DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 5 August 1915, Page 26

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) August 2. The annual examination by the Education Board inspectors of the Sisters of Mercy’s School, Parnell, took place on Monday. A large and enthusiastic meeting of the committee of St. Benedict’s parish was held on Sunday evening in

St. Benedict’s Hall, when an executive committee was elected for the ensuing year. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament took place at the Cathedral on Sunday from the 11 o’clock Mass until after Vespers, when there was the usual procession, followed by Benediction. Rev. Father Dunphy preached an eloquent sermon. An official visit by Messrs. Plummer and Warren, inspectors of the Auckland Education Board, was made to the school of the Sisters of Mercy, Vermont street, during last week. A similar visit was paid to the school of the Marist Brothers, Vermont street, during the past week. Mother Ignatius, of the Sisters of Mercy, celebrated her feast day on Saturday last. Tho good Mother is now well on the way to her diamond jubilee as a member of her illustrious Order. There are many citizens of Auckland of both sexes who remember her teaching and advice with gratitude, and who wish her many happy returns of the day. Many of our Catholic youths continue to enlist for the front. Several, indeed, who had been to the Dardanelles and are back again with us, bear unmistakable evidence of the bitter, struggle. Included in the last batch of recruits is Mr. James Collins Gleeson, ex-Auck-land City Councillor, son of Mr. Patrick Gleeson, well known throughout the Dominion. Rev. Fathers Kelly (St. Benedict’s) and Brennan (Te Kuiti) addressed the last two meetings respectively of the Holy Family Confraternity. Father Kelly deeply interested his hearers with a stirring address on practical fidelity to and love for our holy faith. He impressed upon all the great good to be accomplished by laymen, who often obtained a hearing where the priest could not, therefore it behoved them to study the principles ■ and doctrines of the Church, with what capacity and ability they possessed, in order to combat the numerous false accusations made against it. Father Brennan, in his discourse, chose the ancient glories and renown of Ireland’s cherished faith. In a brief and lucid manner he depicted the reception of the faith from St. Patrick by the Irish, which spread rapidly throughout the island, and eventually to Europe, where Irish saints and scholars carried light and learning. It was one of the most glorious chapters in Ireland’s history. The battle grounds in Europe, of which we read to-day, were the scenes of the early triumphs of Ireland’s missionaries, to whom European nations owe so much. Records of those missionaries are in evidence in various countries to-day, and no Irishman, who views them, could do so without pride and emotion. You should always remember with pride (he said), the great race and country from which the majority of you have sprung. Truly, it is a land of saints and scholars.