DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1916, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

May 15.

A general meeting of Cathedral parishioners is convened for next Wednesday evening to make arrangements for the annual social gathering in aid of the parish schools' fund.

At the annual meeting of the Mayoral Coal and Blanket Fund Committee, held last week, Mrs. F. Green and Nurse Geaney, were elected to represent Catholic interests for the Cathedral and St. Mary's parochial districts.

His Lordship the Bishop presided at the ordinary periodical meeting of the Cathedral School Committee on last Thursday evening, and expressed himself well pleased with its past activities and future prospects. _ Playing in Rugby senior football on Lancaster Park on last • Saturday, Mansts met and defeated Lincoln College oy 21 points (3 goals from tries and 2 tries) to ml. Ihe play was fast and interesting. In the Association game Rangers met and defeated St. Bede’s College by 9 goals to 1. n Th ! S A ° f tile Good Shepherd tender their thanks to the Right Rev. Bishop Brodie, several members of the clergy, and the many friends who attended the opening ceremony of the new wing of the institution at Mount Magdala on Sunday week, when the generosity of benefactors elicited deepest sentiments of gratitude.

For the purpose of establishing an orphanage for boys, the Sisters of Nazareth have purchased a very fine property of over 60 acres at Middleton, which is situated within easy distance of the city. There is on the land ati eighteen-roomed residence, the whole until recently being in the occupation of Mr. J. D. Hall The Rev. Mother of Nazareth House hopes to be in a position to staff and open the new. institution within a year, and.be thus enabled to accommodate all who may seek admission. Under present circumstances only boys of tender years are admitted to Nazareth House, and these now there number about seventy. The Rev. Mother fully realises the necessity of a thoroughly equipped separate institution for boys, where everything needful will be taught. The Sisters of Nazareth deserve the most generous assistance in this most commendable undertaking. A general meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the circumscription of the Particular Council of Christchurch was held on last Monday evening at Ozanam Lodge, Manchester street. The Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., presided, and there was a good attendance. Correspondence was received from the Superior Council (Sydney) and Central Council (Wellington). Matters of special interest to the society received attention, and very satisfactory reports were given of the work of the conferences, and confraternities of Ladies of Charity. In the course of an appropriate and helpful address), the Rev. Father Hoare said he desired to congratulate the members of the society and Ladies of Charity on their work, which was dear to the heart of every —dear, because in following the Divine injunction, to love the poor, we were better and happier, and would receive a very great reward. The work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul appeals to the priest, because of his own duty and life's work, and in this regard the members were his real helpers in carrying on the work our Lord gave him to do. ' Blessed are the poor in spirit' may be

interpreted to characterise the nobility of their work, which is carried on silently and secretly, for the love of God, and this is where it has its reward. He was (he said, in conclusion) very gratified at the zeal and earnestness shown to exist among his hearers, and the success attending their efforts, and was particularly pleased to see their endeavours extending over a wider sphere. Much to the credit of the Rev. Father Cronin, pastor of the district, and the energetic efforts of the Catholics of Coalgate and Glentunnel, the bazaar, recently held for the purpose of placing the Church property in a sound financial position, was very successful. Besides donating £47 to the Queen Carnival fund, a sum of £IOO was realised for Church requirements. A comparatively small sum is still needed to complete the object in view.

CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC CLUB.

The members of the Christchurch Catholic Club met in considerable numbers in the clubrooms, Wiltshire Buildings, on last Thursday evening, to tender a social gathering to Mr. W. Horgan, of the Main Expeditionary Force, and lately returned frofn Gallipoli after 15 months' campaigning; to Mr. B. O'Connor and Mr. Henderson, of the 13th Reinforcements, now on final leave; and also to Messrs. W. T. Dobbs, P. J. Nelson, and F. McDonald, who represented the club at the annual conference and competitions of the Federated Catholic Clubs in Wellington. The president (Mr. E. L. McKeon) presided. A musical and elocutionary programme was contributed by Messrs. P. C. Augarde, G. C. Hayward, F. Rowe, B. Rennell, and F. McDonald.

The president, in eloquent terms, referred to the three-fold object ct • the gathering, paying a welldeserved tribute to the returned and departing soldiers for their keen sense of duty to their King and country, and their worth as club members. Although comparatively a small body numerically, the president showed that its roll of honor (then displayed) contained a very creditable list of names, and was still being added to. In handing a parting gift to Mr. O'Connor, he said the recipient had the best wishes of his fellow club members for a successful period of service, and a safe return. He also handed Mr. Horgan a set of military brushes, expressing the appreciation of the club members for the services he had so well and creditably rendered in the great cause of freedom, right, and justice. Messrs. O'Connor and Horgan replied in brief but grateful terms. The Rev. Father Murphy, B.A. (chaplain), very warmly congratulated Messrs. Dobbs, Nelson, and McDonald on the success they achieved at Wellington, and on their behalf handed the shield won by them to the club amid applause.

Mr. W. T. Dobbs replied on behalf of his fellowrepresentatives, and urged members to greater efforts in regard to the literary and debating work of the club. Refreshments were served, and a generally enjoyable evening was spent.