Christchurch North

New Zealand Tablet, 21 May 1914, Page 36

Christchurch North

Mav 18.

Rev. Father Burger, S.M.. arrived from Waimate on Saturday, and preached an eloquent sermon on the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday evening. On Sunday there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from after last Mass until the evening devotions, when the usual procession took place. On May 7 the 'beautiful marble altar in the convent chapel of the Sisters of Mercy, Colombo street, Christchurch, was consecrated by the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G. During evening devotions on Sunday a reception of the Children of Mary took place, when fifteen new members were received. The Rev. Father Hoare, S.M. (spiritual director), performed the ceremony. Miss Irene Wrathall passed an examination in Gregg's shorthand (80 speed), and Miss Violet llaigh and Kathleen O'Donohue gained certificates for Pitman's theory. All are pupils of the Sisters of Mercy. At the recent Competitions held in Christchurch, the following pupils from the Convent, Colombo street, gained distinction: —Children's chorus (34 pupils), Ist, prize; pianoforte duet (under 16 years), Lorna Timbrell and Christabel Robinson, Ist; pianoforte duct (under 13 years), Vera Dwyer and Nita Baty, 2nd ; pianoforte duet (under 10 years), Doris Middleton and Roy O'Mallcy, Ist; Irma Quane and Cyril Edmond, 2nd; pianoforte solo (under 18 years), Eileen Carter, 3rd; pianoforte solo (under 13 years), Norma Middleton, 3rd; piaiioforte solo (under 10 years), Doris Middleton, I3L, and Irma Quane, 2nd : sight reading, pianoforte (under 16 years), Christobel Robinson, 3rd. Rev. Father Dignan, S.M., who left for Waimate 011 Friday, was the recipient of many tokens of esteem. On Tuesday evening the members of, the St. Vincent de Paul Society presented him with a travelling rug. The Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V-G. (spiritual director), made the presentation. The Rev. Father Dignan, in a few remarks, thanked the members for their kindness. On Thursday evening a number of parishioners assembled in Ozanam Lodge, and presented Rev. Father Dignan with an address (executed by the Sisters of Mercy, Colombo street), and a motor coat. , Mr. W. Hay ward made the presentation. The Very Rev. Dean

ills, S.M., Y.G., and the Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., spoke in eulogistic terms. The Rev. Father Dignan, S.M., suitably replied.

The feast of his Lordship the Bishop was celebrated at St. Mary's Convent on Thursday within the Octavo of tho Patronage of St. Joseph. His Lordship and the clergy were entertained at lunch at the convent, and in the afternoon a concert was given by the pupils in St. Mary's Hall. The following was the programme:—Chorus; 'Festive greetings,' pupils; address, Miss C. Barrett ; pianoforte duct, ' Boating song,' Misses D. Middleton and I. Quane, Masters C. Edmonds and R. O'Malley ; vocal solo, ' Who is Sylvia,' Master H. Moody: violin solo, 'Gavotte,' Miss M. Young; pianoforte solo, Valse (Chopin), Miss E. Carter; recitation, ' Maoriland,' Miss C. Barrett: pianoforte duet, 'lmpromptu,' Misses L. Timbrell and C. Robinson; vocal solo, ' Come unto Him,' Miss A. Hill; pianoforte solo, 'Romance of the ball,' Master 11. Moody; dialogue, ' Festive bouquet,' pupils : pianoforte solo, 'Rustle of spring,' Misses V. Wilson and L. Timbrell; chorus, ' Out with the tide,' pupils. Pangiora (From an occasional correspondent.) May 18. The mission, which was conducted by the Rev. T. McCarthy, S.M., at the Catholic Church, Rangiora, was brought, to a very successful close on Sunday evening. Despite the inclemency of.the weather, especially during the latter part of the week, the attendance each evening continued to grow, so much so that the seating and standing accommodation of the church was taxed to its utmost, many coming' from Cust, Kaiapoi, and Lobuin. On Sunday evening, at the closing ceremonies, which consisted of the Rosary, a sermon on ' Faith ' and its necessity,' the solemn renewal of Baptismal vows and the imparting of the. Papal Benediction, many had to be accommodated in the sanctuary and choir gallery. During the week fully 600 received Holy Communion. On next Wednesday evening Father McCarthy will proceed to Loburn, where a five days' mission will be given. On next Sunday evening Father McCarthy hopes to be able to return to Rangiora, when he will preach a sermon on ' the Sacrament of Matrimony,' and assist at the reception of a. number of young aspirants into the various parochial sodalities. Feilding (From our own correspondent.) May 15. The most successful social held in Feilding for many years took place'in the Drill Hall on Wednesday evening, May 13, when about 250 people were present. The hall was prettily decorated, and a splendid supper was provided by the ladies of the parish. The committee responsible for the arrangements were Messrs. Campbell, Macedo, Kelly, Quirk, Bell, jMcMenamin, Mesdames Collins, Fidler, Durran, and Mulloy, Misses Gapper, Bowler, G. Meehan, J. Stitt, M. Meehan, McCarthy, M. Burnett, and Ross. Mr. P. Keogh acted as secretary. Financially the efforts of the committeo were crowned with success, and it is anticipated that £25 will be handed over to the Rev. Father O'Dwyer for parish purposes. The ladies deserve special mention for the enthusiastic way in which they worked to make the social a success. Every member of the parish committee of the Federation was a prominent worker.