Archdiocese of Wellington

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 8, 4 March 1925, Page 29

Archdiocese of Wellington

(From our own Correspondent.) February 27. Solemnised recently at Lower Hutt the wedding of Miss Lena Lynch to Mr. Thomas McKillop. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Father Daly. Buckle Street is feeling something like consternation. The news spread with the rapidity of bad news that Rev. Father O'Donnell is transferred to Waipawa. There is no one here that is not sorry. From the children in the slums who came to him displaying their battered toys to the men of his sodality who brought him their troubles everyone is sad about his going. If ever two figures are known in the humblest part of the city they are his and Canon Taylor's, an Anglican clergyman who has chosen the same beat. Father O'Donnell's Christmas tree brightened many a poor child's Christmaswas its Christmas in fact. And then the men's sodality ! They told you with pride their's was the biggest sodality in the Dominion. The departing soggarth will receive the good wishes of the most faithful people in the wide world, that is the poor. The whole parish will look to catch a glimpse of him sometimes, for they are sure he too will remember. Absolutely the best programme . ever offered ! How often have we read it and gone along to find the usual mediocrities performing the obvious! Well all the same there

are exceptions and the St. Patrick's Night'•':concert should be a dream come true. One can say without straining one's conscience that never has such a. set of concert singers sung here together on St. Patrick's Night. They are the best that can be obtained, here. First of all, back with her honors from Europe, the universal favorite, Teresa McEnroe, whose exquisite voice captivates all hearers. Others also well-known are Miss Kathleen Jansen, concerning whom we have all heard glowing reports; Miss Mary McKeowen, a favorite singer of the old ballads who is well-known to Wellington audiences; and Mrs. Lawson-Broad, a, Dunedinite who was with the New South Wales State Orchestra. Less known here than the others, she is held in high esteem alsewhere, and the audience is promised something unusual. Among the other performers are Mr. Barnes, a very popular baritone, and Mr. Austin Blackie, tenor, both of whom need no introduction. The instrumental is represented ably by Mr. Leon de Maunay. The other performers are up to standard also. And of the accompanist no other mention is needed than that it is Mr. Harold Whittle, New Zealand's greatest. Mr. Hoskins has every detail arranged with his usual care. The committee insists that every song be Irish. So there is nothing for the audience to do but come along and listen to the treat prepared for it. The Hibernian Society held its meeting this week. There is a great revival of interest in the welfare of the society. So many outside lodges exist that offer the same- concessions that competition is very keen. The Hibernian 'Society is a Church Benefit Society. It offers the same material advantages as any other society, and there is besides the spiritual link between its members that finds expression in the annual Communion. It is a symbol of brotherhood, and a profession of faith. Rev. Father O'Donnell, chaplain of the branch, opened the meeting, and in a few words exhorted the officebearers and members to take up a campaign of recruiting new members. He laid before them an outline of the campaign. The members at once made arrangements to carry out his suggestions. On next Sunday and the following Sundays in March members will attend St. Joseph's Church in regalia in order to take the names of eligible young men of the parish with a view to enrolling the min the Hibernian Society, which offers such excellent safeguards against hard times during illnesses. The president (Bro. J. F. Taylor) donated a gold medal to be given to the member who secures the greatest number of recruits during the next six months. It is hoped by energy and effort to double the membership by next. St. Patrick's Day. The annual Communion of the branch will he held on Sunday, March 15, at the 7.30 o'clock Mass at St. Joseph's Church. It is needless to remind members that loyalty demands their attendance on this occasion and at this time. The spectacle of an annual general Communion is an edifying one, and the society and the members alike gain grace by it. His Grace Archbishop Redwood preached on Sunday night at the Basilica, having returned from the south. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea spoke on the

subject of the Lewisham Nuns and the hospital they project here, at all the Masses at the Basilica on Sunday. A meeting of the parishioners was held in the afternoon.