DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 14 October 1915, Page 24

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) October 11. A series of euchre evenings held in connection with the Rangiora branch of the Catholic Federation was

brought,to )a'. close on last. Friday* evening. Progressive euchre , was played, ;. the , prize-winners being Misses M. Hawley and M. Miller, and. Messrs: J. Fitzgibbon and E. Fahey. ..During the evening Very Rev. Dean Hyland, on behalf of friends, presented: a purse of sovereigns to Mr. J. Black, a member of the Federation, who was recently transferred from the Rangiora Post Office staff ..to the chief office in Christchurch. • : '.-.v In point of attendance, the retreat conducted during the past week for the members of the archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament by the Rev. Father Grogan, C.SS.R., in the Cathedral, assumed almost the proportions of a general mission for the congregation. Each morning increasing numbers approached the Holy Table, whilst very large congregations were present every evening, when, besides the customary devotions, eloquent discourses were given. On Wednesday evening (the Feast of the Holy Rosary) there was a special solemnity in honor, of the Blessed Virgin, our. Lady's altar being magnificently adorned and illuminated. A very fine discourse, appropriate of the occasion, was given. Cabling to lieu, friends in this city recently, Mrs. Arthur Mead expressed her intention of leaving New York, where she had spent several months in the further study of her profession, for San Francisco during October. Her intention was to spend a short time in the latter city, and visit the Panama Exposition. Writing previously, Mrs. Mead expressed her anticipation of hearing, in both cities, the greatest European operatic artists, mentioning that New York was then the home of the cream of the profession on account of the war having compelled an- exodus from Europe to the land of the Stars and Stripes. One night during August she was present at an Italian patriotic concert in the Century Opera House, New York. The artists assisting were the most famous of the opera stage. Amongst them was Madame Sapio, who toured New Zealand some twenty-five years. ago. At the time of writing, Mrs Mead was enjoying excellent health.

The annual meeting of the Christchurch Catholic Club was held in the clubrooms, Wiltshire Buildings, on Wednesday evening, September 29. Dr. A. B. O'Brien presided, and there was a large attendance of members. The balance sheet, which showed the club to be in a prosperous condition financially, was read and adopted. The president, in his address, spoke of the loss the club had sustained by the death of his Lordship Bishop Grimes. He also referred to the roll of honor, and spoke of those club members who were now serving their King and country. In vacating office, he wished the club every success during the coming year, and urged all to loyally support their president and further the interests of the club. He also wished to extend a .hearty welcome to Mr. F. Rowe upon his return to Christchurch. " Sir George Clifford, Bart., is patron of the club, and the .following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —President, Mr. E. L. McKeon ; vice-presidents Messrs. J. R. ward, E. Cordery, and P. McNamara; secretary, Mr. J. F. Devonport; treasurer, Mr. W. Hayward, jun. ; auditors, Messrs. J. Ainger and L. Madden ; musical director, Mr. P. C. J. Augarde; librarian, Mr. F. Rowe; custodian, Mr. F. O'Connell; executive committee— J. Cronin, P, Augarde, F. Glackin, W. Daly, F. Sepie, and T. O'Connell. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the auditors, secretary, and the retiring members of the executive —-Messrs. B. O'Connor, L. Madden, and T. O'Connell. Impressive ceremonies in connection with the close of the annual retreat of the archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament were observed in the Cathedral on Sunday last. There was a general Communion at the 7 o'clock Mass, when very large numbers approached the Holy Table. From after the 11 o'clock Mass, until the close of the evening devotions there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. In the evening there was a crowded congregation, when the missioner gave a beautiful discourse on the 'Divine Presence.' Thea

-followed a procession and Benediction of the Blessed - and finally -the imparting of; the Papal blessing. Quite a feature throughout the retreat was :" the -congregational singing. In announcing on Sunday evening that a Requiem Mass for the repose of the souls of -all deceased members of the archconfraternity would -be celebrated at 6 o'clock on the following morning, Rev. Father Grogan, C.SS.R., mentioned that a special memento should be made of the late Bishop, founder of the archconfraternity in the diocese, and whose deep love for the Blessed Sacrament was so fittingly exemplified in the magnificent Cathedral dedicated in honor of the abiding presence of our Divine Lord. After thanking all who had assisted in making the retreat such a pronounced success, Rev. Father Grogan said that, with the additional members who had joined during the week, the numerical strength of the archconfraternity was now over 500. In taking farewell of the congregation, he said that the present was the last duty of the nature he would be called upon to undertake in New Zealand, as he was leaving immediately for the Philippines. • Last week, after thirty-two years' continuous service, Mrs. Maher, matron of the Addington priiv/n for females, retired from the .position into private life. Mrs. Maher joined the service in 1883, when she was appointed assistant matron at Addington prison. Two years later, in 1885, she was promoted to be matron of the Wellington prison. In 1893 she was transferred to Dunedin, as matron, and in 1897 she was transferred to Auckland. On the re-opening of Addington prison in 1913 she was appointed matron in charge, and has remained there till the present day. As a memento of her retirement, Mrs. Maher was presented with a handsome and well-equipped lady's dressing-case, the gift of members of the staff at Addington. The presentation was made by the gaoler, Mr. Scanlan, who referred to the golden opinions Mrs. Maher had won from every member of the prison staff during her two years' sojourn amongst them. Timaru (From our own correspondent.) October 11. The devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration is to commence at the convent on Tuesday morning next. During the past few months many necessary improvements have been made in the parish library. All the latest books by the best authors have been added to the numbers already in circulation, and a new departure has been made in the addition of a juvenile section where the children, at a small cost, may obtain

books suited tto .their requirements. .. ' New catalogues•:.■;* have also been ; printed and will no doubt be much appreciated by the subscribers. ..'■.. ••.-•-• Sr-7'£ On Thursday last a very enjoyable social evening 5 was held in '- the school hall by the members the £j Children of Mary. There was a very large number - of young people present, and the first part of the ._ evening was devoted to progressive euchre, many keenly-, : ',\ contested games being played. A very dainty supper, 1 was handed round by the members, after which there ; were music and songs and a guessing competition which J caused great amusement. Very Rev. Dean Tubman and Rev. Father Murphy were present during the evening. Methven (From an occasional correspondent.) A very pleasant function took place at the local presbytery on the evening of October 6, when a farewell was tendered to the Rev. Father Hickson, S.M., of St. Mary's, Christchureh. Father Hickson had for the previous six weeks been relieving Rev. Dr. Kennedy who, during that time, was enjoying a well-earned Iholiday. The function took the form of a 'surprise party,' and it was a magnificent success. During the evening, Mr. John McKendry, jun., presented the Rev. Father, on behalf of the parishioners, with a handsome suit-case and travelling rug. In a happy '. speech Rev. Father Hickson thanked the parishioners x for their generous gifts, and said that although he appreciated their generosity, yet nothing in the. nature of a gift was necessary to remind him of the six happy weeks he had spent in Methven. He hoped that at some future date to come amongst them again, even for a flying visit. He also mentioned that in return for the good things given him he promised that he would ever remember in his prayers and at the altar the parishioners of Methven. Musical items and cards followed. Rev. Father Hickson left on Thursday afternoon for Christchureh.