Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1911, Page 2638

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OP WELLINGTON

(From oar own correspondent.)

December 21.

Bro. J. W. Callaghan, P.P. (District Deputy of the 11.A.C.8. Society) left for Levin this evening to open a branch of the society in that town.

Rev.. Father Thomas Segrief, S.M., who was recency, ordained, preached his first sermon at St. Anne's on last Sunday evening. - The City Council at its last meeting granted the use of the Newtown Park to the St. Patrick's Day celebration committee for March 16. The prize-giving ceremony in connection with the Otaki Convent was a great success. Before the distribution of prizes a concert of high-class merit was given. The attendance of the public was large, and all showed their,.appreciation of the children's efforts.' Of the seven candidates presented for proficiency all gained the honor, and were awarded handsome prizes. Blue and White, a magazine published for the students and ex-students of St. Patrick's College, referring to the rumors afloat in connection with the' disposal of St. Patrick's College owing to its not meeting the requirements of the college, states that there is no intention whatever of the college being disposed of, but that the intention' is in the near future to establish a second college in a place suitable for students from Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, and Mana-

watu. The present college will then be utilised for day students.

The new Cathedral for Wellington will be a most imposing building. The plans have been prepared by Mr. J. S. Swan, and it will be in the Basilica style, the building material being stone, brick, and cement. Two towers, rising to a height of 139 feef, will grace the building. It will comfortably seat nearly 4000 people, and will be arranged in such a way as will give persons in the back seats as good a view as those in the front. The plans were prepared with the Buckle street site in view, but it is quite possible that another site will be chosen. It is expected that the first portion of the building will be commenced in about 12 months' time.

The quarterly meeting of St. Patrick's branch of the Hibernian Society was held at St. Patrick's Hall on last Monday evening. Bro. J. J. L. Burk, 8.P., presided Over a -large attendance of members. The actuary's report in connection with the valuation of the society for the quinquennium period ended December 31, 1907, was read and discussed, it eventually being decided to refer it to the management committee for report. Nominations for officers for the ensuing halfyear were received, resulting in each position being eagerly sought after. The elections will take place on 'January 3, and should prove very interesting. The Rev. Father C. J. Venning, S.M. (chaplain), who was present, addressed the meeting. Very satisfactory reports from the delegates on St. Patrick's Day celebration committee and the Pipe Band committee were received. The receipts for the evening amounted to £l2O.

It is interesting to note the progress that Catholicism has made in the Empire City during the last few years in the matter of building churches and institutions. At the present time there are no fewer than forty-three such buildings in the city and suburbs. Commencing in the south, we have at Island Bay the Sacred Heart Convent with its beautiful grounds, also a parish school and the Church of St, Francis, whilst the Rev. Mother Aubert's Home of Compassion is situated directly opposite to the church. At Seatoun we have the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, whilst the Sisters of Mercy have a very successful preparatory college for young boys in that healthy seaside suburb. Coming into Kilbirnie we have St. Patrick's Church Schoolroom, and at Newtown there is the Church of St. Anne, St. Joseph's Convent, St. Anne's parish school, and St. Anne's Club, with "a residence for the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy and his clergy. In Te Aro we have St. Joseph's Church, erected by the late Rev. Father Kerrigan, S.M., as a mission church, St. Patrick's College, and Mother Aubert's Home for Incurables, a convent school in Sussex square, and a residence for the Vicar-General and his clergy in Lauriston street. Proceeding east in the Te Aro parish, overlooking the harbor, there is the recently-built and beautiful church of the Redemptorist Fathers (St. Gerard's) and monastery. Standing out prominently on the Brooklyn Hills, we have St.. Anthony's Chapel, winch was opened ■ during the year. Still in Te Aro parish we have the recently-erected school, conducted by the Marist Brothers in Tasman street. The old school and Brothers' residence, the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, St. Patrick's Hall, and residence for the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial) and clergy, are in Boulcott street. Coming into Thorndon, we have that commodious church, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, St. Mary's Convent, and the residence of his Grace the Archbishop, Guildford Terrace School, and the building now being erected for the boys in Hawkestone street. In the outlying districts a church has been for many years in Makara, whilst a building is contemplated for Karori. Northlands has St. Vincent's Chapel Schoolroom, and Wadestown, St. Brigid's Chapel Schoolroom. Khandallah and Johnsonville both have churches. Petone has the Church of the Sacred Heart and a convent and school. Lower Hutt has St. Peter and Paul's Church and a convent school, whilst the newly-constituted parish of the Upper Hutt has St. Joseph's Church and St. Joseph's Orphanage.

Across the harbor at Muritai there is St. Antonio's Church. In a short time there is .to be a new school for girls at Te Aro, and the new Cathedral will shortly be commenced. This is a splendid testimony of the sacrifices Catholics, who are but one-seventh of the population, have made and are making in the cause of their faith.