DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 22 July 1915, Page 26

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) July 19. Rev. Father Kelly leaves on Thursday next to conclude a mission begun by him recently at Henderson and the surrounding district. A farewell social was given on last Wednesday by the tennis club, connected with the Sacred Heart parish, to eight members who are proceeding to the front. The Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, V.G., delivered an instructive sermon on the temporal power of the Pope

at St. Benedict's on Sunday : evening. • A procession of the Blessed Sacrament followed. The Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation meets on next Friday evening in St. Benedict's Clubroom. * '.. : '■. , At the last meeting of the District Executive of the Hibernian Society a sum of £SB was voted for the purpose of paying .contributions of members absent at the war. A new conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is to be established in the Parnell parish tonight. Next Sunday the Particular Council holds its quarterly meeting in St. John's Schoolroom, Parnell. The annual meeting of the united school committee connected with St. Benedict's parish takes place on Sunday evening in St. Benedict's Schoolroom in order to receive the annual balance sheet, and elect officers for the ensuing twelve months. A Novena to terminate on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin will take place at St. Benedict's. A number of the children of the parish will on that day receive their First Communion, for which they are at present being regularly prepared. The children of the school, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, Vermont street, on Arbor Day planted a number of trees in the school ground. The pupils of the Marist Brothers (St. Columba's School) assembled as usual on Wednesday morning and, after the Superior had explained to the boys the meaning of Arbor Day and other important matters in connection therewith, the pupils set to work to beautify the school grounds. Altogether thirteen trees, mostly native, were planted, each commemorative of some great personage or recent historical event. To each tree is fixed a tablet, suitably inscribed, so that in future years the remembrance of this occasion may be stamped indelibly on the minds of the scholars. The trees were planted in honor of Pope Benedict XV., his Grace Archbishop Cerretti (Papal Delegate), his Lordship Bishop Cleary, the New Zealand heroes of the Dardanelles, Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook, Rev. Father Edge, Mr. William Redmond, the Home Rule Bill, (Sergeant M. O'Leary, V.C.) Irish heroism, (Allen Doone) token of gratitude, (Sir Joseph Ward) statesmanship, (Father Doyle) generosity, (Staff of 1915) memento, (Pupils of 1915) memento. Existing trees were also dedicated to the. clergy (Ponsonby), benefactors of the school, and old boys of the school. Thames (From our own correspondent.) The half-yearly meeting of the- local branch of the H.A.CB. Society was held last Wednesday, when there was a fair attendance. One new member was initiated. The newly elected officers for the ensuing year were installed by Bro. J. Dwyer, P.P. Mr. N. T. Lambourne, M.A., inspector of schools, paid recently his annual visit of inspection to the Thames Convent School. The report on the school is very complimentary to the Sisters. It showed that the registers were in order and neatly kept, the attendance was very satisfactory, the time-tables were suitable and comprehensive, wisely selectod, and wellarranged schemes of instruction are in operation, lessons are carefully prepared, and the teaching is earnest, painstaking, and skilful. Good methods are in use, and the pupils have made a very satisfactory start in the year's work. The schoolrooms are clean and attractive. At the last examination eleven candidates sat and all were successful—ten received certificates of proficiency, and one of competency.