DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 43, 25 October 1900, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent). October 22. The Very Rev. \icaf -General spent the greater part of last week at Timaru, engaged in preaching a Retreat for the children who were preparing for their First Communion. The Rev. Brother Anjrelo, for a considerable time engaged on the teaching staff of the Marist Brothers' Boys' School of this city, left during the week for Sydney, and the Rev. Brother Xavier arrived to fill the vacancy. Constable Cullen, for many years in charge of the Phillipetown police station, has been promoted to sergeant and transferred to Wellington. Besides being a good practical Catholic Sergeant Cullen has proved himself an exemplary and trustworthy officer, and is to be congratulated on his well-deserved advancement in the service. On last Monday, the feast day of the Rev. Mother Provincial of the Sisters of Our Lady of Missions, a picnic and outing to Sumner •was given the children attending the convent schools, Barbadoes street. Being favored with fine weather a very enjoyable time waa spent. The very young children were given an ' afternoon tea party ' in the convent grounds. On the following day the Halswell school children, and on Wednesday those attending the Addington school, were given their annual outing, Sumner being again selected for their picnic. Mr. Patrick Murphy, an old and highly-respected and exemplary Catholic, died suddenly last week whilst in the midst of his labors. The deceased, like many old colonists, passed through the stirring times of the Native troubles, and was engaged on active duty. The late Mr. Murphy brought up a family alike a credit to himself and an ornament to the Church. One son is at the present time at the front in South Africa. The Rev. Father Marnane officiated at the obsequies at St. Mary's Church, and subsequently at the grave. The Hibernian Society, of which the deceased had long been a member, took part in the funeral procession. — R.I. P. The various convents in the diocese are making a brave show for the forthcoming bazaar, and already numerous valuable, useful, and most artistic articles are coming to hand. The Sisters of St. Joseph at Waimate have sent a complete drawing-room suite in old gold, velvet, and plush, with raised flowers beautifully worked

in arasene and upholstered by Messrs. Lister and Barrie, Timaro. From the Sisters of Mercy, Greymouth, there have come a very fine carved table, a large painting of Lake Taupo, Limerick lace work, lovely cushions, and some very nice painted panels. The Children of Mary from the same town send a most artistically worked hall chair. The Lyttelton Convent of Mercy contributes some very creditable paintings. These of coarse are only the more prominent specimens of the generous gifts of the convents mentioned. Mount Magdala, the Convent of Mercy, Colombo street, and the Convent of Our Lady of Missions have also splendid displays ready for the equipment of uUlls. A magnificently embroidered cope 5« *jmon<«»t, the gifts of i Mount Magdala. Our friends in the other colonfes, too, are not unmindful of us, his Lordship the Bi°hop having recently received a costly table cover in crimson velvet, most elaborately worked in gold and silver, the gift of the Convent of the Faithful Companions, Richmond, Victoria. This, with the articles mentioned above and others previously noticed, will make a display rarely if ever equalled in the Colony.