DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3, 21 January 1909, Page 94

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph from our own correspondent.) January 18. His Lordship Bishop Lenihan is expected to arrive in Melbourne on February 8, and in Auckland about February 21. -^ Rev. Father Murphy, of the Cathedral, officiated at Pukekohe yesterday in place of Father McMillan ,who is absent on a holiday. Brother Fergus has been transferred from the Sacred Heart College to the Pitt Street School, and Brother Martin from the latter to the college. The initiative in the celebration of next St. Patrick's Day was taken last week, when a most representative meeting of priests and people of the city, suburban, and country parishes wa-s held. The Very Rev. Dean Gillan, V.G., presided, and briefly explained the objects of the meeting— firstly, to take steps to form a committee to carry out the Bishop's reception; and, secondly, to decide in what manner St. Patrick's Day celebration should be carried out this year. He said that at a meeting of the parish priests, held recently, it was re&olved to recommend to this meeting that a united effort should be made to celebrate the day, and that the proceeds should not be, as formerly, divided amongst the parishes, but devoted to the schools of the diocese. This, he hoped, the present meeting would decide to do. Rev. Father Edge heartily supported the suggestions of the Vicar-General, and urged the necessity of a Catholic Association in the diocese. Rev. Fathers Mahoney and Meagher also heartily endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Mr. J. J. O'Brien was elected president, Mr. P. J. Nerheny hon. treasurer, and Mr. M. J. Sheahan hon. secretary. The greatest enthusiasm and unanimity prevailed, and it was decided to hold the celebration at the Takapuna Racecourse. At another meeting held on Sunday afternoon, at which the Very Rev. Dean Gillan, V.G., and a large number of priests and people were present, the following circular, forwarded to all Catholic societies from the Vicar-General and Rev. Father Mahoney, was read and adopted unanimously by the meeting :— ' Encouraged by the good feeling that prevailed at a large and representative meeting held in the Cathedral schoolroom on the' 11th inst., the clergy assembled here to-day resolved to appeal to their various congregations to make the celebration of St. Patrick's -Day this year the first of another series of united Catholic public demonstrations, for the purpose of bringing our people into closer union, of fostering a strong Catholic spirit and of making annually a public manifestation of loyalty to Faith and Fatherland.. The Bishop, through his VicarGeneral and the clergy, earnestly and confidently appeal to your society to exert itself to the utmost for the accomplishment of this threefold object. All money derived from the proceedings will be invested as the nucleus of a fund for elementary educational purposes throughout the diocese Rendezvous— By a majority of votes the meeting held in the Cathedral schoolroom decided to spend the day at Takapuna Racecourse, which was very kindly placed at our disposal by Mr. Alison. Procession— The processionists from each parish, following the route approved by their own parochial committee, will arrive at the Grey statue not later than 8.45 a.m. His Lordship will bless the assembly a hymn will be sung, and the procession will then march by way of Queen street to the wharf, whence special steamers will convey the processionists only to Devonport. At Devonport the procession will re-form, and march to the racecourse. It is especially to be desired that the procession should be as large and imposing as possible. Amusements — Various forms of amusements, sports, etc., will be provided on the grounds. Catering— Each parish must

provide refreshments for its own children; light refreshments, fruit, etc., will be obtained on the ground at reasonable prices. Charges — The children who walk in the procession and the children from distant parishes will be taken to Devonport and admitted to the ground free of cost. All others will be admitted to the ground by ticket only. Tickets, Is each, will cover cost of boat fare and admission to ground; grandstand, sixpence. Ferry Company remits eightpence out of every shilling to committee. Concert — The celebrations will conclude with an Irish national concert in the' Royal Albert Hall. In order the more surely to secure the unity at which we are aiming, there will be only one St. Patrick's Day concert, at which we sincerely trust every parish and every society will be largely represented. The programme and prices of admission will be advertised in due course. The clergy are convinced that only the thorough co-operation of the different societies in the city and suburbs is needed to make the festivity a perfect success, and they appeal to your society in the name of God and St. Patrick to do its full share towards the attainment of this end.' The arrangement of the national concert was left in the hands of the executive officers. The committee decided to perform the duties of catering for the general public itself. As briefly telegraphed last week, Tuesday, January 5, was a joyful day at St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, when the clergy, Sisters, and a large number of friends combined to fittingly celebrate the silver jubilee of Rev. Mother Aquinas Lynch, Mother M. Raphael Farrell, Sister M. Alexis Collins, Sister M. Peter Burns, Sister M. Michael Kelly, and Sister M. Fidelis Byrne. High Mass was celebrated at 9 o'clock by Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly, Very Rev. Father Brodie being deacon, Rev. Father Holbrook subdeacon, Rev. Father Edge master/ of ceremonies. There were also present Rev. Fathers Mahoney, Buckley, McMillan, Tormey, McGuinness, Murphy, Bradley, Zanna, Wright, Doyle, Brennan, and Ormond. The convent choir sang ' Winter's Mass,' and for the offertory two Sisters and Miss L. Lynch sang the trio ' Veni Sponsa Christi. After Mass the clergy were entertained at a dejeuner in the community room. The health of the jubilarians was proposed by Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly in an appropriate speech, which was responded to by the Rev. Father Edge. Silver medals were then presented to the jubilarians in commemoration of the event. They were also the recipients of many valuable presents. In the afternoon a reception was held by the Sisters. About a hundred ex-pupils and friends of the Sisters visited the convent to express their congratulations. The afternoon was enlivened by the ' Musical Morceaux,' rendered by the visitors. Afternoon tea was then dispensed on the lawn, and the visitors enjoyed themselves in the beautiful groxinds of St. Mary's until 5 o'clock, when all adjourned to the convent chapel, where Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly, assisted by the Very Rev. Father Brodie.