DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 12 October 1916, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(Frpm our own correspondent.) October 11. * A public meeting will be held at an early date to consider what means should be taken to assist the distress occasioned in Ireland by recent lamentable happenings. At the half past 9 o’clock Mass in the Cathedral on Sunday, his Lordship the Bishop, who was celebrant, made an interesting announcement in regard to the indebtedness on the Cathedral. Since assuming the episcopal charge of the diocese his Lordship has made three parochial payments in reduction of the then existing liabilities in sums of £ISOO, £IOOO, and £1750, the comparatively insignificant debit of £6OO now remaining.

His Lordship the Bishop, who presided at the Month’s Mind of the late Very Rev. Dean Smyth, S.M. (Provincial), on Wednesday, at St. Mary’s Church, Manchester street, announced his appointment of the following from amongst the diocesan clergy to constitute a diocesan council-—Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell (Ashburton), Very Rev. Dean Bowers (Geraldine), Very Rev. Dean Hyland (Rangiora), Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (St. Mary’s, Christchurch North‘d Very Rev. Dean Carew, S.M. (Greymouth), and Very Rev. Dean Tubman, S.M. (Timaru).

The following articles have been sent by the Catholic branch of the Red Cross Society to the central depot for the month of September:Thirteen shirts, 7 vests, 3 underpants, 8 pairs pyjamas, 9 doctors’ coats, 3 body-belts, 59 pairs socks, 1620 swabs, 2 shorts, 18 handkerchiefs, 1 balaclava, 1 bed jacket, 4 treasure bags, 3 limb pillow-cases, 12 girdles, 12 scarves, 66 bandages, 20 wringers. The executive committee of the Catholic branch desire to acknowledge the gifts of 11 flannel vests and 5 suits of pyjamas, also 2 rolls of flannel from Lady Clifford, and 6 scarves from Mrs. A. W. J. Bunz. In view of the increasing demands for made-up articles, many additional workers would be cordially welcomed. Sewing operations are carried on on several afternoons and evenings each week at the main rooms of the branch, Wiltshire Buildings, and also at Ozanam Lodge, St. Mary’s, Manchester street, where willing helpers will find how useful they can be in assisting our boys who have to endure the sufferings incidental to warfare.

A fortnight’s mission to adults was commenced by the Redemptorist Fathers at the 11 o’clock Mass in the Cathedral on Sunday last. Prior to the commencement of Mass, his 'Lordship the Bishop met the missionaries, Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R. (Superior) and Rev. Father Barry, C.SS.R., at the main entrance to the Cathedral, and when the procession

reached the sanctuary his Lordship the Bishop, in formally ,placing the parish, for the period mentioned, in the spiritual charge of the missionaries, exhorted the congregation to endeavor by every means offered to profit by the time of grace. His Lordship spoke of the great experience, self-sacrifice, and devotion of the Redemptorist Fathers, and urged everyone to do his and her utmost to ensure the success the missionaries so fully deserved. At the conclusion of Mass the Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R., indicated the order of services, for the mission, and from the text, ‘ Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation,’ preached an appropriate and impressive discourse. At 7 o’clock in the evening the mission service was begun, consisting of the Holy Rosary, recited by Rev. Father Mageean, C.SS.R., and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There was an exceedingly large congregation, all the extra seating provided in the aisles being occupied. ‘ What doth it profit a man to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his immortal soul,’ was the subject of an eloquent and earnest discourse by the Rev. Father Barry, C.SS.R. ‘ The Operations of the Penal Laws in Ireland ’ was the subject of a very interesting and instructive lecture given by the Rev. Father Long at a meeting of the Christchurch Celtic Club on Monday evening last. Possessing a thorough knowledge of the history of his native land, Father Long very ably impressed on the minds of the members present the extent of the hardships and privations which the Irish clergy and peasantry had to undergo during that terrible period of persecution and oppression. A musical and elocutionary programme was also provided, songs being contributed by Rev. Bro. Fidelis and Misses A. Donnel, E. Moloney, and I. Main; recitations by Miss A. Donnel and Mr. L. J. Ryan ; and a humorous sketch entitled ‘ Our Italian guide ’ (Mark Twain), was contributed by Mr. R. S. Higgins. The accompaniments were played by Misses K. O’Connor and E. Sykes. Captain Fred Ruck, a local Marist School old boy who left with the 3rd Reinforcements, under the late gallant Colonel Malone, returned by the Willochra. Captain Ruck, then in the ranks, fought on Gallipoli, was wounded, and invalided to England. He was in the Suvla Bay ‘ glorious failure,’ and from the heights of Chunch Bahr looked down upon the Narrows. He gained his commission on the Peninsula. From England he returned to Egypt, and from there to France. All his old friends are pleased to see him looking so well after his strenuous experiences. Captain Ruck reports again for service in three weeks, and anticipates joining the Aviation Corps. The following circular letter from his Lordship the Bishop was read in the Cathedral on Sunday, and ordered to be read in all the churches of the diocese; Catholic Cathedral, Christchurch. October 5, 1916. Rev. and Dear Father, —It has been brought under my notice that our Catholic chaplains are seriously hampered in their work by want of funds, and, as a consequence, much good has to be left undone in providing for the spiritual needs of the Catholic soldiers. Our hearts are filled with pride at the account of the brave deeds of our boys, and many a sorrowing relative has been consoled by the knowledge that the dying or wounded had been strengthened by the Holy Sacraments administered by the Catholic chaplains. How sad it would be to have to admit that want of financial help should prevent the work of our chaplains ! To avoid such a difficulty a movement is being organised in the four dioceses of New Zealand to provide a Field Service Fund for the purpose of ensuring every possible spiritual help to our Catholic men in training camps, or on transports and hospital ships and at the front. In this diocese I have decided that the collection made in October for diocesan charities shall be diverted to the Field Service Fund. I would ask you to read this letter to your good people and to urge this appeal

so that the response may be worthy of its most worthy object, and of the generous people of this diocese. I should be pleased to have the returns sent in to me by the end of this month. I will forward the diocesan total to the proper authorities. Wishing God’s choicest blessings to yon and your devoted people, Yours most sincerely in Christ, ❖ Matthew J. Brodie, Bishop of Christchurch.