DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 15, 11 April 1907, Page 19

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

"""* (From our own correspondent:) -■-■■--:-■ April 5. An animated controversy upon the religious observance of Gooid Friday has b.een running in both - of ciur local papers/ ' ~ . . *~ ,- Next Sunday the.. new organ- is to /l>e opened at St,. Benedict's. His Lordship will be " .present, and preach on the occasion. The organ recital, which was fixed for next week, has, in consequence of the illness of Mr. Barnett, of Wellington, been postponed indefinitely. Rev. Father Murphy has been temporalily appointed to Otahuhu djuring the absence of Father O'Hara in -Australia. This evening a " concert will be held in the Public Hall, Otahuhu, in aid of the local convent. On Good Friday the .services in the morning, afternoon, and evening were well attended at the Cathedral and St. Benedict's. The Mass of the Presanctified was celebrated at the Cathedral. His Lordship the Bishop was in - the ' sanctuary, and was assisted by Rev. Fathers Zana, Holbrook, Murphy anil Farthing. In the evening- Rev. Father ,Will Hams preached on the Passion. It was the ~ first time on which Father Williams preached^ at the Cathedral, and the sermon was worthy of the solemn occasion. On Saturday Mass was celebrated at an early -hour, and the Bishop was again present. There- was a large attendance of the faithful. On Easter Sunday all the Masses were well attended, wMle at the earlier Masses large numbers approaqhed the Holy Table. At 11 o'clock Mass the Bishop was present in the sanctuary, and the Rev. Father Farthing celebrated High Mass, Father Hoibrook being deacon, antd Father Williams, suibdeacoav. After the Gospel the Bishop addressed the congregation, and before his sermon made a short statement in reference to the material progress of the parish, and its present indebtedness, ■ and appealing for the support of all the parishioners in the arduous "task he had undertaken on their behalf. He expected to be supported in proportion to the means of each one of them. He would take another opportunity of speaking' to them on this matter. He thanked the clergy, choir, collectors, and those who assisted in the decoration of the altar. In the evening the Bishop preached at the Cathedral on the festival of Easter. His Lcidship dwelt upon the many and great lessons to be derived from a study of the festival. He exhorted all to perform their Easter duties, and to fashion their lives in accordance with the desire of God whci had tlone so much tor mankind. The Bishop announced that the Cathedral would be opened on Sunday, April 21, when the Very Rev. Father Clune, C.SS.R., .would preach. The grand opening would, however, take place in February, 1908, when his Eminence Cardinal Moran, and several of the Australian Bishops are expected to be present.