SILVER JUBILEE

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1941, Page 7

SILVER JUBILEE

Rt. Rev. Dr. M. J. Brodie NEXT MONTH’S CELEBRATIONS. The 25th anniversary of the consecration of Rt. Rev. Dr. Matthew J. Brodie, as Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, will be celebrated in Christchurch from February 23 to February 25, when a number of gathering will be held to honour His Lordship. The liturgical portion of the celebrations will take place on Sunday, February 23, commencing with Solemn Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 11 a.m., when the preacher will be His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas O’Shea, S.M., Archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan of New Zealand. At three o’clock in the afternoon, it is intended to lay the foundation stone of the beautiful new Church of St. Mary’s in Salisbury Street, which is to replace the structure which has done many years’ service in Manchester Street. The day’s ceremonies will conclude wuh Solemn Pontifical Vespers, Benediction and Te Deum in the Cathedral at 7 p.m. Rt. Rev. Dr. James Whyte, Bishop of Dunedin will officiate, and the preacher will be Rt. Rev. Dr. J. M. Liston, Bishop of Auckland. Bishop Brodie will officiate at Solemn Pontifical- Mass for the children and Religious of the Diocese at the Cathedral at 9.30 a.m. on Monday, February 24, following which addresses will be presented to the Bishop on behalf of the children of the Diocese, the presentations taking place in the spacious Cathedral grounds. The Bishop, with visiting prelates and clergy will attend a complimentary luncheon at Mount Magdala at 12.30 p.m., following which a jubile e tableau will be presented in his honour. The main public function during the- celebrations will be the'jubilee concert in the Civic Theatre at 8 o’clock on the Monday evening, when th e clergy, laity and Catholic societies of the diocese will present addresses, and also make suitable presentations to the Bishop. The only functions arranged for Tuesday, February 25. are a luncheon tendered to the Bishop by the visiting prelates and clergy at the Assembly Hall, Ferry Road, and a reception by the Catholic Women’s League and members of the Grail at the Catholic League rooms, Cashel Street in the evening. tt: s Excellency, Most Rev. Dr. John Panico, J.U.D., Apostolic Delegate to Australia and New Zealand, has intimated ” bis engagements in Australia prevent him from attending the celebrations, and it is doubtful if it will be possible for any members of the Australian Hiararchy to attend, although it is expected that there will be present representatives of Manly College, Sydney, at which Bishop Brodie was a student for a number of years. It is expected that a large number r ' the Westland portion of the Christchurch Dioces e will wish to attend the opening day of the celebrations, and it is understood, preliminary arrangements for the running of a special excursion train from Greymouth or Hokitika are now being discussed. After th e celebrations in Christchurch it is anticipated Bishop Brodie will . visit the West Coast, where a number of gatherings in his honour will probably be arranged.