DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 24, 13 June 1901, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.)

June 10. The quarterly conference of the olergy was held at Rangiora on Tuesday. Mass is now celebrated at Stunner on the second Sunday of each month by the Rev. Father Cooney, of Lyttelton. Mr, Frank o' Brier of Messrs. M. O'Brien and Co.'s Boot Factory, and Bon of the principal, was last week presented by his fellow-employees with a marble clock, suitably inscribed, and tea set, on the occasion of his approaching marriage. St. Mary's Catholic Club members entertained their lady friends and representatives from kindred societies at an 'At Home ' on Tuesday. An enjoyable evening was filled in with songs, musical items, etc., light refreshments being provided. On Tuesday evening Mr. Dobbin entertained the members of the Christchurch Catholic Club with a recital of the classic story of ' Perseus.' There was a good attendance, including several visitors, the reciter being listened to with the utmost attention. Besides being interesting and highly entertaining as regards the narrative, it was given with much dramatic foroe, and proved that Mr. Dobbin is the possessor of a marvellous memory. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and a unanimous desire was expressed for a similar evening's entertainment later on. The choir of St. Mary's Church, Manchester street, met at the* presbytery on Tuesday evening for the purpose of making a presentation to Miss Lucy Ryan, on the occasion of her approaching marriage. The Rev. Father Marnane, in handing Miss Ryan, on behalf of the choir, a handsome tea set, expressed his great appreciation of the services rendered by her to the church and the choir. The choirmaster, Mr. W. H. Corrigan. and other mem bete also paid a well-merited tribute to Miss Ryan's abilities as a vocalist, and to the cheerful manner she had on all occasions aided them. The Feast of Corpus Christi, the patronal feast of the ProCathedral, was observed as a day of speoial devotion. Masses were celebrated at 7, 7.30, and 9 o'clock, In the evening there were the usual services, including Benediction of the Bleeped Sacrament. The principal celebration of the festival was deferred until Sunday. Large numbers of the oongregation then approached the Holy Table, the members of the Christchurch Catholic Club communicating in a body at the 7 o'clock Mass. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon there was an out-door procession of the Blessed Sacrament, which was taken part in by several thousand persons, the weather being perfect. The monstrance was borne under a canopy by the Very Rev. Vicar-General, with whom were the Very Rot. Father Ginaty

and Rev. Father Galerne. Traversing the convent grounds nnder floral arches, a beautifully decorated and illuminated altar was finally reached, from which Benediction was given. During the procession from and to the church appropriate hymns aud canticles were sung by the choir. The regalias of the Hibernian Society, and various confraternities, added to the banners and other decorative emblems, rendered the spectacle a particularly striking one. When the congregation were again seated in the Pro-Cathedral the Rev. Father Richards preached an 4 impressive discourse on the Holy Euchuriht. In the Choral Hall, on Wednesday evening last, a musical and dramatic enter lain men {, was given in aid of the Catholic schools in the presence of a fairly large audience, including a number of the clergy. The first part consisted of a concert programme. Songs were contributed by Mrs. Fißher, Miss Maud Graham, and Mr. E. McNamara, each of whom would certainly have received recalls for their respective items had encores been allowed. Two instrumental trios were given in faultless style by Miss Katie Young (piano), Mr. H. H. Lough nan ('cello), and Mr. R. Loughnan, jun. (violin). Recitations by Mr. Winter Hall were much enjoyed. A feature of this part of the programme was the tableaux depicting scenes in Shakespeare's ' Midsummer Night's Dream,' admirably staged under the direction of Mrs. George Deamer, with limelight effects by Mr. E. W. Seager. Undoubtedly they were the most beautiful stage pictures yet seen here. Part second consisted of the amusing comedietta, ' Family Jars,' performed by members of the Christchurch Amateur Dramatio Club, the characters being filled by Misses Hettie Wells and Lempfert, Messrs. H. Hayward, C. Buchanan, A. Zachariah and R. Petersen. Miss Katie Young acted as accompanist in her usual finished manner. Most of the labor of organising the entertainment was undertaken by Mrs. Mead and members of the Hayward family, and the ladies especially are deserving of very sincere thanks for their efforts in making the event the success it was.