DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 7 December 1911, Page 2469

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

* (From our own correspondent.) December 4. A successful and enjoyable concert was given in the Institute Hall, Rangiora, on last Thursday evening in aid of the organ fund of the local Catholic Church, which, as a result, will profit to the extent of about £ls. Arrangements are well advanced for the annual Catholic outing and picnic at Riccarton racecourse on Boxing Day. Tickets for adults, which include train fare and entrance, are in circulation, and all children of the Catholic schools will be given free passes. At the -past 9 o’clock Mass in the Cathedral on Sunday his Lordship the Bishop referred to the presence in this city of the commercial representative of the Tablet, and urged a generous support of the only Catholic paper in the Dominion. The very fine articles appearing in its pages each week, said the Bishop, should be read by our people regularly and carefully and passed on to others whom they would undoubtedly benefit. A number of children made their First Communion at the half-past 9 o’clock Mass in the Cathedral on Sunday. His Lordship the Bishop, who was celebrant of the Mass, addressed the children on the importance of the occasion in terms suitable and impressive. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon his Lordship the Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to about 130 Candidates, the number eligible since the last occasion twelve months ago. Of these ten were adults, several being converts. Among the candidates were children from Nazareth House and the Deaf and Dumb Institute at Sumner. Prior to administering Confirmation, his Lordship fully explained the nature and significence of the sacrament, and at the conclusion impressively exhorted all to remain firm during life in the faith, now strengthened by the Holy Spirit. During Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, which followed, all renewed their Baptismal vows, and the children, according to the usual custom, took the pledge of total abstinence until at least attaining their twentyfirst year. His Lordship the Bishop was attended during the ceremony by the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., Rev. Dr. Kennedy, and Rev. Father Daull, S.M.A. There was a large congregation.