DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3, 18 January 1900, Page 19

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.)

January 15.

The Rev. Father McEaroe, CM., is conducting the retreat for the Sisters of the Mission at the Convent, Barbadoes street. It commenced on Wednesday last.

The Very Rev. Father Ginaty, S.M., returned during the week to Mount Magdala from his visit to Australia. The Very Rev. Dean Foley is accompanying the Bishop in the visitation of the remainder of the diocese.

Application has been made to the Provincial of the Order for two additional Marist Brothers to conduot higher branches of education in this city, and to prepare pupils for the Civil Servioe and Matriculation examinations. This certainly seems a step in the right direction, as many Catholic boys have been hitherto finishing their education in other schools and colleges for the lade of local facilities in our own denomination.

A meeting convened for those who have burial plots in the Barbadoes street Cemetery and others interested was held on Sunday afternoon at St. Mary's, Manchester street (in which pariah Che cemetery is situated), to devise means for its necessary improvement and maintenance in decent order. The Rev. Father Sfarnan* <pm> sided. Various suggestions were agreed upon regarding the object in view, and these will be acted upon by a committee appointed for the purpose.

Every possible device ia being reverted to, as a means of ang> menting the local war, and patriotic funds, both of whioh are attaining very considerable proportions. Before the departure of hi* Lordship the Bishop a Lyttelton Times representative sought to obtain from him some information regarding the collections indicated in the Bishop's circular, and was informed that nothing definite was likely to be arranged while the clergy were in retreat. High Mass in the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday was celebrated by the Rev. Father Moloney, S.M., of St. Patrick's College, Wellington. The choir on the occasion received the valuable assistance of Mifea Rose Blaney, of Dunedin, who sang the soprano solos in Gonnod't ' Messe Solennelle.' The other soloists at the Mass were Mrs. H. H. Loughnan (alto), Mr. H. H. Loughnan (tenor), and Mr. R. Haywood (bass). Vespers and Benediction were given by the Rot. Father Kimbell, S.M. (also of St. Patrick's College). The preacher was the Very Rev. Father McEnroe, CM., who gave a forcible address on mixed marriages. After the sermon the Rev. Father Moloney gave a fine rendering of the sacred solo, 'The Man of Sorrows.'

The half yearly meeting of the St. Patrick's Branch, No. 82, H.A.C.B. Society, was held on January 8. The president (Bro. F. J. Darlem) presided. Father Crotty (chaplain) was present. There were also about forty members present, including a number of ladies of the St. John the Baptist Branch, and P.P. Bro. Rogers, of the St. Mary's Branch. Timaru. Correspondence from St. Patrick's, New Headford, was read and dealt with, and sick pay to the amount of £5 3s 4d passed for payment. The Finance Committee's Report, recommending for payment accounts to the amount of £33 wh approved. The balance sheet for quarter ending December 25 was read, and showed receipts for the quarter (including' 444 108 interest on moneys invested) to be £93, and expenditure for same period for medical attendance, sick pay, district quarterage, and incidental expenses to be £64, leaving a balanoe of £1062 to credit of Sick Fund, and £8 2s 6d to Benevolent Fund Votes of thanks were accorded to the auditors, Bros. Steinmetz and Daniels. One new member was initiated, and two candidates were nominated for membership. The election of officers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows : — President, Bro. J. McCormick ; vice-president, Bro. Alfred Mai ley ; secretary, Bro. G. J. Sellars (re-eleotod) ; assistant secretary, Bro. F. J. O'Connell ; treasurer, Bro, J. Hendron ; warden, Bro. D. Edmonds ; guardian, Bro. J. J. Hendron ; sick visitors, Bros. F. J. O'Connell and Shannon ; auditors, Bros. Steinmetz and Daniels ; medical attendants, On. George and J. H. Deamer and B. Moorhouse. The newly-appointed officers were then installed by P.P. Bro. F. J. Doolan, aaauted by P.D.W. Bro. James Nelson. At the invitation of the newly-elected president the meeting adjourned for refreshments. The toast ' Our President ' was duly honoured and acknowledged by Bro. McCormick. Songs were given by Bros. Maonamara, Haughey, and Beveridge. The toast ' Retiring officers ' was responded to by Broo. Beveridge, Macnamara, and Walley. This brought a moet enjoy* able evening to a close.