DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 6 April 1916, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

April 3. N His Lordship the Bishop intends visiting Timaru next Sunday. . * His Lordship the Bishop has been unanimously elected an honorary member of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society. There was . Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from the 11 o’clock Mass in the Cathedral on Sunday last, followed by the usual procession after Vespers. In the evening his Lordship the Bishop preached, and presided at Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. 1 ; The first round of the primary schools cricket competition was completed on last Saturday, when the Marist BrothersV team defeated West Christchurch on ■Lancaster Park. The Marists disposed of West Christchurch for 79 runs, and in turn scored 96 runs for the loss of one wicket^V. O’Donnell 59 (not out), and G. Dunn 32 (not out). H. Foster took six wickets for 14. Master O’Donnell has been very successful this round with the bat, having attained an average of 122 runs. , On St. Patrick’s Day the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., arranged with the artists, who were to appear at the national concert in the evening, to give their programme numbers in the afternoon at Nazareth House, and accompanied them to the institution. Here the programme was rendered, greatly to the appreciation of the Sisters of Nazareth and the large number of inmates, old and young. The company were’ afterwards entertained by the Sisters, the whole event being one of mutual enjoyment. .

The quarterly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall

’• on ; ’ last Monday evening, Bro. J. Curry (president) .;■ presiding. ' Three new members were initiated, v and four candidates proposed for membership. Accounts ■amounting to <£Bo 4s lOd were passed for payment. ‘Bro. M. Grimes was elected to represent the branch at • the next district meeting. The discussion of' the order paper -for the forthcoming district meeting, adjourned from a previous meeting, was resumed, the proposals advanced by ■ the Wellington branch being fully gone into. - The order paper is to be further discussed at the next meeting. .. . .

In announcing the first annual meeting in connection . with the Catholic Girls’ Club and Hostel, in the Cathedral at the half-past 9 o’clock Mass on Sunday, his Lordship the Bishop expressed his keen appreciation of, the excellent management and satisfactory results of the first year’s operations. He emphasised the real need of such institutions in the interests of our young women and girls, and the great advantages attached to association therewith. He was (he said) exceedingly pleased at the help and encouragement extended by so many of our. Catholic ladies to the institution, and sincerely trusted this would be continued, and participated in by many more. He intended presiding at the meeting, and hoped to assist and encourage the good work in every way possible.

On last Tuesday evening the members of “the Cathedral Confraternity of Ladies of Charity met in their rooms to make a presentation to the Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A.; on the occasion of his relinquishing the position of spiritual director, owing to his many other duties. His successor in office, the Rev. Father Hanrahan, in a few well-chosen remarks, spoke of Father Murphy’s good work amongst them, and on behalf of the Ladies of Charity, asked his acceptance of a set of Christian Mysteries (four volumes), and expressed the hope that although Father Murphy would not be called upon to visit them, still he would always be warmly welcomed at their meeting when his otfier duties permitted him. Father Murphy suitably replied, and expressed his sincere wish for the society’s prosperity and continued success.

The outstanding importance of the' recent visit of his Excellency the Apostlic Delegate to Christchurch, the most cordial and sympathetic welcome accorded by all classes, and the grandeur of the incidental ceremonials, provided excellent copy for the local daily press. With a keenness and enterprise that did it infinite credit, and with a broadmindedness that was most commendable, the reports were comprehensive, well written, and accurate. As was only to be expected, this public duty well discharged did not fit in with the narrow views of some of the members of the Ministers’ Association. At their annual meeting last week a member called attention to what he alleged was the unfair attitude of local newspapers during the

decent visit of the Papal Delegate. ; : ; It was : unanimously decided to send a letter of protest to ; the editors of ‘The Press and the Lyttelton Times, ' K -