DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 9, 2 March 1899, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.) February 27. St. Mary's school, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, Colombo street, presented quite a festive appearance on the loth inst., on the occasion of a welcome being accorded to his Lordship the Bishop after his return to the Diocese. The children, in holiday attire, were present in strong force, and also a large number of their parents and friends. His Lordship was accompanied by the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Ch^snaia, V.G., the Rev. Fathers Marnane. King, Crotty, Richards and Price. After a ' Song of Welcome ' had been given by the pupilH, Miss Josie O'Brien read, and then pres»nted to the Binhop, a beautifully illuminated address. His Lordship was also presented by the children with two handsome hall-stands. An entertaiument, consisting of instrumental and vocal selections, recitations, and a cantata entitled the ' Fairies of the Seasons ' was then given. The first part of the programme WjH* as follows : — Piano polo, Miss Cissie O'Brien ; recitation, Miss Nellie Turner ; vocal solo, Miss Horteuse Powell ; piano so'o, Miss Florrie Heard ; recitation, Miss Duluie Deamer. In the cantata, which followed, Miss Eva Hulston was the ' Fairy Queen.' and the other performers were— fairies, Misses I. Young, Turner, Simpson, K.

Molloy, M. Molloy, L. Flemming, F. Flynn, H. Sharman, G. Cassin, N. Cassin, A. Nelson, S. Murray, E. Livingstone, H. Flynn ; trainbearers, Misses Dulcie Deamer and Dorothy Deamer ; pages, Masters Carl Plummer and Fred Livingstone. At the conclusion of the entertainment his Lordship addressed a few kind words to the children. He had to respond, he said, to a very affectionate address for which he thanked them most sincerely. Th^jiad remarked that their daily prayers had followed him all thrS^h his loner absence from them ; this assurance gave him great pleasure, and he felt certain that their holy prayers had protected and averted many dangers from him. Many a time, in the loneliness which one experiences in a large city, his thoughts had reverted to the children of his far-off diocese. He thanked them very warm'y for the enjoyable treat given that afternoon, and congratulated them and their devoted teachers on the great progress made during his absence. The varied character of the entertainment, and the marked proficiency shown by those who had just taken part in it, evidenced the high standard of excellence to which they had attained. In conclusion, his Lordship granted the children a holiday, an announcement which received their hearty approval. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, who is in Christchurch attending the annual session of the Senate of the University of New Zealand, is the guest of Bishop Grimes at the episcopal residence, Barbadoes street. At Vespers in the Pro-Cathedral ou Sunday evening his Grace preached to a congregation which filled the sacred edifice to overflowing Taking for his text the opening words of St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians, 'Brethren, we exhort you that you receive not the grace of God in vain,* he pointed out the means to be adopted for the due observance of the holy season of Lent. His Grace the Archbishop, assisted by the Rev. Fathers Richards and Crotty, as deacon and sub-deacon respectively, gave Benediction of the Most Blessed Bacrament. The Sisters of our Lady of Missions have been successful in passing three pupils in the recent Civil Service examination, their names being Misses Ka'ie Gallagher, Marion Picken, and Catherine Bourke. Miss Maud O'Neill also passed the matriculation examination. In addition to these results the Sisters were very successful in the teachers' examination. The Rev. Father Fay, who has been spending a brief holiday with his friends in Canterbury, returned to the archdiocese on Tuesday last. Whilst in this city some of the members of the Moore-Roberts Dramatic Company have assisted the choir at the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday evenings. Miss Alice Dix, a pupil of the Sisters of Mercy in this city, sucoeeded in getting a ' D ' certificate at the recent examination for teachers, and also passed the second grade drawing in freehand and model. Miss Dix entered the Greymouth Convent as a postulant a few weeks ago. The Rev. Father Aubrey, S.M., who is leaving the Rangiora pariah, where he has been in charge during the last two years, bade farewell to the congregation on Sunday last. After Mass the parishioners invited him to meet them in the schoolroom, when Mr. T. Roebuck read an address, which was tastefully illuminated by the Sisters of the Mis«ion. The address, which was signed by Messrs R. Anderson, M. Duncan, J. Kearney, J. Power, and .1. Morris, on behalf of the parishioners, expressed the sorrow of the Catholics of Rangiora at the removal of Father Aubrey. Father Aubrey feelingly replied, thanking the parishioners for the great and uniform kindness shown him, and for the harmonious way in which they had worked with him to advance the interests of the Church. Mr. R. Anderson then presented Father Aubrey with a cheque for a handsome amount subscribed by the congregation. The choir also presented him with a travelling rug and an illuminated address, and on the Friday previous the children of St. Joseph's school presented him with a surplice and a nicely illuminated address. Father Aubrey goea to assist the Very Rev. Father Chervier at Leeston ; the Rev. Father Cooney assumes charge at Rangiora, and will be assisted by the Rev. Father Price. (From our Timaru correspondent.) February 27. A meeting of the St. Patrick's Day Sports Association was held in the Mechanics' Hall on Thursday the 23rd inst. Mr. T. J. Burns, in the absence of the president, was voted to the chair. The report of the concert committee was adopted. The following were elected members :— Messrs. G. P. Wood, J. Shaw, G. B. Findlay, J. Brown, M, Collins, J. H. Smith, J. Gawne, J. OHajran. J. W. Mathießon, J. Purcell, C. T. Hall. J. Larkin, W. Kelly, J. Quirk, C. Crimmins, and Captain Morgan. This addition increases the membership list considerably, and there is every prospect, in view of the reduced charge (.)».■), of having a further increase. Efforts are being made to get a special train on the sports day, 16th March, and with every prospect of success. The date of the meeting seems to fit in happily with the other fixtures in South Canterbury, and should be alike convenient to holiday-makers and competitors. The Very Rev. Dr. Pestre, S.M., who is spending a few days here, celebrated the 9 o'clock Mass on Sunday last and also preached at Vespers.