DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 6 December 1917, Page 19

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) December 3. The annual picnic in connection with the Cathedral parish has been arranged for January 2 at the Riccarton Racecourse. A garden fete is to be held in the Cathedral grounds on December 15, and matters in connection therewith are well in hand. The function will open in the afternoon and will be continued throughout the evening, when the grounds will be electrically illuminated under the supervision of Mr. Wedderspoon. The committee has received very satisfactory reports from the; stallholders. Derry's Band will be in attendance, and the convent pupils will give an exhibition of basket

ball, playing in the colors, of the Allies. Numerous side shows and other attractions are to be provided. Cadet J. Proudfoot who is amongst the missing on the Aparima, sunk in the English Channel, was the only son of the late Captain Proudfoot, formerly of the Union Steam Ship Company and the North Coast Navigation Company, Sydney. He was educated at St. Joseph's College, Sydney, and at the Marist Brothers' School, Christchurch. He joined the Aparima in January of this year. On leaving school at the end of 1916 he was awarded the Good Conduct Gold Medal on the vote of his school companions. He made one other trip through the "danger zone," and on his return last August he called at the school to see his teachers and school mates and tell of all he saw. It was with the very greatest regret that the Brothers and the boys heard the sad news that he was amongst the missing. Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., on Sunday morning commented on the report given by the Government Inspectors at their recent visit to the schools in St. Mary's parish. At the High School the teaching was stated to be of a thorough nature, and the results most satisfactory, whilst special reference was made to the excellence of the extra subjectssinging, sewing, handwork. In the primary schools, especially in the three upper classes, the schools showed good work all round, reflecting great credit on the teaching staff. The discipline and tone of the school were very good, and the results most satisfactory. At the High School seven pupils were presented for proficiency and all gained their certificates. In the primary school 11 pupils in the Sixth Standard were presented for proficiency, eight securing certificates and three "competency." -At Papanui five pupils were presented, four of them securing proficiency passes and one competency. Dean Regnault then read an extract from Hansard, where the member for Grey Lynn asked the Minister of Education if it were true that the standard of proficiency had been lowered to suit the conditions of the Catholic schools. Hon. Mr. Hanan's reply w« that as a matter of fact the standard of proficiency had been stiffened up and that all the schools in the Dominion were to be examined on the new syllabus. In plain language the position is that a competency pass under the new regulations is equal to a proficiency pass under the old. Taking this into consideration the fine results achieved by the Sisters of Mercy are all the more creditable. The annual outdoor procession of the Blessed Sacrament took place on Sunday afternoon through the Cathedral and convent grounds, which had been beautifully adorned with banners, bannerettes, etc. Prior to leaving the Cathedral the huge congregation was addressed by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., who gave a short history of the origin of processions and the spiritual benefits derived therefrom, particularly emphasising the strengthening of our faith. He exhorted all to join fervently in this united prayer and to remember the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff who was doing his utmost to bring about a cessation of hostilities amongst the nations. All the societies of the parish were well represented, St. Matthew's (ladies) branch and St. Patrick's branch No. 82 H.A.C.B. Society being notably so. The Blessed Sacrament was borne in procession by the Very Rev. Father Graham, S.M., Rector St. Bede's College, attended by Rev. Fathers Long and Hanrahan. Rev. Fathers O'Hare and Burger, S.M., also assisted. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr. A. Bunz, and assisted by a number of bandsmen, sang the hymns appropriate to the occasion. An altar was erected at the rear of the Cathedral, and another in the convent grounds, from which Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given. The Sisters of the Mission and the" Altar Society spared no effort to have these altars tastefully decorated, and the spectacle presented was indeed beautiful. At the termination of the procession' Benediction : was again given in the Cathedral. . V"; 2 i V !%