DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 29 June 1911, Page 1195

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

~.,-.■ (From our own correspondent.) - .■■■'..•:: •-■:.'•. ;•''. , June 26. ' ■■ The annual social gathering in connection with St. John's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on last Wednesday evening week in the Southbridge Town Hall, when there was a good attendance of members and visitors. There was First Communion of the children at St. Michael's Church, Hornby, at the Mass celebrated by the Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., at 9.30 a.m., on last Sunday week, when twenty-one children approached the Holy Table. They. were entertained at breakfast by the ladies of the congregation. •, ... At Mass, celebrated on the feast of Corpus Christi in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Leeston, by the Rev. Father Taylor, S.M., twenty-one children made thenFirst Communion, and were afterwards entertained by the Sisters of the Missions at breakfast. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and among the devotions was the renewal of baptismal vows by the children. There were large congregations. Playing in the junior flag Rugby- football competition on last Saturday, the Marist Brothers' Old Boys easily defeated Canterbury College on the grounds of the latter by 26 points to 3. Tries were scored for the winners by Mills (4), O'Malley, and Doherty, Bree, Mahoncy, O'Malley, and Woodham converting. Playing on the Old Boys* ground in the fourth class contest, the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' team easily defeated the High School by 24 points to 3. For the winners tries were scored by Lagan (3), McDonald (2), and McCormack, McGreal converting two and Lagan one. At St. Mary's Church. Christchurch North, Vespers were sung at 3 o'clock on last Sunday afternoon by the Rev. Father Dignan, S.M., followed (in honor of the Feast of Corpus Christi), by an imposing procession of the Blessed Sacrament, in which the sodalities and societies of" the parish participated. His Lordship the Bishop preached an impressive discourse and officiated at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Rev. Fathers Hoare, S.M., and Quinn, S.M., were in attendance, and there was a crowded congregation. • The feast of St. John the-Baptist, patronal feast of the diocese and of his Lordship the Bishop, was observed in the Cathedral on Sunday last. At 11 o'clock Solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop, the Rev. Dr, Kennedy being assistant priest, the Rev Father Quinn, S.M., deacon, Rev. Father Hanrahau subdeacon, an' l Very Pnv. Father Price, Adm, master (f ceremonies. Prior to briefly addressing the congregation on the Epistle of the day; bis Lordsliin frave a statement of the present financial position of the Cathedral liabilities. When speaking on the subject at this time last year (said the Bishop) the principal amount owing then was £12.668 15s Id, during the year intervening, together with paying up the interest (itself a considerable item) the debt has been reduced to £'B9BB Is sd. This, continued his Lordship, is exceedingly satisfactory, for which he expressed gratitude to the devoted priests who had helped him in the collection of subscriptions, the diocesan clergy, religions .communities, and all who had so generously subscribed. His Lordship imparted the Papal and episcopal blessing. The music was efficiently rendered by the choir, Mr, A. W. Bunz at the organ. The sanctuarv and high altar were as usual on festival occasions tastefully adorned together with the chapel of St. John the Baptist, and in the evening brilliantly illuminated. Solemn Vespers in the presence of his Lordship the Bishop, were sung by' the Very Rev. Father Price. Adm., attended bv the Rev" Dr Kennedy and, Rev. ; Father Hanrahan. 'The occasional sermon was preached bv the Rev. Father McDonnell from the text: 'There was a man sent by God.' His Lordship the Bishop pontificated at Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There was again a large congregation. Anticipating, through force of circumstances, by a few days, the feast-day of his Lordship the Bishop, an artistic and most enjoyable entertainment in honor of the event was given in St. Joseph's schoolroom on Tiis-i Wednesday afternoon by the pupils of the ; Sisters of the Missions. His Lordship was accompanied by a number of the clergy, and there was a crowded audience, among whom were Messrs.-Foster and Brock, and Dr. Denham, inspectors of the North Canterbury Board of Education. . The. following programme was rendered in. excellent style, and earned the plaudits and tfarm compliments of the visitors Duet, 'Old measure,' Misses. M. Turner, M. Mathers, J.

I off, P. Turner,_ V. ..Wilson, V. Berry, K. Haydon, A 1 steward (harmonium), T. Mannion; ‘Festal song and presentation,’ pupils; ‘Prologue, Miss B. Murphy. The drama, ‘Joan of Arc,’/ was very efficiently, enacted with characteristic dressing, and all stage effects. Those taking part in it were Misses A. Payne, N. Cronin, C. Wildey, E. Murphy, V. McGee, R. Mahon, C. Brown, L. McArthur, E. McGrath, G. Wilson, K. O Brien, K. O’Connor, W. Madden, A. Erck, F. Squire, R. Bradford, N. Cronin, 11. Doherty, T. Nelson, G. Jarman, A. McCormack, P- H. Horan. Between the scenes the following musical selections were rendered, by the pupils: Quartet and solo, ‘ Ave Maria,’ Miss C. Wildey, Miss V. Brick (violin), Miss M. Higgins (piano), Miss K. Haydon (harmonium); duet, ‘Russian fete,’ Misses A. Erck. G. Mcllroy, C Brandon, R. Mahon, G. Wilson, M. Rainton; C. linker, M. Edwards, K. Haydon (harmonium); instrumental selection, ‘ Irvina,’ Misses V. Erck and W. Brick (violins)’ Miss S. Ansen (harp). Miss C. Erck (harmonium), Miss M. Higgins (piano); action song, ‘The truants, junior pupils; instrumental selection, ‘Under the lattice, Misses W . Brick and ■ Erck (violins), Miss S. Ansert (harp), Miss < Gri- k ■ (harmonium). Miss M. Higgins (piano); chorus, Whispering / hope,’ the pupils; instrumental selection, Maynole dance,’ Misses W. Brick and V. Erck (violins), •Vi* M. Higgins (harmonium), Miss C. Erck (piano); song, with instrumental accompaniment, ‘ 0 dry those tears, Miss W. Brick, Miss V. Erck (violin), Miss M. Higgins (harmoinum) Mms C. Erck (piano); duet, ‘ The carnival,’ Miss C. Erck C. Kiddy, F. Storey, G. McGrath, A. Payne. N. Cronin M. Higgins, and M. Wall. The entertainment terminated with the singing of God save the King.’ After the first item -his Lordship the Bishop was presented on behalf of the Sisters of the Missions with two costly sets of reversible vestments, beautifully worked. In the course of , an address his Lordship very cordially thanked the Sisters for their thoughtful and useful gift, and also’ for the evident successful efforts made in training the pupils who had so well distinguished themselves in the varied ' and artistic programme given that afternoon. Ho warmly congratulated the young performers, especially the junior pupils, the efforts of the whole being the more praiseworthy seeing that the preparations were made in their leisure time, and quite apart from the, ordinary school tuition.