Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 8 April 1915, Page 22

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON From our own correspondent. April 3. A mission will commence at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Thorndon, on Low Sunday. It will be conducted by the Marist missioners. A team from the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Cricket Club left for Wanganui to play matches in that town. The team is in charge of Mr. F. J. O'Driscoll, who was appointed manager for the tour. Mr F.' J. G. Temm, secretary of the Auckland Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation, was in this city during the week, and called on several members of the Dominion Executive. He is a delegate to the conference of Federated Catholic Clubs at Timaru. The missions conducted by the Very Rev. Father Taylor, S.M., at St. Francis' Church, Island Bay, and the Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M., at St. Patrick's, Kilbirnie, concluded on Sunday evening, after a most successful week. The services were all well attended, and it was most edifying to see the number of communicants each morning. On Sunday evening both churches were packed, when sermons on ' Perseverance ' were preached, and those present renewed their Baptismal vows. The Papal blessing was imparted by the missioners. ' . Last Monday afternoon the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., and Mr T. Shields paid a visit to the Marist Brothers' School', Thorndon, for the purpose of presenting the boys with the Duthie Cup and a set of silver medals, all of which had been competed for on

February 10 in the Te Aro Baths. Dean Regnault introduced Mr Shields to the school in befitting terms, and complimented the boys on the enthusiastic spirit ' they displayed, causing them to keep up the good name of the school in sports as well as in study. In presenting the cup Mr Shields warmly congratulated the boys' on their success in a competition in which so many teams of different schools entered ; he encouraged them to continue to take a great interest in such a clean and healthy sport as swimming, and promised to give them all the assistance in his power. Rev. Brother Louis thanked the visitors, and three hearty cheers were given by the boys. At St. Anne's Church, Wellington South, there were the usual devotions on Holy Thursday. Solemn High Mass was celebrated, and there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose. In the evening the Rev. Father O'Connor preached, and ' a watch was maintained by the members of St. Vincent de Paul Society right through the night. On Good Friday the Mass of the Presanctified was celebrated by the Rev. Father Peoples, S.M., Very Rev. Father Taylor, S.M., being deacon, Rev. Father McCarthy subdeacon, and Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., master of ceremonies. In the evening the Rev. Father McCarthy preached an eloquent sermon on the Passion. It was notified to the congregation at St. Gerard's Church last Sunday that the Redemptorist Fathers in "Wellington had received advice from Europe that although there are many members of the Order in the firing line there have been only eight killed, and none of those are priests. One Brother was captured by the Russians in Galicia, but was released and allowed to go home and perforin his daily duties, an action which is referred to as a very generous one. Among those held as prisoners by the Germans are three priests of the Order. They were well treated, and are allowed to minister to the members of their Church who are among the prisoners. It. is said that the Catholic soldiers held as prisoners where these three priests are number 14,000. The Order has been very fortunate in that churches owned by it in towns which have experienced fighting have suffered very little damage. Palmerston North (From our own correspondent.) The ceremonies of Holy Week were attended by large congregations, the number of communicants on Holy Thursday being an edifying sight. The Rev. Father Forrestall, who underwent an operation in a local hospital last week, has sufficiently recovered to attend to his duties. Last week I chronicled the death of Miss Winifred Drury, and this week I have to record the passing away of her father. Mr. Drury had been an invalid for many years, and death came as a happy release to a life of suffering. Much sympathy will be felt for Mrs. Drury in her double bereavement. —R.I.P. A monster Belgian relief fete was held on the local showgrounds on Wednesday last, and as a result of the magnificent work done by a large body of helpers the splendid sum of £3OOO was netted. This will probably carry with it a Government subsidy of pound for pound, "so that the townspeople have reason to be proud of their great effort on behalf of this admirable object. Napier '"'••v -j (From an occasional correspondent.) The following pupils of the Sisters of the Missions' Sacred Heart High School, Napier, were successful in public examinations recently: —Senior Board scholarship and senior free place; Annie Murray. Junior free place—Ellie Dineen, Ruby Woodcock, Mary Ahem, Winnie Ryan, Katie Hourigan, Leah Cassin, Isabel Barry, and Annie Hourigan obtained certificates of pro-

