Archdiocese of Wellington

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 45, 25 November 1925, Page 29

Archdiocese of Wellington

(From our own Correspondent.) November 20. On Sunday morning at Buckle Street, the street was thronged with worshippers Hastening to the ordination ceremony. The aspirant for the priesthood was the Rev. Peter Breen, Taranaki thus adds another to the number of youths she has given to God, and New Zealand adds another to her fast increasing roll of native-born priests. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea officiated, and conferred the dignity of the priesthood upon this latest member. Rev. Father McDonnell, S.M., St. Patrick’s College, was deacon; Very Rev. Dean Connolly, Kilbirnie, subdeacon; and Father F. Cullen, Chancellor, master of ceremonies. Present in the sanctuary were Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, Rev. Father Fallon (Newtown), and Rev. Father Butler (Buckle Street). Father Breen gave his blessing to the congregation after gi'.e Mass was over. In the evening he gave Benediction and again gave his blessing tothe people, to whom a young priest’s first blessing moans so much. The next morning ho said his first Mass at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay, some of his relatives being present. The garden party given by the Seatoun College was even more than usually a glowing success. An unpromising morning developed into a day of golden sunshine, a change due doubtless to that powerful band of pray-ers, the small boys of the college. A. most enjoyable afternoon was spent by all concerned. The proceeds' were in the vicinity of £3OO, surely a record result from any single afternoon’s entertainment!

The memory of Father Maples was honored' yesterday by a Month’s Mind in the church wherein so , long he labored, the Church of the Sacred Heart, Retone. Everything was done as he would have wished. No panegyric was preached. He never loved praises. The organ was not used. The Gregorian chant which he loved was sung. Very Rev. Dean Regnault was celebrant, and was assisted by the Rev. Father Kelly (Newtown) as deacon, and the Rev. Father Campbell, O.SS.R , eg sulxlcacon, and Rev. Father Devoy as ALC. In the sanctuary were his Grace Archbishop Redwood, Archbishop O’Shea, Archdeacon Devoy, Rev. Father Connolly, Rev. Father McDonnell (St. Patrick’s College), Rev. Father Mahony (St. Alary’s, Rev. Father G. Alahony (Wanganui), Rev. Father Hilley (Stratford), Rev. Father Brennan (Eltham), Rev. Father O’Donnell (Waipawa), Rev! Father Carmine (Taihape), Rev. Father Daly (Lower Hutt), Rev. Father Fallon (Newtown), Rev. Father ' Hegarty (Carterton), Rev. Father Murphy (St. Mary’s), Rev Father Dillon (Newtown), Rev. Father Lonihnn (Kilbirnie), Rev. Fathers Smythe, Cullen, Butler (St. Joseph’s), Rev. Fathers Gill C.SS.R., and Griffin (Johnsonville). Another of the pioneers has entered into her sweet rest in the person of Mrs. Mary Abbott, of Pahautanui. All who knew her loved her. She was just twenty when she came here to begin that long useful existence that has just closed. So New Zealand claims

her as well as her own County Cork. The words spoken above 'her by her friend, Father O’Connell, of Christchurch, were words of high praise, but not too high for her merit. She walked with the staff of faith and the mantle of kindness. Pahautanui flocked to her funeral. Rev. Father Griffon, of Johnsonville, celebrated the Requiem Mass. Rev. Father O’Connell, of Christchurch, well known here from both mission and parish service, officiated at the graveside, and Very Rev. Dean Regnault and Rev. Father Walshe 'were also present to pay their last tribute to their old trend. Deep sympathy is extended to her relatives. May the earth lie lightly upon her!

Rev. Father Fallon, of Newtown, is about to take a holiday. His friends are wishing that it may be a good one. St. Anne’s parish contains the big city hospital with its attendant duties. Everybody knows the strain of those duties, and Newtown has not forgotten that after the death of the late lamented Dean McKenna, Rev. Father Fallon for a time managed both parish and hospital unassisted. He leaves for Australianext week, carrying with him many wishes for a pleasant voyage and holiday. Stella. Murray performed here last night. She presented an enchanting programme, full of beautiful, quaint ballads and fragments of psalms and arias'. It was one of the most artistic programmes as concert programmes go ever presented here. So many singers choose beautiful airs with banal words. In this programme airs and words were worthy of one another.

At the screening of “Glorious New Zealand,” in St. Francis’s Hall for the priests and nuns of the city, Mr. Tano Fama explained briefly the various scenes and activities screened. To his courtesy the screening of the picture was due. Later the picture was screened again in the same hall for the general public.