DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5, 1 February 1906, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) January 29. His Lordship the Bishop celebrated Mass at Sunnier on Sunday last. The schools of St. Mary's parish re-open after the Christmas vacation to-day," and tho.se of the Cathedral parish on next Monday. The annual retreat of the Sisters of the Missions was opened last week at the Sacied llcait Convent by the Rev. Father Cleary, C.SS.R., and is being continued by the Rev. Father McDermott, CSS R. At Vespers in the Cathedral on last Sunday evening the Rev. Father McDermott, C.SS.R., preached a practical and impressive sermon on Christian charity. The annual retreat of the Sisters of Mercy (including the branch convent at Darficld) at St. Mary's Convent, Colombo street, was conducted by the Rev. Father Lynch, C.SS.R., and concluded last week. The Superiors of all the convents of the Order of Our Lady of Missions in the province of New Zealand are at present assembled at the mother house in Christchurch to deliberate on matters of importance in connection with the Order. Two pupils of the Sisters of the Missions of the Sacred Heart Convent High School passed the Civil Service examination— Miss Irene O'Connor (with credit) and Miss Annie de Garvey. Master Philip Dwyer, a pupil of the Marist Brothers' Schools, also passed with credit. The destruction wrought by the recent wind storm to the main building of the Exhibition, now in coiurse of erection, has proved not so extensive as at first estimated. According to expert opinion, after an independant survey the total loss is about £700. It is stated that the incident will not in any way affect the progress of the Exhibition. The Rev. Father Marnane (St. Mary's, Manchester street) and Rev. Father Tubman (Timaru) intend leaving shortly on a visit to the Old Country. It is understood that the Rev. Father Hickson will assume temporary charge of St. Mary's, and that the Rev. Father Galerne is to be transferred from Hastings to replace the Rev. Father Mahony at the Cathedral. Mr. J. R. Hay ward presided at a recent meeting of the tennis club an connection with the Christchurch Catholic Club. Thirty members were in attendance. Arrangements (were made for the formal opening of the Club's courts at the ' 'Grove,' Brougham street, Sydenham, on next Saturday afternoon. It was decided that the annual subscription should be half a crown. The following officers were elected : President, Mr. J. R. Hay ward ; treasurer, Mr. J. J. Canavan ; secretary, Mr. P. McNamara ; committee, Messrs. M. O'Reilly, D. O'Connell, and Hayward. The balance sheet of the Catholic excursion andipicnic held on Boxing Day, which is to be presented at a meeting of the committee on Tuesday evening, shows receipts from all sources to be £96 9s Old. The expenditure, including; prizes for the children and sports events, was £G3 11s 6d, thus leaving a credit balance of £32 17s (jid. This is a very, satisfactory result, when it is remembered that all the children were conveyed and provided for free. There was a well attended meeting of members of the Christchurch Catholic Club on last Tuesday evening to consider matters in connection with the ten;iis club, and also a [proposal to hold fortnightly general meetings. The president, Mr. J. R. Hayward, occupied the chair. As it was found that the establishment of the tennis club is complete and satisfactory, it was decided to open the courts on Saturday, February 3. The proposal to hold fortnightly general meetings was well received, and a sub-committee was formed to assist the executive in arranging and carrying out the winter programme.

The Marist Brothers of the South Island, and those of Wellington, numbering eighteen in all, went into retreat on last Thursday, which is being conducted by the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, S.M., V.G. The Rev. Brother Stanislaus (Provincial) is also in attendance. There was a meeting on Monday evening, January 35, of St. Patrick's branch (No. 82') F.A.C.B. Society, when the following officers were elected and installed by the retiring president, Bro. P. Pearce :— President, Bro. G. J. Sellars ; vice-president, Bro. Jas. Nelson; treasurer, Bro. L. lHaughey ; secretary, Bro. F. J. Doolan ; assistant secretary, Bro. E. J. Walls ; warden, Bro. M. Dineen ; guardian, Bro. McAloon ; sick visitors, Bros. T. Pender and T. O'Connell ; auditors, Bros. M. Garty and R. P. O'Shaughnessy ; delegates to United Friendly Society's Dispensary, Bros. Dobbs and O'Brien ; do. to Benevolent Association, Bros. Evans and McCormick; do. to Medical Benefit Interchange, Bro. J. R. Courtney. On last Tuesday the Month's Mind of the late Very Rev. Dean Foley took place in the Cathedral. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and nearly all the clergy attending the annual retreat were present in the sanctuary. Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop ; the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, S.M., V.G., was assistant priest, the Very Rev. Deans Ginaty and Bowers deacons at the throne, the Rev. Father Aubry and Very Rev. Dean Regnault deacon and subdeacon respectively of the Mass, and the Rev. Father O'Connell master of ceremonies. The Rev. Fathers Mahony, Richards, and Cooney were cantors, the choir and clergy assisting in the Gregorian music of the Mass. The ceremony was most impressive, and was attended by a numerous congregation.