DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 24 August 1911, Page 1639

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.)

At St. Mary’s Convent chapel, Ponsonby, twelve orphan children received their First Communion from the Right Rev. Mgr. O’Reilly, who had been preparing them for some weeks for this great event in their lives* Monsignor O’Reilly addressed the children, and impressed upon them the great significance of the ceremony in which they took part that morning. He took occasion to refer to the death of his Eminence Cardinal Moran, and to the numerous and great works which would stand for all time as monuments of his great learning, piety, and largeness of mind and heart. Of little children, particularly orphan children, the late Cardinal was particularly fond, and he was -never so happy as he was when surrounded by them. - The many friends of the Rev. Father Furlong, of Devonport, will be pleased to hear that he has arrived safely Home, and is enjoying the best of health. In a letter to Mr. Gilfedder, of Devonport, the rev. gentleman says that he had the pleasure of witnessing the Coronation procession. He had a place over the Admiralty Arch through which the procession passed. Father Furlong was privileged with a position on board the Cunard liner, Axama, which steamed through the long lines of battleships, and took up her moorings within a short distance of the royal yacht. There were 185 warships, of which eighteen belonged to other nations. The sight was beyond description. Father Furlong also saw the ‘White City,’ the ‘ Festival of Empire,’ etc., where the Maori troup acquitted themselves so well. Before returning to Wexford Father Furlong is visiting some of the English cities. ’

By telegraph from our own correspondent.)

August 21.

At the meeting of the Holy Family Confraternity on last Tuesday evening, Very Rev. Father Buckley delivered a fine lecture on ‘ Thaddeus McCarthy, an Irish saint.' . ;

On Tuesday, the Feast of the Assumption, at St. Benedict’s, 150 children received their First Communion, while altogether at the same Mass 400 children approached the Holy Table. It was a most edifying sight, and spoke volumes for the zeal and earnestness of the priests of the parish and the good Sisters of St. Joseph. At 11 o’clock on Sunday at St. Benedict’s, High Mass was celebrated in the presence of his Lordship the Bishop, Rev. Father Brennan being celebrant, Rev.' Fathers .Carran and Clarke'• deacon and subdeacon respectively. There was a crowded congregation. The devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration was Commenced. All children present took the temperance pledge until they reached the age of twenty-one years. The Guild of the Sacred Heart for boys was established, and over 100 joined. Rev. Father Brennan preached a fine sermon in the evening on the necessity of frequent Communion. This tnorning Mass was celebrated at 10 o’clock by Rev. Father Brennan, Rev. Father Carran deacon, and Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, Y.G., subdeacon. Rev. Father Tormey preached this evening on the love of the Sacred Heart as revealed in the Blessed Sacrament. The devotion will conclude at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning.

To-day is the first anniversary of the Consecration of his Lordship Bishop Cleary. He received numerous congratulations. At the Bishop’s House to-day his Lordship presided at a dinner which was attended bv the city and surburban priests. Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly proposed the toast of the Bishop. He said that the first Bishop of Auckland ordained him (Mgr. •O’Reilly), and he had served under six bishops of the diocese. He was absent through illness in Australia when his confreres recommended Bishop Cleary, and he heartily endorsed the selection. Tic* concluded by wishing his Lordship every health and blessing, and many; years’ rule over the "diocese. His Lordship briefly responded, and said that twelve months ago he was surrounded by many loving friends, and to-day he was similarly circumstanced. He thanked his priests, whom he was always pleased to have around him, and he felt that the often they met the better acquainted they would become, and so unite in the great work of God to which their lives were consecrated. ' .