DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 8 June 1911, Page 1049

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

1 ; (From our Timaru correspondent.) June 5. ♦,v There will be First Communion of the children in St. Michael’s Church, Hornby, on Sunday, June 18, for that portion of the parochial-district of St. Mary’s,' Christchurch North, •. >■; r-fvuir-.- odT . .■; ■’

Preparatory meetings are being held in the various centres of the diocese where the Irish envoys are to give addresses. In both Canterbury and Westland much enthusiasm is being manifested, and successful gatherings maybe considered . assured at, every place the delegates visit. : ■ A thoughtful, tribute was paid at the recent meeting of the Home Mule envoys in the Theatre Royal by Mr. W. A. Redmond, M.P., to that well-known writer and lifelong defender of Ireland’s rights, Mr. M. Nolan. There is on the platform here to-night, concluded Mr, Redmond, a veteran friend and tighter of the cause we are advocating, he who was chairman at my father’s meeting thirty, years ago, and is still with us, indicating .Mr. Nolan. The recognition was greeted with unanimous applause. A fine stained-glass window, manufactured by Zettler, Munich, and representing St. Monica and St. Augustine, has recently been placed in the Chapel of St. Joseph in’ the Cathedral by the’ Misses White, in memory of their mother. This beautiful work of art corresponds in design with a window erected in memory of the late Mr. "White, depicting St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin. With these costly and appropriate additions, the chapel is now complete, and presents a strikingly devotional appearance. ' ■ The Feast of Pentecost was observed in the Cathedral and St. Mary’s Church (Christchurch North) with all the solemnity that circumstances permitted. At the 11 o’clock Mass at St. Mary’s, the Rev. Father 'Dignan, S;Mi£ preached a discourse appropriate to the day’s festival. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from the’ 11 o’clock in the Cathedral until after Vespers. The usual procession of the Blessed Sacrament prior to Benediction was very numerously participated in, and included the St. Columba section, (men’s branch) of the Arch-confraternity of the Most Blessed Sacrament. : - , '' , Mr. H. H. Loughnan presided last week in the Alexandra Hall at the distribution of awards by the Mayor (Mr. T. .E. Taylor, M.P.) in connection with the musical examinations conducted in 1910 by the Trinity College Board of Examiners. The report of the local committee on the year’s work recorded a steady increase in the number of those sitting for examination, and stated that the examiner had • expressed his satisfaction , with the result of the examinations. In 1909 there had been 110 candidates, 86 for practical work and 24 for musical knowledge. In 1910 the candidates had increased to 144. Mr. Loughnan said that when Trinity College examinations had been instituted they had met with considerable opposition in various directions, but the authorities had persevered, and by retaining examiners of the highest ability had. attained a very high standard in the examinations and had made the certificates so highly appreciated because they represented what they professed to represent. Mr. Loughnan went on to urge that young musicians should not be satisfied with mediocrity, but should endeavour to derive a benefit from listening to other people’s work. There was much scope for listening to good music in Christchurch, although the best productions were not possible. The Mayor said that he had no technical knowledge of music, although He was passionately fond of it. It was the art, above , all; that provided a man with both solace and stimulus as .he went through, life, and gave expression to the highest emotions and best instincts of nature. He rejoiced- that multitudes of young people had now the opportunity denied them many years ago of acquiring a knowledge of the ar+.. _ He hoped that during the next year in the city of Christchurch the people would be afforded .more opportunities than in the past of hearing good music, such as organ recitals and so on, and on days that would enable numbers of people to take advantage of them. ; . . • 'V: Timaru -m ■ - ' j i.srV! Hr--(From our own correspondent.) , ; i4l ' ■■■ Juno 0.-i'.i ! The St. Ann’s Guild are holding a social in the :Assembly Rooms to-night to augment the new church building fund. : ! : *■.■■■,> o.ghi.'i! f li; Rev. Father Burger, of Waimate, celebrated a Missa Cantata at 11 o’clock yesterday and preached on the day’s festival. The choir sang, Winter’s Mass. !V’.,, Mrs. N. D. Mangos and Mr. Nevill Smith (Timaru) and Mrs. Gower-Burns (Christchurch) gave a concert in Christchurch on Tuesday evening, May 30. Mrs. Mangos, received a flattering reception, and the two dailies spoke, of her performance in the highest terms. ' , A Solemn Requiem Mass for the late Superior-General of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart was celebrated in the convent chapel on Wednesday, May 24. Rev. Father Aubry, of Waimate, was celebrant, and five of, the ,clergy (local and .. visitors) assisted. _ Rev. Father Tubman pronounced a touching panegyric on the deceased. . . ,t- i Mrs. P. Mahoney was entertained by the Avbca Hockey Club at a social evening in the Stafford Rooms last week, and made the recipient of ■ a handsome memento /of her connection" with the club. Mr. P. Mahoney,; responded : on behalf of Mrs. Mahoney. _ ;: ,* / .... j" iu Mrs.- Brosnahan and Miss McGrath, with ; other i lady friends of the Celtic Cricket, Club, held a-social evening. in the Assembly Rooms last week to help the finances of the club," , There was a large attendance, and the proceedings were very enjoyable, •. v-