Invercargill

New Zealand Tablet, 16 November 1916, Page 31

Invercargill

(From our own correspondent.) Next Sunday and the following Sundays the Masses at St. Mary's will be as usual—viz., 8 o'clock and 11 o'clock. His Lordship the Bishop celebrated Mass on Sunday at -past 8, and at 3 o'clock in the afternoon he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 'over two hundred children and adults. The church was crowded, the people turning out in such large numbers to do honor to our venerable - and beloved Bishop. Before administering the Sacrament, his Lordship addressed the children, and in a beautiful discourse explained to them the meaning and effects of the Sacrament, and he took occasion to compliment them on their excellent knowledge of' the catechism. At the conclusion the Bishop briefly addressed the congregation,

and during the course of his remarks congratulated the parish on the pronounced success of the recent mission. On Monday a number of children from the Bluff were confirmed. , His Lordship intends visiting other parishes in Southland before returning to Dunedin. Palmerston North (From our own correspondent.) November 10. The Devotion of the Forty Hours commenced .on Sunday -morning last, when a Missa Cantata was sung by the Rev. Father McManus, after which a procession of the Blessed Sacrament took place and the Litany of the Saints was recited. At the devotions in the evening a special sermon on The Blessed Sacrament was preached by the Rev. Father O'Farrell, who, during his discourse, urged everybody to receive Holy Communion. On Monday morning two Masses were said which were very well attended, and in the evening Rev. Father Travers preached to a large congregation. ■ On Thursday morning two Masses were said, the Rev. Father Travers singing a Missa Cantata at 8 o'clock. After Mass a procession of the Blessed Sacrament took place. Benediction afterwards brought a very successful function to a close. A notable feature of the devotions was the large number of Communicants, which reflects credit both on the priests and the congregation generally. Napier (From an occasional correspondent.) November 7. Councillor W. J. McGrath to-day at the Brothers' School presented Master Francis Piercy with the four gold medals won by him in the Hawke's Bay junior championship, at the Labor Day Sports. The speaker, who is an old boy of the school, had won in his day three or four championships on the running track for the honor of the school, and therefore took great pleasure in congratulating Master Piercy in not only winning handsomely, but in putting up a record time, being only 12secs. below senior time, lie also said that the Brothers' schools were noted throughout New Zealand for the success won in all branches of sport, and recommended the lads to keep up the fine spirit of enthusiasm shown in the little school in past and present times. The medalsfor the 150yds, 220yds, 440yds, and best —were then presented amidst cheers for the winner. Three ringing ' hurrahs ' for Councillor McGrath, 'the old boy champion,' terminatedthe proceedings.