DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 6 May 1915, Page 27

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) . May 3. Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., of the Cathedral, spent a few days of last week in Wellington, where he went to officiate at a wedding ceremony. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral on Sunday from the 11 o’clock Mass, followed by the usual procession and Benediction after Vespers. There will be the customary May devotions each evening during the month. The Sunday school, recently established in the Linwood portion of the Cathedral parish, has proved a complete success. Two Sisters of the Mission conduct the school ©very Sunday afternoon, and the children attending at present number about fifty. With a view of placing the church and school finances of the Woolston portion of the Cathedral parish on a satisfactory basis and to meet extra current expenses, a meeting of the residents was held on last Wednesday evening, when it was resolved to arrange a regular series of social events at intervals during the winter months. A party of members of the Nellie Stewart Dramatic Company visited Mount Magdala on an afternoon last

week, and provided a musical treat for about two hundred of the inmates. The party included Miss Gladys Gordon and Messrs. Bert Roche, E. Parker, J. Dunn, A. Moiling, and Bert Garry. The programme was thoroughly appreciated by the inmates, and every item was loudly applauded. - At thq conclusion, Mr. A. C. Nottingham, who arranged the visit, moved a vote of thanks to the visitors, which was carried by acclamation. Rev. Father Hanrahan, pastor of Lincoln, left by the lonic last week, with his father (Mr. Hanrahan, of Ashburton), on a visit to the Home countries. They are to be present at the ordination to the priesthood of another member of the family at All Hallows College in June, who was at one time a student at Holy Cross College, and intended for the Christchurch diocese. During Father Hanrahan’s absence, the Lincoln district will be served by the Missionary Fathers of the Sacred. Heart from Darfield. Mr. G. Girling-Butcher, general secretary and organiser of the Catholic Federation, concluded a successful lecturing tour of the parochial districts of Hawarden, Rangiora, and Darfield last week. On last Sunday, after devotions at St. Mary’s, Christchurch North, he addressed a meeting of the congregation on the subject of his mission. This week is mapped out for work in the Methven-Rakaia, Temuka. and Geraldine districts, to be followed by visits to the Timaru, Fairlic, and Waimate parishes. The fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall, on last Monday evening. Bro F. Smith (vice-president) presided over a fair attendance of members. Sick pay for £l3 14s 4d and other accounts, amounting to ,£65 Is 3d, were passed for payment. One candidate was proposed for membership, and one was initiated. The quarterly balance sheet, which showed the branch to be in a flourishing condition, was read and adopted. It was decided to promote a complimentary benefit entertainment in aid of a member, who has been seriously incapacitated for some considerable time past, to take place on Wednesday, May 26. An energetic committee has the matter in hand. From a Catholic point of view the municipal elections were very successful. Councillor J. R. Hayward was returned within three votes of the highest number polled, and would, had a little additional effort been exerted, be senior councillor. Our first effort to have a representative on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, too, proved eminently successful, the Catholic candidate, Mrs. C. M. Green, being elected by nearly 5300 voters. Both these public-spirited candidates are deserving of hearty congratulation. Councillor Hayward has already proved his worth on the council as a sound',. energetic, and useful representative, and, with past experience to his credit, will continue in the forefront of municipal activity. Mrs. Green, although not untried on public bodies, having for years been a member of the Christchurch Benevolent Association, which is entrusted with the distribution of the Mayoral coal and blanket fund, and being a member and now president of the Cathedral confraternity of Diocesan Ladies of Charity, has still to gain experience in the wider sphere. With her past record in charitable endeavor, however, she will no doubt well merit the confidence now reposed in her. Timaru (From our own correspondent.) May 3. For the past two Sundays the parish committee of the Catholic Federation have been at the church door enrolling new members. The May devotions in honor of our Lady were commenced on Sunday evening, and arc to continue every evening during the nlontli. ■ Sunday being the first Sunday of the month there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament all day, and the usual procession in the evening.

- The Celtic Football Club opened their . season on Thursday afternoon on the Caledonian Grounds, when they met and defeated a team from Oamaru. On Thursday afternoon of last week the Children of Mary gave a kitchen afternoon in the Girls’ School to Miss M. Mara, on the occasion ‘of her approaching marriage. Rev. Father Murphy, in making the presentation, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large meeting to do honor to the bride-elect, and referred to her long association with the sodality, the good example she had always shown as a member, and the help she had always given in every good work in the parish. On behalf of himself and the members he wished her every blessing and happiness in her new sphere of life. Afternoon tea was then partaken of, and a very pleasant gathering was brought to a close. Huntly (By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) May 3. Mr. W. Battersby, who is a native of St. Helens, Lancashire, has been appointed conductor of the church choir. Rev. Father O’ Doherty lias presented the boys with an Association ball, and intends to coach them in the game. 1 ho ladies of Ngaruawahia are very busy preparing for a, three days’ bazaar, which takes place on the 6th, 7th, and Bth of May. The town is fast recovering from* the set back caused by the recent terrible mining disaster. ’A business site in the main street has recently changed hands at £3O per foot. The handsome brick building, which is being built for the Bank of New Zealand, will, when completed, be an ornament to the place. A Hibernian social, which was held on April 26, was an unqualified success. The hall was tastefully decorated. Vocal (Jems of a high order were contributed by Miss Prendergast, Mrs. W. J. Ralph, Miss Bartle, and Miss Stone. The ladies’ committee generously donated the refreshments. All present thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and look forward with pleasant anticipation to the next social. The members of the branch express their sincere thanks to all who had assisted in making the entertainment such an unqualified success.