DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8, 27 February 1908, Page 19

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) February 24. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy has , now entered upon his appointed ' duties at the Cathedral.' ' ""■. Owing to the continued dry weather, his Lordship Bishop Grimes has .directed that prayers for rain be • said in all the churches of the diocese.His Lordship the Bishop, who has been' residing at Summer during tlie past few weeks, celebrated Mass there on Sunday in the church of Our Lady Star of the Sea.. The Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G., has altered his official address to St. Mary's presbytery, Manchester street, where he may be seen on matters of diocesan business each Thursday and Friday from 11 o'clock unti ! t noon, and from 2to 4 p.m. The stallholders and assistants of the recent successful bazaar at Lytielton were entestained by the committee and young men of the parish to an excursion down the harbor and picnic at Purau. The party, numbering about a hundred persons, accompanied by the Rev. Father Cooney, spent a very enjoyable day. Among the passengers from London by the 'Arawa,' due at- Wellington on Tuesday, are the Rev. Mother St. Felix and Sisters -St. Colman and St. Joseph, of the - Order of Sisters of Nazareth. Mother St. Felix isi the newly-appointed superior of Nazareth House in this- city, and is expected, with her companions, to - reach Christchurch on Wednesday morning. To the generosity of members of the family of the laite Mr. A. J. White is due the rich and beautiful furnishing of the Sacred Heart chapel in the Cathedral, which was solemnly blessed and dedicated by his Lordship the Bishop on the third anniversary of the ..openjfng of the Cathedral. In front of a splendid stainedglass window, representing the Sacred Heart, and surmounting a finely executed altar of alabaster, is a magnificent statue of the Sacred Heart. The altar stands on a white marble platform, led up to by steps of the same material, whilst the floor of the chapel is of wood, inlaid most artistically in the design of tessellated paving. The chapel is indeed quite a gem of its kind. The St. Patrick's Day celebration committee met on last Tuesday evening, when very satisfactory progress was reported. It was announced that the programme, which is to be of a purely national character, was well advanced towards completion, and would contain the names of most of the leading vocalists and musicians of the city. The Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., who presided, stated that it would be the last opportunity he would have to act in the capacity of chairman, owing to his impending departure from the city. Several of those present spoke in commendation of the excellent help Father O'Connell had given the committee in the past, and, whilst regretting his severance from them, and the breaking of the happy ties which had for so long bound him to them, and the many movements for the well-being and advancement of the community wherein they were mutually combined, congratulated him 1 on the well-earned and well-deserved preferment which his superiors had deemed fitting to bestow on him. Although parted from them, they still well knew his interest and kindly thoughts would remain, and all trusted that from time to time there would be opportunities 1 of renewing 'theftr friendship. Best wishes for his future career were tendered, and a unanimous vote of thanks for past services was accorded by acclamation. In reply Father O'Connell spoke of the cordial assii stance always rendered to Mm by those representing, the celebration committee. Their work was one which always had his sincerest sympathy and whatever little -support he had been capable of rendering. He thanked them for the kindly sentiments expressed towards him, and assured them that,' although his new duties would entail a severance, they wouild also; afford opportunities of an occasional reunion. He wished the committee every success in their efforts, the results of which aided very materially one of the noblest charities in their midst.