Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 12 June 1913, Page 23

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.) : June 7. The Te Aro branch of the Catholic- Federation i» arranging a series of lectures on Federation- to be given by his Grace the Archbishop. The St. Patrick’s College, St. Vincent’s, and St. Anne’s Senior Cadets took part in the military ■ manoeuvres at Newtown Park, last Tuesday (King’s Birthday). Mr, J. E. Henrys, the well-known handicapper, left for Sydney by the Moeraki last evening to attend the wedding of his daughter, Miss Josephine Henrys, who is to be married this month to Mr. Hansen Abel, of Sydney. St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society held a specially summoned meeting on last Monday evening for the purpose of discusing the question* of secession from the present district with the object of forming a new district. Bro. J. A. Sullivan presided, and there were also present the Rev. Father A. T. Herring, S.M., (chaplain St. Aloysius’ branch) and Rev, Father J. Herring, S.M. (chaplain of St. Patrick’s). There was also a good attendance of members, and a keen and animated debate took place. The motion, which required a two-thirds majority of votes recorded, was lost by five votes. - When the Hon. H. D. Bell announced some time ago that he had decided to enter into an arrangement with the Girls’ Friendly Society, in connection wtih the provision of hostel accommodation for immigrant girls arriving at the principal ports in the Dominion, some protests were raised. An influential deputation which waited upon the Minister at Wellington urged that the Young Women’s Christian Association should also be subsidised by the Government, and its hostels used for the reception of immigrant girls. The Minister has decided to accede to this request, but has not yet completed a detailed arrangement with the two societies. This covers Church of England and the balance of the non-Catholic Churches, but what about Catholics, who represent one-seventh of the population? This, the Dominion Executive of the Catholic Federation is to discuss with the Minister for Immigration.

The Celtic Club held another of their periodical social evenings last night, when a lecture was delivered by Professor MacKenzie, of Victoria College, on ‘ The Celt, and the Celtic Elements in English Literature.’ The president of the club, Dr. Cahill, was in the chair.. Professor MacKenzie addressed himself first to the question—Who and what are the Celts? In answering the question, he showed that the Celts were among the earliest races in Europe to show any marked superiority in culture and in the practice of useful crafts. The date of their settlement in the British Isles was not known, but he thought it certain that the first Celts landed in Ireland, and from there spread over Albion. He claimed that the effect of Celtic influences on English literature had been wholly good. The lecture was listened to with great interest by all present, and at the conclusion a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr, E. J. Fitzgibbon, and supported by other speakers, was accorded to the lecturer..

A meeting was held in the Boulcott street presbytery last Wednesday evening for the purpose of forming a * Catholic Immigration and Reception Committee.’ Mrs. L. T. Reichel presided, and explained the objects

of the undertaking, the method of procedure,. and other details connected with the work of visiting the Home vessels, and keeping in touch with Catholic immigrants. The following committee was elected:-Vice-president, Miss Reichel; joint secretaries, Mrs. B. Ellis and Miss Wheller; volunteers—Mesdames McSherry, Phelan, Daly,. Heavey, Riddler, Simon, and Reeves, Misses Burke, Flannery, K. O’Sullivan, and May Vincent. It was decided to hold another meeting to which representatives from the Catholic Federation, and the vicepresident of the St. Vincent de Paul Society (men’s branch) would be invited, and from among whom the president of the committee would be chosen. Communication with the Hobart St. Vincent de Paul Conferences will' be established, and should facilitate matters. It was also decided that the first official' visit from the committee be paid to the Corinthic, which is due here next' Tuesday, when Mrs. Reichel and the vice-president will go on board.

■ ;Very. Rev. Dean Regnault, SM. (Provincial), returned to Wellington last week after an extended absence spent in visiting the various parishes of the Marist Order. - •

A large, and . enthusiastic meeting filled St. Joseph’s Church, Buckle street, to discuss the best method of honoring their parish priest, who has been appointed Coadjutor-Archbishop of Wellington by the Holy See. Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., presided, and there were also present Rev. Fathers Hickson, Adm., Barra, and Hurley.

Very Rev. Dean Regnault addressed the meeting, and said that they were called together for the purpose of taking steps to show their high appreciation of the great honor conferred on his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, and to make the day of his consecration a memorable event in the history of the Church in Australasia. He reminded them that as a religious the new Archbishop was not possessed of any of this world’s goods, and that the high position to which he had been raised must involve considerable outlay in procuring vestments, etc., for the high office. His Grace, he knew, was opposed to the committee making a collection, but when he was remonstrated with and told what expenses he would have to incur, he reluctantly consented, on the condition that the collection was not pushed. After some discussion it was unanimously resolved to present his Grace with a purse of sovereigns, to hold a conversazione in the Town Hall, to make the event a grand demonstration of Catholicity, and to arrange for the entertaining of visiting prelates and clergy to Wellington. A strong committee, with power to add to its number's, was set up, and Messrs. J. J. L. Burke and R. H. Williams were elected secretaries. A collection was taken up from those present and realised a good sum, Mr. Maurice O’Connor contributing £25, Dr. Mackin £2O, Mr. Burke (Kilbirnie) £SO, whilst substantial donations were made by Mr. and Mi's. R. E. Miller, Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, and Very Rev. Dean Regnault. Intimation was received by his Grace Archbishop Redwood on Friday morning from Rome that the brief appointing the Very Rev. Dean O’Shea CoadjutorArchbishop of Wellington has been issued and is now on its way to New Zealand.

New Plymouth

(From an occasional correspondent.) June 6. A committee of ladies and gentlemen has been formed to organise a series of entertainments during the winter months, similar to those that proved so popular and successful last year. The first of these will take place at an early date. The improvements to the Rolland Hall have been effected in such a manner as to leave nothing to be desired. Our parish hall is now, for its size, equal to any in the Dominion. A very successful fortnight’s mission, conducted by Rev. Fathers Lynch and Tuohey, of the Redemptorist Order, was concluded on Sunday week, when

nearly all the Catholic congregation received Holy Communion. The early Masses and evening services were well attended throughout. Father Tuohey gave a. short mission in Waitara before leaving this district. The Catholic community hero sustained a serious loss by the death of Mr. J. H. Parker, which took place at his residence, Powderham street, after a lingering illness. The late Mr. Parker took a leading and active part; in every movement having for its object the advancement of the Church and our Catholic schools.. He led a most exemplary Christian life, and his place im our midst will not be easily filled. Mrs. Parker and-, family have the sincere sympathy of our Catholic peoplein their sad affliction. —R.l.P.

Petone

(From our own correspondent.) June T.. At the last meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society two* candidates were proposed and one received by clearance. The local branch of the H.A.C.B. Society has» issued invitations for a series of socials to be held during the winter. , Last Sunday week a number of children received First Communion. There was a crowded congregation, and a large number of adults also approached the Holy Table. The children were afterwards entertained at breakfast in the schoolroom.