DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 20 August 1914, Page 29

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

August 17. On Saturday last, Feast of the Assumption, Masses were celebrated in the Cathedral at 6, 7.30, and 9 a.m., there being good congregations.

At the fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, held in the Hibernian Hall, the president (Bro. J. Griffin) presided. Two new members were : initiated and three candidates proposed for membership. Sick pay, amounting to £ll 17s 6d was passed for payment to twelve members. At a previous meeting the following resolution was proposed and unanimously carried ‘ That this meeting of the Christchurch branch of the H.A.C.B. Society strongly protests against the action of the Government in introducing into Parliament the Bible-in- Referendum Bill, as it is entirely opposed to the great principles of our Education Act, which has always been looked upon as being free, secular, and compulsory; and, further, we insist that no Government has the authority to interfere with the sacred rights of conscience, and should this Hill become law we pledge ourselves to use every means in our power to defeat any Government that would attempt to place such a Bill on the Statute Book of the Dominion.’ .Replies were received from; the Right Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister), Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Messrs. G. Witty, T. H. Davey, G. W. Russell,Hl.' G. Ell, and L. M. Isitt, M.P.’s, to whom copies of the resolution had been sent.

In view -of the present tragic happenings in the neighborhood of- Liege, in . Belgium; the ... following description of . Catholic ecclesiastical edifices, from the pen of a lady f contributor to the local Press, is of special

interest —The Cathedral is in the shape of a Latin cross, its long aisle resembles a symmetrical avenue of leafless trees, spreading out above, in - the gallery, and meeting overhead in arch after arch, the solid and undecorated rounded columns below representing smooth trunks of trees. The dim religious. twilight is peopled with saintly-pictured faces and scenes and gleams with colored light from stained-glass windows", some of which were here in the age of England’s Elizabeth and of King Philip. Passing between high walls and narrow^,street, you come to St. Jacques, which has been palled the jewel of Liege, its fretted stone work, fine as enlarged tracery of frost. This church dates back to the sixth century, and even during the French Revolution religious devotion was strong enough to preserve it. A tragic interest belongs to these churches which, according to the report, have been blown up in the present siege. Chief of the Liege churches are: St. Barthelemy, with its two towers and the decoration, and the cylindrical columns of the interior ; St. Martin, with splendid old stained glass; St. Jean I’Evangeliste, with a dome, and also an ancient tower and steeple. A more modern monument in honor of antiquity is the equestrian statue of Charlemagne, near the Parc d Auroy. Charlemagne is the local hero-King of Liege ; his family owed their origin to this province, and he embellished the city and gave to its citizens their special rights and privileges.

Christchurch North

•' , August 17. The usual monthly Communion of the Children of Mary took place at the 7 o’clock Mass yesterday, when there was an unusually large attendance.

The Very Rev. Dean Tubman, S.M. (Timaru) was the guest of the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., at St. Mary’s during the past week.

The St. Mary’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society held their usual fortnightly meeting on Monday, the 10th inst., when four candidates were initiated and five proposed for membership.

Saturday, the 15th inst., being the Feast of the Assumption, Masses were celebrated in St. Mary’s at 6.30, 7, and 9.30 a.m. The number of Communicants at each Mass was very edifying.

On Sunday there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after last Mass until evening devotions, when the usual procession took place. An impressive sermon was preached by the Rev. Father James Tymons, S.M., on the ‘ Real Presence,’ to a very large congregation.

The sale of work which is to take place in St. Mary’s Schoolroom, and which will open on Monday, August 31, and continue during the week, promises to be very successful. The various stalls, competitions, attractions, etc., are being well worked up, and the stallholders and others are meeting with every encouragement from the parishioners. A musical, programme, given by the leading local talent, will be submitted each evening. *