DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 2, 9 January 1902, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent). January 6. Masses were celebrated in the Pro-Cathedral on New Year's Day (Feast of the Circumcißion) at 6, 7.30 and 10 a.m., with the customary services in the evening. To-day (Monday), Feast of the Epiphany, Masses were celebrated in the Pro-Cathedral at 6, 6.30, 7, 7.30 and 9 a.m., with the usual devotions in the evening. After the Bermon in the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday evening Mr C. M'Namara gave a very fine rendering of the sacred solo ' Nazareth.' The choir of St. Mary's, Manchester Bfcreet, repeated Mozart's 'Twelfth Mass' on the Sunday following Christmas, Masses being celebrated and the usual devotions held on the intervening festival days. The Rev. Father Melu, S.M., of the Otaki Maori Mission, arrived in Christchurch on last Thursday week, and is now engaged visiting the various native settlements as far south as Invercargill. The Rev. Father Alexander McDonnell, a young priest destined for the diooese, arrived at the end of last week from Europe, and at the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday at Vespers preached an impressive discourse on tha Holy Eucharist. The Very Rev. Father Keogh, S.M., Rector of St. Patrick's College, arrived in Christchurch from Wellington on last Friday week. He celebrated the 9.30 o'olock Mass in the Pro-Cathedral on the following Sunday, and during the week left for the South. At the invitation of his Lordship the Bishop a large number of ladies are to meet at the presbytery on Thursday afternoon to form committees in connection with the St. Patrick's Day celebration and the establishment of, as the circular states, a ' Home for the deserving poor and infirm, destitute children, incurables, etc., irrespective of race and religion.'

Mr H. H. Loughnan, choirmaster ,of the Fro-Cathedral ohoir, is worthy of sincere congratulation on the very marked improvement manifested in the rendition of the Church music. Although the task is eminently a congenial one, yet the high state of efficiency attained is alike creditable to the talented conductor, who devotes a great deal of time to the duties, and satisfactory to all concerned. . Haydn's No. 2 Mass was sung in the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday at High Macs, the solos being taken by Miss Bowler (soprano), Mrs, A. Mead (alto), Mr. McKay (tenor), and Messrs. C. MoNamara and R. Beveridge (bass). The music was the came as oh Christmas Day, and was exceedingly well rendered. Mr. H. H. Longhnan conducted, and Miss Funston presided at the organ. After the Mas* there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed after Vespers with the usual monthly procession. There waa a crowded congregation. The bazaar at Lyttelton, which extended over the New Year holidays, was brought to a close on Saturday night with a sale of work. On New Year's Day the bazaar was thronged, and on the following Thursday was honored by a visit from his Lordship the Bishop and Very Rev. Dean Foley. Although the net results are not yet known, still the event has proved an unqualified snooews, upon which the popular pastor^ the Rev. Father Cooney, his energetio committee, and especially the ladies who took such a willing and hard-working part, are to be sincerely congratulated. , On Boxing Day a pionic, organised by St. Mary's Catholic Ladies' Club, took place at Stewart's Gully, a pretty spot. on. the Waimakariri, near Kaiapoi, which proved a most enjoyable outing to the members and friends who attended. The party,, numbering about thirty, left the residence of Mrs J. R.Hunt (president) at nine o clock in vehicles provided by Mr Finnerty, and on arrival at the pleasure grounds boating, oroquet, and other suitable games were indulged in. The return home was made at nightfall, the oity being reached at ton o'clock, all having passed a thoroughly enjoyable day.