DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 18 December 1913, Page 26

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) December 15. His Lordship is to impart the Papal blessing in the Cathedral after Vespers on next Sunday evening. The annual meeting of the Cathedral Altar Society was held on last Sunday afternoon, his Lordship the Bishop presiding. At the conclusion of the business there was Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The address of welcome presented to his Lordship the Bishop on the occasion of his public reception in the King's Theatre was neatly printed in old English type on white satin and framed in gilt and oak. The illuminating, the work of the Sisters of the Missions, was remarkably chaste and artistic, and admittedly quite the finest specimen of .the many beautiful designs executed at the convent.

The Rev. Father Maurice Cronin, the latest addition to the diocesan clergy, who arrived with Bishop Grimes last week, celebrated Mass in the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Sumner, on Sunday, and gave an instructive discourse from the day’s Gospel, treating of the mission of St. John the Baptist and its significance in relation to the Nativity of our Divine Lord.

Christchurch North December 16. The Rev. Father Taylor, S.M., is to conduct the retreat of the Sisters of Mercy this week. As a result of the meeting held at Papanui yesterday after the 10 o'clock Mass, in connection with the building of the new church, a committee has been formed, and by their efforts it is expected to considerably augment the building fund. The Sodality of the Children of Mary, which is in a flourishing condition, received a further increase to its ranks on Sunday evening, when five .new members were received and six candidates admitted as aspirants. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Hoare, S.M. (spiritual director). Next Sunday being the third Sunday of the month, the members of the sodality will approach the Holy Table in a body. The inclement state of the weather on Wednesday evening did not prevent an exceptionally large attendance at the meeting held in Ozanam Lodge in connection with the combined Catholic-schools' picnic. The Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., presided. Judging by the enthusiasm shown by the secretary (Mr. P. A. Young) and the various sub-committees, whose reports were very satisfactory, the picnic should be a decided success, provided the weather was favorable.