CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 36, 3 January 1896, Page 13

CHRISTCHURCH.

(.From our own Correapondent.)

A solemn Requiem Mass for the re pose of the soul of the late Rev Brother Joseph was celebrated in the pro-Ca hedral on Monday morniDg week. The Rig'ut Key Dr Grimes was celebrant, and was assisted by the Rev Fathers Malone, Marnane, Galerne, and the Very Rev Father Cummir-gs. The plain chant was rendered by the choir, under the dine ion of the Rev Father Gilerne. Miss Funscon presided at, the organ The Manst Brothers and their pupils assisted at the eacred ritp, and the Bishop preached an impressive sermon and paid a high tribute of respect to the mem ry of one whose loss was deeply mourned, lhere was a largo congregation present.

The pupils of th 9 Marist Brothers gave a dramatic entertainment in their schoolroom in Barbadoes Btreet tn Monday evening week. There was an ovei flowing audience, and the piece chosen w*s a fifteenth century drama, " The Hecognttion. ' One end of the schoolroom has baen cleverly transferred into a stag?, whereon, with the aid of a few moie scenes, almost any piece cm be enacted. The staging of the drama was excellent, and too much praise cannot be given to the Brothers for the manner wherein tha whole of the arrangements were carried out. The various scenes followed each o her so closely that there were prac icaliy no intervals— a feature wbicb wns thoroughly appreciated by '.he audience. Tie costumes were very pretty and well chosen, and contributed much to the effect i vent ss of the pirce. The scenery, the work of Mr E. Briggs, was artistically executed, and the drop-scene, which is a view of thd upper lake of Killarney, with a background of surrounding hills, is a remark.bly fine picture. Tne principles of the cast were taken by Messrs James Whelan, Edwin Shanly, Arthur Gardner, P. Birmingham, and William and Leslie Norton Taj or. The whole of the piece was gone through without a bitch, and the performance reflected much credit both on the pupils and on the training they bad received from the Brothers.

A dramatic entertainment was given also in the Marist Brothers' schoolroom on Thursday even'ng last by the Convent children. In addition several beautiful vocal selections were exquisitely rendered by Misß Hay ward, and the Rev Fa' hers Galerno and Malone each sang a song in good style. A presentation of a chi quefor £200 from the parishioners was made by the Rev Father Galerne to the Very Rev Father Cummings, V.G., who feelingly replied. Ha said that the sum, which has mainly been gathered by the lsdiee of the parish, would enable him to liquidate the remainder of the debt on the parish. Some years ago the overdraft at the bank on this debt was more than £2,000, but the handsome testimonial which they bad given him would pat him in a position to pay the remnant of overdraft and to make the debt altogether a thing of the past. The Right Rev Dr Grimes was present, and expressed himself much pleased with

