DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5, 4 February 1909, Page 174

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) February 1. The Rev. Father O'Connor is assisting at the Cathedral during his stay in Christchurch, and preached at Vespers on Sunday last. , A collection was made at St. Mary's Church, Christchurch North, on Sunday last in aid of the building fxmd of the projected children's ward at the Christchurch General Hospital. The schools of the Cathedral parochial district, including the Sacred Heart Convent High School, re-open to-day (Monday). Those of St. Mary's parish, Christchurch North, re-opened last week.

A meeting of parishioners of St. Mary's Clmreh, Christchurch North, was held after Vespers on last Sunday evening to arrange for the erection of a suitable memorial over the grave of the late Very Rev. Father Marnane in Linwood Cemetery. In the absence of the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., the Rev. Father Hoare presided.

Addressing the congregation in the Cathedral at Mass on Sunday last, with reference to the re-opening of the schools after the Christmas vacation, his Lordship the Bishop said excellent Catholic high schools for girls existed in the city under the competent control of two religious teaching Orders of Sisters. Indirectly he had heard of wishes expressed for the establishment of- a Catholic higli school for boys, which up to the present had not been supplied. If (continued the Bishop) it could be proved to him that a real need existed in this direction, arid that all those who advocated its establishment sent in their names, and the assistance likely to be accorded by the number of boys who would attend such a school, thus affording a prospect of permanent success, he would sanction the project without any hesitation.

There was a well-attended meeting of ladies interested in the projected bazaar and carnival at the presbytery, Barbadoes street, on last Monday evening. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., presided. The various stalls, with suggestions as to appropriate costumes to be worn by assistants, were allotted by the process of drawing as follows: — No. 1, 'Morning,' Miss Sloarie (pale pink); No. 2, ' Noon,' Miss Brophy (pale yellow) ; No. 3, ' Night,' Miss Harrington (black, spangles, stars). ; No. 4, ' Summer,,' Mrs. Devane (floral) ; No. 5, ' Spring,' Miss Bunker (draped costumes); No. 6, 'Autumn' (Children of Mary), Miss M. Nelligan (yellow, autumn leaves) ; No. 7, ' Winter ' (refreshments), Mrs. F. Cahill (white, fur trimmings). In connection with the carnival, which is to open on Saturday, AprillO, in His Majesty's Theatre, the promoter, the Very Rev. Father Price has received and accepted a novel contribution to the venture from Miss Florence Bain, leading lady of the ' Miss Lancashire Limited ' Comedy Company, now on tour in the Dominion, and which will be in Christchurch about, the time of the" carnival. Miss Bain generously offers a prize of £5 for the" best dressed doll, repre-

senting .herself in costumes worn in her portrayal of the central character. All the dolls sent in are to be given to the carnival, and the competition is extended to all parts of the Dominion.

The St. Patrick's Day Celebration Executive Commit-: tee met-' on last Thursday afternoon at the episcopal residence *to make preliminary arrangements for the nationalentertainment on March 17 _in aid of the funds* of Nazareth. House. ' His Lordship the Bishop presided, and those present were Messrs. P. Burke, G. R. Hart, E. O'Connor, and J. J. -Wilson. An apology for unavoidable absence was. received from Mr. J. R. Hay ward. The minutes ofthe last meeting in connection with the past year's celebration were read by the secretary (Mr. E. O'Connor), and adopted. . In introducing the business of the meeting, his Lordship the Bishop reviewed the successful efforts of the past, and in making arrangements for the forthcoming national entertainment he felt confident that this year's - event would receive enhanced support, now that the foundations of the permanent institution were laid and the work of the Sisters was launched on a very large scale. As a result of the meeting, His Majesty's Theatre has been engaged for an Irish national .entertainment on Wednesday evening, March 17, and tickets are ready for distribution. As on the last occasion, the prices of the latter are fixed at 3s (dress circle and orchestral stalls), 2s (stalls), and Is other seats. It was unanimously decided to materially vary the nature of the programme, without impairing its' national character, and to at once convene a meeting of the sectional committees.