DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 14 October 1909, Page 1614

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

„ . October -9. , At the Cathedral on Friday evening next there will be the solemn blessing and erection of the splendid n?w set f°Li?S lOIIS ° f the ° rOSS d ° nated b/ leading CaSioHc The newly-formed Geraldine branch of the H A CB Society was opened on tart Thursday evening by Brother Hall 1W w'p^ I>i f rict in th ° OddfelW of their efforts. Twenty-five candidates were initiate? Officers were elected as follow : Trustees, Messrs JS' nolly, J. Kennedy, and E. O'Malley; president Mr J Kennedy; vice-president, Mr. J. Connolly; treasurer Mr J. Gresham; secretary Mr. J. Feely; warden, Mr H Her! Charlefa^T L^agk. ""^ sick ™*-> Messrs^. nf +PPcP ee n n^ a f ?S ?fi th \ vario " s institutions under the care ?. + w P ath ° he Church received a pleasant surprise on last Wednesday, when her Excellency Lady Plunket at her own request, paid a round of farewell visits prior to her departure early next year from the Dominion . She was S^ am v i by {« L «**MP Bishop Grimes. The convent ?£!•££ ?n 3 S °^ S re - visited ' the children, after singing God save the King,' giving a nice little programme of instrumental items (harp and piano), songs, Jin# recitations, and addressing words of welcome to Lady Plunket. At Nazareth House Lady Plunket was much struck by the winsome little children, to whom she paid much attention and a visit was then made to the ' Grove ' at Sydenham where the new 'House' is nearing completion. Her Ex' cellency expressed agreeable surprise at the size and appointments of the building, and spoke cheering words to the aged women there. Mount Magdala, with its class and work rooms, and industrial school (the Sacred Heart Orphanage), was next inspected, and the inmates gave interesting musical items and addresses of welcome. Lady Plunket spoke highly of the unselfish work and selfsacrincing care of the nuns, and congratulated the inmates on their happy appearance. All the school children were given holidays, and her Excellency received -many handsome bouquets.

In connection with the devotion ,of the Forty Hours' Adoration m the Cathedral, the Mass 'Pro Pace' was sung in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart on last Monday morning by the Rev. Father Hills, S.M., the Rev. Father Daull being deacon, and Rev. Father Drohn, M.S.H., subdeacon. The music of the Mass was finely sung by the "choir a -prominent part being taken by Miss Pender, of Redcliffs. There was a ' large congregation in the evening. The Revs Dr. Kennedy preached a fine discourse on the subject of Holy Communion,' which was followed by his Lordship the Bishop reading a short meditation oh a visit to and in presence of the Blessed Sacrament. His Lordship the Bishop and the" resident and visiting clergy occupied the five confessionals nearly the whole of Monday and after the evening devotions. At the early Masses on Tuesday morning crowds approached the Holy Table. At 9 o'clock Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Daull (African Missions), the Rev. Dr: Kennedy being deacon, the Rev. Father Drohn, M.S.H., subdeacon, and Rev. Father Hillsj S.M., master of ceremonies." His Lordship the Bishop presided, at the throne, attended by the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G.,~the Rev. Fathers Ainsworth, S.M., and Moloney, S.M., being present in the sanctuary. ■At the . conclusion of Mass the Litany of the Saints was sung, ' and there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament. Men of the various societies and confraternities kept watch before the Blessed Sacrament

throughout the nights of Sunday. and Monday, and I have reason to know that his Lordship the Bishop and the clergy are 'edified and gratified af^the number of the faithful who attended and the fervor manifested during the Forty Hours' Adoration. As ill the churches" of Rome on the" occasion of great functions, the .main entrance to the Cathedral was, adorned during the Forty Hours' Adoration with rich tapestry forming" an archway, fronting which was displayed the fine' Papal ensign brought from tl\e Eternal City by his Lordship the Bishop, and a shield bearing emblems of the Blessed Sacrament, which were altogether most appropriate in view of the fact that the Cathedral is dedicated in honor of the Blessed Sacrament.