DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLVI, Issue 18, 1 May 1919, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

: April 28. The plans for the new girls’ schools in connection with the Cathedral parish, having being approved of, tenders are now being called for the erection ‘of the buildings. With a view to raising funds towards the cost it was thought that some function should be organised in the . immediate future, and a special meeting was held at the Bishop’s House on Sunday last to consider the proposal. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., presided. It was decided to promote a fortnight’s bazaar in the- Coliseum, /commencing,; with* Grand National Week, and a general 'committee was appointed, with Mr. T. Cahill as secretary, to report" on next Sunday. ’ ’ ' ■ “ '■; : t 3ih • y-

Father J. C. Murphy has been appointed chaplain to the ’Marist' Brothers’Old ; Boys’ Association and the men’s division of the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, and Father Long takes charge of the women’s division of the latter organisation. i The fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall, on April 17. Bro. J.-M. Coffey, 8.P., presided, a full roll of officers being present and a fair attendance of members. A satisfactory report concerning the sick and distressed members of the branch was received from S.V. Bro. McCormick, P.P., and sick allowance amounting to £6 10s was passed for payment. Four members were initiated and five nominations for membership were received. £SO 8s 9d was passed in payment of accounts, this amount including district dues to supplementary sick fund (£ll 19s sd), funeral fund (£l7 8s), management fund (£7 8s 2d). The balance sheet for the quarter ended March 24 was submitted to the branch and unanimously adopted as most satisfactory. The auditors’ report, received from Bros. M. Garty and E. J. P. Wall, contained a resume of the state of the various funds, accompanied by favorable remarks on each, and eulogised the work of the secretary (Bro. Grimes).

Captain P. A. Ardagh, D. 5.0., M.C., N.Z.M.C., a well-known Christchurch doctor, is returning to New Zealand by the Arawa due to arrive on May 12. Besides the decoration mentioned, Dr. Ardagh was strongly recommended for the V.C. He has seen three years ’ strenuous active service, practically continuously in the front trenches, and mostly as regimental medical officer to the Ist Aucklands. He was three times reported wounded, besides incurring other slight injuries. Dr. Ardagh was in Germany with the army of occupation. He will be resuming practice in Christchurch about the middle of May. Accompanying him are Mrs, Ardagh, who has been nursing in England, and his brother, Lieut. Jno, J. Ardagh. At the invitation of the Very Rev. Dean Hyland members of the Christchurch Celtic Club visited Ran-

giora on Easter Monday evening and produced the amusing Irish comedy ' ‘'Uncle Pat,” the characters being taken by Misses D. Smyth, S. Greenlees, and G. Baker, Messrs. P. J. Smyth, J. Curry, E. Fitzgerald, and T. O’Rourke. The Institute Hall was filled with an audience that fully appreciated the many humorous situations developed in the course of the play. A concert programme of unusual excellence preceded the play, the following contributing:—Misses R. Rings, D. Taylor, E. Taylor, Messrs. 11. Edwards, B. Rennell, W. Brittenden, and P. J. Smyth. Miss Agnes Lawlor, L.A.8., played the overture and the accompaniments, Mrs. Baxter supplying the music for the national dances, given by Miss Nora Baxter and Miss Blumenberg. A very dainty supper was provided by the Rangiora ladies. Dean Hyland, who presided, thanked the Celtic Club for the evening’s entertainment. Mr. Jarman and Mr. Smyth in replying thanked the Dean, Father O’Boyle (his energetic and popular assistant priest), and the ladies for making the visit to Rangiora so thoroughly enjoyable.

Akaroa

At St. Patrick’s Church, Akaroa, the Holy Week ceremonies were carried out this year for the first time, it is believed, in the history of the parish (writes an esteemed correspondent). On Holy Thursday Mass was celebrated at 6.30 a.m., the Sacred Host being carried to the Altar of Repose, 'while the nuns chanted the “Pange Lingua.” The Altar of Repose was beautifully decorated by the Sisters of Mercy, who, with the children and others, took turns at watching before the Blessed Sacrament during the day. *

On Good Friday the Mass of the Presanctified, with the reading of the Passion. Adoration of the Cross, and other ceremonies, commenced at 9 a.m., a good congregation following the impressive liturgical

rite with, devotion. The “Vexilla Regis,” and other musical portions of the rite were rendered under the direction of the Sisters. • •" ■ "

■ I The ; ceremonies tincidental to Holy Saturday were observed iin their < entirety,; and were followed by an attentive congregation. The music proper of the occasion was again rendered under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy. Good congregations, including several visitors, assisted at the 7.30 and 10 a.m. Masses on Easter Sunday. At the - Rosary, instruction, and Benediction at 7 p.m., the seating was insufficient to accommodate all who attended.

Invercargill

(From our own correspondent.)

April 24.

The Hibernian Band intend holding a carnival In the Grand Theatre in July next. A representative and energetic committee has been formed, and all the preliminary arrangements are completed.

I regret to record the death of Mr. T. Mahoney, who died suddenly last week. Mr. Mahoney was an old parishioner 'of St. Mary’s, and leaves a wife and grown-up family to mourn their loss. He had the consolation of receiving the last rites of Holy Church. — R.I.P.

Another death I have to record is that of Mr. Thomas M. McGrath, second son of Mrs. and the late Thomas McGrath, of Spey Street. The deceased had been in indifferent health for some years following on a serious motor accident in Christchurch. He was well known in Invercargill, and was for some considerable time secretary of the Hibernian Band. He had been absent from the south for a few years, and arrived home three days before his demise. He was always patient and cheerful, despite his troubles and sufferings, and his death on Good Friday, after having received all the last rites of Holy Church at the hands of Father* Woods, was a most edifying one. The burial took place on Easter Sunday, the Very Rev. Dean Burke, Y.F., officiating.—R.T.P,