DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 15 December 1910, Page 2056

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) m r» r, December 12. +1 The Rv Fathers Leen and Drohan, M.S.H assists the Rev. Father Cooney at the conclud ng soiemnS in connection with the devotion of the . Forty Hours' Adoration at elion on last Tuesday morning. Adoration The foundation-stone of the fine new chanel now l n course of erection at Mount Magdala, laid on las? Thursday afternoon (feast of the Immaculate Conception)

' ■■'■■'■'"■: -. (■■-■' by his Lordship the Bishop, attended by the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G., the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., Rev. Father Bell, S.M. (chaplain), Rev. Fathers Daull, S.M.A., Hoare, S.M., Dignan, S.M., and McDonnell. At the conclusion of the ceremony the officiating prelate and visiting clergy were entertained by the community. At St. Mary's Church, Manchester street, on last Thursday morning (feast of the Immaculate Conception) there was First Communion of the children at an early ' Mass. The children were afterwards entertained at breakfast by the Sisters of Mercy and ladies of the congregation. At a later hour in the morning his Lordship the Bishop; attended by the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G., the local clergy, and Rev. Father Daull, S.M.A., administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to upwards of seventy children, and between twenty and thirty adults, mostly converts to the Church. There was a renewal of Baptismal vows, and an impressive discourse appropriate to the occasion was given by his Lordship the Bishop. The committee of the annual Catholic picnic and excursion met on last Sunday afternoon, the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., presiding. A number of ladies attended, and were formed into a separate committee to attend to the children on the grounds. Donations of a number of prizes were acknowledged, and it was decided to expend £lO in providing others especially for the children. Various trade rights on the occasion were reported as having been disposed of, and it was decided to accept an offer from the Stanmore Band to provide music. Free passes were extended to the children of the Catholic schools of St. Mary's parish, Christchurch North. The sports sub-committee subsequently met to adopt a sports programme of thirty events. On last Thursday evening, in honor of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Convent of the Sacred Heart was brilliantly illuminated, lighted candles being placed in every window, with the result that the massive building presented a striking appearance. The convent chapel looked particularly beautiful with an illuminated scroll bearing the salutation ' Ave Maria' displayed upon its facade, whilst the decorated grottoes, especially that of Our Lady, were prettily adorned, and the grounds adjacent lib up with Chinese lanterns. The evening was beautifully cairn, thus aiding in the success and effectiveness of the scene, whilst the procession of the Sisters and a large number of girls, singing appropriate hymns, gave an added charm, and imparted a purely Catholic atmosphere to the celebration. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., presided at the annual prize distribution in connection with the Cathedral Christian Doctrine Association on last Sunday afternoon. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy, spiritual director, was also present. At the conclusion of the distribution the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., cordially thanked the zealous Sisters, Brothers, and lay teachers on the result of the year's devoted labors, and congratulated those who by diligence and perseverance had merited reward. Many had done well, but as it inevitably happens others had done better, and he felt sure all would benefit in after life by the lessons now learnt, and by their conduct and the imparting of knowledge to others prove worthy of the training they were now receiving. He trusted that at the beginning of another year another class would be added to the existing ones, in the nature of a continuation class for those leaving school, and others who in their daily avocations would have their religion assailed, and who would thus be in a position to repel ignorance and acquire that knowledge to enable them to give an account of the faith that is in them, which was a common duty incumbent upon all of us. This senior class would be instructed on all subjects where difficulties arose, and although not generally established here, was so in the Old Country, where it was doing incalculable good. The following report was read by the secretary (Mr. Reddington): • At the commencement of the year it was found necessary to effect a complete classification of the children, bringing them as near as possible with their respective classes in day school, and this alteration has had the desired effect, and a marked improvement has been shown. The average attendance for the year were Girls, 104.2; boys, 96; divided into twelve classes, giving an average of per class Girls, 8.8; boys, 8. One of the most important features of the year's work was the invaluable knowledge imparted into the minds of the children and teachers, also by the instruction given by our spiritual director (the Rev. Dr. Kennedy), during the Sunday school. His earnest appeal to the laity to take up the work of the association was not in vain. A number of young men and women have taken up the work most zealously, and are to be commended; but let me say in conclusion that the thanks of all concerned is due to our devoted Brothers and Sisters, who have given their best attention to this important work of our holy religion.'