DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 12 June 1913, Page 25

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) June 9. His Lordship Bishop Cleary opened a new presbytery at Te Awamutu on Sunday. His Lordship returns to the city via Paeroa. At Otahuhu on Sunday the members of the local branch of the Hibernian Society approached the Holy Table in a body. The district officers and members of the Onehunga branch were present by invitation. The whole assembled in the schoolroom and marched to the church. Rev. Father O’Doherty, of the Cathedral, said the first Mass, after which the members proceeded to the large school, where breakfast was laid. The ladies of the parish waited at table, Very Rev. Father Buckley, parish priest, presided, and heartily welcomed the visitors. The president (Bro. Griffin) also , joined in the welcome, and said he felt honored by the heads

of the society being present. The district president i (Bro. Flynn; responded. He said he Tbit gratified at the ' splendid • gathering of Hibernians that morning; He referred to the. correspondence proceeding in. the Tablet, which, he felt sure, would tend to extend the branches of the society,, in proof of which he pointed to a branch already formed, and numbers of others to follow in and around the Waikato district. Interesting financial aspects affecting members were explained by the district secretary The president of the Onehunga branch and the past district president also spoke. The whole , of the members again attended the second Mass, which was celebrated by Very Rev. Father Buckley. The hymns ‘ Faith of our Fathers,’ and Hail, glorious St. Patrick/ were sung' by the choir, the Hibernians assisting. After > Mass Father O’Doherty addressed - a large congregation, basing his discourse on the following text from the Gospel of the day— ‘ Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets.’ tie explained briefly that the deep was the sea of human kindness, divine charity, and sublime happiness. The ship might be compared to the Hibernian Society, every word in the title of which was sufficiently universal, categorical* and explicit, no matter what our enemies and our inexperienced friends might say, to include every male and .. female, who professed and practised the faith of Jesus Christ. The Hibernian, Australasian, Catholic Benefit Society is not Hibernian, neither is it Australasian, but it is Hibernian, Australian, and nothing more or less. Criticism was levelled at the Society by those who did not understand its aims, objects, or formation. The points taken by the rev. preacher were four, namely —(1) What is the H.A.C.B. Society? (2) What are its objects? (3) What are its obligations? (4) What are its advantages? The first question was answered by calling attention to the kind of men and women who are to be found in the society and women who love their faith and their fatherland, and their families; who would make any sacrifice; many of whom 5 are known to have made great sacrifices for all or any of these. The object of the society was to cherish and foster , a love for our faith and our fatherland, no matter what be bur' nationality to make us good and practical Catholics, and faithful and honest citizens, and to provide for the evil day when sickness and death shall be our masters. The obligations were simple, but strict. The rules are clear and concise, and they must be observed. You must be a practical Catholic, and an honest and charitable man. The advantages are second to none in the world. What other benefit society in the world has for its primary object the eternal salvation of the individual member? What other benefit society has such a galaxy of God-fearing members ? It gives benefits equal to any other society. The rev. preacher thanked the Auckland and Onehunga members for coming so far, and pointed them out to the newly organised branch as a type of what every member of the society should be. In conclusion, all were exhorted to face the deep in their own ship, which was manned by a crew of 30,000 strong, and backed by a finance of £130,000. This ship,’ said the rev. preacher, is the work of wise heads, Christ-like souls, and patriotic breasts. Fear not, launch cut into the deep, and let down your nets obey, as did the Apostles, and, like them, you will enclose a very great multitude of fishes.' As the congregation left the church the officers and members of the society interviewed all eligible candidates, the two priests actively assisting in the work. A large number of recruits were obtained. The branch, which is named St. Brendan’s, promises to be most successful. ST. MARY’S ORPHANAGE. The Catholic orphanage, that stood- across the Harbor at Takapuna a week or so ago, was a model of its kind in the Dominion. Fire destroyed it, but from its ashes Aucklanders are seemingly prepared to raise a magnificent edifice, for in this "case there is' no sectarianism, and all denominations are unanimous in. their appreciation of the good work done by the

