DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 11 December 1913, Page 26

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) December 8. According to its usual custom, St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society is donating a gold medal to each of the Cathedral parish primary schools and to

St. Mary’s parish school, to be awarded at the Christmas prize-giving to the most diligent ; and best behaved pupil.

The following pupils of Miss M. G. O’Connor, A.T.C.L., were successful in music examinations this year:lntermediate division (practical, Trinity College, London), Eileen Scott. Rudiments of music (Associated Board), Doris Grant and E. Scott.

The annual entertainment by the pupils of the Marist Brothers’ School is to be given on Thursday evening, December 18, in the Choral Hall. The proceeds are to be devoted to the prize fund, and incidentally the entertainment is to mark the end of the scholastic year prior to the Christmas vacation. Awards to the successful pupils will be made during the evening.

There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral from the 11 o’clock Mass until after Vespers on last Sunday, with the customary procession and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the evening. As the period for participating in the Jubilee was nearing its close, very large numbers approached the Holy Table, whilst many made the prescribed visits to the two appointed churchesthe Cathedral and St. Mary’s, Manchester street.

The committee having in hand the promotion of a combined Catholic picnic, outing, and children’s sports gathering on Boxing Day, at the Riccarton Racecourse, have already arranged many of the details. Suitable arrangements have been made with the Christchurch Tramway Board for transit accommodation. The children are to be conveyed and provided for free, whilst tickets are issued for adults at 2s each, covering tram fare each way and admission to; the grounds. Given favorable weather, it is anticipated the gathering will be a record one.

His Lordship the Bishop is to arrive by the Maunganui from Sydney on Thursday morning. In the afternoon he is expected to preside at the breakingup entertainment and prize distribution at the Sacred Heart Convent High School (Sisters of the Missions), Lower High srteet, and, in the evening he will be tendered a reception in the King’s Theatre. Complete arrangements have been made for the event, and there is every indication of a large gathering. A feature of the programme will be the presentation of an address of welcome to his Lordship.

A final meeting in connection with the recent Oriental Carnival in aid of the Cathedral debt extinction fund was held on Sunday afternoon last in the episcopal residence. The Very Rev, Chancellor Price, Adm., presided. The balance sheet was read and adopted, showing a net credit balance of £1347 3s Bd. There were general expressions of satisfaction at. the successful result in the face of the depressing influences of the industrial strike, numerous counter attractions, a run of bad weather, and the somewhat out-of-the-way location of the only available building for the purposes of the enterprise. In short, on no previous occasion have so many disabilities been encountered. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded the lady stallholders and their assistants for their untiring efforts, both before and during the carnival also to Mr. P. Young, who devoted a large amount of time and energy to the duties of manager.

The entertainment given in the Town Hall, Sumner, in aid of the furnishing fund of the local Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, proved very successful. There was a large audience, and. the excellent programme arranged by Mr. Frank McDonald was greatly enjoyed, nearly every participant receiving a recall. Vocal and instrumental items were rendered by Misses Mollie Trent, Monica Devenport, Marjorie Saunders, and Stella Murray, Messrs. A. Weir, Greig, Russell, J. Cocks, and J. Mercer dances by Misses May O’Connor, Louisa Reddington, and Kathleen Hartigan. Miss Alice Saunders in humorous recitations was remarkably good, as were also Mr. Frank McDonald, Mr. Gladstone Ward, and Mr. Sydney Brett. In musical monologues Mr. PI. McD. Vincent exhibited undoubted talent, his contributions being cordially appreciated.

The accompanists were Misses Munro, N. Dunn, Vera Newman, and Mr. A. Weir. The Mayor and Mayoress of Sumner (Mr. and Mrs. G. W. C. Smithson) attended the entertainment, and his Worship subsequently sent a generous contribution to the fund. The Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., sincerely thanked the performers, the audience, and all who had assisted to make the event an artistic and financial success. Henceforward the Catholics of Sumner are to have Mass celebrated each Sunday at 11 o'clock, instead of fortnightly. ' Christchurch North December 8. Yesterday being the last Sunday in the Jubilee period, very large numbers approached the Holy Table at the early Masses, particularly at the 7 o'clock Mass. The Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., will visit Mt. Magdala this (Monday) morning, when two Sisters of the Good Shepherd will make their perpetual vows. In the afternoon the Dean will proceed to Lyttelton to officiate at the reception of two Sisters of Mercy. At devotions on Sunday evening a procession of our Blessed Lady in connection with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception took place. The Children of Mary took part, a statue of our Lady being borne by four members of the sodality. Then followed Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., officiating, assisted by the Rev. Fathers Hoare and Dignan. On Thursday, December 4, sixteen pupils of the Sisters of Mercy, Colombo street, were examined by Mr. Mayne, and all passed. The following are the results:Proficiency Sunley, Marjorie Corrigan, Norrie Gray, Monica Inkson, Esther Moraghan, Iredale Turner, Myrtle Hawkins (Papanui), Leslie Queenan, Maurice Lawrence, Maurice Nolan, Charles H. Boswell, Molly Campbell, Lily McNaughton. Competency —Frances Gerity, Clare Dodson, Clifford Dobbs. Monica Courtenay (Papanui) was examined last March at the Normal School, and obtained proficiency.