DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 20 June 1918, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) June 17. The . usual fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick’s Branch H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall on June 3. Pro. J. Jacques presided, there being a full roll of officers and a good attendance of members. Sick allowance amounting to £7 3s 4d was passed for payment, as was also an amount of £7 for sundry accounts. Members of the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Association are reminded that their Annual Communion and Breakfast are to take place on Sunday, June 30. he Mass will be at 9.30 a.m., after which breakfast will be served in the Hibernian Hall. His Lordship Bishop Brodie returned from Sydney during the week, and is in excellent health. His Lordship preached a sermon on the Sacred Heart on Sunday evening at the Cathedral. Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., has gone on a health trip to Australia, and will be away for a couple of months. During his absence he is replaced as Administrator by the Rev. J. Long. Owing to the temporary shortage of priests in the Cathedral parish the custom of having two Masses on Sundays at Addington will, for the present, have to

b© abandoned. This is unavoidable, and the one Mass will be celebrated at 8.30 a.m. On Sunday last, at St. Mary’s Church, Manchester Street, a special appeal was made on behalf of the Catholic Field Service Fund, and was generously responded to. Dean Regnault, S.M., explained the aims and objects of the fund, which is under the control of the Catholic Federation. The Dean contrasted the liberal-minded action and generosity of various bodies in other parts of the Dominion with the treatment meted out to us in Canterbury. Here, although our Catholic people had subscribed generously to all war funds, all appeals for assistance towards the Catholic Chaplains’ Field Service Fund had been rejected. In the United States of America, however, he continued, quite a contrast existed, and the Knights of Columbus had been able to make themselves responsible for the support of the priests necessary to carry on this great work. At the last monthly meeting of the Cathedral Branch of the Children of Mary the annual election of officers for the ensuing year took place, the following being the result President, Miss G. Jarman: vice-president, Miss A. Murphy; secretary, Miss W Nelson; councillors—Misses M. McAloon, N. Hanrahan, Q. Shelley, J. O’Malley, and K. Kiely. The annual report and balance-sheet were read and adopted, and votes of thanks were passed to those who had generously helped with the social held during the previous month. Advice has been received from Trinity College, London, that Miss Norma Middleton (aged 13 years 9 months), a pupil of the Sisters of Mercy, Colombo Street, Christchurch, has been awarded one of the two senior practical exhibitions open for competition in New Zealand, Tasmania, and Canada. This is a great achievement, and the Sisters and their clever pupil deserve congratulations. Waimate (From our own correspondent.) June 17. The ladies of the parish, who purchased material for Red Cross work, have forwarded to. the central depot at Christchurch the following goods:—l2 pairs pyjamas, 6 under flannels, 13 pairs socks, 5 scarfs, 4 balaclavas, 1 pair bed socks, 1 pair cuffs, 3 pairs slippers, 13 face cloths, and 1 hot water-bag cover. Mrs. Boyle, president of the Christchurch Centre, replied on behalf of the committee of the Red Cross as follows; “I beg to acknowledge with very grateful thanks the case of garments, etc., so kindly forwarded by your workers, and which are most welcome. The beautiful work put into this contribution has come in for a great deal of praise, and they were all so well packed.” The balance of money in hand— 12s 4d —was forwarded to. the Dominion treasurer of the Catholic Chaplain’s Field Service Fund. Timaru (From oar own correspondent.^ June 17. On Sunday afternoon last the monthly meeting of the Children of Mary took place, Father Herbert, S.M. (spiritual director of the sodality), presiding. ’ The chief business of the meeting was the election of officers for the ensuing year, the following being the result: President, Miss Hartstonge; vice-president, Miss Collins; secretary, Miss O’Sullivan ; treasurer, Miss McAteer; councillors, Misses Leigh. L. Knight, and Venning; sick visitors. Misses O’Sullivan (2) : delegates to the Catholic Federation, the president and vice-president. In spite of the inclement weather, the girls’ schoolhall was well filled on Thursday evening last for the

social, which was held to augment the funds of St. Anne’s Guild. The first part of the' programme consisted of progressive euchre, which was ably supervised by Mr. Hyland, the prizes being- won by Miss R. Denuehy and Mr. Pearce. A dainty supper, which was much appreciated on such a cold night, was served by the members of the guild. An enjoyable hour or two was then spent in socialities, music being supplied by Mrs. McGlashan and Mr. M. Mara, who also very kindly gave a few musical items during the supper interval, and the thanks of the guild are also due to Messrs. Stapleton, Gillespie, Travers, and Whitehead, who placed their services at the disposal of the guild, and rendered every assistance. Both socially and financially the function was a complete success, and the president (Mrs. O’Rourke), the secretary (Mrs. Travis), and the energetic committee of members who so ably helped them are congratulated on the success of their efforts.