CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC CLUB

New Zealand Tablet, 7 December 1911, Page 2459

CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC CLUB

. ANNUAL BANQUET. The seconds annual banquet of the Christchurch Catholic Club, held on Wednesday evening of last week, was in many respects one of the most important and enjoyable functions held in this city for a very considerable time. The -making on the whole was of a very high order, and things essentially Catholic were treated with a candor so refreshing and emphasised in so thorough a manner that left no doubt as to the sincerity of the speakers, and of that moral and intellectual power, the sure outcome of organisation on true and proper lines. Upwards of one hundred active members and in- t vited guests sat down to a repast laid in excellent and generous style, and waited upon by a large party of the club’s young' lady friends. The president, Mr. R. Beveridge, presided, seated on his right being his Lordship Bishop Grimes, and on his left the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm. Others of the clergy present were the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, the Rev. Fathers Graham, S.M., and McDonnell. The toast of ‘The Pope and King,’ proposed by the president, was enthusiastically received and accorded musical-honors. In proposing .the ‘ Christchurch Catholic Club,’ Dr. A. B. O’Brien said the subject was one of extreme, importance. The prefix of, ‘ Catholic ’to its title was a happy one, especially as it was that in very fact — and thoroughness. In this connection, although in matters social it was similar to other clubs, yet in the one essential feature it was different in being, strictly and practically Catholic. The time was now happily past, however, when the name Catholic was unjustly, owing to religious rancor, deemed a term of opprobrium. It was not felt then as it is now, an honor to be a Catholic. The dominant note nowadays was in differ entism,

and the world was fast reaching that stage when the >C| sole religious state to combat that insidious foe was Catholicism. Clubs generally have their uses and temp- p| tations, but we alone of all people preserve religion as ‘ the chief thing in our lives. The good seed has been - planted by our clergy, in the schools, and from the ,;;j| pulpit, and it was for the young men to see to it that ' no choking weeds were to be allowed to grow. The club had the grandest tradition any society could have, and .-f? the true Catholic would cultivate the best intellects -'n and no more effective force could be employed towards - the young people than that of example. - ‘ The president thanked Dr. O’Brien for so elo- y-g quently outlining what a Catholic club should be, and incidentally gave a few details regarding the flourishing ‘ c i§ condition of his club, morally, socially, and .financially. Regarding the objects of the banquet, Mr. Beveridge ? said it was mainly to give non-active memberspatrons and vice-presidentsan opportunity of joining with ; S the regular members and gaining an insight into their , pursuits. It was, too, to show honor and respect due | to those busy and influential men whose very duties . 5 precluded any possibility of frequent intercourse with ;-M the club to show also the members’ appreciation of their guests’ connection, if only honorary with the ;;5 club and to foster their life-long friendship. He trus- '' r fM ted the club would keep up to the very high standard pointed out. * Mr. J. R. Hayward, in proposing the toast of the Bishop and Clergy,’ congratulated his Lordship on ■ the recent recognition of his nearly quarter of a cen£ 111 tury’s arduous labor in the diocese, and hoped in the#^ : succeeding years kind fates would deal as propitiously with him in health and strength’ as in the past. His Lordship had always taken a deep and lively interest in the club, encouraged the officers, and whenever possible attended their functions. The position of tho club to-day was largely due to his Lordship’s help and : influence and he (the speaker) availed himself of the -

