ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18267, 29 December 1924, Page 15

ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.

♦ YEAR'S PROGRESS REVIEWED BY BISHOP BRODIE. Speaking at the Roman Catholic Cathedral last night on the year .1924, Bishop Brodie gave an outline of the work done in various parts of the dioi eese. The diocese of Christchurch, I said his Lordship, gave evidence of the solid foundations laid by the pione«r I Catholics, under the distinguished ! leadership of Archbishop Redwood, in whose diocese Canterbury and West land were included until constituted a separate diocese in 1887. The late Bishop Grimes, of revered memory, zealously continued the record of progress, and the magnificent Cathedral in wbieh they were assembled would ever bo a fitting monument to perpetuate the memory of his untiring and zealous labours. The Apostolic Delegate and many members of the Hierarchy of Australia, who visited the Dominion for Archbishop Redwood's golden jubilee in February last, were astonished at the fine churches, religious and charitable institutions, and schools throughout the diocese of Christchurch. The year 11)24 would show that the enthusiasm and generosity of the Catholic people still survived, and the records of the work undertaken proved that present activities were, quite in accord with the traditions of the past. The work of the year in the structural development department included the erection of new buildings and additions to existing buildings, and comprised all buildings i>roi:(*lit to completion during the year, and (hose still in progress at the end of tlie year. Amongst the v/orks brought to completion during the year were:—New paiish school, Waimate; extension to school, Morven; new boys' school, Timnru; new boys' school, Grevmouth; science room and music room, St. Mary's Convent, Christchurch. These works involved an outlay of £22,000, independent of an outlay of £SOOO for maintenance and repair of existing buildings. The works still under construction at the end of the year included: —Addition to building at Mount Magdala; ,additions to building :i"t Villa I.lfiiia Convent of Mercy, Riccarton; additions to building at St. Bede's .College, Papanui; new schoolchurc.h at Beckenham, North Linwood, and Eiccarton; new church at Marshland; new school for boys at Christchurch (the contract has .iust been let); new stone church at Little River; additions to Girls' School at Tiniaru; new convent for the Sisters of Mercy at Greymouth; additions to Convent High School for Sisters of Mercy, Ilokitika; additions to church at Fairlie. The expenditure, estimated and authorised, of these works still under construction is approximately £90,000. In the department of parochial extension is ineluded th.-; acquisition of necessary properties for parochial equipment. The following properties have been acquired: —Additional section of land, Greymouth; house and section, New Brightton; house and land at Beckenham; house and land at Papanui; section of land, site for church, at Marshland. Tho outlay necessary for the purchase of these properties was about £BOOO. The total amount required for this comprehensive programme, of diocesan development was approximately £120,000. This was a large amount certainly, but when it was remembered that the sum of £22,000" required for buildings brought to completion during the year was already subscribed, and the buildings, were opened, free of debt, it set at rest any fear regarding- the obligations involved in' all the works still in hand. -■ The diocese possessed a •valuable asset, .a reliable source of confidence,. in the self-sacrifice nnd untiring work'of the wocesan clergy and the Marist Fathers, and of the various communities of religious brothers and sisters who devoted their lives, without thought of earthly remuneration, to the sacred work of their calling; this proved a source of confidence and of God's blessing, combined with the unfailing generosity of the people, and explained the success of past efforts and the assurance of success in the present extensive development programme. Another feature of interest in the year 1924 was the constitution of three new parishes at Papanui, "Riocarton, and New Brighton. These new parishes would entail some difficulty \a the pionering days of the districts named, but the development was a necessity to cope with the requirements of the spreading population of the city. In conjunction with this parochial extension movement, new school-churches were being erected at Beckenham. North Linwood, and Riccarton, and a new church at Marshland, with ant'thci church in contemplation; these new churches and school-churches would enable all adherents to attend Mass without having to travel unreasonable distances. "As Bishop of the diotese, I am confident the coming year will record a generous repponse for the works undertaken," concluded Bishop Brodie. "Our people will rise to the occasion, and emulate the generosity of the past, and look to 1925 with "determination that, with God's blessing, the close of the year wili record the accomplishment of great work in the, dioceso of Christchuro'i."