ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH

Grey River Argus, 12 June 1933, Page 5

ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH

COMMUNION BREAKFAST Imposing Ceremony About two hundred young men received Holy Communion, at St. Patrick’s Church yesterday morning at tho 8.30 o’clock Mass, which was celebrated by His Lordship, Bishop Brodie, of Christchurch. The children of St. Mary’s School sang devotion-ally the Gregorian “Mass of the Angels,” ami at the Offertory “Salve Regina.” and after the Communion “Ave Verum.” Afterwards, in the St. Columba Hall, • the young men assembled for the Com- • munion Breakfast, at which His Lord-I ship presided. Rev. Fr. Holohan, Spiritual Director ] of St. Columba Club, in a few well- ; chosen words, welcomed the Bishop. I Air C. Hall. President of the Manst i Old Boys’ Football Club, supported | the remarks of Rev. Fr. Ilolohan. Air L. Phillips, President, of the St. I Columba Club, spoke on behalf of the ‘ St. Columba Club. Rev. Bro. Amelian returned thanks to the previous speakers for their kind remarks in regard Io the work of the Brothers. Bishop Brodie, on rising to ’reply, was greeted with tumultuous applause. His Lordship, iu responding, thanked the members of the prospective Clubs for the hearty welcome accorded him. He was particularly pleased at the fine attendance at the general Communion, which was a good demonstration of the lively faith of the young men of the parish and was, after all, the real test, of their sincerity. He was also glad that his visit coincided with the date of the annual Communion Breakfasat, and to have the opportunity of being present at the function. The large number present spoke well for the enthusiasm of the clubs. In reference to St. Columba Club, His Lordship said that the Club had a unique record. His memory took him back some thirty-five years when the Club movement first started throughout New Zealand. Good work was done for a time but was ultimately lost sight of, and most of the Clubs had become practically defunct. St. Columba Club, however, had continued all through and he congratulated them on the fine showing made at tho annual Competitions in Christchurch last Easter. The results there proved that the Club could still hold its own with the best in the field. Th’c football club, too, were doing good work, and whether they were successful on the playing ground or not, it was tho spirit of the game which counted, besides which the football club and the other sports (dubs as well played a very useful part in keeping the Catholic young men together. He also referred to the Hibernian Society, and although they were not directly taking part in the organisation of tho function they were represented there, lie knew from Fr. Long that the Society was ever ready and willing to assist in parish matters, and appreciated it very much. In conclusion, he referred to the work of the Clergy, who were worthily upholding the high traditions set on the Coast in former years. The Brothers, too, as is typical of their Order, thought only of others and not of themselves. He referred to the. influence on his own life, of his early teachers, the Marist Bros., and pointed out that it was on tho work of the Brothers in the schools on which the clubs largely depended for their future support. Air P. Blanchfield proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies, and in doing so eulogised the generous manner in which the ladies had, as usual, given their assistance in preparing and serving the breakfast just partaken of. The motion was carried by hearty acclamation. Before dispersing, Air A. Al. Carroll paid a tribute to the work of Rev. Fr. Ilolohan, who is Spiritual Director of both the A 1.8.0.8. Football Club and St. Columba Club. It was due in no small measure, he said, to the zeal of Fr. Ilolohan in this capacity, that the Clubs had merited the compliments paid to them by His Lordship. CONFIRMATION CEREMONY. Yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock there was a crowded congregation at St. Patrick’s Church when His Lordship, Bishop Brodie of Christchurch, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to over 200 children, and a number of adults. The ceremony was most impressive. Preceded by the children to be confirmed, tho Bishop entered the Church accompanied by Rev. Fathers Long, Adm., and Holohan, Acolytes, and the Hibernians in regalia, the choir singing the “Ecco Sacerdos.” On arrival at the Sanctuary, Rev. Father Long recited the Rosary and His Lordship prior to administering the Sacrament examined the children in their Catechism, and gave a brief instruction on Confirmation. At the conclusion of the Bishop’s instruction, tho children sang the “Veni Creator” and then they advanced in single file to the rails of the Sanctuary to bo confirmed. After the ceremony, the Bishop again addressed the children, and complimented them on the splendid way they had answered the questions asked them. He urged them to be always faithful to their religious duties, asking them to make certain promises appertaining to them. He eulogised tho excellent work of the Priests of tho parish and also that, of the Sisters and Brothers, the children being a credit to them. Ho spoke of the parishioners in general, whom he knew valued highly the work of their 1 Priests and Religious. He thanked 1 all for their co-operation in the work of the parish and lastly urged parents • to set a good example to their chil- ‘ dren in helping them to keep sacred ’ promises of their Confirmation Day. The Choir then sang the “Sanctus”

from Gounod’s Messe Solennelle, t-he solo part being dcvotionally rendered by Air J. Duffy. Pontificial Benediction then followed, the Bishop being assisted by the Rev. Father Healy as Deacon, and the Rev. Father Gregory as Sub-Deacon, Rev. Father Long being Master of Ceremonies. During the Benediction the Choir sang “O Salutaris” and “Tantum Ergo” (Steinforth) and the “Adoremus” (Barratt), concluding with ‘Faith of Our Fathers.” Last evening Bishop Brodie also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation at Runanga, where about forty candidates were presented. I