Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 22, 7 June 1923, Page 35

Commonwealth Notes

NEW SOUTH WALES. The Armidale Express, in a recent issue contains the following appreciative reference to his Lordship Dr. O’Con-nor:-—“On Thursday of last week his Lordship Dr. O’Connor celebrated the 20th anniversary of his consecration as Bishop of the Armidale diocese. Dr. O’Connor, who succeeded to the Bishopric upon the death of Dr. Torreggiani, was consecrated at Armidale by his Eminence Cardinal Moran in January, 1904. Since that time Dr. O’Connor has witnessed big developments in connection with the Church throughout the diocese. His success as an. administrator is as proverbial as his widespread popularity. Fortyseven years ago Father O’Connor, as he then was, came out from Co. Waterford, Ireland, in a sailing vessel. The young priest— was only 27landed in Brisbane in 1876, and after celebrating his first Mass in St. Stephen’s Cathedral set out for Armidale. Father O’Connor, by his untiring zeal, generous nature, and broadmindedness, soon won the hearts of his new parishioners. His career is known by practically every family in Armidale and district. Dr. O’Connor tells many an interesting story of the endurance necessary in the old days, when his district covered hundreds of miles, and the only conveyance was a trusty steed. When he commenced duties his district embraced practically all of the State north of Maitland. It was not until later that Lismore became a separate diocese. In 1876 half a dozen priests were entrusted with the duties now performed by over 30 clerics. His Lordship, who is 74 years of age, is one of the oldest bishops in Australia. His wonderful activity is probably due to the fact that in his younger days he was an athlete of no mean ability.”

On the day following the feast day of Blessed Peter Chanel, proto-martyr of Australasia, his Grace Archbishop Kelly blessed the attractive little church at Hyde Ptrk, Lidcombe, dedicated to this great Marist (says an exchange). After the religious ceremony a public meeting was held 'in the church grounds at which the Mayor, Aid. E. Wyatt, presided. Several priests and prominent citizens were present. Introducing the Archbishop, the Mayor said; “We in public life must be a part of the whole. Though we are of various classes, creeds, and nationalities we are all looking towards the one goal.” He stated with pleasure that he had spent his youth in Lidcombe, and it was his hope to see one day Lidcombe the premier municipality of the metropolis. He wished the members of the church and their undertakings every prosperity. His Grace the Archbishop, who was very cordially received, said he could assure them that he was indebted to Father McElligott for being invited to bless their church, and to the Mayor and the other public gentlemen and themselves for their presence there that afternoon. “We are all on the common platform,” he declared, “as Australians.” Referring to the need of prayer, his Grace said that prayer brought the spirit of God. We are made to be devoted to God. Kind words spoken to one another please God. We have to thank Him for all we have received. “As far as the Catholic Church is concerned,” continued his Grace, “you may have your own political views, but the interests of the whole community must be the greatest concern. (Applause.)

Those who say that religion must not be taught in the schools declare that as the State has adopted no particular religion it (religion) must stay outside. But if you want children to know God they must have it in their intellect. Where is the use of an oath if the man who takes it does not believe in God? Nothing.” Touching on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the privations a Catholic would undergo to be present at it on Sundays, he continued; “We would give our eyes for the Mass. We rest from work on Sundays that we may find rest for our souls. Not only in bread alone doth man live. When at Mass we assist at the very same sacrifice as that l of Calvary. ‘Do this in commemoration of He.’ We have the self-same Christ offered on the Cross. I am, therefore, very pleased and indebted to you for being here amongst you. who are the pioneers of the Catholic community of Lidcombe, Hyde Park. We are giving back to God what He has given to us. See our orphanages, schools, presbyteries, and churches, and all out of nothing. We are like the birds of the air. God will pay us back a hundredfold, and we are providing for the Catholics of future generations with a church and, later on, a school.”

