DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 4 January 1912, Page 25

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

;: January 1. The retreat of the Diocesan; clergy commences on January 15. Brother Paul, Provincial of the Marist Brothers, is at present on a visit to Auckland. ' Rev. Father Hunt, C.SS.R., will conclude the retreat of the Sisters of Mercy on Wednesday next, on which day he will commence a retreat for the Marist Brothers. ,■■:-■ .-:

Captain Breen is in port with his splendid new steamship Zealandic, on its first voyage. It was built in Belfast. It is a coincidence that the Delphic, formerly in charge of Captain Breen, is also in port, and is in charge of Captain English, who, like Captain Breen, was born in Wexford.

Mr. John McCormack, the famous Irish, tenor, is announced to give-one concert in the Town Hall ‘on January 18. He gives but two concerts in the Dominion, the other being in Wellington. A movement is on foot amongst local Irishmen to give their illustrious countryman a fitting reception. At the Cathedral last evening the Rev. Father Liston, Rector of Holy Cross 1 College, preached a fine sermon on vocation to the priesthood. He showed that from the time of the Apostles to the present day it was the policy of the Church everywhere to encourage a native clergy. We should encourage our young men to aspire to the priesthood, and to parents, particularly to mothers, he addressed his remarks, for to pious mothers the Church was indebted for many of its greatest ecclesiastics, notably in the case of - the celebrated Vaughan family. Opportunities were now within reach for the training of the clergy in this Dominion, and shortly one so trained at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, would- take up his duties in the Auckland diocese, Father Liston afterwards gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Rev. Fathers Ormond and Doherty being deacon and subdeacon respectively. This morning (New Year’s Day) very large numbers received Holy Communion at the early Masses."' ■ '