DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 48, 1 December 1904, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) November 24. To show how our diocesan clergy roll has increased it is only necessary to say that when Qur late revered Bishop died the number was twenty-nine. Now, under the present Bisjiop, the number has reached forty^siix} a substantial increase in eight years.

The Bishop is due at Karanghake next Suinday to close tiie mission, which is being coftdfuctetl by RevFather Benedict, 0.P., assisted by the Rev. Father Gillan, of St. Benedict's Auckland. On tihe following Sunday t)he Bishop is expected at Paeroa.

La^t evening in the Federal Hall a most) successful euchre party in aid of St. Patrick's pres,bytery fund was held. Rev. Fathers Patterson and Hoi brook were present, besides a big gathering of the parishioners and their friends. Refreshments were handed round, and a iwosL ejnjoyable evening was spent. Miss Mc-lihoheiiKon. secretary, was most indefatigable in her efforts..

In commemoration of the eighth anniversary of bis consecration the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan attended St. Patrick's Cathedral last S»unday at the 11 o'clock Mass, and alsio im the evening. The Bishop preached . both morning and evening. In the morning he referred to Ike anniversary of his consecration, and too the progress of the diocese in the last eignt years. He thanked Ms priests a,nd people for their hearty co-operation, and hoped with a continuance of that support that they would be enabled to make still further progress in the time to come. He would soon undertake to complete St. Patrick's Cathedral at a cost of £6000, not a large sium certainly. He had, when in Australia recently, carefully noted the churches. there, and the knowledge thus acquired would be put to practical use here. He thanked all those who in so practical a manner Jiad given proof of their esteem for him, and in an especial maimer he had to thank the Roy. Father Patterson, Mr. Kdhn,, and Rev. Father Kehoe. In the evening the Bishop spoke at length on the work of the Congress, and reviewed the programme of events, dwelling u/pon the matters whicih had arrested his attention. Those referring to tihe resioue of fallen women, in which the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, at Abbotsford Convent shone out so s-plendidly, and the eftorts made to entertain and engage the spare time of seamen while ashore, struck the Bishop very much. Altogether his Lordship presented the work of the Congress in a most interesting light, and showed the great hold which the Church has upo|T the people of the Oommionwealth. Pontifical Benedicti'm followed by tihe Bisihop, who was asteisted by the Rev. Father Patterson, Adm., and the Rev. P"athers, Holbrook, Dig,nan and Cahill. The choir sang in an admirable mannear the ' Te Deum,' as well as) the music of the Vesper's and Benediction, under Mr. P. F. Hiscocks. There was a large congregation present.

St. Patrick's Day celebration committee met on Tuesday evening in the Marist Brothers' schoolroom, Pitt street, his Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan in the dhair. There were also preseint the Very Rev. Dr. EgaJn, 0.5.8., and Fathers Holbrook and McMillan. An apology was leceived from Rev. Father Patterson for his unavoidable absence. It was decided to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Thursday, Marten 17, 1905, in the dlomain, and to hold in connection therewith an art unic(n, if permission for the same be obtained from the Colonial Secretary. The following officers were elected for tihe year :— President, his Lordshrp tihe Bishop ; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. J. O'Brien and P. J. Nerhony, J.P. ; hon. secretary, Mr. R. A. Keenan ; hion. treasurer, Mr. M. J. Sheeihan, J.P. Ten members fir'om each of tihe four city parishes are to from an executive committee. It was decided to add to this five ladies fflom each parish. A. hearty vote of thanks to -t^e /t retiring secretary, Mr. J. B. Stead, was mioveti by ''the Bishop, who Eulogised the work of Mr. Stead as secretary for the last six consecutive celebrations-, amd he hoped at a future date Mr. Stead wquld find the -time to /ill tihe position again. The motion w.as carried -by acclamation. Mr. Steakl briefly thanked tlhe< - B,isbop for his kind remarks and the meeting for its hlajrty vote. To the Bishop a hearty vote af thinks was given for his attendance and for presiding over the meeting. i