DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 2 November 1916, Page 24

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.') October 30. On Labor Day, at the Fire Brigades’ demonstration at Sumner, St. Bede’s College team won, from among 28 contestants, the run out and. coupling competition for school boys, in quickest time, gold medals being the award. St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society desire it to be known among brother Hibernians who may be visiting Christchurch during Carnival Week that it is intended to entertain them at a social re-union in the Hibernian Hall on the Wednesday evening of that holiday period. The following are the results of the examinations in practical music, conducted by Mr. S. Myerscough, at St. Joseph’s Convent of Mercy, Lyttelton, on October 21 : —lntermediate Foley. Junior(Stanley Bamford, Evelyn McCormack, Ada Gardiner, Grace Robinson (violin), Alac Law (violin). Preparatory Mona Small, Elma Hock, Lena Johnston, Una Sinclair (violin). The local Marist Brothers received word during the week of the death of the Rev. Brother Matthew in Sydney. The deceased was one of the community here in the late Brother Joseph’s time. He will be remembered also in Greymouth, Invercargill, Timaru, and Wanganui, in each of which places he labored for several years. He was 57 years of age, 28 of which he spent in religion.—R.l.P. * On last Saturday, at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Lower High street, the silver jubilee of the religious profession of Rev. Mother Pacome, MotherGeneral of the Institute of Notre Dame des Missions, was celebrated. At 9 o’clock there was Pontifical High Mass in the convent chapel. His Lordship the Bishop

was celebrant, the Rev. Father O’Hare assistant‘priest, Rev.. Father Long deacon. Rev. Father T. Hanrahan subdeacon, and Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., master of ceremonies. The music of the Mass was very effectively rendered by the choir of Sisters and pupils of ..the Sacred Heart Girls’ College. The devoted jubilarian received numerous and sincere felicitations on the happy occasion. The essay-writing competition for secondary and primary schools • promoted by the Navy League and Victoria League in connection with Trafalgar Day was held this year as usual. Thirty-eight essays were sent in from eight secondary schools. In class A (boys or girls over 15), Miss Madge Allen, Sacred Heart Girls’ College (Sisters of the Missions), secured honorable mention. In class B (open to boys and girls under 15), pupils of the Sisters of the Missions (Sacred Heart Girls’ College), secured first and second prizes Miss Rewa Murphy 1, Miss Mary Bundle 2 (in a tie with a Girls’ High School pupil). In the primary schools’ competition, 52 schools entered, among which were five Catholic schools. Certificates were awarded to the two first and second boys and girls of the two upper standards according to merit. By the thoughtfulness and energy of the ladies constituting the Cathedral Altar Society a .most enjoyable excursion and picnic was organised for the Cathedral sanctuary boys on Monday last (Labor Day). By the first express the large party (which increased to about seventy during the day) journeyed to Rakaia, where, in the local Domain, arrangements had been perfected by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy and some of the Catholic residents for the occasion. Included in the party were his Lordship the Bishop, Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Fathers Cooney, O’Hare, Long, Murnhy, 8.A., and Mageean, C.SS.R. Methven and Rakaia children joined in. Sports events added to the attractions, and a pleasant day was spent in ideal weather and surroundings. The excursionists returned to the city by the second express. The Choral Hall was well filled on last Wednesday evening on the occasion of an enjoyable entertainment promoted by the Christchurch Catholic Club to aid the funds of the Cathedral School Committee. His Lordship the Bishop and several of the clergy were present, and the audience manifested marked appreciation of the excellent programme presented. This was shown by the reception accorded each number and the acceptance accorded each of the performers, nearly all of whom were honored by a recall. Under the conductorship of Brother Fidelis, pupils of the Marist Brothers’ School gave the choruses, ‘The harp that once and Uod defend New Zealand,’ in good style. Songs were contributed by Mrs. F. O’Brien and Miss M. G. O’Connor, and Mr. A.- McDonald and Mr. Gerald Griffin, the latter appearing by special permission of the Fuller Vaudeville Proprietary. Mr. Griffin gave quite a ‘turn’ of items (story and song). Pianoforte duets were contributed by Misses A. Lawlor and J Mahon, and recitations by Misses A. Donnell and M. Higgins, and Mr. Frank McDonald and Miss A. Lawlor played a piano solo, and an instrumental quartet was finely rendered by the Misses Ward (violin and piano), Mr. W. T. Ward (violin), and Mr. L. Bonnington (’cello). A comedy duet was sung by Miss Doris Hankinson and Mr. W. H. Jones, and the Christchurch Banjo Band, conducted by Mr. Louis Bloy, played attractive selections. The accompaniments were played by Miss K. O’Connor, Mrs. A. McDonald, and Mr. P. C. Augarde, and Mr. F. Rowe stage managed. His Lordship the Bishop has issued the following circular letter having reference to the approaching Catholic congress Catholic Cathedral, Christchurch. Rev. and Dear Father, — wish to commend to the notice and knowledge of the clergy and laity of the diocese the fact that the Catholic congress is to be held in Christchurch on Thursday, November 9. This congress is a meeting of Catholics for the purpose of taking some steps to remedy the many and grave in-

justices under which the Catholics of the Dominion are oppressed, especially in consequence of the present educational system, which penalises Catholics for their attachment to their holy faith and forces them to erect and maintain their own schools, thereby depriving them of the share of educational expenditure to which, as citizens, they are justly entitled. For the congress four speakers have been secured, who will ably explain the Catholic position, and will amply justify the contention that the Catholics of New Zealand are treated most unjustly. This meeting is destined to have farreaching results, inasmuch as it will exercise a great educational influence on Catholics, giving them a fuller knowledge of the question. For non-Catholics it will be instructive, giving an impartial explanation of the educational legislation, and when we remember that amongst our non-Catholic fellow-citizens there are very many quite ready to listen to and become conversant with the full facts of the case, this result of the congress will enable us to take preliminary steps towards the adoption of some measure which will lead to the redress of our grievances. It is my heartfelt wish that this congress will be a great success; a large and overflowing crowd is all that is now required to ensure that success. As the meeting is being held at a time when there will be Catholics in Christchurch from every part of the diocese, I would wish the gathering to be representative of all parishes in the diocese. " I therefore ask the clergy of the respective parishes to notify their people of the congress and its importance, to urge their attendance, to depute at least two from each parish to act as representatives of such parish, seats being provided on the platform for parish representatives. " It would be well to have all the clergy present who can possibly attend, so that it will be seen that the bond existing between priests and people impels them to unite in this great cause of such far-reaching importance to their holy faith and to this young Dominion, which is the home of their birth and their adoption. The Catholics of this diocese have at all times shown their readiness to respond to the call of holy faith, and I rely on my devoted clergy and their faithful people by their presence to make this congress a memorable event in the history of Catholicity in the diocese. With every best wish and blessing for yourself and your good people. Yours most sincerely in Christ, >J< Matthew J. Brodie, Bishop of Christchurch.