THE NEW VICAR GENERAL OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 7 December 1911, Page 2463

THE NEW VICAR GENERAL OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From-our own correspondent.) The Very Rev. Francis Hills, S.M., V.G., and Rector of St. Mary’s, Christchurch North, who has Just received the above appointments, was born in the archdiocese of Westminster,-London, on Christmas Day, 1855, was professed in the Society of Mary on May 6, 1877, and shortly after ordained in the priesthood. He was for a long period associated with St. Mary’s College, Dundalk, and the University College, Leeson street, Dublin, first as an ecclesiastical student, and afterwards as a professor. He spent some considerable time in the colleges of France, and is a distinguished French scholar, speaking that language with great fluency. He came to St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, in 1897, joining the professorial staff in the chair of literature, and retaining also the position of ViceRector, offices he held for over ten years. In 1908 he was appointed to the diocese of Christchurch as parish priest of Leeston, a position he worthily filled until the beginning of the present year, when he was appointed to the pastorate of Blenheim, which had Just become vacant. But a few months before his severance with St. Patrick’s College he had celebrated his silver

. VERY REV. FRANCIS HILLS S.M., V.G., Of Christchurch, and Rector of St. Mary’s, Christchurch North. The Very Rev. Vicar-General was well known to his Lordship Bishop Grimes in England, even before his Lordship’s elevation to the episcopate, and was among the distinguished company at the consecration in London of the first Bishop of Christchurch, The Very Rev. Vicar-General enters upon his new duties next week, and may feel sure of a hearty welcome back to the diocese in which, during his previous comparatively short connection, he became very popular. Mention of his appointment as rector of St. Mary’s was made to the congregation immediately it became known ; and the kindness and goodwill always extended in the parish to the priest in charge was bespoken for him by the present resident clergy.

jubilee, when the. old and present students gathered round to felicitate him on the event. His departure from the college was greatly regretted by the boys, who had learned to venerate and to love the genial priest. Whilst at the college he, with infinite^skill and patience, practically established what is claimed to be the finest museum collection^ of any school in New Zealand. J : 5