the presentation made to the Ttry Rev Father Onmmings, and that there was now an end to the overdraft. The art-union in conneotion with the pro-Cathedral was drawn, and the winning numbers were advertised on the following morning in the local papers. On Friday evening last a dramatic entertainment was likewise Riven in the same schoolroom by the pupils of the Marist Brothers. The new stage and splendid scenery enabled them to enact the piece very well, and it is probable that dramatic entertainments at the Marist Brothers' schoolroom will become frequent and popular. The distribution of prizes at the Marist Brothers' School took place on Tuesday morning last. There was a large gathering of children, and the Right liev Dr Grimes and the Tery Rev Father Cummings preeented the pr zes. The Brothers desire to return their sincere thanks to all those persons who generously contributed towards the prize fund. As usual the Catholics of Christchurch were most assiduous in their attention to the holy rites attendent upon Christmas-tide. On Christmas Eve a very large number of the congr gation attended the pro-Cathedral to prepare for the season's festival. Oa Wednesday morning list Masses were celebrated every half hour from six until eleven o'clock, and on each occasion a large number of communicants approached the altar. At eleven o'clock Pontifical Maßs was said by the Bishop, the assistant priest being the Very Rev Father Oummiogf. The deacons at the throne were the Rev Faiher Qinaty and Dr Watters (president of St Patrick's College, Wellington), and the deacons of the Mass were Fathers Galerne and Malone. The church was tastefully decora 'ed with evergreens and toi-toi. The nave wbb festooned with green. Pot plants, ferns and palms decorated the sanctuary, and the whole gave tht building a pleasant appearance. In a corner near the entrance to the church was situated a very good representation of the manger at Bethlehem. The decorations were carried oat by Mrs A. J. White, and Misses White, Hayward, Carney and others. The choir fully maintained the reputation which they have long held for providing at Christmas time excellent music. Gounod's " Third Mass " and Novello'a setting of " Adeste Fidelia " were sung daring tht morning semce. Afttr the Gospel the Bishop delivered a discourse suitable to the occasion, and, at the conclusion of the Mass bestowtd the Papal bleising upon the congregation. In the evening Pontifical Vespers were sung, and an excellent sermon was preached by the Very Rev Dr Watters. Miss Greenwood sang duiing the effenory Gounod's " Aye Marie," and Mr T. Butler sang Hummel's " O Salataris " during the Benediction. At the close of the service the Bishop expressed bis gratitude to the Rev Father Ginaty and Dr Watters for their assistance at the ceremonies. Oa Christmas Eve Bishop Grimes, accompanied by Dr Watters, Father Malooe, and the sanctuary boys, visittd the Mount Magdala Asylum, and celebrated Pontifical High Mass at midnight. Dr Watters was assistant priest, and Fatherß Ginaty and Marnane were deacon and sub-deacon, respectively, and Father Galerne, master of ceremonies. The convent chapel had been nicely decorated by the Sisters and the penitents. In the chapels at Addingtoo and Halswell Masses were said on Christmas Day to good congregations. Both chapels were tastefully decorated. At St Mary's Church, Manchester street, boly Mass was sud at seven and at half past nine in the morning. There were large congregations at each service. The Church was very prettily decorated with flowers and evergreens, and around the altar were bannareltes with figures of tbe Holy Family. In front of the altar was a large and handsome device bearing the inscription " Yenite adoremus Dominum." A recsss in the church was utilised for a representation of tbe holy manger with a view of Bethlehem in the background. At eleven o'clock tbe service was " Missa Cantata," and the singing by the full choir, was well rendered. Mr Nottingham conducted the choir, and the 9olos were admirably taken by Mrs Campbell, Mies Hewson and Mrs Blake, sen. The Rev Father Marnane discoursed on the importance of the festival which was being observad. Vespers were sung in tht evening,

With much regret I record the death of Mr George Joseph Mather, who died on Thursday last, at his late residence in Croydon street, Sydenham. The deceasad, who was well koown and greatly respected, was a blacksmith by trade, and in the sixtieth year of his age. He was born in Southerland, England, but before leaving his native place, he lived for some time in Yorkshire. He arrived in Canterbury thirty-seven years ago, and as hi has resided fourteen years in Port Lyttelton and the rest of the time since his arrival in the colony in this city, like other old settlers, he knew a good deal about the early days of the province. About twenty-four years ago he joined the Catholic Church, and ever since he has been one of the most steadfast and faithful of her children. Though very unobtrusive in manner he took an active part in parochial matters, and up to the time of hia death he waß a member of tbe Society of St Vincent de Paul, and of the sodality of the Apostleship of Prayer. He has, moreover, been for about twenty years one of the collectors at the services in the Pro-cathedral. He has for sometime back not followed his trade, and was a few days ago engnged harvesting some hay on his late premises. He suff red at times from asthma, and his death is due to a severe attack of this malady, joined with acute bronchitis. Being very unwell on Christmas Day, he received the

last sacraments from the bauds of tbe Very Rev Father Onmmlngs, and died on tbe following day. Tbe deceased leaves a widow, also ten grown-up children, three daughters and seven sons, who have all been born in tbe colony, to mourn hia loss, His largely attended funeral took place on Saturday last, and a Requiem Mass was on the occasion celebrated for him in the Pro-cathedral by the Tery Rev Father Cummings, who also said for the deceased tbe enstomary mor'uary prayers in the sacred edifice and at the grave. He was interred in the Lin wood public cemetery. — R I. P.