ST. BATHANS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 274, 2 August 1878, Page 11

ST. BATHANS.

The Catholics of St. Bathans may read in the Tablet from week to week accounts of celebrations ecclesiastical and secular, in connection with our churches, convents, and schools, iv other parts of the diocese and of the colony, and I think may be forgiven if they feel a little envious on seeing how many of these events are accompanied by sacred ceremonial arid digniiicd by the presence of Bishops and priests advantages which must necessarily be great helps in sustaining courage under difficulties and make Catholics think little of making great sacrifices in order to support our churches and schools in an adequate manner. Having the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in our school chapel celebrated not of tenor than once in four weeks, and sometimes at much longer intervals, and never any other religious ceremonial, it speaks well for this congregation and is a source of deep gratification to the well-wishers of th.3 missions to see how truly and well they pull all together in their efforts to support their schools.. The young men are among the foremo&t in their subscriptions, and have been since the school was started iive or six years ago, without their aid it could not be maintained. E von this aid falls short now of meeting the expenses • the rebuilding of the school having cost not less than £120, a large burden to tall upon so few whose means are but limited. Since the re-erection of the school on land apart from the consecrated ground of the cemetery, concerts have beau given in the room, by means of which money has been raised to help to pay the building expenses. One of those entertainments was given on tbe evening of Friday the 19th ult. It proved a success in every respect. Dr. Allan occupied the post of chairman and the happy style in which he performed the duties of the office contributed much to the success of the affair. The first part of the programme cousistsd of recitations by Misses Noonan and E. Prcscott ; Messrs. A Tierney and J. Gay. Songs were sung by Messrs John McKay, J. Gay, T. Dillon, H. Gannin ; together with a duet (.vocal) by Messrs Pyh and Hestler, and readings by Mr. Evving and Dr, Allan. Great applause following the efforts of the respective performers. The recitation and songs of Mr. Gay were rendered with professional taste and skill displaying the possession of more than ordinary ability as an elocutionist. The second part of the entertainment consisted of the performance by four lady amateurs of the laughable farce •' The Wonderful Cure ; " the characters being sustained by Mrs. Allan, Miss Noonan, Miss Gerkens, and Miss Teresa Cierkcns ; to give each and every one of these ladies their due meed of praise would occupy too much of your space, it must suffice to say that they all knew their parts and performed them excellently well, not a hitch of any kind occurring to mar the effectiveness of the piece ; the clever and sprightly acting and dialogue kept the audience in constant laughter to the end. Every one present was well pleased and wished that the good ladies— Mrs. Allan and Miss Noonan— who " got up" the farce and otherwise arranged the programme might find pleasure in renewed efforts to please. Much praise is due to them. It is a source of satisfaction to them and the school committee that the sum of £10 was realised. The Catholics have reason to feel grateful to non-Catholic friends for able assistance and kindly support on this and former occasions of the kind.