DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 24 April 1919, Page 28

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) April 18. Au important movement is afoot in the city to revive interest in Catholic club life. As in the instance of practically all organisations, the ravages of war played sad havoc with most of the societies of the Church, the recruiting for active service being chiefly from among the young Catholic men of the community. A representative meeting is shortly to be held to discuss a proposal having for its object the formation of a large Catholic club on modern lines. Negotiations are being made to secure suitable premises'll! the heart of the city, and it is the desire of the promoters, should these be acquired, to obtain the co-operation of several of the larger Catholic societies with the purpose of concentrating their respective activities under the one roof. Several of our prominent clergy are interesting themselves in the movement.

At the last meeting of the Auckland Diocesan Executive of the N.Z. Catholic Federation, the delegates to the recent Dominion Council meeting, held at Dunedin, gave a brief resume of the business transacted thereat, and spoke in glowing terms of the arrangements made for the entertainment of visiting delegates. A resolution was carried thanking the Dunedin Diocesan Council for its efforts in this direction.

After holding office for three years, Mr. J. T. Fitzgerald tendered his resignation as secretary of the Auckland Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation at the last meeting of the Diocesan Executive. Mr. Fitzgerald was reluctantly compelled to take this course

owing to his having launched out in business on his own account. Members present eulogised the services tendered by the retiring secretary, and expressed many regrets at losing so active an official. Mr. Fitzgerald will, however, continue to act as a member of the executive. The Board of Management of the Catholic Women’s Hostel has been asked by the Catholic Federation authorities in this city to consider the resuscitation of the Immigration Committee, which did such signal services prior to the war among Catholic women arriving from other lauds. The Lourdes Bazaar, in aid of the funds of the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, which was to havebeen held in November last, but owing to the epidemic, had to be postponed, will be opened to-morrow afternoon, at the Town Hall Concert Chamber, by his Lordship the Bight Rev. H. W. Cleary, D.D. A novel feature in connection with the bazaar will be a spectacular entertainment every evening, consisting of living pictures representing various scenes at the Grotto of Lourdes, with special musical accompaniments by a skilled choir, under the leadership of Mr. Leo. Whittaker .

The Auckland Diocesan Catholic Teachers’ Conference will commence on Tuesday 'next, the deliberations extending over three days. Delegates from every school in the diocese will be present.