DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 29 May 1913, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

May. 26. There was a large gathering in the Art Gallery on last Tuesday evening on the occasion of a progressive euchre party, promoted to aid a fund for improvements in St. Mary’s parish, Christchurch North. Messrs. F. C. Delany and A. J. Ormandy shared the secretarial duties, and the efforts of all interested were so well directed that a successful and enjoyable event resulted. At the Cathedral on last Sunday (within the Octave of Corpus Christi) there was First Communion of a large number of children at a special Mass celebrated at 8 o’clock. Subsequently all assembled at breakfast, which was served in the girls’ parish schoolroom. All the necessary preparations and attendance were undertaken by the Sisters of the Missions, assisted by some lady friends. On April 17 the convent school,'Barfield, was inspected by Mr. J. B. Mayne, Government Inspector, who said in his report; —‘ The organisation . of this school is satisfactory ; the registers are in order and the time-tables are of suitable structure, making due provision for the various subjects. The schemes of work

have been carefully planned, those for composition being commendable. The order and discipline are very satisfactory, and the pupils are being, trained in good manners and habits of industry.’ ' „ - The following are the results of the first term examination in the Marist Brothers’ School: Standard VI.A. Connery and W. Woods, 86: D. Nelson, 75; J. ’Donohue and W. Maloney, 73. Standard V. —F. Maine, 72; M. Handisides,' 67; S. Biltcliff, 57. Standard IV.H. Batchelor, 62; D. McLaren, 61; E. Sloane, 50. Standard III.—W. Sutherland and C. Dudderidge, 48; A. Hoare, 47. Standard II.—D. Roche, 49; C. Hayes, 47; M. Armstrong, 45. Standard I.—G. Daly, 37 ; T. Anderson, 35; W. O’Connor, 32. - ' Timaru (From our own correspondent.) The Catholic Young Men’s Society held a mock wedding breakfast on last Wednesday evening. There was a large attendance of guests. Very Rev. Dean Tubman is now introducing congregational singing at all the services possible, and has had a useful sheet containing the more popular hymns printed to help the movement forward. On Thursday last’ a statue of the poet, Robert Burns, was unveiled in the park, before a large assemblage. The statue is a gift to the town by the member for the district, Mr. James Craigie. The Convent of the Sacred Heart has just had a hot-water radiating service installed throughout the building by Messrs. Moriarty and Lusk. The cost is well over £IOOO, but the results make for the comfort and convenience of the pupils, and this is the first consideration with the devoted religious. The annual celebration of Corpus Christi was held on Sunday afternoon, the usual procession of the Blessed Sacrament being held. The weather was glorious, and there was a very large-attendance of members of the different societies, general parishioners, and outside friends. Catholics came long distances to take part in the event. It was generally conceded that the numbers present were the largest yet seen at a religious ceremony here. The procession left the convent chapel, and the following took part in it; —Cross-bearer and acolytes, Marist Brothers’ School, Sacred Heart School, Boarding School, band, altar boys, religious of the convent, Children of Mary, Sacred Heart Society (ladies), Hibernians, Sacred Heart Society .(men’s), Celtic Club, Young Men’s Club, general parishioners. The procession made two halts, one at the main porch of the convent, the other at the girls’ school, the Benediction being given at each, at specially prepared altars. The route followed was decorated with flags and banners, and the societies carried their banners and emblems, so that altogether under bright sunshine the spectacle was a very striking one to onlookers. The procession finally entered the church, which was taxed by the largest congregation ever assembled in it. The final Benediction was given there by Very Rev. Dean Tubman, who thanked the congregation for the edifying spectacle and praised the congregational singing throughout the procession, which was assisted by a specially trained band. Qreymouth (From our own correspondent.) The local branch of the Catholic Federation made a canvass for members at all the Masses to-day, and a large number of members were enrolled. The new presbytery, which, when completed, will be the equal of anything of its kind in the Dominion, will shortly be out of the contractor’s hands. The presbytery will not only be a credit to the Greymouth parish, but will also be a credit to the town.

