Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 13 November 1913, Page 24

Diocesan News

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCMURCtI

(From our own correspondent.) November 10. The Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., received a cablegram from his Lordship Bishop Grimes, sent from Port Said on his homeward voyage, stating that he was well.

The following pupils of the Sacred Heart High School, Lower High Street, have been successful in obtaining theoretical certificates for shorthand from Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, London:Mary Strouts, Lizzie Gill, Dorothy Mclnerney, Maggie Murphy, Molly O’Malley, Rene Mahon, Beatrice Hannigan, Gwenni© Wilson.

A very fine marble altar, selected in England by his Lordship the Bishop, has arrived for the Chapel of St. John the Baptist (patron saint of the diocese), and preparations are well advanced for its erection to replace the temporary wooden one. A flight of marble steps will lead up to it, and the chapel will be completed with a tiled floor. '

Three large and beautifully finished sanctuary lamps, procured by his Lordship the Bishop in Europe, have just been hung in the Cathedral. All are of solid brass, and of magnificent workmanship. The larger of the three is hung in front of the high altar, and one each in the side arches of the sanctuary, the effect being most striking.

/The Rev. Father Peters, Adm., of the Cathedral, Maitland, N.S.W., and Rev. Father Ormond, of Auckland, were guests during the week of the Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., at the episcopal residence. The Rev. Father Ormond celebrated the 11 o'clock Mass, and the Rev. Father Peters preached at Vespers in the Cathedral on last Sunday.

Keeping well abreast of the times, and 1 adopting modern hygienic methods in the .care of the large numbers of children, whose education is entrusted to the Sisters of the Missions, a large open-air class shelter, 60 feet by 20 feet, is in course of erection by Messrs.

S. and W. Luttrell on the convent property fronting Barbadoes street. This extensive structure will serve the double purpose of accommodating classes in ideal conditions during teaching hours, and as a shelter in intervals for recreation, without disturbing the work in the main building of the Sacred Heart High School. The first of the three weeks' season of the Oriental Carnival at the Olympia Rink has elapsed, but with only very moderate financial success. A vast proportion of the Catholic people in the city and its immediate vicinity do not apparently trouble themselves to realise what the possibilities are of making this costly enterprise an achievement that all can look upon with pride and satisfaction. It has more than once been pointed out that this is intended to be a supreme effort to free, at once and for all time, from debt the noblest ecclesiastical edifice in the whole Dominion. To enjoy the privilege of having this in our own fair city should in itself be incentive enough to have it unencumbered, but if deep affection and gratitude towards one who, for more than a quarter of a century, has done giant's work for a people and a cause he loves as life itself, have a place, then assuredly one and all will rise to the present occasion, and much, if not all, will be accomplished. Above all let this home-coming of our Bishop be not one of disappointment, but joyous to a degree unprecedented. Christchurch North Rev. Father Dignan, S.M., is at present relieving the Rev. Father Clancy, of Hokitika. At the Wellington Competitions Miss Norma Middleton, of St. Mary's Convent, Colombo street, gained first place in the pianoforte solo for competitors under 10 years. On Sunday evening the Rev. Father McDonald, S.M., of Blenheim (formerly of St. Mary's), preached an eloquent sermon from the text, ' lie hath done all things well.' On Sunday, at the different Masses and at the evening devotions, Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., exhorted the parishioners of St. Mary's to patronise the Oriental Carnival at present being held in the Olympia. The mission which was opened at Papanui by the Rev. Father Herring, S.M., on Sunday, November 2, was brought to a successful close on Thursday evening. Very large congregations attended both morning and evening. A very edifying sight was witnessed on Friday morning, when the whole congregation approached the Holy Table. The Rev. Father Herring, S.M., left on Saturday for Ashburton. The first meeting of the men's branch of the archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament took place on Tuesday evening last, when there was a very good attendance. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., the men singing the ' O Salutaris' and the ' Tantum Ergo.' In future the fraternity meetings will take place on Thursday evenings instead of Tuesday, as at present. Thursday is considered more appropriate on account of the institution of the Blessed Eucharist on Holy Thursday.