Methven

New Zealand Tablet, 17 July 1913, Page 36

Methven

(From an occasional correspondent.) On Sunday, June 15, the devotion of the FortyHours' Adoration was commenced in Our Lady and St. John's Church, Methven, by Rev. Father Cooney, Lyttelton. The weather was perfect, and the attendance at all the services left nothing to be desired. On Monday morning Mass was celebrated at 7.30 o'clock by Rev. Father Cooney, at 8.30' by Rev. Father O'Connor (Lincoln), and at 9.30 a Missa Cantata for .peace, .by. Rev. . Dr.. Kennedy.. Very many received Holy Communion. On Tuesday, Rev. Father Fanning,

of Darfield, celebrated Mass at 6.30 o'clock, Rev. Father Cooney at 7.30,. and Rev. Dr.. Kennedy at 8.30. At the last Mass there was a general Communion of all the children of the parish, many of them being happy First Communicants. At the Mass of Deposition, celebrated by Very Rev: Dean Hyland, large numbers were present. On Sunday evening Father Cooney preached to a crowded congregation, and on Monday evening, when Very Rev. Dean Hyland preached, the attendance was equalry good. The altar was tastefully decorated by the Sisters of Mercy.

Wairoa (From an occasional correspondent.) The half-yearly meeting of St. Peter's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in St. Peter's Schoolroom, Wairoa, on Tuesday, July 1, Bro. Broad (president) being in the chair. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President,- Bro. H. Harker; vicepresident, Bro. D. Murphy; secretary, Bro. J. Dmnan; assistant secretary, Bro. J. Gilligen; treasurer, Bro! H. Harrison; warden, Bro. H. Stairmand; guardian, Bro. N. Dinnan; chaplain, Bro. Rev. Father Le Pretre, S.M.; sick visitors—Bros D. Foley, J. Gilligen, T. B Lyons, and Rev. Father Le Pretre, S.M. ; trustees— Bros R. J. Pothan, Rev. Father Le Pretre, S.M., and T. B. Lyons; auditors, Bros. A. Curtayne and g! A. Broad. The past president (Bro. G. A. Grant) assisted by Bro. J. Fitzgerald, performed the installation ceremony, and in a few words thanked the members for the way in which they had worked with him. - He impressed on the new officers the necessity of arranging a systematic canvass of the district for new members. The prize offered by the. past' president to the brother who introduced the most new members during his term was won by Bro. D. Murphy, with Bro. J. Dinnan a very close second.

Lower Hutt (From an occasional correspondent.) The good Sisters and children of the schools would not allow the anniversary of the Very Rev. Dean Lane's ordination to pass without paying him compliments, and showing their appreciation of his worth. Varied and artistic programmes from the high school and parochial convene school, were submitted during the day. They were full of artistic beauty, and consisted of recitations, songs, and violin, piano, and mandoline items. The combined effect was excellent and reflected the greatest credit on the Sisters' hard work and zeal. The Dean complimented the Sisters and the children on the excellence of the programmes submitted, and also congratulated the children on their great success in the examinations, and on the moral tone of the school throughout the year. He also thanked the children for their valuable presents—a number of precious vases for the church and also an expensive armchair, which he would cherish in memory of their goodness and kindness.

The Sisters, to the number of eighteen, went into retreat. They were fortunate in having the Very Rev. Father Roche, Superior of the renowned Order of Redemptorists in Wellington, to conduct it. Father Roche, who is quite a young man, possesses many fine characteristics of heart and head, otherwise he would not occupy the distinguished position which he now holds in his famous Order. He is a splendid missioner, and withal most amiable, gentle, and naturally genial, so that he finds his way without difficulty into the hearts of the people. The Sisters were delighted with his lectures and conferences. He hails from the South of Ireland, and is a credit to the Old Land.