DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 25, 21 June 1906, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) June 18. m The social gathering promoted by the Hibernian Society on last Thursday was a particularly enjoyable and successful event?, the result being mainly due to the energy of the secretary, Bro. F. J. Doolan. Many engaged in progressive euchre, which was followed by other popular attractions. The special -fund for the benefit of which the social was arranged will, no doubt, benefit considerably.

A triduuni, preparatory io Ihe feast of St. John the Baptist (patronal feast of the diocese), is to begin at the Cathedral "on Friday next. On Sunday the solemnity or the feast is to be observed, on which occasion a panegyric of the saint will be preached- Several of the clergy of Canterbury outside the city will be in attendance during the triduum. On hearing the- news of the *eath of the Premier the Very Rev Father Le Menant des Chesnais, S.M., VicarGeneral, despatched a telegram to Mrs. Seddon, as follows :— Deepest,- sympathy for the very sudden and lamentable death of the Premier from the Catholic clergy and people of. Chris-tjchuDch.' Be arranged that the second bell of the Cathedral chime should be tolled immediately, and the great bell was tolled for half an hour in the evening. To the newspaper press the VicarGeneral intimated that the Catholics felt overwhelmed by the sorrow of the occasion, and expressed a desire that our people should take a sympathetic part in any public demonstration. At the Catholic Club on the evening the sad news reached, the city the president (Mr. J. R Hayward) feelingly referred to the great loss the Colony had sustained through the death of Mr. Seddon At all the services in the Cathedral and our other churches on Sunday reference was made to the sad event and a tribute paid to the memory of the' great statesman, with expressions of deepest sympathy towards the bereaved family and friends. The Particular Council of Christchurch Society of fet. Vincent de Paul have issued a leaflet in which they appeal to many who are in a position to help in the direction indicated. The leaflet s-tates that « the excellent work accomplished by St. Joseph's Conference, Lyttelton, and the Sacred Heart Conference, Timaru amone the seamen visiting these ports, has encouraged the Particular Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to endeavor U the utmost to keep up the supply of Catholic literature. Guided by the Catholic newspaper guild of England, we gladly adopt some of the rules of this most useful organisation whfcto appear applicable to cur purpose. Never throw away Catholic papers when read, but always distribute them for the benefit of others. By zealously advocating the beneficial principle that those Catholics who only subscribe to the secular press should purchase at least one Catholic paper each wee^. Suppliers are those who merely undertake to forward their Catholic papers and magazines, when read at regular intervals, or send their address, and parcels will be gjladly called for and distributed to the best advantage.' The feast of Corpus Christi (patronal feast of the Cathedral) was observed with imposing ceremonial on Sunday On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings there had been Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. After the 11 o'clock Mass on Sunday there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament-. At three in the afternoon a large congregation assembled in the Cathedral to ta!o part in an out-door procession, the ranks being considerably augmented as it proceeded along the .paths of the episcopal grounds to an open space immediately at the rear of the Cathedral, where from an improvised altar beautifully arranged, adorned, and illuminated, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given. At the close of the ceremony there, the procession reformed and returned to the Cathedral, where Benediction was again given, after the occasional sermon preached by the Very Rev. Vicar-General. The children were in charge of the Sisters of the Missions and Marist Brothers, the whole being marshalled by Mr. E. O'Connor whose long experience in these matters invariably proves that nothing is- left unth o ug<ht of, hence perfect order and decorum prevailed. A very enoyable evening was spent at the rooms of the Christchurch Catholic Club on last Monday, when about twenty-five men representing the employees of Mr. J. Goss, timber merchant, visited the club to play a billiard match. Mr. J., R. Hayward (president) welcomed the visitors. At billiards the visiting team consisted of Messrs. Hobbs, Grogan, Schmidt, Mansell, and Loder, the club being represented by Messrs. Moran Ilayward, Bradley, O'Donnell, and Bourke. During the course cf the match the remainder of the party engaged in euchre, draughts, etc. At the conclusion of the games refreshments were handed round by the clubmen, followed by an impromptu mus-ical programme. Among those who took part were-songs, Messrs. Sutcliffe Berry, Halliday, HaJlins, Tifcbs, Blake, hrn., Haydbn' and Edmonds ; recitations, Messrs. Kane and McNamara Mr. Sutcliffc, on behalf o"f the. visitors, .warmly expressed their thanks to the club for the very pleasant evening's entertainment. Although outclassed in the games (he said), the visitors c-ould not but feel admiration and gratitude for the excellent way in which they had been received and treated "by the officers and members cf the Christchurch Catholic Club.

For the benefit of theHanmcr Catholic church fund a concert, promoted by the Rev. Father Price, was given in the Choral .Hall, Ohristchurch, on last Thursday evening. Many of our leading ~\ ocalisls and musk cal people most cheerfully- and generously gave their assistance, thus enabling the preparation of a really excellent programme. Among those present wece the Very Rev. Vicar-General and local clergy. Recalls were frequent throughout the evening, and in nearly every -oase the performer had to return and give an additional number before the audience was satisfied. Ihe foil-owing vocalists sang .—Mrs. Gower-Burns, l My dearest heart ' and 4 Haymaking ' Mr. (.has. Read, "' I dream of thee > and My kingdom ' ; Miss Laura Treleaven, • Vorrai ' and * A happy song '■ ; Mr. H. S. BobJbs, • The windmill' and Molly Ochone ' ; Mr. Claude Allan, ' Oh, oh, hear the wild winds blow ' and * L o ve, could I only tell thee.' Mr. E. Fitts, who appeared by special permission of Mr. J. C. Williamson, sang 'My beloved queen,' and also shared with Mr. Read the duet ' Excelsior.' Mr. Vere Buchanan played a seleotion from Ernst as a violin solo, and Mr. W. M. Coombs one from the opera ' Lucia, di Lammermoor 'as a comet solo, ihe latter item being particularly acceptaibJe. An instrumental trio by Messrs. Buchanan, Cojombs, and Home was also included in the programme.. The accompaniments were capably played by Miss Katie Young and Mr. R. A. Home. During the evening .the Rev. Father Price, in a brief speech, thanked all those participating in the concert for their trouble, mentioning particularly Messrs. Home and O'Connor.