DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 17 December 1908, Page 15

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From . our" own correspondent.) - . -December 14. At tlie convent- chapel of the Sisters of the Missions on Sunday evening a number of aspirants were received intd the confraternity of the Children -of Mary; The Very Rev. "Father Tigar, 0.P., was a visitor- to Christchurch recently, and during his stay was the guest ' of his Lordship the Bishop. He was much impressed with . the grandeur of the Cathedral and' beautiful interior- ap- - pointments. ' ' The Very Rev. Dean. Ginaty,. S.M., V.G., celebrated the half-past 9 o'clock Mass at St. Mary's Church, Christ- " church North, on Sunday last, at which fourteen boys and thirteen girls approached the Holy Table for the first time. In the evening there was. renewal of baptismal vows, and consecration to Our Blessed Lady and St. Joseph l)y the young first communicants. His Lordship the Bishop presided at the annual prize distribution in the Cathedral on last Sunday afternoon in • connection with the' Cathedral Christian Doctrine Confraternity. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., and Rev. Dr. Kennedy, spiritual director, were also present. There was a large attendance of children, together with many of their friends and relatives. Addressing the children at, the conclusioa of the distribution, his Lordship the Bishop : said it afforded him great pleasure and satisfaction to preside, and hand those who by diligence, application, andstudy had merited it, the, reward allotted. He emphasised; the importance of the study of Christian doctrine, -which could most effectually- be done by medium of the little Catechism. His "hearers owed much, he said, to the devoted priests, to the Sisters and Brothers who directed theclasses, and to the devoted teachers. He congratulated the teachers on tho good results and, on his own behalf and' on that of the Cathedral Fathers, he very cordially thanked them. A verj r siiccessful musical and dramatic entertainment; promoted by the Ladies of Charity of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in aid of their fund for the distribution of Christmas ' benefactions, was given in the hall of the Christchurch Catholic Club on last Thursday evening. Preceding a bright concert programme the comedietta ' A Field of Clovor ' was cleverly acted by Mr. and Mrs. Barrie Marschel. " Those who contributed songs were Rev. Father Moloney, Mrs. Barrie Marschel, Miss Winnie Brick, Miss Evvie Smith., and Mr. S. Allwright; and Mr. Barrie Marschel gave a monologue. Miss McGilliciiddy played several pianoforte selections, and also accompanied. The second part consisted of- a farcical comedy, taie various characters

-.being capably "filled by -Mrs- -JBarrie Marschel, Miss Nellie Dunn, Messrs. Barrie Marschel, Frank McDonald, Allan B. Young, fc}. Allwright*, ancTMaster McDonald. Miss M, Nelson was secretary,-and Mr. P. McDonald was, responsible for the arrangements of-the .programme., ' 'Mr. Owen McGough, of Halswell, who left about seven [ months ago on a,visit to America and Ireland, returned recently to the Dominion. 'After an absence of'twenty-five years from the. Old' Landi Mr. McGough was greatly "impressed with the altered aspect, 'mainly for the better, of tie conditions' of living generally, "but especially of his. native county of Monaghan. The new generation seem content to work out their destiny quietly and industriously, and do not, as their fathers 1 did, have to spend much time and 1 energy'in staying the hand of the-spoiler, agitating for the reform of abuses', and opposing unjust" exactions. Although emigration continues practically -uninterrupted, • still many have returned and settled on their native soil for good. Large numbers-return at intervals to spend a few months and a good portion of their savings amongst their kinsfolk, and in this respect the young women of Ireland perform their part right loyally.- Instances are quoted by Mr. McGough of these-daughters of Erin saving * sufficient to come back and have built- a new ■ home for the old people, spend probably three months with them, and return to their positions in America, which are not only kept open for them, but their wages are paid,during their holidays. " ' At the half-past 9 o'clock in the Cathedral on Sunday thirty-eight boys and eighteen girls made their First Communion. _ His Lordship the Bishop, who' was celebrant of the Mass; addressed them in appropriate and impressive terms." ' The young; communicant* had been prepared for the important religious event in their lives toy the Rev. Dr. Kennedy in. a retreat which he conducted, and also by the Rev. Father O'Hare, The Sjsters of the Missions and Marist Brothers had also devoted much time to careful instruction. After Mass the children -were entertained to breakfast, at which his Lordship the Bishop presided, in St. Joseph's schoolroom. The young people were waited upon at table by Mrs. T. Cahjll, Mrs. Docherty, Miss White, and-Misses Kearney (2). At Vespers his Lordship continued his series of learned, and instructive discourses on the ' Church of Our Forefathers,' after which . the children, who had made their First Communion, renewed their baptismal votvs, and recited the acts of consecration to Our Blessed Xady and St. Joseph, which was followed by Solemn Benediction of the Blessed" Sacrament.