DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 26 November 1914, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

November 23. The annual retreat of the diocesan clergy is to. commence on Monday, January 11, , His Lordship the Bishop made an episcopal visitation of the Fairlie parish on Sunday last. He is to return to Christchurch on Tuesday, and will make an episcopal visitation at Rangiora on next Sunday. As the general examination of the pupils attending the Sacred Heart College of the Sisters of the Mission is concluded, apart from two special examinations in which a few candidates : are interested to be held this week, it has been decided to commence the Christmas vacation rather earlier than usual, which will extend to Monday, January 18. Owing to the continued dry weather and prevailing succession of hot winds seriously affecting the agricultural interests of the province of Canterbury, his Lordship the Bishop has ordered prayers for rain to be offered throughout the diocese. His Lordship Bishop Cleary, accompanied by the Rev. Father Keogh, of Wexford, Ireland, motored over from Westland last week and made a short stay in Christchurch as the guests of the Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., at the episcopal residence. Speaking at the Catholic Federation meeting at Addington on Sunday afternoon last, Councillor J. R. Hayward paid an eloquent tribute to the magnificent work accomplished by his Lordship Bishop Cleary in connection with the Bible-in-schools proposals and the successful outcome of the exposure of the League’s methods, in which his Lordship had taken so prominent a part. The Catholics of this Dominion, he continued, did not realise what they owed to Dr. Cleary in this, and in other matters wherein their interests had been so sedulously safeguarded, and their rights so-valiantly fought for and won. Mr. Hayward said he felt impelled, too, to express appreciation of the fine editorial worl* of the N.Z. Tablet ., It was an honor to, on all available occasions, refer to the splendid service done for the. Catholic body by a paper we all should be proud of. Here, again, was an instance where the whole community enjoyed the benefits accruing from an incessant watchfulness over their interests, whilst some among them never made it a matter of personal concern how their only Catholic journal was supported. All credited to themselves a share of the successful endeavor and triumphs achieved, but many did not take the trouble to reflect that financial means were necessary, and consequently assist to maintain the high standard of efficiency and usefulness of our newspaper press. A

fearless, well written advocate was essential if the Catholic position was to be maintained and the ever ready assailant of our religion answered and subdued. Loyalty to our Catholic newspaper was in reality loyalty to ourselves, a fact, that should be fully realised in the future, and not so consistently lost sight of as in the past. ' •

Tlmaru

(From our • own correspondent.)

November 23.

His Lordship Bishop Cleary and Rev. Father Keogh stayed here on their way south last week.

At the evening devotions on Sunday, Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M., from the text ‘ Behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world,’ preached an eloquent sermon on the presence of Christ with us in the Kingdom of His Church. ..On Thursday afternoon last St. John’s Club played their first match in the tennis competitions, when they met the Civil Service Club. The games were all well contested, and the form shown good for the first match of the season..

, The members of the Sacred Heart Choir and St. John’s Tennis Club met in Mr. M. F. Dennehy’s home in North street on Wednesday evening last to bid farewell to Mr. M. Schaab. A very enjoyable evening was spent, consisting of a musical programme and various entertainments. During the evening the Very Rev. Dean Tubman presented a handsome travelling bag and silver set of brushes from the members of the above societies. In a happy speech the Dean dwelt on the sterling qualities of the recipient, stating that not only would the members of the clubs miss him greatly, but the whole, parish would be losers. Mr. Schaab left by the express on Saturday to take up more important duties in the General Post Office, Wellington.