DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 19 June 1913, Page 24

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) June 16, Rev. Father Scare, of Christchurch, arrived here yesterday by the East Coast steamer. His Lordship the Bishop visited Morrinsville last Sunday, where he blessed and opened the new church. On next Sunday his Lordship visits Thames, where on June 23 he speaks on the Bible-in-Schools question. He gives an address on the same subject at Paeroa on the 24th, and at Waihi on the 25th. •A presentation, consisting of a set of initialled sleeve-links, was made to Father Ormond on Wednes- __ day evening in St. Patrick’s Convent Schoolroom by the confraternity of the Children of Mary. The presentation was made by the president (Miss Willis). Father Ormond thanked the members most heartily. Musical items were given by Misses Kathleen Owens, Myrtle Pritchard, and Nora Rist. The chorus, ‘ Toast to Erin ’ (Allen Doone) was rendered with great spirit. A new presbytery, of modern and extensive design, recently erected at Te Awamutu, was opened on Sunday, June 8, by his Lordship Bishop Cleary. His Lordship arrived from Auckland by the 2.30 p.m. train on Saturday. He was driven per motor car to the new presbytery, and after making an inspection, adjourned \ to the church, where he was presented with an address \ and a purse of sovereigns. His Lordship blessed and IA opened the presbytery on Sunday forenoon, when a » ' large number was present. The new presbytery is located on a commanding site near the railway station „ at Te Awamutu. It is built of brick, being cemented inside and tiled* outside. Hitherto the priest (Rev. | Father Lynch) has resided at Kihikihi, but the growth of Te Awamutu made a change desirable. Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie is at present engaged in collecting funds for the erection of a new orphanage. > He addressed the congregations at all the Masses and . Vespers at the Cathedral yesterday. In his addresses, which were marked by great earnestness and deep feeling, he asked the people to contribute generously towards the large sum required to build a home for the homeless orphans. Thousands of small envelopes, each containing an appeal, were handed to the people, and the first response through this medium has been extremely gratifying. Intending contributors should send their subscriptions to the care of Right Rev. Brodie, the Cathedral, Auckland. The splendid leader in the Tablet, exhorting the public of the Dominion to subscribe, was heartily appreciated here.

The recent fire at the Takapuna Orphanage (says a local paper) has led to a move which will give pleasure to the friends of the orphans and of the • Sisters of Mercy to whose care, the orphans have been entrusted. Negotiations have been completed for the purchase by the Sisters of Mercy of that well-known property, the Pah Farm, containing upwards of 45 acres, and having on it the magnificent residence which stands out so prominently in the landscape on the northern side of Manukau road. The building and area in question will now be devoted to educational purposes, and it is intended to erect thereon a central house for the community of the Sisters of Mercy, as well as a large and up-to-date boarding school. Portion of the large area of land will be set aside for a building to replace the Star of the Sea Orphanage,.and Bishop Cleary and the orphanage authorities are so confident of the success of the appeal now being made on behalf, of the orphanage that they are arranging for plans of a building on most modern lines. In the meantime the large residence of the Pah Farm will be utilised to accommodate the orphans, and it is expected that they will enter into occupation in about two weeks' time. The campaign for funds inaugurated at the public meeting is being continued in the city, and Bishop Cleary has appointed Monsignor Brodie to visit all the parishes of the diocese in order to supplement the generous results of the city appeal. The Order of the Sisters of Mercy was established in Auckland in the year 1850. In 1849 Sister Cecilia Maher and seven other Sisters from Carlow Convent volunteered to come out and found the Order in Auckland. The first convent was in the vicinity of the site at present occupied by St. Patrick's Cathedral, and in 1863 a new convent was built on the present site at Ponsonby. Ever since the establishment of the Order in Auckland splendid educational work has been done by the Sisters in the diocese, and there are at present eight scholastic institutions under their direction, independent of two orphanages and the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. There are now 112 Sisters in the community. A very pleasing function took place on June 10 in St. Benedict's Schoolroom. The occasion was the second anniversary of the Rev. Father Forde's ordination. Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan presided, and on behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society (both men's and women's conferences), presented Father Forde with a handsome suit case and pair of statues. Monsignor Gillan eulogised the good work done by Father Forde in the parish, notably the reorganisation of the Sacred Heart sodality for men and women, also his zeal on behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Rev. Father Brennan, of Te Kuiti, also spoke very highly from personal knowledge of Father Forde's sterling qualities, both as a priest and a friend. The evening closed very pleasantly with music, and light refreshments were handed round. Rev. Father Forde during the day was the recipient of hearty congratulations from a number of the local and visiting priests. He also received several presents, amongst those being a handsome set of green vestments from St. Benedict's school children. The Children of Mary and St. Benedict's Club also made presentations.