DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 28, 9 July 1903, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) July 2. There is to bo a religious reception at the Sisters of Blercv's Convent of St Mary's, in a few days The Rev Father Patterson. Adm of St Patrick s, was ordained priest by the lat<^ Cardinal Vaughan. St Benedict's Church is now being plastered insido, throughout. Mr. Kelly is the successful contractor, his price being £2(M. The Young Men's Club at St Benedict's approached the Holy Table in a body last Sunday morning Very largo numbers of the congregation also communicated The annual social in connection with St Patrick's parish is well in hand, several meetings of tre ladies' committee having been held in the presbytery presided over by the rev" Administrator. The ' Passion Play.' a series of pictures n f this work, was given last evening in St. Benedict's Hall in the presence of a number of the clergy and a large assem-

blajge. Mr. Dillon Fitzgerald lectured throughout, describing each scene in fine style. Solos were rendered by Miss Lorrigan and Mr. Whelan.

Rev. Father Furlong, who returned from Waihi at the end of last week, where he had been temporarily relievthe the Rev. Father Brodie, is most enthusiastic with reference to the advanced state of the Waihi parish, and was particulaely charmed with the church, which, for a country place, it wCuld be hard to excel. At St. Patrick's Cathedral last Tuesday morning at nine o'clock a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated^ for the repose of the soul of the late Cardinal Vaughan. His Lordship the Bishop was present in the sanctuary. Rev. Father Patterson, Adm., was celebrant, and Rev. Father Buckley and Holbrook were deacon and subdeacOTi respectively ; cantors, Rev. Fathers Benedict, 0.P., and Furlong ; master of ceremonies, Rev. Father Purton, 0.5.8. There were also present Rev. Fathers Gillan and Tormey. The members of the local branch No. 81 of the H.A.C.B. Society on last Friday evening assembled in the branch room in the Hibernian Hall, Bro. C. Little, V.P., in the unavoidable absence of the president, Bro. F. Gordon, being in the chair. His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan sat on bis right, and Bro. the Hon. William Beehan, M.L.C. District President, on his left. There were also present Rev. Fathers Gillan and Tormey (St. Benedict's), Rev. Father Holbrook (St. Patrick's), and Rev. Bro. Basil. Apologies were received from Rev. Fathers Benedict. OP., and Patterson. The proceedings began with .a pianoforte overture by; Mrs. M. Treston, after which the chairman said the object of the gathering was to do honor to their esteemed D.P., who had been so signally honored during the present wedk by being called to the Legislative Council it was indeed a pleasure to them all that a Hibernian had won such a distinction, and every member of the district would feel that their great Society had been highly honored. On behalf of the members he 1 hen presented to the Hon. Bro. Beehan a very handsome travelling case. Upon the front a small silver plate bordered with shamrocks, bore the inscription, ' Presented to the Hon. Wm. Beehan, M.L.C, by the H.A.C.8.5., Auckland, J»une 23rd, 1903.' Bro. P. J. Nerheny, P.D.P., in a few well-chosen words, proposed the health of the Hon. Mr. Beehan and Mrs. Beehan. His Lordship the Bishop supported the motion, and said it afforded him genuine pleasure to be present to do honor to a good Catholic, a Hibernian, and an Irishman. The honor was well deserved, as the Hon. Mr. Beehan had well earned it. He was not a politician, but recognised Mr Heehan's assiduity in public matters, and in regaid to Church matters he also gave them much of his attention and time. He concluded by wishing Mr. and Mrs. Beehan and family long life and the blessing of God. Rev. Father Gillan, Bros. J. J. O'Brien, John Patterson, 1) Flvnn, and M. J. Sheahan also spoke expressing gratification at the appointment.

The Hon. Bro. Beehan replied, and heartily thanked his Lordship, leather Gillan and his brother Hibernians for the kind words nnd the hearty pood wishes they had expressed towards Mrs. Beehan and himself He heartily thanked them for the beaut ilul present which was highly ornamental and useful.

Refreshments were then na^pd ioi:nd Songs were rendered by Bros. M. Treston and Stead, P D.P. A very pleasant and memorable e^enine then concluded.

On Sunday morning at St Benedict's the church committee, of which the Hon Mr Beohan is an active member, presented him with a nice writing fold, Father Gillan making the presentation The Yoimsr Men's Club, through its president, Uev Father Furlong, presented a handsome silver matchbox f l he Hon Mr. Beehan feelingly thanked the tien-erovs donors. Tn the afternoon the Hon. Mr. Beehan left for Wellington. Quito a large crowd, amonsrst whom were Rev. Father Patterson and a number of Hibernians, assembled at the railway station to see him off. several going out to Onehunga with him.