Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 11 May 1911, Page 857

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) v May 6. The , Right Rev, Mgr. Fowler preached to a crowded congregation at Petone on last Sunday evening. A sacred concert was held at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Thorndon, on last Sunday evening. . There was a good attendance of the parishioners and their friends. The Rev. Father Holley, S.M., passed through Wellington this week en route to Wanganui to take charge of that important parish. Seventy or eighty children of the Te Aro parish will make their First Communion at St. Joseph’s Church, Buckle street, to-morrow.’ There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Joseph’s Church, Buckle street, last Sunday. In the evening there was a procession, and the Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., addressed a large congregation on the Real Presence. Teams representing St. 'Vincent and St. Anne’s Cadets met at the Town Hall last evening in a physical drill contest, which resulted in an easy, win for the St. Vincent by 10 points. The result reflects credit on the winning team, as they have not been long formed, and have had only four weeks’ training with the rifle. The King’s Festival Bazaar concluded on last Tuesday evening, and proved a complete success. It is’anticipated that the net profits will be something like £6OO, which will reduce considerably the debt on the St. Vincent’s school-chapel, Northlands, for which purpose the bazaar was organised. The ladies’ branch of the Sacred Heart Society held their monthly meeting in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart last night. The Right Rev. Mgr. Fowler addressed the society. There was a large attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the ladies’ branch of the Sacred Heart Society at St. .Joseph’s. They were addressed by the Rev. Father Ainsworth, At the sitting of the Assessment Court at Martoh last week, a question arose as to whether a i portion of the" Catholic Church property should be exempted from rates. Mr. Kerr, S.M., held with Mr. Knigge, borough valuer, that the only question he could determine was*the reduction of valuation if the assessment was proved to be excessive.' He had no jurisdiction on the question of exempting the property from rates. Mr, Cook, for the trustees of the church, contended that as the church and presbytery were built on one section containing half an acre, both places were exempt from taxation. The valuer had exempted half of the section for the church, and assessed the other half for the presbytery, which Mr. Kerr considered was reasonable. The mission for children at St. Anne’s was brought to a close last Sunday, when about 80 children received their First Communion. ~s In the afternoon they renewed their baptismal vows and received the Papal blessing. The Rev. Father Whelan, C.SS.R., conducted the children’s mission. A fortnight’s mission for the adults was commenced at St. Anne’s by the Rev. Father Creagh, C.SS.R., at the 10.30 o’clock Mass, and in the evening he preached before a crowded congregation on The Importance of Salvation.’ Throughout the week a large number attended the 6 o’clock Mass, and every evening the church has been crowded. On Friday evening the Rev. Father Creagh preached to a large congregation on the ‘ Blessed Sacrament.’ To-morrow there will be 'a general Communion of the men of the parish, and the members .of St. Anne’s Cadet Corps, St. Aloysius’ Boys’ Club, St. Anne’s Young Men’s Club, and the' St. Aloysius’ branch of the H.A.C.B. Society will also take part. The mission will conclude on Sunday, 14th. At St. Anne’s Church, Wellington South, the marriage was celebrated of Miss Catherine M. J. Gallagher, fifth daughter of the late Mr. James Gallagher, of Kaikoura, to Mr. Edwaid B. L. Reade, of the Railway Department, Wellington, eldest son of the late Mr. Laurence E. Reade, of Foxton. Owing to the fact that both bride and bridegroom have been prominent workers in connection with the Church, a great deal of interest was taken in the event, and a large number of friends were present. The ceremony was performed by; the Rev. Father A. T. Herring, S.M., and the choir (of which Mr, Reade is conductor) sang Turner’s . ‘ Mass of St. Cecilia,’ under the baton of Mr. A. J. McDonald, several of the members of the Boulcott

