DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 51, Issue 51, 22 April 1898, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

In this week's issue of the ('mitrrhnri/ Tinna there is an excellent view of the Catholic Ba-iKca at (Xirnarn, and also ox the Catholic Presbytery at the same place. The foundation stone of the Basilica, wireh is a veiy beautiful structure, was laid on May l'S ISIK3, by the late Most Uev. Ur. Morau (one of his last public acts)! and was opened on November IS, IS.it, by Dr. (J rimes (Bishop of Christchurch). It was re-opened on February i:)th last by Bishop Verdon, on the occasion ot a new decora! oil ceiling being completed. At no distant date the local pastor, the Very Rev. Duin Mackay.' hopes to be able to erect a new portico, which will a most effective appearance to the church. The engraving of the Basilica is albO accompanied with a very good photo ot the \\ ry liev Deau Mackay, who was born in BanhShiro, Scotland, in May, IS 11, and pursued his studies in Blairs, Aberdeen, Douai. ami the Chand Seminary of St. Sulpice, Paris. He was ordained priest on June

6th. 1868. Returning to Scotland, he was placed in charge of the pariah of Banff, where he built a very pretty church and presbytery. Failing health obliged him in 1872 to seek a more genial climate, and he arrived in Dunedin in December of that year. At the urgent request of the late Dr. Moran, Father Mackay took charge of Queenstown, which included the whole of the western portion of the Otago goldfields. On the death of Monsignor Coleman in January, 18!)0, he was placed in charge of the parish of Oamaru.

On Wednesday evening last a very pleasing concert was given in St. Mary's School Hall, before a fairly numerous audience, in aid ot the bazaar and ait union fund. Mrs. E. T. Robinson gained encores by her very effective singing of Cowan's "Swallows" and "It was a dream." Miss Lucy liyan was recalled for her pleasing rendering of Denza's "A May Morning," and Miss M'Laughlia saiiy "Bid me to love" so well as to earn an encore. Two of Mr Rossiter's pupils, Misses Edith Walker and Everil Haggie, made a creditable first appearance. The former gang, '"1 trust you still," and the latter " Ora pro nobis." with a hidden chorus. Mr. C. Read was encored for his song, •' The coming of the king." Mr. Russell Halley sang " The vagabond " and ■• The yeoman's wedding " very well. Mr. A. O'Brien was recalled for his singing of " The deathless army." Messrs J. and R. Petersen were encored for their comic duets in character. Misses L. Ryan and Olive King and Messrs J. Allan and A. O'Brien sung the •• Madrigal," from '"The Mikado." Miss F. Triggs played a pianoforte solo, " Alice, where art thou .'" and with Mr. J. Allan plnyed a pianoforte duet, " Sans Souci." Mr. H. Oakey played two concertina solos, and Mr. G. Poore played a flute solo. Four members of the banjo and guitar band contributed a couple of selections, no well played as to be encored. The programme concluded with the '• Policeman's chorus" from "The Pirates of Penzance," very effectively sung in costume. Mrs. Robinson, Miss Triggs, and Mr. Rossiter acted as accompanists.

On the same evening a largely attended meeting was held in the library at the Pro-Cathedral to arrange for a recognition of the long and valued services of the Very Rev. Father Cummings, V.G., who is leaving this city on account of ill health. The chair was occupied by Sir George Clifford, who said, in opening the meeting, that it was with deep regret that they assembled there that evening, as the occasion was to take leave of the zealous and self-sacrificiug VicarGeneral, whose health had, through his unceasing labours, broken down. It was not the time and place to speak of the many good qualities of the Very Rev. Father Cummings ; that would come later on, but he felt sure that everyone would join with him in expressing deep regret at losing the services of so devoted a pritst. Mr M. Donnelly moved : " That this meeting deeply regrets the retirement, through illhealth, of the Very Rev. Father Cummings, and desires to place on record its recognition of the zeal, fidelity, and self-sacrifice with which he has discharged the onerous duties of his high office, and trusts that every effort will be made to testify to him the affection and esteem in which he is held, not alone by the members of his Church, but by the community at large. This meeting ventures also to express a hope that at no distant date he will return with restored health and vigour to carry out the mission uy work to which he has ilevoted his life."' Mr. 1 lay ward seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The gentlemen present were then formed into a General Committee. iUr. E O'Connor was elected secretary, ami Mr. P. Burke treasurer. The Uev. Father Chervier mentioned that he had communicated with the priests on the West Coast, at Finiaru, and in North Canterbury, asking them to take steps to convene meeting*. It was de -idol that a conversazione should be held, at which a tes* imoni il and an address should be presented It was a 1 so decided to make the tectiinonial as wide as possible, and. though mainly Catholic, not to confine it excluisveiy to members of the Church. Any friends of the Very Rev. Father Cummings desiring to subscribj can do so by forwarding the luiount to the secretary or the treasurer. The meeting of the Uxeuutive an 'l hntertainment Committee was fixed for Tuesday next. A Collec'ing Committee w.is also appointed and the sum of £">(.) was subscribed in the room. The nifeting adjourned after a jordijl vote of thanks to the chairman. In reply to a question as to tlit-* time of the departure of the Vicar-General it was stated during the mooting that he would probably ri tally lcive Christcburch in abjut three weeks from the date of the foregoing gathering.

On Sunday last at 11 am. Farmer's Mass in B was artistically rendered by the choir at St. Mary's. The principal solos were admirably executed by Miss Louie Givirly (soprano), Misses N. ■ ).ik« and N. Slattery (altos). Mr. A. H. Blake (tenor). Messrs. A. O'ttrieu, II Bey*. ridge, and C. Goggan (bass). The choruses were well sustained, and the execution of the Muss, which was rendered with tull orchestral accompaniment, refit-cts much credit on the painstaking conductor, Mr. 11. Rossiter. Immediately after the conclusion of the Mass the principal of the Redemptorist Fathers, the Rev. Father Barry, opened a mission which will continue a fortnight. Later on the Rev. Fathers Shearman and Mangan, of the same Order, will come and assist in giving the mission. On rhe ocosion the Key. Father Barry, who took for a text the words '•The Lord thy Cod shalt thou adore and Hun only shalt thou eive," ]i i cached an elo<ju"iit mid impressive seimon on the great mil many spiritual blowings, to be gained by devoutly and regulaily intending the niis.-iou. There was a large attendance of the faithful, and many persons from the pro-Cathedral parish were ilso preK-nt. During the mission, Ma^e". which will be followed liy set moiis, will be celebrated :>t ('>.:'.<). A, and ( .) a.m. On each \ emng there will be the devotion ot the Rosary of the Blessed Vhgin and a mission sermon, which will be iollowed by Bencdicloa of the Bles-'cd Sacrament.

Diocesan Xcws continued on jjcujc 27,