DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 11 September 1913, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) September 8. His Lordship the Bishop intends leaving Naples on his return journey homewards on November 1. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral from the 11 o'clock Mass on last Sunday until after Vespers. The usual procession and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed after the sermon, which was preached by the Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm. Among pending events, as a means to assist the carnival in November, is a social and musical evening in the Hibernian Hall, on September 17, for the benefit of the combined H.A.C.B. Society and M. 8.0.8. Association's section. The Hibernian Hall has lately been enlarged and greatly improved, and now provides ample room for a numerous gathering. The Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., presided at a meeting in the episcopal residence on last Sunday afternoo'n of the general committee in connection with the projected carnival in aid of the Cathedral- fund. It was announced that Signor Borzoni had already commenced the rehearsals for the Oriental spectacular display, the number coming forward to participate being very satisfactory. The ladies of St. Mary's, Christchurch North, have generously entered into the promotion of the carnival i>n aid of the Cathedral fund, and are working zealously and assiduously to make their stall an outstanding feature of the great undertaking. To assist in the accumulation of preliminary funds, the committee have engaged the whole of the Art Gallery for the evening of October 7, when a varied and attractive entertainment will be given. In view of the popular price of admission, one of the largest gatherings seen here for some time is confidently anticipated. Tickets are now distributed, and are being sold readily. Several representatives of local St. Patrick's College ' old boys,' headed by Councillor J. R. Hayward, waited on his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, S.M., at St. Mary's, on last Wednesday, and felicitated his Grace on the dignity recently conferred upon him. The Archbishop was evidently greatly pleased at this mark of cordiality on the part of fellow-collegians, and expressed his appreciation in very sincere terms. On the same day, Archbishop CShea attended a reception at St. Mary's Convent of Mercy, and also visited Mount Magdala. By the ferry steamer, in the evening, he returned to Wellington. Sister McGrath, past president of St. Mary's (ladies) branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, Wellington, addressing the local branch meeting on last Monday evening, said she regretted to hear of the dissolution of the ladies' branch, that existed here some years ago, and hoped that efforts would be made to establish a ' ladies' branch here again i«n the near future. Her own branch numbered over 150 members, and possessed ■funds exceeding £350. The Catholic girls of Wellington found that, besides the pecuniary benefits, the meetings and pleasant gatherings in connection with the society were a splendid "means of social intercourse. The fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick's bra«nch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall on last-Monday evening, Bro. H. A. Sloan, 8.P., presiding. Sisters O'Flaherty and McGrath, president and past-president respectively of St. Mary's ladies' branch, Wellington, who are on a Visit to Christchurch, at-

tended, and were welcomed by the president on behalf of the branch, ,and also by Rev. Father O'Boyle * (chaplain) and the secretary. The visiting sisters replied, thanking the chaplain, officers, and members for the cordial welcome given them. At the conclusion of the meeting the officers and members invited the sisters to a hastily prepared supper, and several of the officers and members further invited them to a drive on the following Sunday. Sick pay to the amount of £l7 10s was passed for payment to 13 members. v Members of the Christchurch Catholic Club were 'at home' to their lady friends and visitors in the rooms, Wiltshire Buildings, on last Wednesday evening, the function proving very successful. There was an attendance of over seventy, among the visitors being the Rev. Fathers O'Boyle, Murphy, 8.A., and Long, and Dr. Morkane. Prior to entering upon the evening's entertainment, the president, Mr. F. Rowe, on behalf of the club cordially welcomed the guests, wishing all a pleasant and enjoyable time. Progressive euchre was first proceeded with, after which light refreshments were handed round. An excellent programme of musical and other items was then given, the following contributing:—Piano solo, 'Prelude in 6 minor' (Chopin), Mr. P. C. Angarde; songs, Miss M. O'Connor, Messrs. A. Macdonald, and Rennell; recitations, Miss O'Donnell, Messrs. F. Rowe, and F. McDonald. The accompanists were Misses M. and K. O'Connor. ■"■'.