Sisters of Mercy at the orphanage. Both daily papers devoted editorial articles dealing in a sympathetic manner with the subject, and the hope was expressed that the orphanage would be speedily rebuilt. A meeting of citizens was held in the Chamber of Commerce on Friday night with' gratifying results. The Statr report stated that the public was willing to be shown a way to express appreciation of the noble work accomplished by the institution in a practical form, and this was manifested by the large and enthusiastic body qf representative citizens assembled, and which so successfully launched a movement for the erection of a new building. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr. John Court) presided, and among those present were his Lordship Bishop ■Cleary, Mr. J. H. Gunson (chairman of the Harbor Bpard), Messrs. A. M. Myers, J. H. Bradhey, A. E. Glover, J. S. Dickson (Members of Parliament), and Hon. J. A. Tole. The gathering included a large number of ladies. Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor, and Messrs. Ewington, Napier, and Elliot, all of whom expressed keen sympathy with the object of the meeting, and promised financial support. The chairman remarked that the large assemblage augured well for the success of the movement to acquire a new building for the worthy institution that was to be housed in it. He said he was glad to see all classes and creeds sink their differences when work of this kind was waiting to be done. He was satisfied that they would not ask in vain from the people of Auckland for funds for this very worthy purpose. For 30 or 35 years, previous to its removal to Takapuna, the institution had been situated in Ponsonby, and he had personal experience of the good work that was done there. Some £SOOO worth of damage had been caused by fire, but they must not be satisfied to raise only that amount, because no wooden building would be satisfactory. They should not put these children, to say nothing of their teachers, in a wooden building, where there was always danger of fire. He hoped that sufficient funds would be raised to enable a building to be erected in brick or concrete, and large enough to meet requirements for the next 25 or 30 years. . ? Mr. Gunson, as a citizen of Auckland, had much pleasure in responding to the call of the chairman to move the following motion ‘ This meeting of the citizens of Auckland expresses its regret at the loss sustained through the destruction by fir© of the girls’ orphanage at Takapuna on Tuesday, 27th May.’ It must appear to every worthy citizen a matter of regret that fire had destroyed the building, and interfered with the work of the institution. The trust was one that was supported by the Government, and created by Sir George Grey about 1854. It was fitting that the people of Auckland should carry on the work established by that great and far-sighted man. The nature of the work in the past demanded support, and the work that the future held in store demanded that that institution should be carried on. He desired to enlist the support of the multitude. What was wanted was the support not of a few but of all. Mr. Bradney seconded the motion and the Hon. J. A. Tole, Messrs. J. C. Gleeson, J. J. O’Brien supported it. r His Lordship the Bishop said there was a sort of tradition among the people" from the British Isles that they should hide their feelings under a mask of reserve, but the present was one of the times when true feelings found expression. Since the calamity at Takapuna be had , received expressions of sympathy from all over new Zealand, and felt he could never sufficiently express his gratitude. The incident had brought all classes together on a common basis of their love for the little ones. Their orphanage work comprised two branches that for boys had been enlarged during the past two years, and an attempt was being made to have lads trained in various trades and agricultural work. They ■wanted to be able to institute a regular course of technical training, _ and hoped to be able to _ send lads out into the world as well equipped as boys from larger colleges. With regard to the girls, he agreed with the prevous speakers as to excellence of material that hsd been developed in their

