Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 5, 4 February 1925, Page 43

Commonwealth Notes

MEW SOUTH WALES. With the beginning of the school year, TAmworth will have an important addition to its teaching institutions, when the Christian Brothers will open a new boys’ school. Negotiations have for some time been afoot for the establishment of the school. His Lordship Dr. O’Connor, Bishop of Armidale has taken an enthusiastic interest in the new foundation, and under the guiding direction of Very Rev. Father J. K. Collender and an energetic committee, arrangements have been finalised for the opening of the school. The spacious house and property know as “Ooolinda” have been purchased as a residence for the new community. The Christian Brothers are now conducting 65 educational establishments in the Commonwealth, including six boarding colleges, three orphanages, and an institution for deaf mutes. Their life, apart from the publicity that comes from the schools, is retired and unostentatious. The Brothers include in their scheme of education such subjects as singing, elocution, gymnastics, swimming, and life-saving. Sports and games are fostered and supervised in the recreation hours. Competitions in this connection foster friendly relations with other schools. The links that bind their pupils to the Brothers are kept up in after life through past scholars’ associations, and thus the good influences of the school arc made far-reaching and abiding. ’the annual report of Rev. Father P. Crowley, the Diocesan Inspector of Schools, of the Archdiocese of Sydney, contains the following:—The work of examining the paper of the Diocesan examinations, and of tabulating results, is well in hand. It is pleasing to learn that the examinations grow more popular, as is evidenced from the increase each year in the number of candidates. It is also a matter for congratulation that Irish History has become one the most popular subjects of the examination. Although not compulsory, well over 300 pupils presented themselves for examination in this subject in November. This is as it should be, as nothing can better inculcate love of faith and country in the minds and hearts of our Australian children than the study of the story of the Irish nation’s fidelity to both the one and the other. The popularity of Irish History this year may in great measure be attributed to the book prescribed. Father Carey’s delightful Irish History for Primary Schools was introduced for the first time. The book is written by one who thoroughly understands the requirements of children. The summary of facts is complete; yet for pupils it seems to possess none of the terrors of the average school history. The new and enlarged edition is just to hand, bringing the matter right up to 1798. It is to be hoped that <k v Father Carey in the near future will com- . plete the work up to our own time. The ; -Merit Certificate examination, which Rev. Father Crowley introduced in 1923, in lien of the Q.C., recently abolished, was most successful. The sixth class children •in the

schools throughout the Archdiocese sat for this examination. The total number of candidates was over 2000. The successful candidates will receive a certificate which will prove that they have completed the primary school course in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education of Mew South Wales. Amongst those who were presented to the Holy Father on the occasion of the conference of Superiors of the Sacred Heart Order in Rome was Mother Macßory, Superior of the Catholic Women’s University College, Sydney. Mother Mcßory was presented by her brother, the Bishop of Down and Connor. The Holy Father spoke in warm appreciation of the work done by the Sacred Heart Religious in Australian, and blessed their efforts.

VICTORIA. The Retreat conducted by the Very Rev. Prior Power, 0.0. C., for the members of the recently-formed society for the spiritual and temporal advancement of the Catholic deaf and dumb, was brought to a most successful conclusion- on a recent Sunday, in the beautiful oratory at St. Vincent de Paul’s Orphanage, by the renewal of Baptismal vows, after which the retreatants renewed their promise to be faithful to the rules of the Catholic Deaf Association. The eloquent discourse, concluding the Triduum, preached by Prior Power, and translated into the sign language by one of the Brothers, was received with rapt attention. A general Communion of all the members took place at -the early Mass. They later expressed sincere thanks to Prior Power and the good Brothers, who had organised this first Retreat, so that these afflicted ones whose lives are passed in one long perpetual silence, may share in the blessings and privileges attached to the active practice of the spiritual exercises of their Holy Faith, from which their affliction has hitherto debarred them. Having organised the Catholic deaf and dumb into one association, the Brothers have generously granted the use of their schoolroom at the orphanage, South Melbourne, for the monthly meetings of the association. It is hoped that in the near future, it may be possible for the association to have their own club room for meetings and general recreation. The Very Rev. Prior Power, 0.C.0., speaking at the opening of a new Catholic school in a Melbourne suburb, said that while other denominations were showing decided signs of decay, leaders of the Catholic Church were finding it difficult to cope with their increased numbers. Frequently, in the newspapers, the wailings of other denominations at the churches were related, as also were their efforts and entreaties to encourage attendance. It had even been suggested that the aid o'f cinematograph and broad-casting services should be enlisted, and “Go to Church Sundays” were becoming general. At annual gatherings of other denominations these were among the proposals, and it was

a significant fact that at the nest conference similar conditions existed. The progress of the Catholic Church was not the result of one mighty machine, but the efforts of each individual unit, working together with rhythmic harmony, and the school at Hampton was yet another link in the chain of progress. Very Rev. Dean Coyne, of Leongatha, has been appointed Vicar-Capitular of the diocese of Sale, pending the appointment of the late Bishop Phelan’s successor. At the month’s mind, to take place in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Wednesday, February 4, the panegyric of the late Bishop Phelan will be preached by the Bishop of Goulburn (Dr. John Barry), formerly the administrator of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Rev. Brother Bowler, who has been principal of the Christian Brothers’ College, Wakefield Street, for the last two years, left for Sydney on Thursday (says the S>nthern Cross for January 15). It is known that he is not returning to Adelaide, but his future destination is not yet announced. Though his term in Adelaide-has been brief he made many friends, and his removal has caused much regret. He was seen off by Mr. M. F. Malone (president) and members of the Old Collegians’ Association. Rev. Brother Geogheghan, who was wellknown in Adelaide some years ago, is returning to the Christian Brothers’ College, Wakefield Street, as the new .principal. He has recently had charge of the Clontarf Orphanage, Perth, W.A. His Grace the Archbishop of Adelaide (Most Rev. Dr. Spence) celebrated the sixtyfifth anniversary of his birth during January. A native of Cork, he entered the Dominican Novitiate at an early age, and was one of the first Dominicans to come to Australia.