DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 26, 1 July 1909, Page 1023

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From Our Own Correspondent.) June 28. At their ordinary weekly meeting on Tuesday, June 15, the members of the Catholic Club debated the question, ' Is it in the interests of the community that women should take the part they do in commercial life?' After a spirited discussion, taken part in by Rev. Dr. Kennedy and Mr. Adams in the affirmative, and Messrs. M. O'Reilly and Salmon in the negative, the voting was found to be in favor of the latter. The Feast of St. John the Baptist within the Octave (patronal feast of the diocese as well as of his Lordship the Bishop) was celebrated with befitting solemnity in the Cathedral on Sunday. There was Pontifical High Mass at 11 o'clock. His Lordship the Bishop was celebrant, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon, Rev. Father O'Hare subdeacon, and Rev. Father Bell, S.M., assistant priest. His Lordship the Bishop preached and. imparted the Papal blessing. His Lordship pontificated at Vespers, and gave Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It is pleasing to note tliat a number of the Marist Brothers Old Boys have formed themselves into a football team, and under the able g*iidance and direction of the Rev. Bro. Virgilius are meeting with a good deal if success. On Saturday last they met and defeated Southern by 23 points to nil. W. Dofcbs (2) and P. O'Shea scored tries, all of which were converted by R. O'Shea; while P. O'Shea also potted two goals. On the same day the Marist Brothers' School team played against the Normal School team in the Primary Schools round of matches, and defeated their opponents by a considerable number of points. An artistic and very pleasing entertainment was given on last Thursday afternoon in the convent schoolrodm by the pupils of the Sisters of the Missions in honor of his Lordship the Bishop on the occasion of his festival day, the Feast of St. John the Baptist. His Lordship was accompanied by all the resident clergy and those of the adja cent districts. A drama, entitled ' Envy Conquered,' was very creditably performed, the chief characters being especially well portrayed. The various acts and scenes <if the play were interspersed with the following musical programme : Instrumental duet, ' Rondeau brilliante ' (four pianos and harmonium) ; instrumental seleption, ' Manuella' (two harps, five violins, piano, and harmonium); chorus, ' The village choristers ' ; gavotte ; instrumental trio, 'Miserere' (three pianos and violin). Miss C. Wildey ■sang really well 'Life's gift' and Gounod's 'O. Divine Redeemer.' After the singing of the ' festal song by the pupils, his Lordship the Bishop was presented with a handsome cushion by the children, and by the Sisters with a richly worked cloth of gold stole, -\vhich goes to form a part of the ecclesiastical vestments, the entire set when completed being a gift of the Sisters for the benefit of the Cathedral. As an example of patient industry, artistic talent^ and doft needlework, these articles, designed for the sanctuary,

could not be anywhere excelled. His Lordship the Bishop warmly congratulated the young performers. He complimented the good Sisters on the results of their training as amply manifested on the occasion. As he had said on many previous opportunities, the Sisters quite realised their responsibilities to the state, and to "the parents who confided their children to their keeping, fully knowing that the training imparted by them was of the highest, noblest, and best. He thanked the Sisters and children for their valued gifts and good wishes.