institution—on© girl, lie knew of, had been the delight of a family ever since she had gone to them twenty-two years ago. There had been introduced latterly a good deal of technical training in addition to the former excellent training in various branches of domestic art. He had been pleased to hear a general expression of hope that the future building would not be of perishable .material, blit would be suitable for the thorough training of girls in every art, suitable to their sex and condition. There wore some funds in hand from the sale of the old Star of the Sea Orphanage, but the amount fell short of requirements by from £BOOO to £IO,OOO, and for that they threw themselves upon the generosity of the people. He had given instructions to have plans immediately drawn up for a new orphanage in solid materials, and in every respect up to date, and he hoped that the , result would show that the recent calamity had been a blessing in disguise. The great ragged cloud of blue smoko was already tinged with gold at its edges. Substantial support had already been promised, and soon the whole of the black cloud would be transformed by the generosity of the people of Auckland. Mr. Gunson’s motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Myers said that in view of the great calamity mentioned in the resolution just carried, and in order to give practical expression to their sympathy, he begged to move ‘ That subscription lists be now opened, and that the citizens b'e invited to contribute towards the erection of a home for the children rendered homeless by the disastrous fire at Takapuna.’ Mr. Myers said that the general consensus of opinion was that something practical should be done to replace the institution that had been doing such worthy work. They did not want words, they wanted practical sympathy; they wanted to assure the Catholic community in Auckland that they took Just as much interest in that institution as the Catholics did. The motion was supported by Messrs Glover, Casey, Nerheny, and was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Gunson, seconded by Mr. Myers, it was decided to set up a committee of twelve to make such arrangements as seemed advisable. The following, with power to add to their number, was appointed a committee-—Right Rev Mgr. Brodie, Messrs J Court, J. H. Gunson, A. M. Myers, J. H. Bradney, A. E. Glover, M. J. Sheahan, E. Davis, J. C. Gleeson, M. Casey, P. J. Nerheny, J. J. O’Brien. Before the meeting dispersed, the secretary (Mr. Sheahan) announced that subscriptions totalling £2BBB 13s 9d had already been promised. The following are the principal amounts:—Mr. E. Gleeson, £1000; Plunket estate, £1000; Mr. Donald McDonald, £200; Bishop Cleary, £100; Mr. M. O’Connor, £100; Mr. W. J. Ralph, £100; Mr. M. Casey, £6O; Mr. Myers, £SO; Mrs. Brodie, £SO; per Miss Mulholland, £25; Mr. Ernest Davis, £25; Hon. J. A. Tole, £lO 10s; Mr. J. H. Gunson, £lO 10s; Mr. John Court, £10; Mr. F. R. Golden, £5; Mr. W. J. Courtney, £5; Mr. M. Coghlan, £5; Mr. F. J. Nerheny, £5; Mr. A. E. Glover, £5; Mr. J. H. Bradney, £5; Mr. T. Carty, £5; other donations, £212 13s 9d. During the next fortnight Mgr. Brodie will canvass the city and suburbs, and then make a tour of the diocese on behalf of the funds for the erection of a new building. Mgr. Brodie preached at the Cathedral on Sunday night, and appealed for support of the orphanage building fund. Remuera (From our own correspondent.) e! June 3. At the monthly meeting of the Catholic Federation on last Sunday, lists of hew members were handed in, and it was resolved to write Rev. Father Edge, the official organiser, to give a lecture on the Federation as soon as convenient. Meanwhile an active canvass is being made in the district for new members. Preparations are now in hand for the annual parish ‘At home,’ to be held shortly in St. Benedict’s Hall. A large meeting was held last Sunday morning to initiate the movement, and Mr. F. W. Grey was ap-

pointed secretary. In view of the fact that last year’s ‘ at home ’ was the most successful socially and financially held in Auckland for many years, it was resolved to proceed on the same lines of entertainment this year. Speaking to the men’s branch of the Sacred Heart sodality last Sunday morning, Rev. Father Doyle pointed out the need men had of /frequent Communion, because of their own individual religious wants, their duty as heads of families to pay social worship to our Lord, and finally their call to the apostleship of example. He instanced the great General de Louis, of France, who was a daily communicant, as often as circumstances permitted, and asked his, hearers was he less a man, a soldier, or a gentleman, because of his daily appreciation and reception of Holy Communion.