ficiency, while Kathy Strachan, Doris Collison, Connie Lynch, and Eileen Culling received competency. Muriel Northcroft and Rawera Hunt, pupils of the. Sisters of the Missions, were successful in passing the examination in art of teaching and rudiments of music held in December last in connection with Trinity College, London, thereby gaining the associate (A.T.C.L.) diploma. , ,/, ' ■ i Wanganui (From an occasional correspondent.) Despite the inclemency of the weather, there was a large and enthusiastic audience in the Opera House on the occasion of the St. Patrick's Night concert. Owing to the great crowd the sale of two-shilling tickets had to be stopped before the hour for commencing the concert. The Garrison Band, under the conductorship of Mr Wade, . gave a splendid rendering of the test selection (' Les Huguenots') and Mother Machree,' which were well received. Mr Charles Spillane was heard to advantage in his splendid rendering of ' On the road to Tipperary,' and for a well-deserved encore he sang 'The wearing of the green ' (new version), which was received with pronounced approval. Mr T. P. Souter in his recitation ' The Highland Brigade ' showed clearly that many sons of the Green Isle were members of this brigade. He was heartily encored. Mr "Claude Suisted sang ' Oft in the stilly night,' for which he was recalled, and in the second part gave a pleasing rendering of ' Believe me,' which was also encored. Mrs Ivo Symes' songs, ' Green isle of Erin ' and ' My own land,' were given in that lady's best style. Mr James McGrath gave a cornet solo, ' Kathleen Mavourneen,' and on being recalled bowed his acknowledgments. Miss Alice Woods sang with taste and feeling ' The last rose of summer,' and was honored with a recall. Mr A. O. Dawson sang ' Father O'Flynn ' in good style, and his encore was well deserved. Miss Belle McLean was very successful in her item, ' Killarney,' for which she was encored. Rev. Father Moloney was heard to advantage in ' The Irish volunteer,' and for an encore lie gave ' A nation once again.' Mr A. G. McLean sang in good style ' Mountain lovers.' The Wanganui quartet (Messrs J. D. Mcßeth, C. G. .McCarthy, A. G. McLean, and Claude Suisted) contributed The dear little shamrock' and ' Absence.' Mr Geo. Swan, in his recitation ' The midnight charge,' made a decided impression, and was recalled. Mr W. Bolton danced an Irish jig, and was enthusiastically encored. Special mention must be made of Mr Joseph Kearsley, who acted as accompanist, and opened.the second part of the programme with a pianoforte selection of Irish airs. Mr C. M. Morgan discharged the duties of stage manager with much success. It was admitted by all that this year's concert was fully up to the standard of similar ones in the past. The fortnightly meeting of St. Mary's branch of the Hibernian Society was well attended, and a report of the business done at the district meeting was explained by the branch delegate (Bro. A. McWilliams, P.P.). Two candidates were proposed. A very large number of the members received Holy Communion on Sunday, March 14. The quarterly meeting of the branch was held on March 24, when there was a fair attendance. Bro. President D. Dwyer presided. One new member was initiated, and a candidate was proposed.. Accounts amounting to £37 7s 6d were passed for payment. The members congratulated Bro. E. G. Harker, who has just received his LL.B. degree. DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH (From our own correspondent.) April 5. The solemn observances of Holy Week were commenced in the Cathedral on last Wednesday evening with the office of Tenebrse, in. which the resident clergy

