GREYMOUTH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 13, 1 April 1909, Page 487

GREYMOUTH

(From our own correspondent.) _ Among the successful candidates in the teachers' examinations held last January was Miss Honora B. Trowland, who succeeded in ohtaining the full certificate for class C. Miss Trowland was presented for examination hy the Sisters of Mercy, Greymouth. During the past month a series of most successful missions has been given by the Redemptorist Fathers. The outlying districts of Brunner, Runanga, and Barrytown were favored with one week* each, whilst in Greymouth one week was devoted to the children alone, and a fortnight to .^the adults of the congregation. The Rev. Fathers Creagh, Whelan, and Gilmartin labored -earnestly for all sections of the community, with the result that upwards of 1600 approached the Holy Table. The, attendance both morning and evening during the mission was exceptionally good. The closing exercises on last Sunday were impressive and edifying. Father Creagh was especially pleased with the general Communion of the St. Columba Club and Hibernian ■ Society. On last Sunday evening the largest congregation ever assembled in- the church was present. On last Sunday morning, at 8 o'clock Mass, the members of the St. Columba Club and Hibernian Society approached the Holy Table. The members of both societies, to the number of- about 150, marched in regalia from the St. Columba'Club rooms to St. Patrick's Church. As it was the last day of the mission it was made the occasion of a, general Communion for all the men of the parish. - It was a most edifying sight to seejupwards of three hundred men in a body approach the Holy Table. After Mass the members of the club and Hibernian Society marched to the, St. Columba Clu"b room's, where the ladies' committee had provided breakfast. Mr. E. A. Casey (president of the club) occupied the chair, and Mr. T. P. Fogarfcy (president of the Hibernian Society) was in the vice-chair. The chairman congratulated the members of both societies on turning out in such large numbers, thus giving public manifestation of their faith. Rev. Father Creagh said he had always heard a good deal about the warm-hearted -West Coasters, and that morning they had more than kept up their reputation. In all his travels he had not seen a finer body of men with such practical faith, not even in dear old Ireland. He could not conclude without a special word of praise to the ladies who had gone to so much trouble in preparing the breakfast, and called for a hearty vote of thanks to them, which was carried with acclamation. The annual general meeting of the St. Columba Catholic Club was held in the club rooms last Monday evening, when there were about fifty members present, including Very Rev. Dean Carew and Rev. Fathers Creaghj Gilmartin, and Taylor. The president (Mr.. E. Casey) occupied the chair. The secretary was instructed to write to the widow and family of the late Mr. T D. Sheedy., expressing the club's sympathy with them in their recent bereavement. The president, on behalf of members, extended a hearty welcome to Rev. Fathers Creagh and G-iltnartin, and congratulated them- on the successful- termination of the mission. In the course of an eloquent reply, Rev. Father Creagli complimented the members on.their excellent rooms, and remarked that the St. .'Columba-- Club was the finest institution for young men he "had seen. An invitation from St. Canice's Club (Westpojt) to arrange an interclub visit at Easter was left in the hands "of a sub- ,, committee to make arrangements. Messrs. E. Casey and P. J. Smyth were appointed to represent the St. Columba Club at the conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs to be held air Wellington during Easter-week. The annual report and balance sheet were read and adopted, and showed the finances to be in a nourishing state. The balance of assets over liabilities amounted to the sum of £511. The expenses during the year amounted to £146 14s lOd, and there was a credit balance for the year of £23 4s lid, which was considered most The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Mr. R. C. Heffernan; vicepresidents, Rev. Bro.- Arthur and Messrs. E. Casey and W. H. Duffy; spiritual director, Rev. Father Taylor; hon. secretary, Mr. P. J. Smyth; vice-secretary, Mr. C. A. Carmine; treasurer, Mr. B. J. Phillips; librarian, Mr. A. F. O'Donoghue; committee/ Messrs. J. Quinlan and D. O'Neill. Mr. R. C.} Heffernan, in returning thanks for his election as president, urged on all members to use their influence to induce every Catholic young man in the parish to become a member of the club ; and he promised to present a gold medal to the member introducing the most now members during the session.