DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 19 December 1918, Page 39

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) December 9. Father Quinn, S.M., has returned to Greymouth after several weeks' duty in St. Mary's parish. Sunday last, Feast of the Immaculate- Conception, was observed with due solemnity at St. Mary's Church, Manchester Street. In the evening there was a reception of Children of Mary. A special sermon was preached by Father Burger, S.M. (St. Bede's College), after which the members of the sodality, headed by those newly enrolled, bore the Statue of Our Lady in procession. The restrictions imposed by the health authorities during the epidemic having been removed Masses were celebrated at time-honored hours at the Cathedral and St. Mary's Church. " There were crowded congregations at all the Masses, and very large numbers approached the Holy Table. ' The news recently cabled that Dr. Ardagh had been decorated with the Military Cross was received

with great joy in Christchurch. Many of our people, particularly members of the Hibernian Society, will give him a cordial welcome on his return. , , The work of altering and enlarging the Addington Catholic School is to begin to-day (Monday). On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. the Sisters of the Mission (as is customary) had special devotions in the convent. In the morning some of the young boarders made their First Holy Communion. The grounds and building were illuminated in the evening, with fine effect. About 20 of the Sisters are down with the influenza epidemic, no doubt the result of their devotion to others, but it is pleasing to learn the cases are not considered very serious.