ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, 11 October 1906, Page 14

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent) October 5. His Excellency the Governor a-nd Lady Plunket, accompanied by the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.H.K., and the Mayors of Petone and Lower Hutt, paid a visit to the Catholic schools at Petone and Lower Hutt on Thursday. ' One of the 'hoys read an address and one of the girls presented a bouquet to Lady Plunket. His Excellency expressed himself as 'being very pleased with all he ' saw and heard. The mission by the Redemptorist Fathers was opened at St» Joseph's on Sunday morning in the presence of a large congregation. The services, which for the first fortnight are for women, have been very largely attended both in the morning and in the evening. During the week the Rev. Fathers Lowham and MacDermott have conducted the services. 'The Very Rev. Father Clune, who has now recovered from his indisposition, will preaoh during next week. The members of the Ca-tholic "ioung Men's Tennis Club are to open the season on Saturday afternoonThe court has been prepared, and a successful season is anticipated. The fee lor members-hip has been fixed at a very modest sum, and 'by its central position this club offers advantages that should commend themselves to our young people. The privileges of the club are open not only lo the members of the Young Men's Club and their lady friends, but also to the Catholic ladies of the city, whose attendance at any time is cordially invited. The members of the club proved very enthusiastic last year and held several social gatherings. This club, with ordinary support, is certainly well adapted for the work of making our people better known to one another, and promoting that spirit of comradeship which is the very life of every organisation. The oratorical competition for the diploma conferred on the local Young Men's Club by the Executive of the federated Catholic societies, took place in St Patrick's Hall on Monday evening. The Rev. Father Macdonald, S.M., and Messrs. Loughnan and Fitzgibbon acted as judges. The following members took part in the contest : Messrs. J % McGowan, P. Withering-ton P. Clarke, J. Fitzgerald, H. McKeowen, and J Sullivan. The subject for treatment was the late Mr. beddon as a statesman and as a man. The general standard of the speeches was higher than that of the contest last year, but there was still the tendency to introduce much uninteresting matter of detail that detracted from a proper and complete handling of the theme. The delivery throughout was good and all the speakers gave evidence of having given the matter careful study. The judges awarded first place to Mr J. Sullivan,- and • second place to Mr. H. McKeowen Mr. Sullivan's speech excelled the others in the originality of its matter and treatment. Mr. McKeowen'-s was perhaps the best effort as far as delivery was concerned. ' '

On Thursday evening the members of the local Tjounfe Men's Club assembled at St. Mary of the Angels' Church, at the invitation of their spiritual director, the Rev. Father Kimbell. The Rev Father addressing the members, said that heshad called them together for the purpose of bringing under their notice some matters that concerned very much their spiritual and temporal welfare. He did not wish them to think that what he was about to say was being said because he felt that they had been wan-tins m their duties. That was not so, for while not wishing to flatter them, he knew that in General SifJo l^ §?, od lives He desired, however, to impress more forcibly upon them certain- truths and principles of conduct, that they might have a -higher ideal of their place m life, and show by their lives an *»y SB 6 !*?* ° thers % > e R . ev - FatLr then S' a P S". toral letter recently written by the Archbishop of Melbourne to the young men of his' archdiocese 'After reading this letter (which, by the way, should be care^ & U £ P erused by every Catholic young man) ?h? nit ■ fed th tn *£? rt h , th V e T a J mat&ra therein refer! red to., He took for has text the one word 'Revpr ence,' and said that by it all the teachings of Si the commandments could be summed up : Reverence , for God, reverence for one's neighbor, reverence fS • omsS J elf / AU vice could" on the T other hanT be , e2pressed in the word «. irreverence.' The rev prJacher said he desired especially to refer to • reverence for womankind '-that respect for women which, transformed the world, and was so characteristic a feature of

\ the Christian Church, finding expression in the chivalry of the middle ages. The civilisation of any nation couM be 'judged by the respect it paid to its women. s Woman was at all times a mirror in which the nobility or degradation of an age was reflected. As sans of the Church they should always have the tenderest regard for -the honor of women,; -they should ever show towards them the most ' courteous and .chivalrous considerations. It was' in this way that they could best ' do the -work of their lay apostolate. Father Kimbell then referred to the subject of temperance. ~He spoke of the pernicious convention of ' treating ' and, after pointing out the evils, implored his hearers in the name ■of the Ohuroh, in s the name of .their club, that should any of them find that the temptation was too strong they should take at once the means that lay in their power, they should take a pledge to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquor altogether. After the address Benediction was given. The Rev. Father created a very " lasting impression by Ms address, which was both practical and effective.