were ; assisted by the Very Rev. Dean Hyland, Rev. Fathers Hoare, S.M., Hanrahan; and Graham, M.S.H. On Holy Thursday Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., the Rev. Father Long being deacon, the Rev. Father Graham, M.S.H., subdeacon, Rev. Fathers Murphy, 8.A., and Hanrahan masters of ceremonies. At the conclusion of Mass there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart. After Tenebras in the evening a sermon on the Blessed Sacrament was preached by the Rev. Father Hanrahan (Lincoln). Mass of the Presanctified was celebrated on Good Friday. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., was celebrant, the Rev. Fathers Long and Graham, M.S. 11., being deacon and subdeacon respectively. The Passion was sung by the Rev. Fathers Hanrahan, Long, and Graham, M.S.H. An appropriate discourse was given by the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm. Veneration of the Cross followed, during which offerings were made for the Holy Places, in accordance with diocesan regulations. In the afternoon the devotion of the Stations of the Cross was largely attended, and at the conclusion Benediction was given with the reliquary containing a portion of the True Cross, this precious relic being afterwards exposed on the altar of the Chapel of the Holy Relics -to the veneration of the faithful. The Cathedral was crowded in the evening, when, after Tenebrse, a particularly fine discourse was preached by the Rev. J. Kennedy, D.D. (Methven), on the 'Crucifixion and Death of our Divine Lord, and the lessons His intense sufferings conveyed to mankind.' On Holy Saturday Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., the Rev. Father Long being deacon, Rev. Father Graham, M. 5.11.,.11., subdeacon, and Rev. Dr. Kennedy master of ceremonies. Included in the ceremonies was the blessing of the Paschal candle, font, etc. Mass was celebrated in all the suburban churches of the Cathedral parish on Easter SundayAddington, Halswell, Sumner, and Woolston—with good congregations at each. The contest of the South Island Brass Bands Association was commenced in the Coliseum on last Saturday morning. The soprano solo was the first to occupy the attention of the judge (Mr. Code), and the initial note of the contest was sounded by R. Wills, of the Invercargill Hibernian Band. In'giving his decision in favor of this performer with 95 points to his credit, the judge said in the evening, with reference to the soprano contest, that one competitor, R. Wills, of Invercargill, had stood out in a brilliant performance. The Hibernian Fair, promoted by St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, wa£ opened in the Hibernian Hall, Barbadoes street, under most favorable auspices by Dr. Thacker, M.P., on last Saturday evening. Shortly before eight o'clock the Hibernian Band, of Invercargill, now in this city for the South Island Bands' Contest, marched through the main streets towards the hall, playing in a style not heard here for a considerable time, and greatly to the enjoyment of those crowding the thoroughfares. There was soon a gathering at the fair which occupied all the available accommodation, and good business ensued. Although collectively Catholic performers were conspicuously successful in the recent Dominion Competitions held here, one, Mr Frank McDonald, certainly deserves honorable mention, especially as his time and talents are frequently and freely given in promoting and appearing at Catholic entertainments. The Catholic Club, too, has in him one of its best supporters and most popular helpers. The following is Mr McDonald's record at the competitions:—First in Dickens' character sketch, first in Dominion test recitation, first in humorous dialogue with Miss Lily Aldridge (Auckland), first in story without words with same lady, second in character recital, second in comedietta with Miss Aldridge, second in classical dialogue with Miss Aldridge. Mr McDonald scored the highest marks in elocution. The judge remarked on his fine make-up and very praiseworthy effort in the sketch from Dickens.

, Large numbers approached the Holy Table at the early Masses on Easter Sunday. For the half-past nine o'clock Mass a church, parade was arranged by the H.A.C.B. Society, -in which an exceptionally - good muster participated. Headed by the lnvercargill Hibernian Band, the members marched along several of the main streets, and presented a fine appearance, the display being witnessed by large numbers. Solemn High Mass was celebrated at eleven o'clock by the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., being deacon, and Rev. Father Long subdeacbn. The sermon was preached by the Very Rev* Father Price on the subject of the day's festival. The music of the Mass was capably rendered by the choir, with Mr. W. Handel Thorley at the organ. The sanctuary and high altar, also the altars of the principal chapels, were as usual tastefully adorned by the ladies of the Altar Society. From the conclusion of Mass until after Vespers there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Rev. Father Seward preached, and at the conclusion of the sermon there was a procession, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament,