DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 22 April 1915, Page 25

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

' (By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) April 19. His Lordship Bishop Cleary was expected to leave Sydney for Melbourne on Tuesday last. The first of the winter socials in St. Benedict’s parish was held in St. Benedict’s Hall on last Saturday evening. On next Sunday all the men of the parish, including the members of the Hibernian" Society and the confraternity of the Holy Family, will receive Holv Communion at the Cathedral. A mission will be opened in the Devonport parish by Rev. Father O’Sullivan, C.SS.R., at the conclusion of the Cathedral mission. Rev. Father Kelly, C.SS.R., goes from here to Reefton to open a mission there. Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R., will stay over for ten days after the present mission, before leaving for Wellington. The mission conducted by the Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R., Rev. Father O’Sullivan, C.SS.R., and Rev. Father Kelly, C.SS.R., at the Cathedral, and which was commenced on Sunday, April 11, has been an unqualified success. Every morning and evening during the week large congregations were present, and

listened with the closest attention to the eloquent discourses of the missioners.. ~ On. Friday evening a special ’ service in honor of the Blessed Sacrament was held, when the sacred edifice was crowded. ' The high altar was beautifully decorated for. the occasion. On Sunday 500 women of the parish approached the Holy Table.; In the evening there was a very large congregation, when Very Rev. Father Roche delivered a most impressive and convincing sermon. The mission concludes on Sunday, May 2. A very successful garden fete in aid of the building fund of St. Michael’s Church was held last Saturday afternoon. Despite the inclemency of the weather ;it was held on the newly acquired church grounds, which visitors considered to be very suitable for parish' purposes. Many of the clergy and laity from the adjoining parishes attended. There were the .usual stalls and side shows, all of which were well patronised. Plain and fancy work was sold by Mrs. Bannon and Mrs. Finnerty, and books and works of art by Miss G. Finnerty. Mr. Rassie presided over the sweets stall, the side shows and amusements being in the hands of Messrs. Bourke and Grey. Mrs. Tole, Mrs. Dufiou, Mrs. McDonald, and Miss Sims looked after the refreshments. An orchestra played popular airs during the afternoon. A word of commendation is due to Mr. W. F. Grey (hon. secretary) and his committee. Rev. Father Doyle is to be congratulated upon the great success achieved. Huntly (By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) April 19. A bazaar to reduce the debt on the new church will he held in the Town Hall, Ngaruawahia, on May 6, 7, and 8. The new church at Ngaruawahia was opened on Sunday, March 22, by the Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, of St. Benedict’s, Auckland. A successful social has been held at Ohinewai in aid of the convent school. Much credit for the result is due to - the promoters, Mrs. Hay and Mr. McGaughlan. The travelling representative of the .Tablet (Mr. Dennehy) has been very busy in this district for the past week, and has succeeded in convincing a large number of parents that it is their duty to have a Catholic paper in their homes. Rev. Father O’Doherty proceeded to Pukemiro last week, where a large number of men are engaged in opening up the new coal mine. He found that there were many Catholics among them, and is making arrangements to celebrate Mass there at an early date.

":r; A conference of the ' Society of •’ St. Vincent de Paul has been opened here, and is doing good work. Bro. C. Little, of Auckland, district president, opened the conference. ■: ' k At the Hibernian meeting, held on, Sunday night, two new members were initiated, and a committee was elected to make arrangements for a series of socials during the winter. In conformity with the Holy Father’s Decree directing that Sunday, March 21, be observed as a day of expiation and intercession for peace, the ceremonies prescribed were carried out here,, with great devotion. ' Much success has attended the efforts of the Sisters of the Mission at the convent school. The results of the recent examination compare favorably with any other school in the Dominion, State or otherwise. The attendance has now reached the respectable total of 85. This is highly satisfactory for a new school, and must be very gratifying to the donor, Miss Ralph (by whose generosity and foresight the school was established.