DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH
(Fiona our own correspoadent.)
„ June 11. Me ing rJercnce was made in the C'alhechal en Sunday to the lamentable occurrence at Tapanui, resulting in the -death of "he ltev. Father McGraflh, and the great lo,s occasiomcl thereby to the sister diocese of Dun-edin vhir.in the deceased pnest h< d labored so lory*. A social in aid of the building; furd of the projected new presbytery in thj rarisli was gi en in the Druids' Hall, Lii.coln, on June 1, a> d was largely attended. Financially and otherwise the e>cnt pro\ul most successful. The Rev. Fath-r Galerne and the charch and Catholic .school commit tee of St. Anne s, Woolston, are arranging a |\ery aWiraclr* c concert and entertainment for Thursday, Jiune 28, in the local Oddfellows' Hall, with the object of aiding in liquidating the existing liabilities. 'JhQ Add.ngtcn church and school committee entertained on Thursday evening those who assisted in the late and previous efforts towards reducing the liabilities on the parochial property. The gathering was held in tho Oddfellows' Hall, Lincoln Road. Refreshments were pro ided, and Messrs. Ge( heghans' band rendered an enjoyable programme of music." At? the ordinary weekly meeting of the Cathedral Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Pawl, held last week, the president (Bro:~ E. O'Connor) referred in feel'ng terms to the death of Mr. R. P. Lonargan, whose loss the society, in common with other organisations and tho Catholic commvnity generally, deeply deplored. Although not an active member for many years, the late Mr. Lonargan felt dra\* n towards them and their special work, and never failed to exercise the spirit of charity. When the Conference was re-organised on the arrival of Bishop Grimes in the diocese, Mr. Lonargan was appointed th? first president, a position he filled with much tact and ability for some years. Prervi'ous to the programme of Ihe evening being commenced on Trjesdav, May 2fl, the members of the Christchurch Catholic Club unanimously passed the following resolution : ' That a message of sympathy be sent to Mr. T. M. Lonargan on the decease of his brother, Robert P. Lonargam, who in his younger days had been a firm friend of every Catholic institution in the parish, and a staunch supporter of every movement having for its obiect Ih© improvement, intellectual, spiritual, and temporal of the Catholics of v Christchurch. The president (Mr. J. R. Hayward), in supporting the resolution, spo v e from years of intimate acquaintance, in warm eulogy of their departed friend. In connection wilh his first visit to Rome of his Lordship Bishop Grimes during the occupancy of the
Papal chair by Pope Pius X., a most unique work of art, both as regards the coveis and the interior illumination and embellishment, has been prepared in the shape cf an address to the Pope from the clergy; religious, laity, and children of the diocese. It is in book lorm, and the style of covers is what is known as monastic Grolier, ibe'ing perhaps the finest exemplification of this class of the highest artistic work ever seen in the Colony. The task of designing and carrying out the work was entrusted to the bindery department of the ' Press ' Company, and* has been executed in a manner deserving of the highest praise. The binding is of old red Russia, which has a magnificent effect when contrasted with thd beautifully colored enamels of various emblematical designs, which are magnificently worked out, and have a fine effect. In the centre of the front cover is a royal purple shield, bearing the following inscription—' Address to our Holy Father Pope Pius X., from 'the clergy, religious, laity, and children of the diocese of Christchurch, on iii& occasion of the first visit of the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, S.M., Bishop of the diocese, A.D. 1906.' The address and embellishments, beautifully exerted by the religious of the Timaru Conventp. fill fifteen leaves, v. hich are attached to the covers by fawn calf points. There are also four photographs of the exterior of the Cathedral at the opening ceremony, and five of the interior, together with an enlarged photograph of Pope Pius X., and .one of his Lordship Bishop Grimes. Each leaf is most artistically ornamented round the sieles and at the bat torn with hand paintings of New Zealand flora and birds, some of the former being specially beautiful. 'The covers are lined with cream watered satin. The address, which will be specially conveyed to Rome, is signed on behalf of the clergy by the Very Rer.'. Father Le. Menant des Chesnais, S.M., V.G., Deans A. Martin. D. P. Carew, J. C. O'Donnell, and P. Re°nault, and for the laity by Messrs. H. H. Loughnan, E. O'Connor, Felix Campbell, and P. M. Caiffine. The address will be enclosed in a beautiful casket of inlaid New Zealand woodsi. There are 408 different pieces of wood in the casket, comprising rewarewa (honeysuckle) , mo 1 o (currant wood), ramarama, puriri, konini, totara knots, and kauri. The work is very artistically drne, the design heing excellently carried out. The casket itself is lined with silk.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZT19060614.2.11.4
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Tablet, Volume 14, Issue 24, 14 June 1906, Page 5
Word Count
852DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH New Zealand Tablet, Volume 14, Issue 24, 14 June 1906, Page 5
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