DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 13 February 1913, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) February 10. St. Bede's Collegiate School re-opened this (Monday) morning, after the Christmas vacation. - The Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., will officiate at the blessing and formal opening of the new convent of the Sisters of Mercy and school at Methven on next Sunday afternoon at -past 2 o'clock. The opening mission of a series to be conducted throughout the diocese by the missionaries of the Society of Mary is to begin in the Cathedral on Sunday, February 23, and will be continued to Palm Sunday. The first week will be for the children, and the remaining two weeks will be devoted to the adults. His Lordship the Bishop celebrated Mass in the Cathedral at 9 o'clock on Ash Wednesday morning, and distributed the ashes assisted by the Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., and Rev. Father Murphy, B.A. At the same hour at St. Mary's Church, Christchurch North, Mass was celebrated by the* Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., who distributed the ashes, assisted by tne Rev. Father Hoare, S.M. The Rev. Father Hanrahan, who was recently appointed to the pastorate of Ross, replacing the Rev. Father O'Connor, who assumes charge of the parish of Lincoln, left last week for the scene of his future labors. Father Hanrahan, who had been attached to the staff of the Cathedral clergy since his ordination, has been distinguished for great zeal and devotion in the discharge of the duties appertaining to his sacred office, and is certain to be much missed from among the many people in whose spiritual interests he had labored." The seventh anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral was observed on Sunday last with befitting solemnity. The event was mentioned at the earlier Masses coupled with a timely exhortation in regard to the speedy clearing off of the remaining liabilities. At 11 o'clock there was Pontifical High Mass. His Lordship the Bishop was celebrant, the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., being assistant priest, Very Rev. Father Graham, S.M., M.A., and Rev. Father Cooney deacons of honor at the throne, Rev. Father O'Boyle, deacon, and Rev. Father Quinn, S.M., subdeacon of the Mass, and Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., master of ceremonies. An appeal on behalf of the Cathedral debt liquidation fund was made by the Rev. Father Cooney (Lyttelton). The music waa Haydn's ' No. 1 Mass.' At the offertory Gounod's 'Ave Maria ' was sung. The high altar and sanctuary were effectively adorned. His Lordship the Bishop officiated at Pontifical Vespers and Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the evening. The occasional sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Cooney in the presence of a very large congregation. Contributions to the Cathedral fund were received in special envelopes at the doors of all the Masses and at Vespers.