DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 43, 23 October 1902, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.) October 20. The Rev. Father Price, acting for the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes secured, at a sale on Tuesday last, a seotion at Hanmer, for Church purposes. His Grace Archbishop Red wood visited Mount Magdala Asylum on *nday and was accompanied by his Lordship the Bishop and several of the clergy. y ' In the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday evening Mr E. McNamara who possesses an exceptionably fine voice, sang Gounod's • Lee Rameaux ' the Cathedral organist, Miss Funston, accompanying. ' Archbishop Redwood, after inspecting the new Cathedral expressed his surprise and admiration at the marvellous progress made aunner the ehort time since the foundation stone was laid. Tne Very Rev. Dean F ley commenced a week's mission at Kaiapoi on Sunday last. His Lordship the Bishop is to be there on next Sunday, and will afterwards visit Geraldine and Ash. burton. The Rev. Father Taylor, late of St. Patrick's College accompanied Archbishop Redwood and the Yen. Archdeaoon Devov to Christchuroh, and celebrated the half paßt nine o'clock Masß in the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday. He has been appointed to Timaru to fill the vacancy caused by the transfer of Rev. Father Aubry to Waimate. ' The following is summarised from the report of ithe Govern* ment Inspector on St. Joseph's pariah sohool, Lyttelton conducted by the Sisters of Mercy :— ' The school has this year passed a very good examination, and the general work reflects great credit on the staff of the school The examination of the papers ba3 been quite a work of pleasure. All the eubjeots of the Government syllabic, which is a very heavy one have been taught with success. Ail the ohildren presented for examination passed. His Grace Archbishop Redwood celebrate! the seven o'olook Mass in tha Pro-Cathedral on Sunday, and preached at Vespers It being the Feast of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin his Grace selected for his subject the Rosary, on which he delivered a most impressive discourse. The beautiful and efficacious devotion of the holy ro9ary was one that could and should be observed by every one however lowly or distinguished. His Grace inatanoed the fact ot how reverently our Holy Father, the present illustrious Pontiff the mightiest intellect in the universe, regarded the roaary, and how another great intellect, Daniel O'Connell, probably the most renowned orator that ever lived, had the greatest possible devotion to this pearl of prayers. He was often seen reciting the rosary from his beads whilst pacing the lobbies of the House of Commons, regardless of petty aud miserable human respect, or the remarks or ]eers of onlookers, preparatory to delivering one or other of those magnificent orations which electrified the whole nation. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by his Grace the Archbishop attended by the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Ohesnais V.G., and Rev. Father Taylor. ' On Wednesday last, the feast day of the Rev. Mother Provincial of the Sisters of the Missions, the pupils attending the Convent high and pariah schools were treated to a picnic at Sumner. A special excursion tram was engaged for the occasion, and a very pleasant day spent at the seaside. His Lordship the Bishop the Very Rev. Dean Foley, aud local clergy were present. Games oonteste, and amusements of various kinds were indulged in on the

beaoh, the Bishop afterwards distributing the prizes. Among the large number in attendance were Mr P. Pender and Mr C. Wotherspoon together, with parents and friends of the children. At the convent in the evening the children were entertained at tea, his Lordship the Bishop and clergy being present. On the following day tiie oombined schools of Hals well and Adding ton, also in charge of the Sisters of the Missions, had an outing to Sumner, being conveyed by speoial trams, not however under such happy auspices as obtained on the previous day. From genial sunshine there was a ohange to somewhat dreary weather. Juvenile spirits are not easily damped, and with the shelter afforded at their destination the excursionists made most of the occasion. Several of theolergy were in attendance during the day and aided materially in making the event as pleasant as oiroumatances permitted. Pontifical High M<<bs was celebrated at St. Mary's, Manchester street, on Sunday last by his Lordship Bishop Grimes, the 'Rev. Father Gallais being deacon, Rev. Father Taylor subdeacon, and Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Cheanais, V.G., assistant priest. His Grace Archbishop Redwood occupied a throne in the sanctuary, and wbb attended by the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, Provincial. His Grace preached on the subject of the ' Dignity of the Priesthood,' reference being made to the new home the foundation stone of which was to be laid in the afternoon. A strong choir, under the oonduotorßhip of Mr W. H. Gorrigan, gave a very capable renderiog of Mosart's Twelfth Mass, an orchestra, under Mr E. J. Painter, assisting. Miss Katie Toung presided at the organ, and at the Offertory Mrs 0. M. Brooke sang Gounod's 'Aye Maria,' with violin obligate by Mr Painter. At three o'olook in the afternoon the Archbishop performed the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new presbytery, which took place in a heavy shower of sleet. In consequence of the inclemency of the weather the ceremony was out as short as possible. His Grace did not deliver an address. The contractor presented his Grace with a handsome silver trowel, bearing the inscription : ' Presented to his Grace Archbishop Redwood, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of St. Mary's Presbytery, Ootober 19, 1902.' Over £120 was either plaoed on the stone or promised at the gathering. The presbytery will be a two-storey brick building, with stone facings, and will face Manchester street, standing well back in the grounds. It will have a verandah round three sides, and on the north will have a balcony. On the ground floor there will be two large rooms for visitors in the front, and at the rear of these will be a large refectory and a reading and reoreation room, with the kitchen and other offices. Upstairs there will be two bedrooms for the resident priests, which open into studies, and there will also be four other bedrooms. The building will be fitted in an up-to-date manner, and will cost over £2000. Among those of the clergy present with the Archbishop were his Lordship Bishop Grimes, Yen. Arohdeacon Devoy, Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, V.G., Rev. Fathers Ginaty, Marnane, Gallais, Oooney, Taylor, McDonnell, and O'Connell. At Vespere in the evening Arohdeacon Devoy preached from the text < Glorious things are spoken of thee thou city of our God,' There were large congrega tions throughout the day.