DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 19 March 1914, Page 24

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) March 16. At the meeting of the Catholic Club on last Tuesday evening, Dr. A. B. O’Brien was elected president. On last Monday evening the Very Rev. Chancellor Brice, Adm., was a guest to dinner of their Excellencies Lord and Lady Liverpool. At the request of Lord and Lady Liverpool, the Nursing Sisters of the Little Company of Mary visited Elmwood, the vice regal residence, on last Tuesday morning. They were introduced by the Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., and afterwards entertained to morning tea by Lady Liverpool.

Advices by last mail from Home state that the following pupils of the Sisters of the Missions Convent, Lower High street, received certificates from Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Phonetic Institute, Bath:-—Full certificate of proficiency for thorough knowledge of shorthand, theoretical and speed (80 words per minute) —Mary Strouts. Theoretical certificates—lrene Mahon, Gwennie Wilson, and Monica Wall.

The Nursing Sisters of the Little Company of Mary have entered into possession of their own property, which has been enlarged and adapted to their hospital requirements. On Sunday week the oratory in their residence on Bealey avenue was blessed by the Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., who also gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, in the presence of the community and a few invited friends. Three of the Sisters are nursing in private families, and the first patient enters the hospital this Week. Rev. Mother Xavier returned to Sydney by last Thursday's steamer, having completed all the arrangements in regard to establishing the community in Christchurch.

The following are the results of the theory examination held at the Convent, Lower High street (Sisters of the Missions), in December last, in connection with the Trinity College of Music: —Higher examinations (local centre) : Art of teaching and rudiments of music —C. Bell, A.T.C.L.; C. Kiddey, A.T.C.L.. Art of, teaching—H. Cronin, A.T.C.L. Art of teaching and rudiments of music—S. Dromgool. Advanced intermediate (honors) —Kathy Hay don, Sarah Gill. Intermediate (honors) —Nellie McGurk, (pass) Nellie Murphy, Monica Wall. Advanced junior (honors) — Kitty Murphy, Gertie Clarkson, (pass) Rita Bradford, Mollie Martin. Junior (honors) —Doris Bradford, Ida Bradford, Veronica Barry, Jean Mills. Preparatory (honors) —Kathy Hannan, Evelyn Mooney, Huia Sloan, Peggy O'Reilly, Olive Owen, Shanny Rundle, Frank Banfield, Eva Melish, Nona Brice, Zeta Solomon, and Kathleen Mannion. ■ . ,

Special reference to the great Irish national festival was made in all the churches on Sunday, and in honor of the feast of the Apostle of Ireland the members of St. Patrick's branch H.A.C.B. Society approached the Holy Table in a body, wearing their regalia, at the seven o'clock Mass in the Cathedral, celebrated by the branch chaplain, the Rev. Father Long. After Mass, all assembled in the Hibernian Hall for the annual Communion breakfast. At the Cathedral in the evening an eloquent panegyric on St. Patrick was delivered by the Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., in the presence of a large congregation. The discourse was in some respects along original lines, the various points being beautifully thought out, and expressed with rare effectiveness. On Tuesday, the feast day itself, a special Mass is to be celebrated at 9 o'clock in the Cathedral, and a holiday is to be observed by all the Catholic schools. The banks, municipal offices, and as usual some of the State departments, will be closed for the day. Throughout the province various sports fixtures are arranged, and excursion trains will be run on the Main and several branch lines. A Christchurch municipal excursion will run to Timaru for the inter-civic visit, an event which has become quite a feature of municipal life in recent years. The Marist Brothers' School go on an excursion to Ashburton, where a picnic,is to be enjoyed in the local domain. The chief social event in the evening will be the national entertainment in the Theatre Royal, the proceeds of which will be given to assist the Nursing Sisters of the Little Company of Mary to establish their hospital in this city.