DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 14 September 1916, Page 26

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

September 11.

In the Association football league competition matches, continued last Saturday in fine weather, St. Bede’s College met and defeated United on English Park by 3 goals to 2.

St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society celebrated its 43rd anniversary by a banquet on last Wednesday evening in the Hibernian Hall. There was a large and enthusiastic gathering, and a full report of the proceedings will be given in the next issue of the Tablet.

His Lordship the Bishop motored to Little River on last Sunday morning and was cordially welcomed by the pastor (Rev. Father Bonetto), and the congregation assembled for the Mass, celebrated at 11 o’clock. Later, his Lordship went on to Akaroa, where another reception was warmly accorded him.

The Marist Brothers’ senior school boys, accompanied by some of the teaching staff, went by the midday express on last Friday to Timaru, where on the following day they played the Timaruvians in the annual inter-school Rugby football match. The result of the match greatly pleased the many admirers of the boys’ play, who, having in mind the redoubtable qualities of the southern contestants, were hardly prepared for so pronounced a victory.

Responding to the toast of the ‘ Bishop and Clergy’ at the Hibernian banquet last week, his Lordship the Bishop said that in regard to vocations to the religious life the diocese of Christchurch had for years held pride of place, a position which apparently it was destined to retain. His Lordship also referred to the seminary fund, and instanced several examples of remarkable generosity on the part of individuals to ensure the supply of priests being well maintained.

A series of missions, to be conducted by the Redemptorist Fathers in the Cathedral parish and suburban churches connected therewith, is to be commenced this week. The first mission is to be opened at Sumner on Wednesday evening, followed on next Sunday by one at Woolston and another at Addington. A mission will then be given at Halswell, and afterwards the missioned are to commence one of three weeks’ duration in the Cathedral, the first week being devoted to the children.

St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society held its ordinary meeting on Monday evening, July 28. Bro. J. Flannelly (president) presided, and there was a full attendance of officers. The report of the sick visitors (Bros. McCormick and Lafferty) was a lengthy one, and the amount of pay passed to sick brothers was .£24 13s 4d. Accounts amounting to £lO 18s Id were passed for payment. Three new members were initiated and three other candidates were nominated for membership.

The following articles have been sent to the central depot from the Catholic branch of the Red Cross Society (per Mrs. J. S. Barrett, president), for the month of August, and shows how well this devoted band of workers are doing their duty in the great struggle:—2o pairs pyjamas, 9 flannel shirts, 7 cotton shirts, 11 flannel underpants, 3 shorts, 4 body belts, 6 doctors’ operating coats, 50 square swabs, 40 knitted washers, 10 diet cloths, 10 wringers, 134 bandages, 12 flannel vests, 3 bed jackets, 6 slings, 74 pairs socks, 3 scarves, 58 bags swabs, 4 balaclavas, and 5 handkerchiefs.

At a meeting of the Cathedral School Committee held last week, his Lordship the Bishop, who presided, expressed his intention of, in the immediate future, effecting a very material advancement in connection with the parochial schools of the parish. His Lordship’s plan as outlined is to include new and up-to-date primary school buildings each for the boys and girls in the vicinity of the present separate schools. In all probability the erection of both will go on at the same time. Educational facilities at Addington are to be

