DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 3 July 1913, Page 26

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) Juno 30. During the last few Sundays at all the city and suburban churches the petitions to both Houses of Parliament have been largely signed. The Rev. Father Creagh, C.SS.R., is to commence on Tuesday evening a few days' retreat for the Sisters of our Lady of Missions at the Convent, Lower High street. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M., and Rev. Father Cullen, S.M., of St. Patrick's College, Wellington, came south last week. Whilst in South Canterbury it is, I believe, the intention of the Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy .to give an astronomical lecture to the cadets and scouts in one of the centres. . The pupils of the higher classes at the Sacred Heart High School, Institute of Notre Dame des Missions, who were successful at the recent term competitive examination, were Mary Strouts, Mollie O'Malley, Maggie Murphy, Naomi Meikle, Irene Mahon, Gwendoline Wilson, and Dorothy Mclnerney. In' recent discourses at the Cathedral, both the Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., and Rev. Father Creagh, C.SS.R., advocated the strengthening of the choir by the admission of new members. Not alone, it was pointed out, would they be meriting a reward by assisting in the singing of the praises of God, but those happily possessed of good voices would, by entering the choir, be afforded an excellent musical training, an accomplishment worth in itself all the. time and sacrifice they might devote to it. Already six additional members have joined. There was an enjoyable and well-attended social gathering on last Thursday evening in the Art Gallery. It was in aid of the parochial improvements' fund of St. Mary's, Christchurch North. At the conclusion of the programme refreshments were handed round.

The week’s retreat to both divisions of the archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral was concluded on last Sunday. At a special Mass., celebrated by the Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., at 8 o’clock, 600 members approached the Holy Table. After Vespers in the evening, an eloquent discourse was preached by the Rev. Father Creagh, C.SS.R., the Papal blessing being afterwards imparted. There was a procession and solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Despite the frosty mornings during the whole week, the attendances at the 6 o’clock Masses were remarkably good, and the Communions during the period were 3000. Many new members have joined the arch-confraternity.

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. Bro. R. O’Brien, 8.P., presed, and there was a good attendance of members. The branch was in mourning owing to the death of Bro. E. J. Rodgers, P.P., an active member of long standing. Sick pay amounting to £ls 6s ; 8d was passed for payment to twelve members. Nominations of officers for the ensuing term were received and accounts to the amount of £BS 4s 9d were passed for payment. The receipts for the quarter amounted to £293 14s sd. The chaplain and president urged on members the desirability of aiding the committee who were promoting the carnival in aid of the Cathedral fund.

Evidently the citizens of Christchurch have come to regard the concerts of Mrs. Arthur Mead and her pupils as easily the chief musical events of the year. Proof of this is apparent by the fact that they never fail. to draw crowded audiences. Such an enjoyable and eminently artistic event was the vocal and instrumental recital given on last Tuesday evening in the Theatre Royal. Few seats were vacant, and the reception accorded Mrs. Mead by the large audience must have been as gratifying as it was deserving, and singles her out as being certainly in the forefront ? of our Dominion artists. Besides this, the excellent showing of her pupils proves her to be not alone a vocalist of outstanding merit and accomplishment, but also a most successful teacher. Mrs. Mead’s principal numbers were from grand opera and other classical compositions, her rendition of which earned particularly favorable press comments. Associated with Mrs. Mead were Mr. Ernest Empson (pianist) and several other instrumentalists, Miss Gladys Palmer and Mr. Arthur MacDonald (vocalists). Miss Hayward was ah efficient accompanist. ' '

The Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., is in receipt of an interesting letter from his Lordship Bishop Grimes, dated May 9, at Lourdes, and from which the Very Rev. Chancellor has kindly given me the following particulars:—His Lordship's health has improved, and he had the great satisfaction of meeting 800 Belgian men at Lourdes on their return journey from the Eucharistic Congress at Malta. He had the privilege of twice celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Grotto of Lourdes, and was present at the Bureau des Constatations at a critical examination of a cure by the celebrated Dr. Boissarie and other eminent doctors of France, Belgium, and Holland. The case his Lordship describes as a most wonderful miracle. He visited the Nuns of the Good Shepherd at Lyons, and after May intended, at the invitation of the MotherGeneral of the Sisters of Nazareth, residing for a while at Isleworth, England. Owing to the uncertain health of his Holiness the Pope, the Bishop had decided to defer his visit to Rome. When there he intended to visit the mother house of the Nursing Sisters of the Little Company of Mary. Last week his Lordship was due in Dublin, and on June 23 was to be at a distribution of prizes and breaking-up ceremony at All Hallows College. i Rakaia (From an occasional correspondent.) Very Rev. Dean Hyland passed through Rakaia on his way to preach at the devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration in Methven. He ; visited the school,

and expressed' himself delighted with the fine number of. children, there being 57 on the roll. Some of the parishioners, who had the good fortune to meet him, were delighted to renew his acquaintance, for though it is many years since Dean Hyland labored in Rakaia he is still affectionately remembered here. -

: On Friday evening a most successful entertainment was held in the Oddfellows' Hall. The first hour was devoted to vocal and instrumental selections, the following being the programme: —Piano duet, Misses Hardy and Muller;* song, Miss Trixy Beherns; song, Mr. R. Opie; coon song, convent school boys; song, Miss Cromie; song, ■ Miss Hardy; song, Miss W. Brick (Christchurch); chorus, convent school children. The accompanists were Misses Hardy and Muller. The various items were warmly applauded. The convent boys created much amusement by their singing, acting, and dancing, and had to repeat their song three times before the audience was satisfied. The concert was followed by a progressive euchre tournament. Miss Ironsides (Chertsey) won the lady's prize, and Mr. Armstrong (Mitcham) the gentleman's. Refreshments were provided by the ladies of the congregation. The entertainment was in every way a splendid success, fully 300 persons being present. Mr. Muller thanked the performers and the public. Rev. Dr. Kennedy's absence was the only thing to be regretted, but all were glad to hear that lie is recovering from his indisposition. The thanks of the congregation are due to all who were responsible for the arrangement of the social, especially to Mr. Mrs. and Miss Muller, and the Misses Hinds, who spared no time or trouble to make the gathering a success. ——————l it —i