DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 1, 3 January 1907, Page 23

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) December :26.

The Masses in the churches yesterday were well attended. At St. Patrick's the first Mass was at six o'clock, and Masses were offered up -every half hour until 10 o'clock. At 11" o'clock High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Holbrook, Rev. Father Farthing being deacon, Rev. Father Murphy sub-deacon. His Lordship the Bishop was present in the sanctuary, and after the first Gospel ' addressed the congregation on the- da* 's festival. While " congregations, he said, had assembled within ihese walls in years past, to comniemo.rate the feast of Nativity, others would follow in a like manner, still the celebration would fro on. That it could never fade in the memories r>f the fai*hf"l wns but the sure sisri of its divine oil/rin. After the Mass, the Rev Father Molloy, on behalf of the priests and the choir

presented,- in the schoolioom, to the musical director, Mr. A. B. Reynolds; a very nice silver urn, suitably inscribed. . • ■ At St. Benedict's Masses were celebrated from 6.30 o'clock to Jl a.m!, by the Rev. Father Gillan, V.G., and Rev. Fathers Duffy and McMillan. Large congregations were present. • ' At the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, Masses were celebrated by the Rev_. "Fathers Molloy, Williams, and Hills, S.M., of Wellington. At the, 10 o'clock Mass the choir rendered Haydn's Imperial Mass. His Lordship the Bishop, when addressing the -congregation in fc>t. PatricKs on Christmas Day, said tnat before Mass a little boy had waited on him, and handed to him his liUle box, which contained his'gathering of pennies during the year, amounting to £l. The little fellow gave it towards the new Cathedral -building fund. The bishop earnestly hoped that this good little boy's example would be widely followed. He appealed to them all not to forget, in own happiness * and v prosperity, those who were less happy and prosperous. He thanked the priests of the parish, the choir, and all those who during the year ■ had contributed to the work of the Cathedral. Next year they would be assembled in their " new and enlarged Cathedral. In conclusion, his Lordship asked them to assist him in the task he had undertaken. The choir", under Mr. P. F. Hiscocks, sang Millard's Mass in finished style. Mr H. Hiscocks presided at the -organ. In the evening the church was again full. Rev Father Holbrook delivered, a fine sermon on~ the Incarnation. Benediction- was given by the Rev. Fathef'Furlong. A very pleasant gathering took place - in St. Bene- : diet's Hall last Thursday evening,- the occasion^ being the presentation of an illuminated address to Father Gillan from the- members of St. Benedict's Church com- • mittee, this' being the eighth anniversary of his appointment to the charge of the parish. Among those present were the Rev. Fathers Mahoney, McMillan, Duffy, Kehoe, Buckley, Holbrook, Williams, Molloy, Farthing, Hills, and Murphy. The Bishop-, Dr. Lenihan, who presided, made the presentation on behalf of the committee, and he took this opportunity of publicly announcing the appointment of Father Gillan to the position of Vicar-General. Father Gillan thanked Bishop Lenihan for the honor bestowed on him by his election; to the rank of Vicar-General. To his committee he was deeply indebted for the very able manner in which they had assisted him to reduce the parish debts, and for their beautiful address, which was accompanied by a photo shield of- the church committee. Fathers Mahoney and Holbrook made eulogistic speeches. A capital supper was provided by the ladies of the parish, ' and musical items were contributed by. Mrs. Schallum, Miss Foley, and Messrs. Lamb, Lonergan and O'Connell. The health of /the clergy (which was proposed by ' Mr. O'Meara, and replied to by his Lordship), brought a very pleasant function to a close/ Mr. Joseph Devlin, M.P. for West Belfast, somewhat suddenly and unexpectedly arrived in Auckland last. Sunday, via the West Coast from Wellington. Word of his coming reached here on Saturday at one p.m. Hurried arrangements were made, and the Hon. J. A. ToJe, Messrs. W. J. Speight, P. J. Nerheny, and M. J. Sheahan met him at Onehunga on his arrival by the ' Takapuna.' The deputation heartily welcomed the young Irish member, and learned from him- that, acting* on medical advice,- he had reluctantly to tear himself away from the hospitality^ of Mr. Martin Kennedy, of Wellington, with whom he' had promised to - stay a, few days, and seclude himself, so as to rest his throat. With this in view, he went on to Rotorua on the following Monday morning. He returns to Auckland on. January 5, and stays with Dr. Lenihan until the 7th, when he leaves for New Plymouth, speaking there Un the Bth. He will speak_at several towns in the North Island, including Napier and jGisborne, whence he returns here on the 15th. He will speak in this city on either the 30th or 31st, and leave for San Francisco' on "February 1. He speaks glowingly of, his southern tour, and is particularly enamored of Timaru and its 1 patriotic citizens. He said he would not forget that town and its people.

In the early part of lastf week, the Old Boys' Club welcomed to Auckland Bros. John and Stratonique, Assistant-General? of the Order of the Marist Brothers.' riis Lordship the Bishop; a number of priests, and the Marist Brothers attended. The Bishop, in felicitous! terms, heartily welcomed the distinguished guest. Mr.Furlong, on behalf "of the Club, also welcomed them. Bro. John replied, thanked the Bishop and the Club for the hearty reception accorded to ihem. He was pleased with the Club and its good work, and hoped it would continue to advance and prosper. On Friday

evening last the Club gave a banquet in honor of their much-esteemed president, Rev. Bro. George. The Bishop again presided, and spoke in eulogistic terms of Brother George and the great work he carried on in Auckland. He was about to be granted a holiday to visit his parents in Victoria, whom he had not seen for 15 years. He hoped that he would enjoy ,his well-earned holiday, and that he would be back again in Auckland with us, though he had heard' his superior contemplated a - change for him- in accordance with Jtheir own rules. Mr. J. Furlong,- on- behalf of the Club,, then handed Brother George a nice travelling bag, and said all the members would ever think of him with gratitude and keen affection , for the lasting and good ' work done by him for Ihe young men of Auckland, anid to which the existence and prosperity of the. Old Boys' Club bore ample testimony. Bro. George thanked the Bishop and the members of the Club for their kind expressions ,of goodwill towards him. What had been done was in a great measure to be attributed to others, 3iot to himself." lie would always remember them and - the pleasant times he "had spent with them. For the useful present he felt deeply grateful. He urged them not to lag in their "efforts' to. make the Club the 'success it deserved to be. Several toasts -were given during the evening, notably ' His Holiness the Pope and the King,' by the Bishop. -Musical'items were given by the members and the-Rey. Father Hills, and a most pleasant evening was spent.