DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 11 August 1910, Page 1264

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) August 8. Owing to the indisposition of his Lordship the Bishop, who was suffering from the prevailing influenza epidemic, the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., represented his Lordship at the public reception on Saturday last of his Excellency the Governor on the occasion of his first visit to Christchurch. At the recent theory examinations in connection with the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music the following pupils of the Sisters of Mercy, St. Mary's Convent, Colombo street, passed: Rudiments of music (maximum 99, pass 66) —Ina I. D. Pointon, 98; Jane W. Donnelly, 98; Gladys M. Simpson, 87 Beatrice Nicholson, 79 Flora McDonald, 77. Addressing the congregation in the Cathedral at Mass on Sunday, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy urged upon his hearers

the necessity of a liberal patronage to the carnival to be inaugurated on the following day. It would be an easy and excellent means of very materially reducing the capital liability existing on the Cathedral, and would prove that the city was prepared to do its duty in a matter that had been so generously helped by other portions of the diocese. On last Thursday morning, at the close' of a three days’ retreat, conducted by the Rev. Father Hills, S.M., a ceremony of profession and reception in the Order of Notre Dame des Missions was held in the chapel of the Sacred Heart Convent. Owing to the indisposition of his Lordship the Bishop, the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G., presided. Others of the clergy present were the Very Rev, Father Price, Adm., Rev. Fathers Hills, S.M., Daull, S.M.A., Hoare, S.M., and Dignan, S.M. The Rev. Father Hills preached the occasional sermon. Seven Sisters made their profession, and three were received.

There was quite a large audience in the Christchurch Catholic Club rooms on last Monday evening, when a successful entertainment was given in aid of the club’s stall at the King’s Carnival. His Lordship the Bishop was present, and also several of. the clergy. Admission was by silver coin, and the result was satisfactory. Songs were contributed by Misses Brick and F. Gardiner and Messrs. T. O’Connell, S. Allwright, C. Fottrell, J. Foley, and A. Popplewell, and selections by an orchestra. The second part of the programme consisted of the comedietta ‘ My Turn Next,’ those taking part being Misses R. and B. Fanning and K. Redmond, Messrs. H. Glubb, F. McDonald; and C. Young. Miss N. Dunn was accompanist.

Speaking of the St. Vincent de Paul Society on Sunday week, the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., said:'Certainly those for whom this society was first meant- were the young men. He did not want to discredit the venerable members of the society, but he was; sure they would be the first to recognise that the work could not go on without young men, who had more leisure in many cases than those who were old. These young men needed the guidance and direction of those who had grown old in the society, but those who had lived many years in it would in most cases have their family relations and their business relations taking up an immense deal of time, and preventing them giving that amount of personal service young men could give. Young men were generally made up of strangely contradictory aspirations. They lived to a large extent in a world of imagination.. They could not help it, and, in fact, we all more or less did this, because we had many ideals we never realised, many things we looked forward to which never came to pass. It was a danger to young men to live in this world of imagination, and to go on living in it through many years, doing nothing when they might do a most excellent work, doing nothing because they were dreaming. They had an immense amount of generosity, they were able to make efforts when they saw the need, they were devoted to any object attracting their attention. Alongside with this they were exposed on account of their youth to many dangers, for which being made good and earnest members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul would be a most potent remedy. If a young man became an active member of this society he would see the realities of life, know what life meant, how without faith in a hereafter, without a constant knowledge that life was passing so rapidly, he could never understand life as it was. Personal knowledge of and personal contact with the poor showed life as it was, and offered young men something to do outside the imagination he had referred to. He hoped that within the next twelve months there would be & large accession of membership of young men willing to give their talents, energy, and time to the service of the sick and the poor.' •■•-" - Timaru (From our own correspondent.) August 8. •"' A delightful 'afternoon' was recently given by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart to the members of St. Ann's Guild. . Owing to insufficiency of accommodation, it is found necessary to enlarge the girls' school. . Plans are now being prepared, and a few months will see further additions to the handsome church property along Craigie Avenue. The Rev. Father Fay is temporarily absent from Temuka on urgent private business. His place is supplied by the Rev. Father Bowden, who did a like service for Rev. Father Tubman, when he was absent in the Old Country a couple of years ago. The new church is visibly growing week by week, and one can now get a good idea of what its fine proportions will be. The call on the treasurer's purse is now at its maximum, and the Rev. Father Tubman will be pleased to receive all contributions. Mr. J. Murphy, an old Catholic school boy, and a son of Mr. John Murphy, of Kensington, has been appointed sexton to the Timaru Cemetery Board, in succession to Mr. Drake, who occupied the post almost from the opening of the cemetery to the time of his decease... . A social will be given in aid of the Catholic Athletic Association in the Assembly Rooms on .Thursday. evening

next. The organising work, consisting of the decoration of the room, arranging of the programme, and providing of refreshments, is being done by the Misses M. Mara and Rissell. __ ■_ Hokitika ;• . (From our own correspondent.) The Rev. Father Clancy, who is to assist Rev. Father Ainsworth in St. Mary's parish, arrived in Hokitika on Friday. Rev. Father Ainsworth leaves to-day for Wellington. He will be absent for a 1 few weeks. It is to be hoped that the Rev. Father, who has not been well of late, will return . to Hokitika fully restored to good health. The usual fortnightly euchre tournament, held in St. Mary's Club rooms, took place on Wednesday last, and passed off very successfully. Sixty-eight players took part. The prize-winners were Miss N. Ryan and Mr. John Lock. r St. Mary's Hockey Club junior team journeyed to Greymouth on July 24 to meet the Trinity team, and the game resulted in a draw, each side securing 2 goals. J. Downey (captain) and A. O'Donnell scored for St. Mary's. The team have only been defeated once so far, and at present have a good chance of winning the championship. . The billiard tournament held in the club rooms, which has lasted now for some weeks, was concluded on Thursday evening, when Messrs. Malavey and Dee met in the final, the former proving victorious. There was a large attendance of members to witness the game, which was very interesting. Mr. J. MeSherry was successful in securing the president's prize for making the biggest break (34) in the tournament.