The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW), 26 August 1905
Auburn
Bazaar
A bazaar which is to ex tend over the current week, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the liquidation of a debt of £500 on tho property of the Roman Catholic Church at Auburn, in the Parish of Rookwood, Auburn, and Bankstown, presided over by the Rev. Father Kirby, was officially opened in the Auburn Town Hall on Saturday afternoon by the Rev. Mons. O'Brien, in the unavoidable absence of his Eminence Cardinal Moran. There were present also : Rev. Father P. Byrne and Father P. J. Murphy. Mrs. J. Gannon (the president of the bazaar committee), Miss Lacey, Mr. H. G. Bartlett, secretaries, Mesdames Mc Hugh and Gannon, and Father Kirby, treasurers, received the Doctor on his entrance to the hall, and a welcome song was sung by the Children of Mary. In speaking of the object of the bazaar, Mons. O'Brien referred to the many excellent monuments of the faith and ener- gy of Catholic Christians in Ireland, England, and Rome, as well us in the cities of Australia, and while deploring tho fact that two fine buildings erected in Ireland by devoted hearts in ages past, had passed out of the hands of the Roman Catholic Church, there were indications at present existing that one of these — Christ Church — would soon be recovered. He urged upon the Catholic people that their duty was to present their Church to God as a sacrifice free of debt — a gift untainted with any burden of lien — a spotless gift — for until the church was free it would not be an acceptable gift. He spoke also of the love, the devotion, the piety displayed by the Catholic people generally, and said that throughout the length and breadth of this great diocese the great Catholic Church was spreading itself and its influence for good was being felt. He referred briefly to two large cathedrals in Dublin. "These had now passed," he said, "away from our possession, and were now in possession of those who differ from us in faith. One of them — Christ Church Cathedral — was soon to be restored to Catholic hands once more." He spoke also of Protestant Germany, and said that even there everything that at present was most beautiful and ornate in Cathedrals were still in the hands of the Catholic faith, and in the hands of faithful people. But in Rome, the wonder of all ages, which was bound to last as long as this world would stand, they there saw evidences of Christian faith and Christian love. They had there one temple for the first visible head of the church, and the Vatican for the first suc- cessor to St. Peter. From that centre of Catholicity and St. Peter's and the Vatican, which was the local habitation of Christ's vicar on earth, to the whole Catholic heart and whole Catholic world, were conveyed even to the uttermost parts of the earth all those spiritual matters to elevate man up from his earthly position. The self-same truths, dogmas and moral principles that emanate from that centre of Catholicity, were the very truths spoken by the Ministers of God even to the ends of Australia. Throughout the length and breadth of this great diocese they found the great Catholic Church. They were carrying on the great mission, given to the apostles, to go into the world — the universal world — and proclaim to mankind the undying truths of their living Saviour. As Rome was the heart of Christendom, so in a lesser degree every parish church was the heart and soul of the parish in which it was situated. Finally he made a strong appeal to the people to respond to the willing efforts being put forth to wipe off the remaining debt upon their church. The stalls were very handsomely dressed in varying colors, and were presided over by the following officers: — No. l, St. Vincent de Paul : President, Mrs. J. Long; vice-president, Mrs. T. Gannon ; assistants, Mrs. Gander, Misses F. J. McGuire, A. Bartlett, G. and K. McHugh, G. Long, D. Larkin, Darmody, V. Curran, M Spears, A. Spears, Mr. T. Gannon and Mr. J. Spears. No. 2, C.Y.M.A.: Presidents, Rev. P. Murphy and Mrs. Lacey ; vice-presidents, Mr. Perkins and Mr. M. Lacey ; assistants. Misses E. Sidney, D. Arthur, N. Upton, T. Perkins, T. Barry, Mollie Lacey, Mr. C. Mitchell, and members of the Association. No. 3, 'Hibernian': President, Mrs. E. Conolly; vice-president, Mrs. Duffy; assist ants, Mrs. O'Sullivan, Misses A. Smith, S. and A. Connolly, C. and P. O'Sullivan, Messrs. D. O'Sullivan. H. Conolly and McAndrew. No. 4. Children of Mary : President. Mrs. Locke ; vice-president. Miss M. Myers; assistants, members of the Sodality of the Children of Mary. No. 5, Refreshments: President, Mrs. T.
Ryan ; vice-president, Mrs. Devine; assistants, Misses M. and L. Devine, H. Bierschenck, A. Devine, E. Ryan and Nurse Callaghan. No. 6, Flower Stall: President, Miss A. Garratty ; vice-president, Miss D. Garratty ; assistants, Mrs. McIntosh. Misses Garratty (3), Miss Mary McIntosh and Miss D. Kegg. Some of the articles on the stalls were works of art of great value, notably those on the stalls for which the Hibernian's Society and the Children of Mary were responsible. Fancy needlework, paintings on silk, handsome hand-worked fire-screens, oil and water color paintings, and the like were numerous. The flower stall occupied tho centre of the hall, and took the form of a cross which ever way it was viewed, the colors, buttercup and white, being gracefully intertwined. Business throughout the afternoon was fairly brisk, but under gaslight the effect was enhanced, and the greater crowd and humming of voices bespoke a rare trade at the tables, one of which was supplied to each stall.
ST. JOHN'S BAZAAR.— St. John's bazaar has done fairly well during the week, but as there is a lot of money in hand for several of the drawings yet to take place the exact total takings cannot be arrived at. The evenings' programmes have been attractive, consisting of songs, fancy dancing, graphophone selections, etc. Miss Murphy danced very prettily on Monday night, and the Misses Curran sang. On Tuesday, Mrs. Murray had the evening to herself with a splendid graphophone. Wednesday, Mr. O'Sullivnn, Mr. Finn. Miss McHugh, Miss Curran and Mr. L. Proudlock entertained the visitors.
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