opportunity of expressing the thanks and appreciation of the club to his Lordship for his continued kindness. Speaking of the clergy, Mr. Hayward enlarged on the sacrifices they bad made at' all times and places for the faith. Our local clergy were no exception to the rule, and as regards the spiritual director of the club, he had made himself a member in the true sense of the term, and shown an excellent example by his co-opera-tion with the executive committee. The club possessed an extensive library, the greater part of which was given by the Bishop, and added to by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy. In conclusion, he hoped the happy condition of the club, now only practically at its beginning, would soon double its scope of usefulness. His Lordship the Bishop said he was exceedingly pleased at the reference made by Dr. O'Brien to the club's title, which should be preserved not only in name but in reality, and thus continue an honor to all the clergy, and a source of great consolation to himself. He was very grateful for the personal congratulations. He thanked them for the cordiality with which the toast was received, and was most anxious to see theirs and other Catholic clubs prosper. Although theirs was first in the diocese, there was also a fine one at Greymouth, and others at Ashburton, Timaru, and Temuka, all of which he would like to see increase in strength and influence. We should be proud of the name Catholic, which was indeed an honorable one, and with so much unrest and indifference in the world, with Catholicity as trie only effective safeguard, it was not unusual to find our name borrowed by other denominations, whilst a respectful portion claim it without justification. The Very Rev. Father Price thanked on behalf of the clergy the gathering for the way the toast was honored. He was, he said, very pleased to be present at such a splendid assembly of the young Catholic manhood of church. The priests could conceive no work more useful to the Church and State than that which tended to promote their spiritual and temporal advantages. The future is for young men, and'they should lose no opportunity of cultivating their intellect

and developing their faith. In this the club was engaged, and whilst strictly insisting on a due observance of their religious duties, provided legitimate ’recreation for members. He congratulated the club on its successful efforts of the past, and trusted the good work would prosper, and the club become a distinct power in the future. Mr. E. L. McKeon proposed the toast of The Vice-presidents,’ and incidentally remarked on the happy choice in their selection of prominent Catholic men of the city. With his considerable club experience in many centres, he knew of none where so many prominent citizens were associated with them as here. This was very much appreciated, and all were proud of the present privilege of repaying in . a small way this fine helpful influence. Mr. E. T. Harper, in responding, said that after the splendid ideal unfolded he would undertake to do very much more in the future-for an institution which does such an immense amount of good. He would be of practical assistance, and not only a figurehead. Mr. M. Donnelly, in proposing ‘Kindred Societies,’ said that owing to his strenuous life he had not become acquainted and associated with the various Catholic societies as he would have wished. However, during his earlier life in Dunedin he had the honor of membership,, with the H.A.C.B. Society. Journalistic duties, in which he was then engaged, so claimed his attention and occupied his time that in the course of events he fell out of connection with it. lie instanced by his own experience and observation the great benefits the society conferred. Incidentally, he spoke of the immense benefit to be derived by young Catholic speakers in a study of the orations of Irish leaders of past generations, and by applying them as models. For the Society of St. Vincent de Paul he had a great admiration. The day may come to any one necessitating the seeking of assistance from other people, and many a poor one would be cheered by receiving from the hand of co-religionists rather than accept the cold charity of outside sources. His reference to the Marist Old Boys’ Association resolved itself into an eloquent

tribute to the schools of the Marist Brothers, and the qualifications of the Order as teachers. His (the speaker's) son, the youngest law student raised to the Bar in New Zealand, received his earlier education at the Marist Brothers' School in this city; and he, referring to this fact, had said that when he -left the school -there were many boys there equally advanced. Representatives of the various societies: responded. The toast of 'The Ladies' was proposed by Mr. F. Rowe, and responded to on their behalf by Mr. D. F. Dennehy. - M.. A. J. O'Malley, in proposing the 'Press,' eulogised the N.Z. Tablet in eloquent terms. The Catholics of New Zealand, he said, were particularly favored in having such a splendid advocate—a sure and solid antidote, to the prevailing, irreligious, and notoriously biassed effusions. Too great a meed of praise could not be paid to the Tajjlet; it was of incalculable value to us, and we should make a point of having it constantly in" our homes. We should see to it that the Tablet had a foremost place in every public library of the Dominion, and thus extend its sphere of usefulness. . We should patronise it in the best possible manner as ah evidence of our appreciation of this great and glorious work it was doing in New Zealand. The Tablet representative responded. An enjoyable musical and elocutionary programme was contributed to at intervals by Messrs. T. O'Connell, C. Fottrell, F. Evans, F. McDonald, G. C. Hayward, and F. Rowe. Mr. 11. Rossiter was an efficient accompanist. Apologies were received, accompanied with best wishes for a successful gathering, from Sir George Clifford, Bart., Sir J. G. Ward, Bart., Rev. Father Cooney, and others. ..--.-;-. £ .; '■%? ;,:--;;