DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 9 November 1916, Page 27

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) November 6. The hour for commencing Vespers in the Cathedral on Sunday evenings has been altered from halfpast 6 to 7 o’clock, in continuation of the adoption of the latter hour during the recent mission. The names of Mr. 11. 11. Loughnan and Mr. J. K. Hayward as being among those on the platform at the meeting of protest against the attitude of the Press newspaper held in the Hibernian Hall on last Tuesday evening, were omitted from my brief telegraphed report of the proceedings. There was the usual monthly. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral from the 11 o’clock Mass on Sunday last, followed, after Vespers, by the customary procession and Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, at which his Lordship the Bishop officiated. Continued subscriptions towards the Dublin relief fund were received at the Cathedral after the various Masses on Sunday last. Up to the present about .£340 have been contributed by the diocese, and 1 have been told by at least one, of his intention to double an already generous subscription in view of the attitude of the Press. With, the usual great influx of visitors to the city, for Carnival Week the congregations at the Cathedral were excessively crowded on Sunday last. His Lordship the Bishop announced the special dispensation of the usual Friday abstinence granted by the Holy See to those attending the various gatherings oh People’s Day,.’

J- • Masses were celebrated in the Cathedral on. All Saints’ Day at 6, . 7, and 9 o’clock, with 7 the usual devotions in the evening. On All Souls’. Day Masses of Requiem were celebrated from \6. to 9 o’clock continuously, the last being a Missa Cantata celebrated by the Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., Each day the congregations were large. The recent week-end control of the Red Cross sales depot in Cathedral square by the Catholic unit of the Red Cross Society was a record success, surpassing the efforts of any other unit that has so far engaged in the work. The Catholic ladies . were very sincerely congratulated on the success of their efforts by the committee of management of the Red Cross fund when handing in their takings of £lO5 for the two evenings. The practical examination in music of pupils of the Sisters of the Missions was held at the Rangiora Convent on October 20 by Mr. S. Myerscough. The following are the successes;-Associate-—Ada Joyce. Senior Gladys Gillespie, Zita Lynskey. Intermediate —Agnes Garlick, Myra Cud by. —Jean Pollock, Isabel Leonard. Preparatory—Veronica McGrath. First Steps— Compton. At the meeting on last Wednesday evening of the Christchurch Celtic Club, Brother Fidelis (of the local Marist Brothers’ teaching staff) gave an interesting lecture on ‘lrish Song and Music,’ incidentally conveying an intelligent and attractive illustration of his subject by contributing examples. The lecture was greatly appreciated, and the lecturer was cordially thanked for the enjoyable and profitable evening provided. . Special reference was made in the Cathedral on Sunday to the Catholic congress to be held in the Colosseum on the following ‘Sunday. Printed programmes were distributed to the various congregations, containing, with the musical numbers, the names of the speakers and their subjects in the following order: ‘Catholic Education,’ Mr. M. Doyle (Timaru) ; Special Catholic Disabilities,’ Mr. H.- F. .Joogan (Greymouth) ; (a) Catholic Disabilities in General’ (b) ‘ Value of Agitation,’ Rev. Father Ainsworth, S.M. (Napier) ; address, his Lordship Bishop Brodie. Mention was made in the Cathedral on last Sunday of (he serious illness in Wellington of the Rev. Father Barrv. C.SSAI., who, only a week or so previously, had participated with such telling effect and manifest success in the memorable general mission services conducted by the Redemptorist Fathers in the Cathedral. Speaking in feeling terms, his Lordship the Bishop recommended the prayers of the congregation on behalf of the devoted missionary whose strenuous efforts for the - glory of God and salvation of souls over a particularly long period of years, in this Dominion, and elsewhere, had brought untold blessings on numberless people. The final meeting preparatory to the Catholic congress was held on lagt Sunday afternoon in the Marist Brothers’ Schoolroom. His Lordship the Bishop presided. Prior to entering upon the business of the meeting, the following resolution was moved by the secretary (Mr. F. J. Doolan), seconded by . Mr. M. Grimes, and endorsed by the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., Messrs. W. Hayward, jun, and J. E. Doolan, and carried unanimously—‘ That this meeting of the parish committees of the N.Z. Catholic Federation, representing the Cathedral, St. Mary’s, and Addington parishes, respectfully tender to his Lordship Bishop Brodie their devoted and heartfelt sympathy, at the uncalled for and insinuating attacks made on him by the editor of the Pi •ess newspaper, in his praiseworthy and charitable endeavours to assist the Distress in Dublin Relief Fund, and, further, is prepared to assist him in every possible manner to protect a«d vindicate his own honor and the honor of his people.’ His Lordship replied at length in appreciation of the motion, and urged those present to do all in their power to make the attendance at the congress as large as possible, which would be an overwhelming reply t.p the recent attacks of the Press, ‘ • •

