found throughout tho length and breadth of the Australian Common wealth, occupying- prominent positions in the various States, reflecting by their ability and their conduct tho highest credit on their devoted teachers and their Alma Mater. What is the secret of this success of the Marist Brothers ? The life of the Brothers unfolds the secret. They are men whose life's work is the education of youth. They have sacrificed worldly prospects to devote their lives to this great v\ork, and such earnestness and sincerity cannot but bo crowned with the greatest rebults. In undertaking this work the Brothers rely on the Catholics ql Auckland for help and encouragement, nnd the gathering here to-day is a pleasing 1 augury that the anticipations of the Bi others will be realised. To stimulate us let us recall the gieat triumph achieved by the Catholics of Now South Wales. When Sir Henry Parkes withdrew the Government grant from tho Catholic schools he boastod that he dealt a death-blow to Catholicity and religious vocations in Now South Wales Vain boast ! Tho tongue that uttered it is long since silent, but Catholicity has continued to progress, and at tho present day we .see magnificent colleges and Hchools throughout the State carrying on the groat work of Catholic education. Looking around us we find that our fellow-colonists differing from us in faith are jiow coming to agree with us as to the necessity of combining religious knowledge with secular learning. Their efforts to secure Bi'blc-reading in the school show that they now see the great want in tho present school system. Perhaps the time may come when the public of New Zealand will assist the Catholics of the Colony

in their determination to maintain their schools, where the children will be well grounded in their faith, and also fully equipped in secular knowledge. But whether we receive this government aid or not it will always be found that our holy faith, which prompts men and women to sacrifice their lives in the great work of Catholic education, will prompt Catholics to appreciate such sacrifice by unwavering patronage and generous support. I offer the Brothers to-day my hearty congratulations on the fine building they have erected and earnestly pray for a successful future for the college, and that the efforts of the Brothers may meet with that appreciation and encduracrement they so richly deserve. The Prayer. The Bishop explained to tho.se present that tho building had been blessed early that morning, and asked all present to stand while he "read the following prayer : O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has said to His disciples, In whatever house you enter say, " Peace be to this house, may Thy peace, we beseech Thee, come upon this house destined for the instruction of youth and upon all those dwelling therein ; deign to free it from all infirmity, fill those teaching in it with the spirit of wisdom and knowledge and those learning in it with my grace, that what they safely learn they may understand with their intellect, retain in their hearts and follow out in work and in all things give glory to Thy name. On our entering this school deign, O Lord, to bless and sanctify it, and may Thy angel of light dwell within the walls of this house and guard those dwelling in it through Christ our Lord. — Amen. His Lordship the Bishop proposed and the Hon. J. A. Tole seconded a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding. Mr. James Gleeson, an ex-pupil of the Marist Brothers, and not long over from Hunter's Hill College*, Sydney, supported the resolution and eulogised the Mayor, and also referred to the presence of Sir Maurice O'Rorke, of whom all his countrymen and colonists were justly proud. He referred to the great benefits conferred by the Marist Order upon the youth of the Colony. The motion was carried with loud acclamation. The Mayor in respoji diner said it gave him genuine pleasure to be present that day amongst his Catholic fellowrcitizens, amongst whom were friends of his youth like the Hon. J. A. Tole. He resumed his seat amidst loud applause. The collection resulted in the raising of £260, and at the laying of the foundation stone last November another £.100 was subscribed. Thus terminated one of the heartiest and most important gatherings of the Catholic community in Auckland. The committee entrusted with the carrying out of the arrangements were Messrs. Brophy, Treston, Taylor, and Gormley (St. Benedict's), Nerheny, Diffin, Carty, and Sheahan (St. Patrick's). Flynn, O'Brien, Bryant, and Darby (Sacred Heart), Gleeson (2) and O'Sullivan (St. John's). Mr. J. J. O'Brien was chairman of committee and Mr. M. J. Sheahan hon. secretary. To Rev. Bro. Basil Superior, a word of praise is clue, because ever since the foundation stone was laid to the present he has labored incessantly.