Reefton

New Zealand Tablet, 10 April 1913, Page 49

Reefton

(From our own correspondent.) On Sunday, March 30, at the eight o'clock Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart, about seventy men received Holy Communion. The Sisters of the convent rendered the music of the Mass. In response to the invitation of the Rev. Father Galerne, all assembled at the boys' school as his guests to partake of breakfast. The breakfast was given by Father Galerne in honor of the festival of St. Patrick, this being the second annual celebration of the feast in Reef ton by a Communion breakfast provided by our popular pastor. The Very Rev. Dean Binsfield and Rev. Father Fraher were also present. Rev. Father Galerne, who was received with applause, said that so pleased was he with the presence of such a large body of men that morning at Holy Communion, that St. Patrick's Day would be similarly celebrated in Reefton in the future. He thanked the ladies for the very great assistance they had rendered him, and also referred in feeling terms to the absence of two of the senior members of the congregation Messrs. J. G. Heslop and J. O'Donnell, who had passed, away since the previous St. Patrick's Day. At the conclusion of the breakfast, Rev. Father Galerne briefly outlined the objects of the Catholic Federation, which was first started in Germany sixty years ago, and was inaugurated a few months ago in New Zealand by his Lordship Bishop Cleary. Mr. A. M. Carroll, president of . the Hibernian Society, supported the remarks of Rev. Father Galerne, and summed up the aims of the Federation as set forth in its constitution. Mr. T. Phillips proposed that a branch of the Federation be formed in Reefton. This was seconded by Mr. Chas. Nevin, and carried by acclamation. The following officers were —President, Rev. Father Galerne; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. H. Lee, H. Phillips; secretary, Mr. C. Nevin; treasurer, Mr. A. M. Carroll; committee, Messrs. W. Noonan, John Roclden, W. J. Morris, H. Lockington, John Muldoon, P. Heslop, C. O'Donnell, and T. O'Brien. The two last-mentioned represent the Hibernian Society, and Misses Walsh and Morris represent the Children of Mary. About fifty members were, enrolled. The meeting was a thoroughly representative one from different parts of the parish, and the proceedings were of an enthusiastic character.