DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 10 October 1912, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) October 7. The Rev. Brother Alphonsus, Provincial of the Marist Brothers, made recently his periodical visit to the community and their school in Christchurch. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral on Sunday from the eleven o’clock Mass until after Vespers. In the evening the sermon was preached by his Lordship the Bishop, followed by the usual procession and Benediction. There was a very large congregation.

At a special Mass, celebrated by the Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., on last Sunday morning at St. Mary’s Church, Manchester street, a large number of children of the parish made their First Communion, and were afterwards entertained at breakfast in the adjoining schoolroom by the Sisters of Mercy and ladies of the congregation.

Owing to a misconception, the results of the primary schools’ essay competition at the Dunedin Competitions were wrongly given so far as the local Marist Brothers’ School entrants were concerned. The mistake was due to erroneous information received here. Of the two names given, Master McLaren secured second place, but Master Ryan did not get a prominent position.

The committee representing the congregation of St. Anne’s, Woolston, have been most successful in promoting a carnival on a limited scale, which is to open in the Hibernian Hall on November 4, and is to be continued over November 11. The object of the undertaking is to free the school-church property of the district from a hampering liability, and through the zeal and energy of the residents and their friends the accomplishment of this purpose appears assured.

The Rev. Mother St. Genevieve, Prioress of the Sisters of the . Missions in Christchurch, has been appointed Mother Provincial of the Order in New Zea-

land in succession to the Rev. Mother Pacome, late Provincial, and now Mother General. Rev. Mother Euphrasie, Mother Prioress at- the Nelson Convent, who went home with the Rev. Mother, Provincial, has been appointed Vicar-Provincial at Perth, .West Australia. These appointments were made at the General Chapter of the Order, which was held recently in England.

The following is an extract from the report of Mr. Mayne, inspector under the North Canterbury . Board of Education, on the recent examination of the Marist Brothers’ School : ‘ The pupils of this school are well behaved, and , appear to be earnest, tractable, and interested in their work, and under oral examination are alert and attentive. Standards IV., Y., Vl.—ln these classes reading, writing, composition, drawing, and geography have been treated with success. The compositions in Standard IV. are commendable. Standards 111, and II. —Reading, English, exercises, and arithmetic have been taught with a good deal of success. In the preparatory class reading and spelling' have been well taught.’ •

A rare treat was afforded the children of Nazareth House by his Lordship the Bishop one day last week,when, in special tramcars right from the institution, about 100 of them, were conveyed to Sumner, where they spent a most enjoyable time. They were ..accompanied by as many of the Sisters of Nazareth as could be spared. - All necessary requirements in plenty were supplied at the Cadena, Tea Rooms at Sumner, and all kinds of sports were carried out on the sea beach, nearly every child receiving a toy. His Lordship the Bishop and several of the clergy were present all day, the whole party being the guests of his Lordship. The outing was in fulfilment of a promise he gave during the episcopal jubilee celebrations.

The quarterly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on last Monday evening in the Hibernian Hall. The president (Bro. M. J. O’Connor) was in the chair, and. there was a large attendance of members.. Letters of condolence on account of recent bereavement were sent to Bros. Murphy and Dalton. The reports of the sick visitors were received, and sick pay to the amount of £ll 6s 8d was passed for payment. One candidate was proposed for membership and two initiated. Bro. W. Daly was installed as guardian. After dealing with the correspondence two important motions, of which notice had been given, were discussed.

The pupils of the convent school, Darfield, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, were examined on September 9 by Mr. Mayne, inspector under the North Canterbury Board of Education, who, in his report, stated that the teaching in this school appears to be earnest, and some good work has been done, particularly in the senior classes. The pupils are attentive, and their manners very pleasing. Sewing has been well taught, and singing and physical exercises have also received due attention. In all the standard classes drawing has been skilfully taught. In the lower divisions the quality of the work gives evidence of skilful and intelligent treatment.’

Ashburton (From our own correspondent.) The Catholic Young Men’s Club held their thirteenth . annual banquet on Tuesday evening last. Mr. W. J. Cunningham (president) occupied the chair. There was a large attendance of members, amongst those present being Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell and Messrs. H. Rossiter (Christchurch), and W. Bryant (Wellington), The arrangements for the banquet left nothing to be desired, and from every standpoint it proved equally as successful as any yet held. The toast list submitted and carried out was as follows: ‘The Pope and the King,’ proposed by the president; ‘ Past presidents,’ proposed by the president and responded to by Messrs. F. K. Cooper, S. Madden, T. Brophy, and M. J. Burgess (past presidents) The Bishop and clergy,’ proposed by Mr. M. J. Burgess,

and responded to by the Rev. Dean O’Donnell; Kin-dred-Catholic clubs,’ proposed by Mr. M. J. Moriarty, responded to by Messrs; S. Madden, T. Brophy; and T. Purcell, for respective clubs T ‘ The visitors,’ proposed by Mr. F: K. Cooper, and esponded to by Messrs. Rossiter and Bryant; ‘The ladies,’ proposed by Mr. Vincent Madden, and responded to by Mr. Bryant; ‘ The press,’ proposed by Mr. F. K. Cooper, and responded to by Mr. M. J. Moriarty; ‘Our chairman,’ proposed by Mr. Rossiter (Christchurch), and responded to by Mr. W. J. Cunningham. A musical programme was gone through as . follows:Songs, Dean O’Donnell, Messrs W. J. Cunningham, S. and V. Madden, M. .Burgess, T. Purcell, and T. M. Brophy; recitation, Mr. M. J. Moriarty; pianoforte solo, Mr. H. Rossiter. Mr. Rossiter also kindly played the accompaniments. Mr, M. O’Brien, who for some time has been associated with the local Post Office, has been transferred to Timaru. Mr. O’Brien was secretary of the local St. Mary’s Tennis Club, and as an appreciation of his services the members of the club presented him with a tennis racquet prior to his departure for Timaru. Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell made the presentation. Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell, speaking at the Catholic Club banquet on Tuesday evening last, took the opportunity when the toast of ‘Kindred Catholic clubs’ was being responded to, to specially impress on those young men present (who were not members) the great benefit, especially for themselves, in joining the local branch of the Hibernian Society. As a result of the Dean’s telling appeal several young men signified their intention of joining the society. - .