The inspectors' of tlie Canterbury Education Board have just forwarded the reports■ of their inspection of the schools conducted by the Sisters of the Missions in Christchurch and the suburbs. The following is a summary: —* Sacred Heart Girls’ College (Primary Division). — This school is in a thoroughly sound condition. The programmes of work have been suitably drawn up, and the results of the examination show that the various subjects have been intelligently taught. Great care and neatness are exhibited in all. the written papers, and in the oral tests the pupils are bright and responsive. Excellent singing has been obtained, and the reading, recitation, and comnosition were of special merit. The remaining subjects vary from good to very good. The discipline of the school is highly commendable. (S. C. Owen, Inspector.) St. Joseph’s, Lower High Street. —This school is capably conducted, and the discipline is commendable for the alertness, willing obedience, and the fine spirit of work that obtains throughout. The general character of the work gives ample proof of sound progress and vigorous leaching. Outstanding features of merit throughout tho school are the fine quality of the reading, recitation, composition, and, in the preparatory department., arithmetic. (J. B. Mayne, Inspector.) Woolston.—Generally speaking, this school is doing work of very fair quality. The children are under good control and do all the tests set them with care and commendable neatness. Heading and recitation are good. Composition and formal English need strengthening. In the oral work the children give a good response. (S. C. Owen, Inspector.) Halswell.—Some features of (he work in this school are of a pleasing character, notably the reading, recitation, writing, singing, and color drawing, while the pupils are well mannered and under good control. The infant classes are in the main making satisfactory progress. (Chas. Hardie, Inspector.) Addington.— The upper section of (he school makes a very pleasing appearance under examination. A fine tone prevails, the pupils are nicely mannered and a good standard of merit is maintained in most subjects, notably reading, recitation, writing, color drawing, singing, and composition. Arithmetic in Standards V. and VI, is somewhat uneven, but there is evidence of conscientious and intelligent- teaching. Some 117 pupils are receiving instruction in one room under conditions that make it extremely difficult to maintain efficient discipline or in teaching to achieve (he best results. It is gratifying to learn, however, that building operations are to be put in hand in the near future, and that before long a new and up-to-date building will be provided for the lower section of (he school. (Chas. Hardie, Inspector.) * Christchurch North November G. The Rev. Father Bowden, S.M., of Leestou, who has been a patient in Lewisham Hospital, was well enough to return to his home last week. Sergeant Frank Cronin, reported died of wounds on October 7, was the third son of Mrs. Cronin (organist at St. Mary's). Much sympathy is extended to Mr. and Mas. Cronin, who have given five sons to the cause of the Empire. Extensive alterations and additions are to be made to St. Mary’s Primary School during the Christmas vacation, and it has been decided to hold a garden party in the presbytery grounds on Saturday, December 2. The proceeds are to help detray the expenses incurred. ’ Another of the popular evenings arranged by tho Catholic Girls’ Club was held last Thursday evening and was attended by over 60 members and friends! Cards, music, and games were indulged in. Songs were rendered by Misses Stirling and Foley and Mr Win. Cronin. The music was supplied by Mrs. Cronin All present thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and before

leaving partook of a dainty supper served by the -matron (Miss F. Williams). .. . ' ; St. Mary’s .class of the Catholic Red Cross branch has forwarded .to headquarters the following work for the month:—For hospital ship Marama—6 pillow-slips, 2 treasure-bags, 4 mattress covers, 12 towel washers, 23 knitted washers, 20 handkerchiefs, 12 pair pyjamas, 15 shirts, 33 pair socks, 690 swabs. Also the .usual monthly parcel—ll shirts, 1 undervest, 6 nair pyjamas, 8 scarves, .10 knitted washers, 21 handkerchiefs, 6 diet cloths, 6 fomentation cloths, 17 operation cloths, 7 reasure-bags, 1 limb pillow, 1 limb pillow-case. 16 pair socks. , ■ ' At the last meeting of St. Mary’s branch of the 11.A.C.8. Society the balance sheet for the quarter ending September was presented, and disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs. This young branch is making steady progress, both financially and numerically. Last quarter saw an addition of twenty new members, no less than fourteen life honorary members being ejected. % The branch must be congratulated on securing the assistance ot our most prominent parishioners. At. a special meeting it, was decided to invest (lie available- funds in war loan certificates, thereby assisting in a small degree to provide the necessary money required . for war expenses.