DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 30 August 1917, Page 19

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) August 27. Very Rev. Dean Van Dyk made an appeal at the Cathedral on Sunday last in aid of the Maori Missions, the amount contributed being £65. Very Rev. Dean Van Dyk (Superior of St. Joseph’s Missionary Fathers) will make an appeal to the parishioners of St. Mary’s, Christchurch North, on Sunday next on behalf of the Maori missions. . At St. Mary’s on Sunday evening, August 19, a charity sermon on behalf of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was preached by the Rev. Father Seymour, S.M. His eloquent discourse was listened to with close attention, and the collection that followed amounted to £l7 19s sd. At the ordinary meeting of St. Patrick’s branch, H.A.C.B. Society, held on Monday evening, August 13, Bro. J. Jacques, 8.P., presided. There was a full roll of officers and a good attendance of members. , Sick allowances, totalling £l3, were passed for payment, as well'as maternity bonus of £4. The chaplain (Rev. Father Long) was in attendance. The membership of the branch now numbers upwards of 360.

<Wi£y.*«T? ■’.'T^S^''‘ ,w '^** > T’ fc ': / i—*««'* - *s^ vervrc to'the club - members on the occasion by the Rev Mother , and-Sisters of Mount Magdala. Thanks were also tendered to 'Miss A. Lawlor and Mr. L. Hayward (and the members of 'the latter’s orchestra) for their- accompaniments and musical selections. _ \ Timaru (From our own correspondent.) : August 27. The children of the Sacred Heart Girls’ and of the Marist Brothers’ School assembled in the school hall on Thursday morning last to make their presentation to Hey. Father Murphy. There was a short programme of recitations, choruses, and musical items by the pupils, after which addresses were read by the pupils of both schools conveying to Father Murphy in the children’s simple and homely language their feelings of love and loyalty, their regret at his departure, and their grateful thanks for the many acts of kindness performed, for them during his eight years’ sojourn in Timaru. They assured Father Murphy of the help of their prayers, and hoped that the guiding hand of the Master whose faithful servant he was would guard and protect him . and bring him back safely to the little ones who loved him and would miss him so much when he was gone. The girls of the school then presented Father Murphy with a cheque and the boys with some necessary and useful articles. Father Murphy thanked the children for their good wishes and ‘ useful presents, and with three heartily given cheers the gathering dispersed. Leeston (From our own correspondent.) August 27. Mr. J. McCarten (vice-president) presided on last Sunday at a special meeting of the parish committee of the Catholic Federation, when several important matters of local interest were discussed. A fancy-dress carnival will be held in the parish hall on next Friday evening (August 31), when, with the generous co-operation of .the whole of the parishioners, a success, as complete as has been experienced on the occasions of our previous social gatherings, is assured. The Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., who has been in rather indifferent health since coming here, was seriously indisposed during the week. Although confined to his room during the week, he was able to celebrate Mass in Leeston last Sunday. The different organisations which he has established here have claimed his undivided attention from the beginning, and the work in connection therewith has no doubt been a tax upon his already impaired health. The parishioners extend to their beloved pastor their sincere sympathy, and wish him a speedy and complete recovery. Very Rev. Father Graham, S.M., M.A. (Rector of St. Bede’s College), celebrated the 9.30 o’clock Mass in Southbridge .on Sunday last. After Mass at Leeston he read the circular relative to the war loan, and addressed to all the clergy of New Zealand by the Minister of Finance. Catholics, he said, had responded nobly to the call of duty and had sent forth their young and glorious manhood in the service of the Empire." Patriotism was a duty every citizen owed his country. He appealed to the generosity of the people to liberally support the war loan, and so bring about a victorious and lasting peace.

y r-yi* St. Mary’s branch of the H :A. C. EU Society - held .its ~ . usual fortnightly meeting at.Ozanain-Lodge on Monday evening, > August 20. ; Bro. P. Gunn, 8.P., presided, and there was a • good attendance of ' members. ■ Sick pay amounting to £4 16s 8d was passed for payment. One new'-member was initiated, ‘ and a life honorary candidate nominated for membership. " ; _ In the primary schools Rugby football contest Marists and Sydenham met at South Hagley Park oh August 15 to decide the lightweight championship winners, and victory was with Marists--by 11 points to 5. When the" teams met earlier in the season a draw resulted 3 points each. On that occasion Sydenham led right up till the finish, when Marists drew level with a brilliant effort. In the final match Sydenham commenced promisingly,- but after about ten minutes’ play Marists were quickly seen to advantage in the back division. Several of their passing rushes were prettily executed. Ere half-time arrived Marists hadscored 11 points, Brittenden Foster, and O’Connor crossing the Sydenham line. Payne converted one try. Shortly before the end of the second spell Dodd scored a try for Sydenham. Banfield converted. Payne, O’Connor, Ashton, Cairns, and Me A r ley (Marists) are deserving special mention. The Hibernian Hall was completely crowded ten minutes after the opening of the doors on Wednesday evening last on the occasion of the Hibernian Society’s “Commemoration” concert. The. programme was varied and well rendered, and that it was appreciated ■was clearly manifest by the number of recalls. The Marist Brothers’ School Choir, under the conductorship of Rev. Brother Emilian, arranged on the stage in their blue and white, made a nice setting. Their choruses were sweetly rendered, the parts being nicely harmonised. Songs were contributed by Mrs. Commons, Misses M. G. O’Connor, E. Rodgers, E. Cotter, Messrs. Crowhurst, Ricketts, P. Jones, Masters J. Commons and Bert Upjohn. Recitations by Miss R. Mahan, Messrs P. J. Smyth, and Williams. A comic turn by Mr. Sid Jamieson was well received, as was also an Irish jig by Miss N. Baxter, and ventriloquial seance by Messrs. C. Woods and George. Geoghegan’s orchestra contributed selections ’of Irish airs, and the concert concluded with (he singing of “A Nation Once Again.” His Lordship the Bishop and Rev. Father Long were present, and at the interval his Lordship, on behalf of the Hibernian Society, thanked the participants in the programme for their much-appreciated services, and the audience for its support. Miss K. O’Connor was accompanist and Mr. C. Fottrell manager. & CHRISTCHURCH CELTIC CLUB. A large number of members and their friends attended the weekly meeting of the Christchurch Celtic Club, held in the club rooms, Hibernian Hall, on Wednesday evening, August 15. The Rev. Fathers Long and T. Hanrahan were among those present. At the social which ensued a musical and elocutionary programme was contributed to as follows:—Mrs. Miles and Brother Emilian Miss K. O’Connor (piano solo), Mrs. Miles and Miss Farrant (piano duet), Rev. Father Hanrahan and Mr. P. J. Smyth (recitations), Miss D. Egan and Master J. Darragh, with Master R Sumner (step dances). Miss K. O’Connor was accompanist. After refreshments were served the singing of “God Save Ireland” concluded a successful and enjoyable evening. At a recent meeting of the Celtic Club the president referred to the production of the play Pike O Callaghan at Mount Magdala. The performance was thoroughly enjoyed by the community and inmates of the institution. The success of the club’s capable instructor was on that occasion evidenced by an entertainment which provided intense enjoyment. His Lordship the Bishop, who was present, in returning I thanks to the members of the club on behalf of the Mother Superior and Sisters of the Good Shepherd, complimented them on the good work they were doing in providing healthy enjoyment for others. The speaker;, expressed . appreciation of the kind lin&naf.rtlif-v pvfp-nrlpd