-.' Temuka (From our own correspondent.) On Monday evening the Children of Mary held a very successful euchre party in the Catholic clubrooms. There was a very large attendance, and after the prizes had been presented, refreshments were handed round. The clock, which is to be placed in the tower of the Pleasant Point Catholic Church, is expected to arrive during the week, and should be in position in the course of a week or two. When erected this will be the second town clock in the Temuka parish to find a place in the Catholic Church tower. The remains of Miss W. Mellon, who died in Waimate last week, were interred in the Pleasant Point cemetery on Tuesday last. Rev. Father Lezer, S.M., officiated, and there was a very large attendance of mourners. The father of the deceased was an old pioneer of the Pleasant Point district.—R.l.P. On Sunday last Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament took place in St. Joseph's Church after the 10.30 o'clock Mass, and continued until the evening, when the usual procession was held. At the evening devotioois Rev. Father A. Herring preached an impressive sermon to a large congregation. The funeral of Mrs. Barry took place on Tuesday last. A Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Joseph's Church at 9 o'clock, and in the afternoon the remains were interred in the Temuka Cemetery. Rev. Father Kerley, S.M., officiated both at the church and the graveside.—. I. P. The funeral of Mr. F. O'Connell (late of Seadown) took place on Friday, and was one of the largest seen in the district for some time. The pall-bearers were four sons of the deceased. The Rev. Father Kerley, S.M., officiated at the interment.—R.l.P. On Thursday the death occurred of Miss Mary O'Neill, daughter of Mr. E. O'Neill, Rangitira Valley, at the early age of eleven years. The funeral, which took place on Saturday, was very largely attended, and much sympathy is felt for the family in their sad bereavement.R.l.P. In keeping with much improvement that has been going on in Pleasant Point recently, attention has been given to the Catholic Church upon which a sum approaching £BO has been expended. The building has been renovated throughout. In addition, an asphalt path has been laid down all round the church, and concrete steps have been placed at the main entrance. A movement is on foot to establish a Catholic school #in Pleasant Point, to be conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Already many subscriptions have been pro-

raised towards the object, and it is hoped that the cause of Catholic education will induce • many more to come forward and assist in giving the Catholic children of this rising township the opportunity, of a sound Catholic education. ■ ; , Rev. Father A. Herring, S.M., Marist Missoinary, arrived in Temuka on Tuesday, and on the same evening was escorted to the local Catholic clubrooms, where he was introduced to the members by Father Lezer, S.M. At the weekly meeting of the club, which took place on the same evening, Rev. Father Herring was voted to the chair! The programme took the form of a debate —'Freehold v. Leasehold.' Messrs. J. Scott and E. B. Gillespie advocated the former, and Messrs. A. Scott and J. Fitzgerald the latter. After the members had spoken, the rev. . chairman criticised the speeches, and gave hints to the members on the art of public speaking. Timaru (From our own correspondent.) September 8. : A week's mission for the children was commenced yesterday afternoon by the Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M. Mesdames Doyle and Mason gave a highly enjoyable social in the Assembly Rooms last week, a'sid netted slightly over £lO for the vestment fund. Miss G. Atkinson and her pupils gave recently a well arranged and most successful concert in the Wesley Hall, Church street. The building was crowded to the doors, and the progress shown by the- pupils was the source of much favorable comment. The mission for adults will commence on Sumday next, at the 11 o'clock Mass. Reference was made to the approaching ' Season of Grace ' at all the Masses yesterday, and preparations for the fortnight's exercises are well forward. On Wednesday evening last, Rev. Brother Egbert, by request of the Catholic Young Men's Club, gave a lecture to a crowded house in the boys' hall, Brown street, taking for his subject ' A hundred years of Irish history'without self-government.' Mr. J. B. Crowley presided, and the rev. lecturer received a hearty vote of thanks for the able manner in which he handled his theme.. A complimentary concert was tendered by the citizens of Timaru to Mrs. N. D. Mangos on Tuesday evening last. There was a representative attendance of all classes, and the proceedings were of a most enthusiastic nature. Mrs. Mangos was presented with a handsomely illuminated address and a suitably engraved piece of plate by her past and prese'nt pupils. Mrs. Mangos received her musical education at the local convent, and studied the organ under the celebrated Belgian organist, Mons. Wiegand, of Sydney. She has been at the head of all things musical in Timaru for the past twenty years, and many of her students are now members of the profession and church organists. On all sides it is admitted that the programme presented on last Tuesday night, and which was contributed to by the leading artists of South Canterbury, was the finest ever heard in Timaru. The following handsome tribute was given in the leading columns of the-. Timaru Herald of Monday last, its value being augumented by the fact that it is the second time