DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 16 August 1906, Page 15

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

August 13. The Rev. Father McDermott, C.SS.R., is at present conducting the annual retreat of the Sisters of Nazareth. From private information lately received it would appear that his Lordship Bishop Grimes was on a visit to Ireland when the mail left. He intends proceeding to Rome in September, and t expects to return to New Zealand about the end of 'the present year or early in 1907. ' The Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, S.M., V.G., returned from Westland on .Saturday, accompanied by the \ery Rev. Dean Regnault, of Waimate. The Dean assisted at the Cathedral on Sunday morning and evening, being replaced in his own parish by the Rev. Father Peoples for the day. In the Supreme Court on Friday (says the 'Press') Mr. Donnelly, in the course of an eloquent and impassioned appeal to the jury, explained the process of making ' sweeps ' at race meetings. He described the system in detail, showing a familiarity with his subject that bespoke practical experience. After a while the Crown Prosecutor mildly suggested that his learned friend was giving evidence. Mr. Donnelly did not burke the impeachment. ' I was a reporter, in the early days,' he replied smilingly, ' and had to report many races, thus becoming familiar with these sweeps. But since I took to the law, I can't afford to go to races,' he added. A very pleasant time was spent at the rooms of the Christchurch Catholic Club on last Thursday evening, the main source of enjoyment being a return billiard and card tournament, with about thirty representatives of the employees of Mr. J. Goss. Very satisfactory arrangements were made by Mr. R. McNamara for the visitors, and by the club secretary, Mr. W. F. Hallins. The billiard match resulted in a win for the club. The visitors proved, however, the more expert at the card-tables, winning 23 to the club's 13 games. After refreshments an impromptu smoke concert took place. Mr. W. F. Dennehy, who has lately returned from a tour of Europe and America, entertained the company with a short reminiscence of a visit to Chicago stock-yards and meat canning works, with comments thereon. '1 lie Rev. Father Peoples, spiritual director of the club, in a few appropriate words addressed the company. The semi-final of the debating competition now in piogress at the Catholic Club took place in the clubrooms on Tuesday, August 7. There was a good attendance of members, and, altogether, this was tlie best debate which has taken place in the competition. The subject was, 'Is the adoption of Preferential Trade to the interests of the British Empire?' Tlie speakers in the affirmative were Messrs. J. R. Hayward and E. F. Ilaydon. The negative side was takeu by Messrs. A. J. Malley and A. 11. Blake. Mr. Haydon, in a splendid speech for so young a debater, introduced the subject, and was followed by Mr. Blake, after whom came two gentlemen whose speeches were listened to with especial interest— Messrs. Hayward and Malley. The judges were Sub-Inspector Dwyer and Mr. Dobbin, who gave the victory to the supporters of the affirmative. The points gained were— affirmative 135, negative 120. Before passing a vote of thanks to tlie judges, reference was made to the loss the literary and debating portion of the club had sustained in the departure to Wellington of Mr. M. Kane, to whose efforts the successful initiation of this competition was principally due. Charity Sunday in Christchurch is now regarded as an institution in the religious life of the city. Notable preachers have on former occasions pleaded the ' title of the poor to our commiseration.' There was no exception to this rule on Sunday last at the Cathedral, the occasion being appeals in aid, of funds for the Society of St. A'inceiit de Paul. At the 11 o clock Mass the Rev. Father McDermott, C.SS.R,, preached the annual charity sermon, from the text: l ßv this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another ' (John, xiii, 35). Nigh twenty centuries (said the rev. preacher) had elapsed since these words were first uttered, but their application was still with us; 'heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall never pass away ' Charity was the foundation of Christianity, the fulfilling of the law and the prophets. Living charity was" the strongest tie in the Church of God'; and the -proof

of charity was found in good works. He spoke of the unhappy condition of the poor of ancient Greece—although the best educated people of their time, and showed from Roman history „tha.t the people of that mighty Empire were" ignorant of the first tenets of charity. The advent of Christianity marked the end of barbarism. Christianity sanctified the condiuon of the poor, who were taught patience and resignation, as in the exhortation, ' learn to labor and to wait,' and their state was raised to a dignity and sacredness never before possessed. The Ciiurch exemplified the charity of its Master, Who exhorted His followers to ' love one another asl have loved you.' Down through twenty centuries is apparent the same proof of that same -charity existing in God's Church— a loving, living charity in its midst, with undaunted courage applying i panacea to every form of misery. After referring to the work of charity which various religious Orders were engaged in, the rev. preacher spoke briefly of the life of Frederick Ozenam, founder of the charitable Society of St. Vincent de Paul, whose work of self-denial and charily was the basis of the present world-wide organisation. Quoting from the annual report Just issued, the preacher concluded a touching discourse which proved particularly impressive to the large congregation. At Vespeis in the evening the Very Rev. Vicar-General gave a very fine discourse on the same theme. Appropriate allusions were also made by the Rev. Father Galerne at the seven o'clock Mass and Rev. Father Dwyer at that of half. past nine. Printed copies of the annual report were distributed outside the Cathedral, and the appeal was generously responded to by the congregation.