HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 3 October 1918, Page 35

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) The second anniversary of the formation of St, Matthew’s (Ladies) branch of the Hibernian Society was celebrated on September 16 in the Hibernian Hall by a conversazione. Among those present were his Lordship Bishop Brodie (patron). Rev. Dr. Kennedy', Adm., Fathers Cooney, Roche, S.M., Long (chaplain), and Fogarty. St. Patrick’s and St. Mary’s branches of the society were well represented, and there was a fine attendance of Sisters and friends. Bro. Curry, of the Blenheim branch, and District Deputy Bro. R. P. O’Shaughnessy were also present. The gathering was presided over by Miss E. Brophy (branch president). The entertainment proved most enjoyable, those contributing to the musical programme being songs, Father Cooney, Misses M. G. O’Connor and E. Rodgers, Messrs. W. Brittenden and Phil Jones. Miss K. O’Connor and Mr. Harry Hiscocks played the accompaniments, Sister Brophy, in addressing the gathering on behalf of St. Matthew’s branch, explained its aims and objects, and extended to all a very cordial welcome. She said they all felt proud to be associated with an organisation that had such glorious traditions for faith and for love and fidelity to the land of our forefathers — Ireland. Their society, she said, had made rapid progress, and this was easily understood " when the unswerving support that been given it by his Lordship the Bishop and their devoted chaplains was considered. The secretary (Sister R. Rodgers) detailed the history of the branch, and dealt with its various funds and membership. The progress recorded during the first two years of its existence, she said, which made it the premier ladies’ branch of the Dominion, was beyond the expectations of all. That the membership had now reached its first century, said the secretary, .would' be pleasant news to his Lordship the Bishop and to all concerned. Father Long congratulated the branch on its flourishing state, and thanked the Sisters for their kindly sympathy during his recent illness. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to see the spread of Hibernianism, which meant the extension of faith, hope, and charity : and he knew the Sisters of St. Matthew’s branch were imbued with a truly Irish Catholic spirit that would bring progress and blessing with their efforts. Father Cooney, in congratulating the ladies on their remarkable progress, said that of all the societies, sodalities, and confraternities existent in the Church the one that appealed to him most was the Hibernian Society, which combined in its work the spiritual, material, and social aspects of life. They were banded together as practical Catholics, and that fact alone was sufficient guarantee for good and lasting work being accomplished. Father Roche, S.M., apologised for the absence of Dean Regnault and Father Seymour, and extended to St. Matthew’s branch his and their sincerest good wishes. Rev. Dr. Kennedy, in endorsing the remarks of previous speakers, recommended regularattendance at meetings, and by this means keep up and further the phenomenal progress already made. Bro. J. M. Coffey (president St. Patrick’s branch), Bro." J. Ormandy (St. Mary’s branch), and Bro. J. .Curry also spoke in eulogistic terms of the great work being accomplished by St. Matthew’s branch. His Lordship the Bishop, who was received with great applause, said that he felt much consolation at being present and listening to the story of progress as given by the officers of the branch. He was agreeably surprised to learn that even under war conditions the century of membership had been reached and the financial aspect of the branch left nothing to be desired. We are living, said the Bishop, in an age when an endeavor is being made to bring to nought all our grand and noble ideals, and we have now in great measure to look to our women folk to play their part by being true to Faith and Fatherland in order to stay the wave that is sweeping over the land. Faith, leading to virtue, is the only influence t , that can save the world; and for this is the Hibernian Society founded and preserved. lie wished St. Matthew’s

branch every blessing, and success, and thanked, it for the valuable assistance given-Trim in various functions in the past. - ■ \ -I;insincere regret was expressed at the absence of the first president of the branch (Sister D. Smyth), who was in hospital.