DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 15 June 1916, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) ' . June 12. ■ The annual collection for the diocesan seminary fund was made on last Sunday. The Catholic social gathering held annually in the Halswell district took place on last^Thursday evening in the local public hall, there being a large attendance. The devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration is to commence in the Cathedral on Sunday, June 25 (within the octave of Corpus Christi, patronal feast of the Cathedral).

At their ordinary meeting last week, the members of the Cathedral sodality of Children of Mary presented one of their number, Miss Mary O’Malley, with a book of meditation, on the occasion of her entry as a novice in the Order of Notre Dame des Missions.

The Rugby Union’s, (under twenty-two) football competition was continued on last Saturday at Lancaster Park, when the Marist team was again successful, defeating Linwood by 8 points (a goal from a try, and a try) to 6 points (2 tries). In the junior grade, North Park Marists won from College B by 8 points to 6. For Marists Sheehan and McMurtrie scored tries; McMurtrie converted one try. In the Association contest Linwood met and defeated St. Bede’s College (two players,short) by 1 goal to nil. In the fourth grade match, St. Bede’s suffered defeat by Linwood by 2 goals to nil.

In the primary schools Rugby football competitions, the Marist Brothers’ School boys played their first matches last week. In the junior grade, playing against Normal School, they registered 37 points to nil—Granger (3), Sutherland (2), McGarry (2), Dudderidge, Dwan, and Stride scored tries; Sutherland and Dudderidge converted, and Sutherland kicked a penalty goal. In the senior grade the boys defeated Sydenham by 41 points to nil. The scorers were McCormack, Dobbs, and Foster (2), Langdon and Ellis (1). Foster potted a goal, and Goodman and Foster converted tries.

His Lordship the Bishop addressed the members of the men’s division of the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament at their meeting in the Cathedral on last Tuesday evening. It was a very great pleasure to him (his Lordship said) to have the opportunity the first that had offered since his consecration—to address the men of the archconfraternity, and to be

present at their meeting. . His Lordship spoke at length on the individual spiritual advantages of association and participation in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and of the undoubted benefit to others that would be derived from their example. He exhorted a faithful and consistent practice of the duties of the archconfraternity* and related several notable examples afforded by eminent personages of their love and veneration of the Real Presence. A meeting of the general committee of the projected annual social in aid of the Cathedral parish schools funds was held on last Wednesday evening in. the Marist Brothers’ School. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and there was a large attendance, including all the Cathedral clergy. His Lordship the Bishop expressed his appreciation of the efforts of the committee in promoting what he greatly desired to see a real success. This being the first function organised for the purpose since his Lordship’s arrival, he would take a keen interest in the success of the project, and be present at the social. The clergy would likewise interest themselves, as far as possible, to ensure the most successful results, A number of matters of detail were discussed and arranged, and the ladies’ committee were subsequently to ""meet to arrange about refreshments, etc.

On Sunday last (the Feast of Pentecost) there was Solemn Pontifical Mass at 11 o’clock in the Cathedral, at which Catholic members of the forces, including Territorials, returned and departing soldiers attended, and took part in a church parade to and from the Cathedral. His Lordship Bishop Brodie was celebrant, the Very Rev. Father Graham, S.M., M.A., assistant priest. Rev. Father Long deacon, Rev. Father Berger subdeacon, and Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., master of ceremonies. The music was Mozart’s No. 2 Mass, the choir being conducted by Mr. A. W. Bunz, Miss Ward presiding at the organ. The sanctuary and high altar were most tastefully adorned.

His Lordship the Bishop imparted the Papal Blessing, and, after the first Gospel, addressed the large congregation in part as follows;—The joys of this great festival are dimmed by the gloom of war; sad thoughts come into the mind when we read the words of the Gospel of Pentecost Peace I give you, My peace I gave unto you,’ Instead of peace we have war; instead of the charity and affection taught by our Saviour we have the hatred and bitterness of this great international struggle. The happenings of recent days call for our sorrow and sympathy. In the loss of those great heroes who sacrificed their lives in the North Sea battle for the defence of the Empire, our hearts go out to their sorrowing relatives, whose sorrow is assuaged by the recollection of their glorious death, and by the thought of a nation’s gratitude. To the loss of these heroic sailors we have sadly to add the death

of the Empire’s greatest soldier, Lord Kitchener. To him was allotted the task of organising the Empire's forces for a conflict surpassing in magnitude the struggles of history; to him has been given the well deserved credit of doing this stupendous work' so well that other nations, allied and hostile, are amazed. In him the Empire reposed unbounded confidence. , This great man is now gone. He met his death, not on the field of battle, but still doing his duty. Lord Kitchener was not only a great leader and a great soldier, but a great man. We all remember his address to his men when setting out for France, an address worthy of a great man ; an address wherein he appealed to his army to remember their manhood and their own personal honor and self-respect, and thus avoid the many dangers incidental to the soldier’s life. His words will be ever memorable as an evidence of the great heart of this great man, and the interest he took in the welfare of the Empire’s soldiers. In the name of the Catholics of Christchurch his Lordship expressed sorrow for the loss of Lord Kitchener, a soldier-leader and organiser whose life for his country and whose death in the service of his country had established a claim on the Empire’s veneration and gratitude. In -the evening there were Solemn Vespers in the presence of his Lordship the Bishop on the throne. An eloquent and impressive discourse was preached by his Lordship the Bishop, appropriate of the day’s festival from the text ‘ Go ye, therefore, teach all nations,’ during which in vivid passages he portrayed the trials and triumphs of the Catholic Church from the first Pentecost. Solemn Pontifical Benediction was then given by his Lordship the Bishop.

Qreymoutli, (From an occasional correspondent.) Miss Inga Hannam, pupil of the Sisters of Mercy, Greymouth, has received -the following letter from Madame Louise Harris, donor of the Victor Harris Medal, which is annually awarded to the candidate who obtains the highest marks in New Zealand in the Local Centre examinations in violin playing: —‘ Dear Miss Hannam, —It gives me much pleasure to forward to you the Victor Harris Memorial Gold Medal,’’ which was awarded by the Associated Board of R.a.JJ. and R.C.M. to you for violin playing at their last examination. Greymouth is to be congratulated on having so much talent. The medal has been won by a Grey-mouth-Convent candidate, and it must be gratifying to you to think that your work has merited the marks obtained, and encourage you to further efforts in gaining proficiency in your musical career. \

Hokitika ■ ■■ ✓ (From our own correspondent.) June 4. The Rev. Father Quinn, of St. Bede’s College, Christchurch, is at present a visitor to Hokitika. Last Wednesday a very successful euchre tournament was held in St. Mary’s Clubrooms, on behalf of the wounded soldiers’ fund. Mr. John Toker, of Arahura, passed, away last Friday at the age of 45 years. He leaves a widow and children to mourn their loss.R.I.F.