increased by the erection of a separate infant school, and at Woolston requirements in school matters are to receive early attention. When the toast of ‘ The Press ’ was being honored at the Hibernian anniversary banquet last Wednesday evening, the Rev. Father Long referred in eloquent terms to the A .Z. 'Tablet and to the masterful manner in which it editorially watches over Catholic interests. the Catholic press and the Catholic Federation were essentials to our progress, well being, and the righting of the wrongs and disabilities under which the Catholics of this Dominion were laboring. Evidently (continued the speaker) our Holy Father the Pope was convinced of this fact, as is proved by his conferring the Papal honors Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice upon Mr. J. A. Scott, M.A. (editor of the Tablet) and Mr. D. L. Poppelwell (President-general of the Catholic Federation). He (the speaker) had great pleasure in proposing that this representative assembly tender its sincerest congratulations to these two gentlemen on the distinction conferred upon them, and that the secretary convey the resolution in writing. The motion was seconded by Rev. Father Seymour, S.M., and carried unanimously amid sustained acclamation. Publicity is given of the experiences of a young lady, a native of this city and daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Deamer, formerly of Christchurch, as follows; Miss Dulcie Deamer (Mrs. Albert Goldie), the wellknown New Zealand writer, has received news that her only sister, Dorothea, was recently released from Thuin, near Charleroi, Belgium, where she had been practically a prisoner since the war broke out. Miss Deamer entered the Convent of the Sacred Heart at Kensington, Sydney, about three years ago, and shortly after, as Sister Marianne, went to Belgium to undertake an educational course at the principal convent of the Order. Shortly following her arrival war was declared, and, excepting for an indirect message received through the High Commissioner that the convent had been spared on the terrible march of the Huns to Charleroi, and that she was there nursing wounded soldiers, nothing was heard of her till the last English mail, when a letter arrived slating that she had been rescued with another English nun through the intervention of a religious Order in Holland. She is now a passenger for Sydney on board the Osterley. Sister Marianne showed as great promise as an artist as her sister as a writer. Her parents now reside in Sydney.

Timaru

(From our own correspondent.)

September 11

At all the Masses on Sunday feeling reference was made to the death of the late Very Rev. Dean Smyth, S.M., and the prayers of the congregation were asked for the repose of his soul. Rev. Father Pierring, S.M., has been engaged during the week preaching a retreat to the children attending the convent boarding school. The retreat commenced on Thursday evening last, and was brought to a close on Monday morning.

Lieutenant T. J. King, returned from active service for home duties, has been temporarily attached to the New Zealand Staff Corps and appointed Assistant Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores, with the temporary rank of captain while so employed. Captain King is a son of Senior Sergeant King, of the police force (formerly of Dunedin), and now of Timaru.

The annual Rugby football match between the Christchurch and Timaru IMarist schools was played on the Athletic Grounds on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the visitors by 20 points to 6. .The Christchurch boys were biouer and speedier than the local lads, and secured a decided advantage by winning the toss and getting first use of the wind. Soon after the kick-off a mull by a Timaru back enabled Dobbs to score without much difficulty, and soon afterwards a strong run by Brittenden gave Christchurch another try. These reverses had a depressing effect on the play

of the home team, who were kept penned on their line for the greater part of the spell. Further tries were scored by Brittenden (2), Dobbie, and Considine, one being converted by Foster, and at half-time the score was Christchurch 20, Timaru nil. With the wind in their favor Timaru made a vastly improved showing in the second half, keeping their opponents busily defending for nearly the whole 30 minutes. Leeming and Cronin each scored a try by a dashing run, but Timaru’s attack did not prove so effective as their opponents’ had done, and no further points were secured. Just on the call of time the visitors were responsible for a strong rush from end to end, Timaru just escaping by forcing! This was the only occasion during the match on which the ball crossed the western twenty-five line. On Monday morning, at the Marist Brothers’ School, Rev. Father Herbert addressed a few applicable words of congratulation 'to the Christchurch boys on their great achievement in securing the challenge banner, and words of encouragement to the defeated team. Then, amidst great cheering, the Rev. Father presented the banner to the winners. This challenge banner is a work of the highest order ; it contains the names of the winners for the lest few years, but it has been resolved' that the full list of matches for the last 25 years, during which the Brothers have been in Timaru, will be suitably inscribed on the banner, thus giving to the future pupils of the schools a complete list of past contests and a noble standard to be maintained. The splendid physique of the contestants was much commented upon by the numerous spectators. This prowess at athletics shows what a high standard our Catholic schools have attained in spite of the Government’s opposition to grant us medical inspection, swimming grants, or the many other advantages given to our opponents in the respective competitions. It was most edifying to see the boys of both schools receiving Holy Communion in a body at the 7.30 Mass on Sunday.