VICTORIA. The Rev. P. M. Lynch, C.SS.R., writing on the novitiate of St. Mary’s, Wendouree, Ballarat, says:—“ln the last six years between 40 and 50 have passed beyond the novitiate barrier, and now either finish their philosophical or theological studies, or work like strong men for God in missions, or, like St. Gerard do the simple duties of lay Brothers in our Australian Houses. The Australian Novitiate of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer has been singularly blessed by God.” The first of a notable series of Catholic evidence lectures, arranged by the Very Rev. Albert Power, S.J., M.A., Rector of Corpus Christi College, was given on the evening of May 21, in the Cathedral Hall, Melbourne. The Archbishop presided. The lectures are free. The following is the order of the series: —(1) Intellectual Basis of Catholicism, Rev. Albert Power, S.J. (2) Miracles as Evidence of the Supernatural—Faith Healing, Rev. J. B. Roper. (3) The Sacramental System, Rev. Dr. Collins. (4) Christ’s Claim to be Divine, Rev. J. Sullivan, S.J. (5) Catholic Stability The Pope or Chaos, Rev. Prior Hogan, O.P. (6) Catholic Ideals— our Leader, Rev. Eustace Boylan, S.J. (7) Catholic Liberty of Thought, Rev. F. Merner. (8) Catholic —Divorce and Race Suicide — Twin Evils of the Day, Right Rev. Bishop Phelan. (9) Evolution — Church’s Reasonable Attitude (with slides), Rev. V. McEvoy, O.P. (10) Catholic Democracy— Church and the Working Classes, Rev. Arthur Vaughan. (XI) Conversions Men Become Catholics, Rev. E. Boylan, S.J.

Addressing a large gathering on Sunday, May 20, at the blessing of a new church at Burnley, his Grace Archbishop Mannix, who was very cordially received, said that he seemed to be coming to Richmond and its offshoots more frequently than to any other part of the archdiocese of Melbourne, which argued great activity in that district. He had no time for visits of pure pleasure. He was in Tasmania recently, and, during what might be regarded as a pleasure trip, he had opened two schools, one of which had cost £9OOO, and was a credit to all Tasmania. In another place a company of nuns had opened a school in an out-of-the-way locality, where they had only expected to collect 50 children from the neighboring-State school. On the first day, however, they had discovered that they had 90. The church had been established some time before he went through, and in this way he discovered a person who had never heard of him (the Archbishop). The children had told their parents that a Dr. Mannix was going to open the school, and one of the parents wrote the following letter to the Sister-in-charge : —“Dear Sister, —I hear Dr. Mannix is going to visit the school. Don’t let him draw any of my children’s teeth. There is a small swelling on Eileen’s cheek. Don’t let him touch it. That is a birthmark and will do the child no harm.” (Laughter.) So at least there was one house in Australasia where his name had not been vilified. He had been told before he went to Tasmania that he would see no one running there, but the Tasmanians were not behind us in the pursuit of the Faith. (Applause.) <*X*X*X*X*> SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Rostrevor, the delightfully situated new residence acquired by the Christian Brothers as a boarding establishment, looms large in the public eye, and all Catholics and friends of the Brothers are endeavoring to lower the debt by dances, queen competitions and other ways *of raising funds. Rev. Brother Burton, M.A., the energetic principal, who is a professor at the University, is devoting all his money and his influence to making this establishment an historical monument in South Australia. Possessed of extraordinary ability and a keen love of education which is baaed on character building and is not merely “bang it in, slam it in—children’s heads are hollow,” the learned principal has raised Catholic education to a high standard in this State, and the boys who will Spend their young years studying in beautiful Rostrevor will carry away happy memories when they go forth to battle with the world and carry the lamp of learning still further. His Grace Archbishop Spence blessed and opened Rostrevor on Sunday, May 6, in the presence of a large and representative gathering. —<hJh> —•— , Every honest inquirer can ascertain conclusively the quality and extent of Catholic patriotism. \