DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 20, 14 May 1903, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From ou,r own correspondent.)

May 11.

His Lordship the Bishop preached at Vespers in the Pio-L'ather'ral on Sunday (Feast of the Patronage of St Joseph) on the subject of the day's festival.

Rev. Fathrr McDonnell has been assisting at Waimate in the Foi-ty Hours' Adoration, and conducting, a retreat for 1 hi* children preparing for Fust Communion Rev. Father O'Connoll was at Lincoln o\i>r Sunday assisting the Rev. Father Richards in the Forty Hours' Adoration then being observed.

The Rev. Father Marnane went up to Wellington at the end of last week, and the Rev. Father Rouillac, S.M., replaced him at St. Mary's on Sunday. A bonus of orte guinea, presented by Mr. W. Hoban, chairman of the committee, to the person who disposed of the greatest number of tickets for the St. Patrick's Day concert was awarded to Mrs. Scrimgeofur, whose sales exceeded £6.

Tho Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, V.G., leaves to-day (Monday) for Nelson to be present at the Month's Mind of the late Very Rev. Dean Mahoney, S.M. The Vicar-General afterwards goes to Wellington to attend a Conference of the Marist Order.

A well attended meeting of St. Mary's Altar Society was held on Sunday afternoon in the schoolroom, Manchester street, the Rev. Father Gallais, director, presiding. Thirteen new members were elected, and it was decided to arrange a social gathering for next Thursday week, at which it is anticipated a large number of the parishioners will attend.

There was a well attended meeting of the St. Patrick's Day celebration committee in the parochial library on last Friday evening to wind up affairs in connection with the late national concert. His Lordship the Bishop presided. Before reading the balance sheet the secretary (Mr. E. O'Connor), in a few appropriate remarks, extended the committee's congratulations to his Lordship the Bishop on his partial, if not complete, restoration to health. The balance sheet, duly audited, showed the total receipts to be £130 12s 6d ; expenses, £30 12s 4d. leaving a net credit result of £100 0s 2d, which, together with last year's balance, leaves the fund for the establishment of the Nazareth Home at £208 3s. His Lordship gratefully acknowledged Mr. O'Connor's congratulations and said he appreciated the kind remarks made in regard to the great assistance given by the clergy to the committee in bringing about such a splendid result as that just published. As for himself, he very much regretted two things in connection with the celebration — his inability owing to an accident which befel him to be present, a treat he had fondly promised himself ; and the impossibility owing to the remote locality where he happened to be to intimate by telegraph the cause of his absence. It was with the deepest satisfaction and pleasure he learnt of the magnificent success that had attended the committee's efforts. The object was a noble one, and whilst thanking he"artily his own people, he desired most cordially to thank the many friends outside the Catholic body for their patronage, presence at the concert, and valued assistance. With reference to the introduction of the Sisters of Nazareth, he had been in frequent communication with the mother house at Hammersmith, London. As a result of the initial efforts to secure a community, a short time ago the Rev. Mother of a branch house in Australia visited Christchurch with the object of inquiring into existing needs and reporting Home. This report he had reason to know was most favorable, and the visitors were so impressed with the work to be performed here, that they even selected a site, one close to the city, a situation deemed necessary, so that medical attendance could be quickly summoned, when needed, by the class of inmates the Sisters shelter and tend. This particular site, however, was found on inquiry to be no longer in the mai> ket. Just a few days ago he received a letter from the Mother-General, who expressed the eagerness they felt to commence the work in Christchurch. Thinking at at first that the great work of building the Cathedral would interfere with the establishment of their home, the Sisters were reluctant to enter into any undertaking that might tend to financially embarrass his (the Bishop's) plans, but he assured them that such would not be the case, and he urged them to come even after the Cathedral was started. He recognised the great need there existed for such a home, and was only too eager to see the work carried on without unnecessary delay. Mr. W. Hoban, who acted as chairman of the committee dining the past two years, outlined various methods of adding to the fund, and for this purpose a standing subcommittee was formed consisting of Mr. W. Hoban, Mr. E. O'Connor, Mr. G. R. Hart, Mr. R. Duncan, and Mrs. Scrimgeour and Miss Murray.