Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 48, 1 December 1904, Page 5

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

NcKVcmber 25

The mission at St. Joseph's, Buckle street, was brought to a close on Sunday evening by the Rev. Father MacDermott, in the presence of a crowded congregation. The mission in Thorndon will be opened at the 10 o'clock Mass on Sunday next, and will be continued diuring the whole of next week. On Friday evening, on the tenth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, the Rev. Father Ainaworth wias; entertaijnexl by the parishioners of Wellington South at a conversazione in Mie schoolroom, and presented with an address and a purse containing about 45 sovereigns. The first part of the programme consisted of a concert under the management of Mr. S. Cimino. Among those present were the Rev. Fathers O'Shea, MacDermott, Kimbell, Yenning, and Graham. The chair was occupied by Mr. James O Sullivan. At the concDusi'on of the concert the chairman, in a neat and hap/py speech, explained the object of tihe gathering, and coniveyed to Father Ainsworth the good wishes of his people. The presentation was to be made by Mr. James Baurke, of Kilbir<nie, a Catholic pianeer, whose gemerosi'ty in the Catholic caoise is so well known. Un-

fortunately owing to in.di&p'osiitiQn Mr. Baurke was unable to be present, and in his stead his son, Mr. Thos. Baurke, hainded to the Rev. Father the purse and called on Mr. E., Fitzgihbon to read the address, which is) to be illuminated by the local Sisters of Mercy. The chairman then on behalf of Mr. Philpott presented Father Amaworth with an oil painting of himself. The work is undoubtedly a fine one, and speaks well for Mr. Philpott's kiture as an artist. Father Ainsworth made a ve:y feeling reply. He sketched briefly his career as a priest, from his ordination in Meanee to his location in Wellington South. Now, thanks to the grace of God, tihey .had a beautiful church, a commodious school, a fine presbytery, and splendid grounds. The congregation had almost trebled within the labt two years, and every tiling was Working smoothly. His people had responded nobly to his appeals, and tihe people outside his parish had been very kind and generous. He trusted that he would be long permitted to labor in their midst. He'oaufd not say all he would wish to say,, but he thanked them all for their kindness and generosity. To Mr. Philpott he was specially grateful. His future as- an artist was a very promising one, and as an artist his hrst desire was too have his work hung in the House of God. The church of Wellington South waa already adorned with the works of his genius. The Key. Father O'Shea, parish priest of Te Apo, also spoke of the ability and zeal of Father Ainsworth. ' His fellow-clergy were proud of him, and he thoroughly dcsened all the good things said concerning him. 'At the conclusion of tihe presentation refreshments were dispensed i|n tihe chhb room by the ladies of the parish, and a pleasant social evening was spent. The committee are deserving of every credit for the splendid arrangements! made, and the ladies as usual had everythimg up-to-date in the refreshment room. Mr. Parkinson had a deal of hard woik as secretary, and he got through it in a miost creditable manner.

On Thursday evening Messrs. McKeowen and Coyle, who represented the JMcw Zealand Catholic Young Men at tne recent Conference in Melbourne, were entertained by the Catholic Club in St. Patrick's Hall. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Father Kimbell. There was a crowded attendance. Alter the usual toast of the ' Pope atid the King ' had been proposed by the chairman and duly honored, Mr. E. Fitzgibbon, president of the Federation, proposed the toast ol the delegates. He referred to tne goad that would accrue to toe New Zealand societies as a resiult of the visit, and appealed to Catholic young men to unite so that they might the better support tilieir clergy in promoting the cause of Holy Church for the welfare 'of all. On behalf of the federated societies he thanked the delegates for the able manner fin which they had fulfilled their mission, and tor, Uhe many sacrifices they had made. The toast was> received with great enthusiasm. The delegates in their resiponse gave an interesting account of their visit. They realised more than ever what a grand thing it wasi to be >a member of the Catholic Church. Everywhere tney were treated witn the utmost hospitality, and before their departure they had the honor of an interview with his Eminence the Cardinal— an interview which will live long m the memory of the delegates. The Rev. Father Kimbell, in replying on behalf of the clergy, referred to the recent utterance of the German Emperor, whom the Key. Father described as one of the ablest yet not most diplomatic sovereigns of Europe. The threat was one of his Imperial Majesty's vagaries. The Catholics were among the most loyal of his German subjects ; they held t/he balance of power in the Reichstag, and it was absurd for the Emperor to speak as he had done. The rev. speaker also expressed the hope that the yoking men would meet the clergy more often than they had done and make themselves known, a sentiment that was leceived wiVh applause. Songs and recitations were given by the following gentlemen :— Messrs. T. Leahy, E. J, Healy, J. Quinlan, E. Fitzgibbon, 'A. Hawkins, A.. Searle, T. O'Sullivan. Mr. W. McLaughlin played the accompaniments during the evening. He was accorded a hearty vote .of thanks for his kindness. The proceedings were terminated by the singing of ' Auld lang syne.'The executive of the Federation are at present conn piling a report an the work clone at the Melbourne Conference. This report will be read at t/he coming Conference in Dunedin on Christmas Day, to which alt the societies in tihe Colony have been asked to siemd' de-i legates.

The Catholic Literary Society's meetings are to bo continued during the summer months. This arrange-" ment will be welcomed by all desirous of improving themselves in the art of speech and debate.

Tihe adjourned general meeting in connection with the memiorial to the late Brother Mark, was held in St. Patrick's Hall on Friday evening. On the motion of Mr. Martin Kennedy, seconded by Mr. D. Ryan, it was decided to endow St. Patrick's College with an extra scholarship, to be competed for by pjuptls of the Boul-i

cott street sphlool. Subscriptions to the fiu'ud are still being received.

The children of the Wellington South school held their an&iual picnic; on Friday at Seatau<n. The day was beautifully fine and a most enjoyable outing was spent.

The alterations to the Wellington South convent arc now almtost completed. The rooms on the ground floor, consisting of tw,o fine class rooms, a music room, and a special singing room, are now being ,used by the High School pupils. 'Ihe other rooms lor the accommodation of the Sisters are not yet fully finished. A very pretty little chapel has been added ajnd supplies a longfelt wawt. The convent is now an up-to-date one, and tihe, Sisters will be in a better position to impart secondary education than they have hitherto been.

The Rev. Father Ainswortiu is arranging with t'hc Redemptiorist Fathers to hold a fortnight's mission in his parish after Christmas.