DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 10 December 1914, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

December 7.

On last Sunday week his Lordship the Bishop •made an episcopal visitation at Rangiora and preached at Mass in the Church of SS. Mary and Francis de Sales. In the afternoon his Lordship again addressed the congregation and candidates for Confirmation, To the latter, numbering 77, he afterwards administered the Sacrament of Confirmation, being attended in the ceremonies of the day by the Very Rev. Dean Hyland and Rev. Father Leen. On last Sunday his Lordship the Bishop made an episcopal visitation at Ashburton.

Solemn High Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral on last Sunday at 11 o’clock, when the devotion of the Forty Hours’ 'Adoration was commenced. The Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., was celebrant, the Very Rev. Fathers Graham, S.M., M.A., and Murphy beingdeacon and subdeacon respectively. At Vespers in the evening the sermon was preached by the Rev. Father O’Connor (Lincoln). Many of the congregation attended in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the afternoon and evening. The night watches were maintained from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. by members of the H.A.C.B. Society, Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament (men’s division), Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and others. On this (Monday) morning Mass Pro Pace was celebrated, and after devotions, beginning at 7 o’clock in the evening, the sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Cooney (Lyttelton). On Tuesday

morning (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) Solemn High Mass of Deposition was to be celebrated. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon his Lordship the Bishop is to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation, the First Communion of the children being made at Mass that morning.

Pontifical High Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral on next Sunday, during which the Rev. F. Seward (recently from England) and the Rev. John Riordan (Holy Cross College, Mosgiel) will be ordained to the priesthood by his Lordship the Bishop. The Christchurch Catholic'" Club intend entertaining its lady friends at a musical and social evening in the rooms, Wiltshire Bjuildings, on next Tuesday. An excellent programme has been arranged, and although this will be the last of similar gatherings for the present year, it promises to be not the least so far as pleasure and success are concerned.

Christchurch North

December 7. • The Rev. Father James Goggin, S.M., left for Timaru on Saturday. Mr. T. Brian Riordan, secretary of. St. Mary’s Tennis Club and a prominent member of St. Vincent de Paul Society, has started business on his own account as dentist, in Redpath’s Buildings, Cashel street. Mr. Riordan has made many friends by his willingness to assist in all parish undertakings, especially in musical circles, and he may be assured of their good wishes for the success of his enterprise.

The St. Mary’s branch of the Hibernian Society met on Monday evening last in Ozanam Lodge. President Bro. Johnston occupied the chair. There was a fair atendance. After ordinary routine business was dealt with, the balance sheet for last quarter (unavoidably late) was presented and showed the branch to be in a very satisfactory position. The delegate to the United Friendly Societies’ Dispensary reported on the working of the hospital scheme, which was now in operation. Accounts for the evening amounting to £4 4s were passed for payment.

A concert to be given by the pupils of St. Mary’s School will be held in the schoolroom, Manchester street, on Friday next, December 11. An attractice programme has been arranged, and tickets are meeting with a ready sale. The proceeds' which formerly have always gone to the prize fund, have this year been generously donated to the relief of the Belgian children.

The Rev. Father Herring, S.M. (Marist Missioner), who was a visitor at St. Mary’s during the week, attended the meeting of the St. Mary’s Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, and in the course of an interesting address on the aims and objects of the society, he urged the members to follow in the steps of ther founder, Frederic Ozanam, and in so doing attain the sanctification of their own souls.

A very representative meeting of parishioners (presided over by the Vicar-General, the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M.) met yesterday afternoon to consider' the proposal of holding a picnic on Boxing Day, December 26. It was unanimously decided to hold the outing at Leeston, and a strong committee was formed to make the arrangements. Various sub-committees were also set up. Mr. Walter Murphy was elected secretary, and Mr. C. E. Courtney treasurer.

Glorious weather prevailed for the garden party held in St. Mary’s Presbytery grounds on Saturday afternoon. There was a very large attendance, and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Among those present were the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., Rev. Father Hoare,»S.M., and Rev. Father Burger, S.M. Good business was done by the various stallholders. Afternoon tea was served under the capable supervision of Mesdames Dobbs and Gray, and a band of assistants, who had a very busy time during the whole afternoon. The sweets stall,, in charge of Misses Johnson (2) and Harrington, did good business, particularly among the young folk.' Among the various

amusements provided were races for children, competitions in nail-driving for ladies, and hat-trimming for gentlemen. Athletes seemed to be busy ‘ putting the weight, tossing the caber/ etc. An orchestra, consisting of Messrs, Dalton, Mercer, Matthews, Brittain, Clarkson, Oakes, and under the leadership of Mr. T f B. Riordan, and accompanied by Mrs. Cronin (pianist), rendered very enjoyable selections. Mrs. Frank O’Brien contributed to the afternoon’s enjoyment by her vocal items. The financial result was very satisfactory amount being close on £SO.

Timaru

(From our own correspondent.)

December 7.

The pupils of the Sacred* Heart School are giving a concert on Friday, December 11, in aid of the Belgian relief fund. A very attractive programme has been arranged, and, apart from the cause, this will be well worth the silver coin asked for admission. The nuns and children are devoting a lot of time to make it a success, and the latter are relinquishing their prizes to help the fund. Sunday being the first Sunday of the month, the usual devotions were held. The ladies of the Sacred Heart Society approached the Holy Table in largo numbers at the early Masses. In the evening the usual procession in honor of the Blessed Sacrament took place. The sermon ,was preached by Rev. Father Venning, 5.M.,, of Wellington. °

The devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration took place last week at the convent. On Tuesday morning a Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Very Rev. Dean Tubman, assisted by Rev. Father Kerley as deacon, Rev. Father Dignan as subdeacon, and Rev. Father Murphy master of ceremonies. The devotion was brought to a close on Thursday morning, when the High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father McCarthy, with Very Rev, Dean Tubman as deacon and Rev. Father Murphy subdeacon. g