DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 11 January 1917, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

r. (From our own r correspondent.) I- * J ~ •-*■/■'-."'■' - "<--- •' \ : ; ''■' January 8. ■ ' '"His Lordship the Bishop visited Temuka last week with the object of meeting '-the'Sisters of St. Joseph in annual retreat. '■■: ■ v .->■ * r ./_ - There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral from the 11 o'clock Mass on Sunday last, followed after Vespers by the usual procession and Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, at which his Lordship the Bishop officiated. Prior to his departure with the 22nd Reinforcements the members of the Cathedral Choir presented Private Thos. O'Connell, one of their number, with a wristlet watch. In handing Mr. O'Connell the gift on behalf of the choir, his Lordship the Bishop spoke of the valued services rendered in the choir over a number of years by the recipient, and expressed the hope that by the Providence of God, Mr. O'Connell would have a safe and happy return, and resume his place among them. ' - The annual spiritual retreat of the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Lower High street, which was conducted by the- Rev. Father O'Sullivan, C.SS.R., was concluded on last Thursday morning. In the afternoon the impressive ceremony of conferring the holy habit on five of the. religious was witnessed by the parents of those immediately concerned and by a number of friends and relatives of the Sisters. His Lordship the Bishop officiated and gave an eloquent discourse on the subject of the religious state, showing how worldly sacrifices were compensated for in an infinite degree by the heavenly reward. The Rev. Father Cronin (Darfield), Rev. Father O'Sullivan, C.SS.R., and the Cathedral clergy were also present in the convent chapel. On Sunday morning his Lordship the Bishop celebrated Mass at 8 o'clock in the convent chapel, and presided at the imposing ceremony of profession, when ten novices were professed in the Order of Notre Dame des Missions, and five Sisters made their perpetual vows. His Lordship the Bishop preached appropriate to the solemn occasion. - THE CATHOLIC CLUB. Members of the Christchurch Catholic Club attended in large numbers at their rooms, Wiltshire Buildings, on last Wednesday evening, on the occasion or the accustomed Christmas re-union. Among those present were his Lordship the Bishop, the Rev. Fathers Murphy, B.A. (chaplain) and T. Hanrahan. An enjoyable musical and elocutionary programme was contributed by the following:Piano solo, Mr. A. J. Bunz; songs Messrs B. Rennell, F. Rowe (with banjo

accompaniment),.R. Beveridge, W. Brittenden, and W. H. Dudderidge; recitations, Master Frank Bown and Mr. J. P. Noonan. : - Humorous sketches were.given by Mr. ' Dugay, and Mr. . A. J. Bunz was : ; accompanist. Refreshments • were handed round, and at an interval the opportunity was taken of bidding farewell to LanceCorporal J McAleer ' and Private Thos. ' O'Connell (then on final leave), 'prior to their departure with the 22nd Reinforcements. The president (Mr. J. R. ward) cordially welcomed his Lordship the Bishop, and also those members whose names were to be added to the club's" Roll of Honor. In the course of a patriotic speech he alluded to the large number of our Catholic young men who had responded to the call of duty. He expressed regret that "another of the members (Mr. Eric Harper), who

was also departing for the front, c was unable that even- _ ing to be present to participate-'"along] with his com-rades-in-arms and fellow clubmen, in the ' leave taking ' those who, perforce, were obliged to remain had arranged. The prayers : and best wishes of all would \ accompany those now going to do their part in the great world struggle, with the sincerest hopes that in the near future a far greater re-union would be possible' and a welcome home extended with the peace of nations restored. f. The Rev. Father Murphy also spoke briefly. His Lordship the Bishop, on behalf of the club, presented Messrs. McAleer and O'Connell with useful gifts. In some appropriate accompanying remarks his Lord- . ship referred to the spirit of duty which had actuated the' Catholics of New Zealand and of the Empire generally in the supreme crisis the world was now experiencing. He hoped those now going would have a safe return, and wished them every blessing and success. His Lordship added that he, too, would look forward to that greater and happier re-union forecasted by the president, when not alone those now leaving but also those already in the trenches and on other battle fronts would again be united with their families, friends, and fellow club members.