DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 14, 3 April 1902, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.)

M-M-ch SI

At the early Mas^ on Easter Sunday very large numbers approached the Holy Table Pontifical ITi»h M,is> v a-, ui'lobiatcd by his Lordship the Bishop at 11 o'clock. The Very Rpv. Father Le Menant de 3 Chesnais was assistant - priest, Rev. Fathers Galerne and McDonnell deacon aud subdeacon respectively of tho Mass, and Very Rev. Dean Foley assistant in the sanctuary. The sermon was preachod by the Bishop on the day's Gospel, The mu c ic was Beethoven's ' Mass in C Mr. H. H. Loughnan conducted and Miss Fuuston presided at the organ. In the evening his Lordship preached on the Resurrection. After the sermon Mr. E. McNarnara sung the f-acred eolo 'Calvary.' There were crowded congregations during the day and evening. The church was very effectively decorated with ferns, palms, bannerettes, shields, etc. The adornment of the church and sanctuary was the work of Miss Rose Whiti, who designed and provided most of the material. She was ably assisted by Miss Kearney and ladies of the Altar Society, Mr. F. Geohegan supervising. The ceremonies of Tloly Week were commenced on Wednesday evening in the Pro-Cathedral with the Office of Tenebras. A number of priests from North and South Canterbury assisted. On Hcly Thursday morning after Mass, which was celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop, there was the usual procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose. After Tenebrse in the evening an eloquent sermon on the Holy Eucharist was preached by Rev. Dr. Kennedy, of Ashburton. On Good Friday the Bibhop officiated at the services, being assisted at the altar by the Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell and Rev. Father Richards. The Passion was chanted by Dean O'Donnell and Rev. Father Galerne, Adoration of the Cross was followed by the Mass of the Presanctified. There were Stations of the Cross in the afternoon, and after Tenebrre in the evening a sermon on the Passion of Our Lord was preached by the Rev. Father Price, of Hawarden. Pontifical High Mass was celebrated on Holy Saturday by his Lordship thu Bishop. The Very Rev. Dean Foley and Rev. Father Price were deacons at the throne, Rev, Fathers Galerne and Cooney deacon and sub-deacon respectively of the Mass. The choir rendered excellent service in the solemn exercises of Holy Week. On the eve of Good Friday watchers before the tabernacle were provided during the night by the Hibernian Society, the Catholic Club, and sanctuary boys. A conference of delegates representing the various Catholic Clubs and Literary Ab-ociations ol the Colony is now being held in Chri^tchureh. It has been noticed that the local press association agent telegraphed throughout the Colony th.it the recent St. Patrick's Day celebrations were promoted and carried out by the Hibernian Society. This is incorrect, as. although the lojal branch of the H.A.C.B. Society rendered valuable assistance the celebrations were promoted by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and carried out by a representative committee of citizens. Holy Week services were conducted at St. Mary's, Manchester street, and well attended. Solemn High Maw was celebrated on Easter Sunday by the Rev. Father Marnane who also preached on the Gospel of the day. The music was Gounoi's Messe Solennelle.' the choir being assisted by an efficient orchestra. Mr. W. H. Corrigan conducted and Miss Katie Young presided at the organ. At Vespers the Rev. Father Gallais preached on the Resurection.