DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 11 February 1915, Page 31

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

February 8.

The many friends of the Rev. Father O’Boyle will be pleased to know that he is progressing satisfactorily after a serious operation, which he underwent in the Lewisham Hospital. Rev. Mother Xavier, accompanied by two Nursing Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, arrived last week on business connected with the erection of the additions to their hospital on Bealey avenue. On last Thursday afternoon a net-ball match was played on the grounds of the Sacred Heart College (Sisters of the Missions) between teams representing the boarders (captain, Miss Evelyn Mooney) and the day scholars (captain, Miss Madge Allen). The game resulted in a win for the day scholars by three goals to one.

The members of the local police force met at the Addington police station to make a presentation to Sergeant David Stewart, who- has been stationed at the central station for two years, and who was recently transferred to the charge of the Addington district. Constable Edgar, on behalf of the men, made the presentation, which consisted of a travelling bag and a shaving set, and referred in eulogistic terms to the esteem in which the recipient was held. •An Irish entertainment will be given .under the auspices of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. So-

ciefcy in the Hibernian Hall, Barbadoes street, on Tuesday evening, •February 16.. Irish music, »songs, and dances will be contributed by Mrs Commons, Messrs F. J. McDonald, P. McNamara, G. Fotterill, A. McDonald, J. Gilmour, and others. A special feature or the programme will be a tableau entitled V Erin free, Dr H. T. J. Thacker, M.P. for West Christchurch, will deliver—an interesting lecture on places of scenic and historic note in Ireland, illustrating his remarks by means of lantern slides, which will give a good idea of the .beauty spots of the land of the harp and shamrock, and will be the means of bringing back the memories of exiles of Erin to the familiar scenes of their childhood.

In celebration of the ninth anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral there was Pontifical High Mass on Sunday last. The Most Rev. Dr O’Shea, S.M. (Coadjutor-Archbishop of Wellington), was celebrant; assistant priest,. Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R. ; deacons at the throne, Very Rev. Father Graham, S.M., M.A., and Rev. Father Quinn, S.M. ; deacon and subdeacon respectively of the Mass,.Rev. Father Murphy, 13. A., and Rev. Father Burger, S.M.; master of ceremonies, Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm. The high altar and sanctuary were, as usual, most tastefully adorned. The music was Gounod’s ‘ Messe Solennelle, ’ capably rendered by the choir, strengthened for the occasion, with Mr W. Handel Thorley at the organ. At Vespers the occasional sermon was preached by the Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R., who, in the course of a splendid discourse on the ‘ Progress of the Church in Modern Times,’ made an eloquent appeal to the generosity of the faithful to free the magnificent cathedral from the debt remaining on it. There was Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, at which the Archbishop officiated, attended by the Rev. Fathers Murphy and Long as deacon and subdeacon. Collections were taken up at all the Masses and at Vespers, the amount realised being considered very satisfactory.