DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 08, 8 October 1908, Page 23

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph from our own correspondent.) October $. Rev. Father Curran is expected to arrive in Auckland in about three, weeks. High Mass was celebrated at. St. Benedict V yesterday by Rev. Father Williams, , Rev.- Father Tigar, 0.P., being deacon, Very Rev. Dean Gillan, V.G.,- subdeacon. Rev. Father, Tigar gave a short discourse on the devotion of the Rosary, and urged all to join its confraternity. Very Rev. Dean Gillan, V.G., returned last Thursday- from Gisborne after opening a new church at Tologa Bay. He leaves next Thursday for Taumarunui, and opens a new church there on Sunday next. The Avondale new church will be opened on Sunday, October 18. It is a serviceable and neat edifice, reflecting gieat credit on' (he parishioners and on- all concerned.Yesterday the annual renewal of baptismal vows took place in St. Patrick's Cathedral. -The children of "the parish mustered in the convent school, Hobson street," and, with the Confraternities of the Children of Mary and Guard of Honor, marched to the Cathedral. - The. afternoon was fine, and with the big muster of processionists and a large concourse of people the proceedings passed off admirably. The profession of faith was read by Miss Ryan. -Rev. Father Mcaghcr .briefly addressed the. children, and lucidly explained the meaning of the day's ceremonies. After the singing of hymns the procession reformed and went back to the starting .point. - Ex x posrtion of the Blessed Sacrament took place throughout the day. ' In the evening the church was full, when Rev. Father •Moagher delivered an eloquent sermon on the Holy Rosary and on devotion to the Blessed ■Virgin Mary. A procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the church followed, after which there' was Benediction. The initial movement to build a Catholic church at Raglan is of such recent date that it is -really astonishing how in so- short a space of time the object has been accomplished.- It is only during the past few years that the Catholics have been sufficiently numerous in this " district to warrant regular periodical vfsits of a priest to minister to their spiritual needs. It speaks much, therefore, for their devotion to their religion and their zeal on its" behalf that so few people have found means to erect a church of their own. Though the edifice is of modest dimensions it is quite sufficient for all requirements, and is, moreover, a substantial monument to the energy of those by whose efforts it was raised. " It is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. It was blessed and opened on Sunday morning last, when the building was crowded to the doors. The congregation consisted, of course, of many, others besides Catholics, but that body was fully represented not only locally but also by visitors from Auckland .and Waikato. The ceremony was performed .by the R,ev. Father Edge "(Ponsonby), assisted by the Rev. Father Cahill (Ngaruawahia). Mass was 'subsequently celebrated, and at its conclusion the Rev. Father Cahill delivered a brief address, bearing on the erection. of the church as a means of honoring God. During the course of his remarks he thanked those outside his own people for their goodwill, kindly interest, and aid in erecting the building. In the evening the church was again .filled. After the Rosary a sermon was preached by Rev. Father Edge. A choir -rendered the music both morning and evening, Miss Malone officiating at the harmonium. The opening of the' church was availed of by several children as a special opportunity for making their First Communion.

The new church was built by Mr. W. J. Smith,- of Raglan, from a design prepared by Mr. Wrigley, - architect, # of Can>

bridge. It is of locally grown rimu- throughout, the interior -being match lined and oiled, and the windows, doors, and joinery were all made at TVIr. Smith's workshops. With the exception of a balance of remaining -due on the purchase money for the land, tKe church is free of debt. The harmonium is the gift of Miss Ralph, of Huntle}', who also has been a generous contributor to .the" building fund.

On Monday evening there was a social "gathering at the residence of Mr.- and Mrs. <*O 'Sullivan, at \vhich the visitors who "had come to attend the opening of the church were entertained. A very pleasant time was spent with cards, instrumental music, -and singing, and during the' course of the evening the Rev. Father Cahill presented Mis^ Ralph, on behalf of some. of the local parishioners; with a pair of artistically ornamented -panels, in* lecognition of the practical help which she had rendered towards the erection of the church. In acknowledging the gift Miss Ralph expressed her appreciation of the spirit that prompted it, and remarked that anything she had " done to assist she regarded as a duty. At the request of some of those present Mr. Baukaii made reference to the whole-hearted manner in which Mrs. O 'Sullivan had devoted herself to the carrying out of the undertaking"- to " provide a church for Raglan, and said it was the unanimous opinion of those who had worked .with her that it wastpHier efforts the realisation of the project was •mainly due. Rev. Father Edge suitably acknowledged the compliment paid to Mrs. O'Sullivan on that lady's behalf.