DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 21, 26 May 1904, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) May 23. Mr. H. H. Loughnan, having retired from the position so long and with such conspicuous success held by him, Mr. H. Rossiter has received the appointment of choirmaster and conductor of the Cathedral choir. Many outside his own immediate denomination will learn with regret that Dr. Julius, Anglican Bishop ul Cnnstchurch, is suffering from a break-down in health which necessitates his relinquishing duty and undertaking a voyage to England. On Sunday last, the feast of Pentecost, a very large number of children, who were prepared by a three days' Retreat conducted by the Very Rev. Vicar-Gen-eral, made their First Communion at the hall-past nine o'clock Mass, celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop in t&e Pro-Cathedral. The young First Communicants were afterwards provided with breakfast in the boys' schoolroom, and attended by ladies of the congregation. Shortly after three o'clock in the afternoon all assembled at the episcopal residence and joined in the procession to the church for Confirmation. At the appointed time tne Pro-Cathedral was filled with parishioners, the candidates for Confirmation occupying the front rows of seats. His Lordship the Bishop, who was attended by the resident clergy, administered the sacrament to 69 boys, 130 girls, and a number of adults. After the ceremony his Lordship spoke to the newly confirmed on the significance of the holy Sacrament just administered, pointing out the new duties and responsibilities incumbent upon them. In the evening at balf-past six the Pro-Cathedral was densely thronged. His Lordship the Bishop, whose duties throughout the day had been most arduous, preached an earnest and impressive discourse on the subject of the day's festival. Dedication to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph and the renewal of baptismal vows were followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Throughout the day's ceremonies the large body of young people comported themselves in a manner highly edifying, evidencing a careful training at the hands of their teachers, tihe Sisters of the Mission and the Marist Brothers. The girls with cardinal sashes, veils, and wreaths, and the boys wearing white sashes presented a remarkably pleasing appearance. Owing to the solemnity of the occasion the sanctuary was tastefully adorned. Special items were introduced in the musical arrangements, and that most inspiriting of hymns, ' Faith of our Fathers,' was unitedly sung. Among the numerous Catholic institutions of charity and benevolence scattered widely throughout the Colony, probably the latest, but certainly not the least, is that of the Sacred Heart Orphanage and Industrial School for girls, situated on the Mount Magdala estate. It is as distinct and separate from the Magdala Asylum as if it were were miles and miles away. There, in its own charming seclusion, with its tastefully laidout grounds, its flower plots, and the numerous little aids to healtihy out-door pursiuits, stands a filne twostorey struct/ure in brick and stone, only erected during the past few years and opened but two. It shows that the need exists near the great centres of population for such havens of rest and rescue, as there are already twenty little charges within its waHs, as happy, healthy, and contented as it is possible to conceive. There is room for many more, and it is the anxious desire of the Sisters who have control that all available space should be occupied rather than even one of those little ones, so dear to His Sacred Heart, should be neglected or lost. The orphanage building, as previously stated, is constructed of brick and stone, and therefore absolutely fire-proof. On the ground floor is a spacious class-room, and near by a large refectory. Ascending a flight of stone steps to the second floor the dormitory is entered, and just off this is the lavatory. On this floor, too, are situated apartments for the Sisters'. Everything is, of course, spotlessly clean, and the whole aspect of the institution cheerful and bright to a degree. Detached from the main building and in an enclosed yard are the kitchen, laundry, drying, and ironing room. One of the Sisters is constantly in attendance ; she is Mother of the little community, and to her the children cling with all the love and confidence usually bestowed on a, natural parent. At least two other Sisters assist 5n the duties of the institution, ordinary school studies occupying a great portion of the day's routine. Arts and crafts and domestic duties are taught, and nothing left undone to perfect the mind, body, and character of the children, whose .iges range from four years upwards, and many with no other friends in the world than the Sisters. Surely we owe them and the revered Very Rev. Rector and manager a debt at least of gratitude, with a promise of kindly and tilnely assistance ato/d help..