in the paper's forty-nine years that a local artiste has been so honored : —' The complimentary concert to be given in the Theatre Royal to Mrs. Mangos involves a recognition of her services to music in South Canterbury and to the public which is well deserved. Mrs. Mangos has been playing before the public for twenty years, and it is always glad to have the oportunity of hearing her again. As soloist and accompanist she has given her services, without charge, at over 300 concerts for public objects, regardless of section or denomination. She has been a leading influence in the musical culture of South Canterbury. The appropriateness of the compliment to' be paid to her was attested by the enthusiasm with which the idea was taken, up at the representative meeting at which it was first broached,

and the co-operation of all the talents which, it has Unlisted. We hope that the attendance at the concert will display the same appreciation of Mrs. Mangos's services 'on the public's part, as is being shown by the musical societies of Timaru, and leading singers of South Canterbury, who have combined,-to give it.' • Waimate V (From our own correspondent.) The ceremony of blessing the peal of bells for St. Patrick's Church, Waimate, was performed by his Grace Archbishop O'Shea on Sunday, August 31. The day was mild and su*nny, and a very large congregation assembled. A procession of Hibernians, led by the altar boys, escorted his' Grace to the church, where a Missa Cantata was celebrated by the Rev. Father J. Herring, S.M. The ceremony took place after Mass. His Grace was assisted by Rev. Father Aubry, S.M., as deacon, and Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., and Rev. Father Burger, S.M., as , assistant priests. The Very Rev. Dean Tubman, S.M., and Rev Father Herring, S.M., were also present. J?n the evening his Grace delivered an able and instructive discourse on The Catholic Federation.' Rev. Father Aubry then thanked his Grace for coming to Waimate so soon after his consecration to bless the bells, and offered him the congratulations of the congregation on his appointment to so high an office. He thanked also the visiti'ng clergy, who had come to assist at the ceremony, and finally he complimented the congregation who at Mass that morning ,had given their donations so generously to wipe off the debt still owing. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament was then given by his Grace, assisted by Very Rev. Father O'Ccmnelb On Monday evening a very pleasant gathering of parishioners took place in the schoolroom, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. After a much appreciated musical programme had been given, Mr. J. Quinn, of Studholme, on behalf of the Catholic societies in Waimate, as well as ; the parishioners, read the following address: —• ' May it please your Grace, —We, the representatives of the Catholic societies in this parish, on behalf of the people of the district, take this occasion of welcoming your Grace most warmly to South Canterbury, and we offer you our most heartfelt congratulations on the great dignity to which you have been raised, and which you share with our illustrious metropolitan, Archbishop Redwood. We esteem ourselves highly honored, and specially privileged to have your Grace with us so soo*n after your consecration, and shall always allude, with pride, to the fact that the blessing of our bells was one of the first functions performed by one whom we may call New Zealand's first prelate! We have followed with increasing interest the course of your career in the cause of Holy Church, and, have noticed with what zeal you have labored to promote Catholic interests. We have marked especially your unceasing efforts to foster and strengthen our 'numerous Catholic societies, which you. realised to be such a power for good where rightly organised. ' Accept then, your Grace, sincerest greetings from us, the members of the Catholic Federation, Hibernian Society, _ Altar Society, Society of Children of Mary, St. Patrick's Club, on our own behalf, and representing the people of this parish, a'nd be assured of our con- , tinual prayers, that God may spare you many useful years in New Zealand, and may prosper you in every good work. 'On behalf of the parish committee of the Catholic Federation, P. Aubry, S.M. (president), J. Quinn. (secretary). '.On behalf of the Hibernian Society, M. Healy (president), A. Burger (secretary). 'On behalf of St. Patrick's Club, J. O'Brien (president), J. Healy (secretary). On behalf of the Altar Society, M. Healy (president), M. Lawlor (secretary). ' O'n behalf of the Children of Mary, M. Cleary : #(president), M. Ferriter (secretary).' : . : , " - •

< :. His Grace suitably replied. Refreshments, prepared by the ladies of the parish, were then handed round, after which was brought to a close a most enjoyable social evening. I ■<•■".■' A visit by motor car to Oamaru was made on Tuesday to Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay, V.G., who has been indisposed for some time. In the afternoon his Grace took train for Christchurch. As a result of the collections take'n at both Masses the generous sum of £l3O was given by the congregations, which considerably reduces the amount owing on the bells.