DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 19 October 1916, Page 24

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) October 16. The recent ' euchre and social ' promoted by the Catholic branch of the lied Gross Society realised a net profit of .£3l lGs 2d, a very welcome addition to the funds, upon which now there are considerable demands. The Citizens'Defence Corps (C.D.C., Christchurch) will be obliged if anyone can give information about 6/3818 Cornelius O'Connell, now at tho front, or about his relations. He was at one time employed at Fairfield Freezing Works. In a paragraph of my notes appearing in last week's issue of the Tablet having reference to payments made by his Lordship the Bishop in reduction of the liabilities on the Cathedral the words periodical payments ' of stated amounts was printed ' parochial payments,' the latter obviously being incorrect. The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the Catholic Club executive held on Monday, October 3 —' That this meeting of the Christchurch Catholic Club desires to place on record its sincere thanks for supply of the Tablet during the year.' The secretary was instructed to forward resolution to the editor, Tablet office. A well-attended meeting of the parish committees representing the Cathedral, St. Mary's (Christchurch North), and Addington branches of the Catholic Federation, was held on last Sunday afternoon in the Marist Brothers' Schoolroom to arrange preliminaries in connection with the Catholic Congress to be held in the Colloseum on the evening of Thursday, November 9. An apology for unavoidable absence was received from the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and in the course of an explanatory address, stated that the projected congress would be representative of both Canterbury and Westland, and was intended to be the forerunner of a campaign for the removal of injustices and the amelioration of the many difficulties, especially in the matter of education, under which, from conscientious motives, the Catholics of this Dominion were

suffering. The congress would also provide a means whereby our views and ideals on this most important subject could oe brought before the public generally, and to receive, and if practicable adopt suggestions for the remedying of existing dissabilities, and the improvement of our position. It is intended to have four speakers, representing Westland, South Canterbury, and the city of Christchurch, the speeches to be interspersed with choruses given by 300 Catholic school children, the whole proceedings to conclude with the singing of ' Faith of our fathers.' His Lordship, speaking for the diocesan executive, stated that that body would assist, and intimated that Mr. F. J. Doolan (243 Wilson's road), had been appointed diocesan secretary of the Federation, vice Mr. T. H. C. Williamson (resigned). Messrs. J. Mc'Namara, E. J. P. Wall, and J. J. O'Gorman were elected joint secretaries to assist the diocesan council. Resolutions were adopted for the issue of invitations to all parishes of the diocese to be represented by both clergy and laity, also to all parish societies, the members of the Hibernian Society to be present in regalia. Details regarding the eventincluding decoration of the building and platform,—were adopted, and the meeting was adjourned to Sunday, November 5, at 3 p.m. An entertainment for which advanced arrangements have been made is to be given by the Christchurch Catholic Club in the Choral Hall on Wednesday, October 25, in aid of the funds of the Cathedral school committee. An excellent programme has been arranged, and no effort is being spared by the club members to uphold their reputation for promoting successful fixtures. The school committee is certainly one of the •most consistently energetic bodies we have in the city, and well deserves all the assistance in the matter of finance it is possible to render. The event under notice, then, is one in which the many can assist with small personal pecuniary outlay, but with results in the aggregate, which count for a very great deal. For these reasons a fine rally is anticipated, and as a consequence, a substantial augmentation of the committee's exchequer. To mark Hie close of the mission now being conducted by the Redemptorist Fathers, there is to be a general Communion at the early Masses on next Sunday in the Cathedral. The congregation, which is claimed to be the largest individual one in the Dominion, has a record of 1150 having approached the Holy Table on a given occasion, and on next Sunday it is urged to exceed that record by at least 50. No less than six priests, as was stated, would be in attendance to assist, and the result is awaited with considerable interest. The mission by the Redemptorist Fathers now in progress at the Cathedral is.being attended by large -congregations, morning and evening, and promises to

prove a remarkable success. The zealous missionaries are apparently leaving nothing undone to ensure this result. Their eloquent exhortations are having a farreaching effect, and the deep impression created will be certain to long endure. On last Thursday evening the first great solemnity of the mission, that in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, was observed with befitting ceremonial, the preacher on the occasion being Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R. Last Sunday evening the Cathedral was greatly crowded, when the Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R., preached on the eternal punishment due to sin. Through the thoughtfulness and energy of Mrs. F. Green and Mrs. W. Rodgers, the whole of the domestic furnishings of the Marist Brothers' residence have been renewed, and in fact re-established on a comfortable and complete basis. To accomplish this an expenditure of .£35 was necessary, and this amount was realised by the success of a little fixture arranged for the purpose, and the contributions of a few friends. On last Saturday afternoon the ' gift' was formally made, when his Lordship the Bishop was present with members of the school committee and others. His Lordship expressed his gratitude for what had been done, and warmly commended the ladies for their efforts in such a worthy cause. It was always most gratifying to him (his Lordship) to see the devoted teaching staffs of our schools properly and generously treated, and the present feature was an evidence that the people of this city realised their duty in that regard. The Brother Director, on behalf of his confreres, expressed sincerest thanks for all that was being done for them. In addition to the gift before mentioned, Mrs. T. Cahill has given a beautiful rug to furnish the chapel, and Sir George Clifford intends providing a garden seat. Afternoon-tea was served, after which the plans for the new school were inspected and favorably commented upon,

We desire to draw the attention of our readers to an advertisement in this issue having - reference to Mr. A. S. Archer (formerly manager for Messrs. Cole and Springer), who has commenced business on his own account as an undertaker, in premises situated at 219 George street, Dunedin. Mr. Archer has been in this line of business for many years, and as the business will have his own personal supervision, customers can rely on every attention and satisfaction being accorded them. Catholic work will have his best attention