Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 27 May 1915, Page 26

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON —r r 1 (From our own correspondent.) May 22. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea has been advised that his Grace Archbishop Redwood has booked his passage by the Willochra. from San Francisco. Archbishop Redwood will celebrate the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood on June G. On that day, of course, he will be aboard the Willoehra on his return to New Zealand. The St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society held a social evening at the'conclusion of the branch meeting on last, Monday. Bro. J. P. McGowan presided, and the Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M. (chaplain) was among those present. Musical and elocutionary items were given by the following: Sisters McMahon, Butler, and Gregory, Brothers Dakley, Walsh, McGowan, Sherlock, and Ray. The accommodation provided for the Catholic troops by the Catholic Federation at Trentham Camp, under the direction of the Rev. Father Daly, is greatly appreciated by the men, especially for the purpose of reading and writing. Note-paper, envelopes, pens, ink, and literature are provided for the men out of the Federation funds. Judging by the quantity of stationery used the facilities afforded are taken full advantage of. Last Sunday evening members of the choir of St. Anne's Church, Newtown, gave a sacred concert in the church in aid of the organ fund. There was a very large congregation, and the programme submitted was well chosen and well sung. Mr. E. B. L. Reade was the conductor, and Miss Henderson the organist. The choruses by the full choir were tuneful and nicely balanced. They consisted of 'Magnificat' (Dauby), ' Nato Christo' (Bridge), 'Salve Regina ' (Web be), and 'The heavens are telling' (Haydn), the soloists in the last-named being Miss Murray and Messrs. G. and O. Foote. Miss Nellie Strickland sang with much taste the solo ' There is a green hill far away,' and Miss Rose Segrief's sweet voice was heard to advantage in ' Ave Maria ' (Millard). Mr. Reade sang with excellent expression a solo from ' The Creation.' Misses A. and R. Segrief and Messrs. O. Foote and Read supplied one of the most pleasing items of the evening, the quartet ' Ave Verum (Guilmant). After the concert there was Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. St. Patrick's Hall has just been renovated, structural alterations being made for the convenience of the Catholic organisations, which use it. It has been the

Very Rev. Father O'Connell's ambition, since he assumed charge of St. Mary's parish, to provide rooms for the various Catholic societies. The alterations not only provide for the organisations at present using the hall, but also accommodation for the head office of the Catholic Federation, whose free occupancy of the offices in the Brunner Buildings is about to expire. A comfortable office and board room have been provided for that body free of charge, whilst the Catholic Club have now two comfortable rooms for their exclusive use. A meeting room will be at the service of the St. Patrick's and St. Mary's branches of the Hibernian Society. The Particular Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Seamen's Conference, and St. Bride's Club have been specially catered for. The whole of the building is being painted, and when completed will look exceedingly well. A social evening at which his Grace Archbishop O'Shea has signified his intention of attending, will be held to mark the re-opening of the hall. Much credit is due Father O'Connell for the excellent arrangements he has made. The final meeting of the St. Patrick's Day celebration committee took place last Friday evening, under the presidency of Mr. J. P. McGowan. The balance sheets presented showed very successful results. The general balance sheet was as follows:—ReceiptsBalance forward from 1914, £ll9 15s 9d ; interest, £3 19s 6d ; gross proceeds from concert, £l7B 2s; gross proceeds from sports, £lO5 6s 4d ; sundries, £6; total, £413 3s 7d. Payments—Expenditure, concert £74 13s sd, sports £BO 9s 3d; sundry expenses, £6 18s lOd; paid Catholic Education Board, £134 10s; balance for payment to the Catholic Education Board, £l6 12s Id; reserve balance, £100; total, £413 3s 7d. The report showed that a sum of £315 had been paid over to the Catholic Education Board since the inauguration of that body three years ago, of which a sum of £l5O was the result of this year's celebration. Votes of thanks were accorded the chairman and secretaries, and a special motion was carried by acclamation thanking the Marist Brothers for their strenuous work, which materially helped the committee to bring about such successful results. The children of the schools also worked hard, as the results of their sale of concert tickets (£47 13s lid) show. An executive committee, consisting of Miss Craig, and Messrs. J. J. L. Burke, P. D. Hoskins, A. Cassie, J. P. McGowan, J. A. Humphrey, and H. Mclveowen, was set up to arrange for next year's celebration. In giving an account of the gift tea at the Home of Compassion, the S.Z. Times says:—Thursday was an ideal day for a trip to Island Bay and the Sisters at the Home of Compassion are to be congratulated on securing such fine weather for their afternoon 'At home.' Since the opening there have not been so many visitors in one day at the home. Friends came continuously during the afternoon, and all brought some small gift for the babies. These gifts were all collected in one room, and they made, a fine show, with much that had been sent before, so that the little ones will be made warm and comfortable this winter. There were numbers of little frocks and knitted booties, which the Sisters were glad to see, and warm woolly petticoats. Sister Mary Claver, who is in charge during Mother Mary Aubert's absence, received the* guests, and with • the other Sisters took them round to see the home. She pointed out with evident pride how these hard-working Sisters had made the babies' clothes out of the merest scraps of material. Everywhere the wards were scrupulously clean, and were gay with flowers, while bright rugs, even these, in many cases, made out of patches, were on the floors. Everywhere were vases of beautiful chrysanthemums, and the tea was served by the Sisters, assisted by the Misses Kennedy. It is a truly noble work the Sisters of Compassion are doing, the more so as it is done so quietly and unostentatiously.