The Marist Missioners, Very Rev. Father O'Connell and Rev. Fathers McCarthy and Taylor, are still on the West Coast, conducting missions in the small towns and country districts. I understand that they

intend holding missions in every part of the Coast, so (/ y that we will have the worthy Fathers with us for -some // time yet. At the last meeting of the Hibernian Society the secretary of the art union committee (Bro. J. Deere) presented his report and balance sheet in connection with the art union. .The credit balance was considered highly satisfactory, and Bro. Deere was congratulatedon his efforts on behalf of the society. It was decided to postpone the next meeting until the following Sunday, as it clashed with the opening night of the Allen Doon© Company at Greymouth. It was also decided to give Mr, Doone a public reception to the West Coast, where . he is certain to receive a hearty welcome. ' Kumara (By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) May 26. The mission, conducted by Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M., in St. Patrick’s Churcn, Kumara, for the past week, was concluded yesterday with very impressive ceremonies. The early Mass was attended by about 300 adults, of whom 130 were men. Nearly all present 3 received Holy Communion. After Mass the men of the congregation were photographed in a body outside the church by Brother Alfred, of Greymouth. They then marched to the Foresters’ Hall, where breakfast had been prepared by the ladies of the congregation. Rev, Father McCarthy presided, and was supported by Rev. . Brothers Alfred and Arthur. Various toasts were honored. That of The Pope and the King,’ as the representatives of authority in the spiritual and temporal order, was proposed by the rev. chairman, and enthusiastically received. The toast of ‘ The Missioner ’ was proposed by Mr. Rochford and supported by Mr. Kennedy, both of whom eulogised the great zeal and eloquence of Rev. Father McCarthy, and assured him of the determination of the Catholic men of the parish to walk along the narrow path of duty, and loyalty to the faith. J J The rev. chairman, in rising to reply, was greeted with an ovation, the applause lasting several minutes. He thanked all present for their appreciation of his efforts, and assured them of the happiness he felt to be in their midst, and apologised for the absence of Rev. Father Creed, who was doing duty in Stafford. ' Kumara had given to the Church sons of whom the whole Dominion was justly proud—Rev. Fathers Gilbert (2), Murphy, and Burger were ornaments of his own Order, the Marist Society, whilst Brother Fergus, the senior member of the Gilbert family, was one of the most distinguished members of the teaching staff of the-' Marist Brothers in Auckland. He (the speaker), too, had a claim on Kumara, because it was the home of' his parents for many years. In fact he narrowly missed! being born there. His parents unfortunately had moved; to Wellington a few years before his birth. He congratulated his hearers on their loyalty and devotion to their religious convictions, and assured them that proportionately their record was the best he had ever ' witnessed, not three Catholic men were absent from thd ceremony that morning. (Cheers.) The enthusiasm and good will he had witnessed would encourage him in his labors in other parts. The toasts of the ‘ Ladies ’ and the ‘Local press” were duly honored. At the 11 o clock Mass the church was again crowded, the men filling the Gospel side. Rev Father McCarthy preached on ‘Purgatory,’ and at the conclusion there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Throughout the day a stream of worshippers visited the church to pay their homage to their Eucharistic King r .‘% The altar was tastefully decorated with choice flowers. ' In the evening the church was totally inadequate to accommodate the very large congregation. Rev. Father McCarthy delivered an impressive discourse on ‘ Faith,’ after which a ceremony took place that will live in the memory of all who witnessed it. Every member of the egation, which included over 30 visitors from Greymouth and other parts of the coast, with lighted tapers, renewed their Baptismal vows. The missioner thanked all who had assisted the good work of the

) mission, Father Creed a most indefatigable worker, the s organist (Miss C. Mulvihill), Mrs. Scott and her assistants who decorated the sanctuary, and the parish committee. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament concluded the most successful mission that has ever been held in the parish of Kumara. Rev. Father McCarthy, in company with Rev. Father Cresd, left by motor today to begin a short mission in Waimea and Stafford.