street choir assisting, r The bride wore a white embroidered frock, trimmed with satin ribbon and silver tassels, and the, customary wreath and veil, the ' latter being beautifully embroidered by the • Sisters of Mercy. ' Miss B. Gallagher and Miss Vanoy attended as. bridesmaids _ l Mr. Charles C. Reade, brother of the bridegroom, attended as best man, and Mr. J. L. Leydon was’ groomsman. Menaeissonn s ; ‘Wedding March was played by the organist (Miss Henderson) as the bridal party left the church. A reception was afterwards held at Godber’s. ' ■■■■• "'t The quarterly meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society took place at the Guildford Terrace schoolroom on last Sunday. ; Bro. Martin Kennedy, K.S.G., presided, and the Very Rev. Father O’Shea, V.G., and Rev. Fathers Herbert and Venning were also present. There was a good attendance of members, among whom ‘ was Bro. Spellman from the recently formed Conference at Foxton. , Reports received from the various Conferences of the circumscription were read, and disclosed much activity and good work. The president introduced the new secretary of the Particular Council (Bro. Perry) to the members, and also briefly addressed the meeting. : ' ; • • The Very Rev, Father O’Shea gave a brief address, and complimented the members on the work achieved. Ha exhorted them to keep at all times the spiritual advancement of themselves in view. He regretted that so many of our Catholic men who had the requisite time at their disposal stood aloof, from this and. other good works. His experience was to find in all the good works of. the Church that the busiest men were always first to the front to render assistance. He concluded his remarks by wishing the society every success. ■■ ■ ■ ; ' ” The Rev. Father Venning reported that he had the pleasure of establishing a Conference for men at Hawera, and also a ladies’ Conference. He also visited Wanganui and found'great enthusiasm in the society in that town. A new Conference was: opened at Aramoho, and as soon;as the Conference had- received its letter of aggregation the question of a Particular Council for Wanganui would require to be considered.. At Foxton he found the Conference very active, and, although only recently established, had already done _ excellent work. For • instance they were instrumental in procuring the services of three nuns for that town, and for whom they- erected a convent. Sixtyseven children were now attending school, which for the present is being held in the church. The New Plymouth Conference was also in a very satisfactory state, although they could not hold weekly meetings; yet they raised the sum of £4O for the purchase of a piano for the Old Men’s Home, and - visited the J gaol regularly. He also visited Levin, and found very active members who looked after the boys on the Weraroa farm, taught Christian doctrine to the children, and assisted generally the priest of the district in all his undertakings. Before concluding his remarks : Father Venning said that there was a great deal of work to be done by the brothers in enrolling Catholic boys, who by law were compelled to join the Territorials. These youths are at the most critical age, and it behoved the brothers to establish cadet companies and see that our boys are enrfflled therein. This was a most important work, and he trusted it would engage the attention of members. ': - v ‘■ - - " j Bro. Ellis (president of St, Joseph’s) reported that he had visited Masterton and found the society doing good work there. " .. . ■ - It was decided to hold the next quarterly meeting at Brooklyn in the new ■ church-schoolroom recently , erected .- It was also decided to hold the Particular Council meetings on the first Tuesday in each month in lieu of the first Wednesday. Wanganui IFrom our own correspondent.) On Sunday, May 1, sixty children from the parish schools and from the outlying portions of the parish made their First Communion at the first Mass, and in the evening took part in a procession of the Blessed Sacrament. "The Rev. Father Barra, who has been stationed in Wanganui for over two years, has received notice of his transfer to St. Joseph’s Church, Buckle street, Wellington. Father Barra has made a number of friends during his stay in Wanganui, and will be very much missed. Arrangements are well forward for the reception of the Irish envoys. An energetic committee has been formed, and at the first public meeting held in Messrs. Dustin’s rooms on April 21, a sum of £3O was raised and £IOO promised in the room. The delegates are assured of a hearty welcome and moral and financial support when they visit Wanganui. ' Blenheim (From our own correspondent.) May 6. The new St. Patrick’s Hall was opened on last Wednesday under most- auspicious circumstances, the occasion being taken advantage of to give a hearty welcome to Rev. Father Hills, S.M., and a public farewell to. Rev, Father Holley, S.M., who left for his new parish (Wanganui) on the 7th inst. Councillor Wiffen, in the absence of the

Mayorj-; addressed the large gathering, congratulating the Catholic body in Blenheim on the possession of such a magnificent hall, and concluded by declaring the hall open. Father Holley introduced Father Hills to the parishioners of St. 4 Mary's, and bespoke for him the same loyalty in spiritual and temporal matters which had been extended to : the speaker. Father Hills briefly replied. The social gathering was successsful in every way. ; '