DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 5, 31 January 1901, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.) January 28. The Diocesan clergy assemble next week for the annual retreat, which is to be conducted by Very Rev. Father Boyle, CM. The Convent High Schools re-open to-day (Monday) and the Parish schools, including those at Halswell and Adding ton, on Tuesday. A committee has been formed at Lyttelton, acting under the Very Rev. Dean Foley, for suitably receiving and entertaining the illustrious ecclesiastics who are expected for the ceremonies in connection with laying the foundation stone of the new cathedral. Their arrival in port is timed (if possible) for Friday morning, February 8, and the festivities will include, a reception, lunoheon, trip round the harbor, and other little social functions which time and circumstances will permit. By the 7.15 p.m. train the visitors will leave for Christchurch where a reception on a grand toale in contemplated. A meeting of the general and sub-oommittees was held in the boys' Bchoolroom on Sunday afternoon last, his Lordship the Bishop presiding, with the Very Rev. Father Le Menant dee Chesnais and Dean Foley and Rev. Father Marnane in attendance, when detail matters were considered. When the news was received in Christchurch on Wednesday last of the death of her Majesty Queen Victoria places of business were almost with one accord closed for the day and in many instances over the next also. The change from the bustle of the street traffic, hurrying footsteps, and incessant buzz of conversation to a Bubdued and comparatively noiseless city, all in the space of one short hour, was simply marvellous. Flags were immediately hoisted at half-mast, great bells tolled out their doleful notes, shops, workrooms, and factories poured out their thousands to join the already fast accumulating throng. The mournful intelligence was discussed in hushed accents, and soon the streets were deserted ; it seemed as if some great oalamity had fallen upon the people. At devotions in the Pro-Cathedral on the evening of the fateful day feeling reference was made by his Lordship the Bishop to the loss the Empire had suffered, and at Vespers on Sunday the Bishop again addressed the congregation on the subject of the nation's bereavement, the church being crowded to excess. Taking his text from Proverbs, chapter 8, verses 15-16 — 'By Me kings reign and lawgivers decree just things : By Me princes rule and the mighty decree justice.' His Lordship paid a most eloquent tribute to the great ruler that is now no more, and concluded by referring to the successor on the throne of England, his attributes, and the loyalty of Catholics to him, which was so lovingly bestowed on his Queen mother, and finally recited the beautiful prayer of the Catholio ritual for princes and rulers and, in accord with the altered circumstances of the hour, substituting the name of the new King. Immediately after the memorial address Miss Funston, the organist, played the Dead March in ' Saul.' The pillars and pulpit of the fro-Cathedral were shrouded in black with white bands and crosses. At the main entrance there was a large framed picture of her late Majesty draped in mourning, whilst many of the congregation wore symbols emblematical of the sad occasion. St. Mary's Church, Manchester street, was also draped in mourning, and memorial services were preached in the morning by the Rev. Father Gallais and in the evening by the Rev. Father Marnane.