DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 3 July 1919, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) T'< '-- ':-'- : - /■ June 30. J Father Bonetto is at present relieving chaplain at Mount Magdala. -I On July 12, under the auspices of the Christchurch Celtic Club, an entertainment will be held in the Sacred Heart Schoolroom, Addington, the proceeds of which will be devoted to the debt extinction fund, and patrons are assured of a good varied programme. At the Cathedral, on Friday evening last, the exercises of the Noveiia were brought to a close by Father Kilbride, CSS.R. His final sermon was on "Perseverance," at the conclusion of which he imparted the Papal Blessing. Father Kilbride has left for Westland to conduct retreats, and Father Langley, C.SS.R., has returned to Wellington.

For some time past the question of forming a Juvenile Hibernian Society has been occupying the attention of St. .Patrick's branch here, and this is now about to become an accomplished fact. The constitution and rules referring thereto were recently received from the district board, and Rev. Brother Phelan promptly and energetically took the work in hand. Already he has 50 prospective members enrolled.'":.. Ex-pupils of the convent schools of the Sisters of the Missions will learn with • interest that Rev. Mothers Anthony (Prioress), Basil (Mistress of Novices),, and Stephen (Superioress, Ashburton), are leaving New Zealand for England by the Rimutaka to attend the General Chapter of their Order, to be held at an early date in Deal.:" The Mothers Superior of the various convents in New Zealand are at present in retreat in Christchurch. The retreat is being conducted by Father James Goggin, S.M. . .

The ordinary meeting of St. Patrick's branch, H.A.C.B. Society, was held in the Hibernian Hall on Monday evening, June 16. Bro. J. M. Coffey presided. There was a full roll of officers and a good attendance of members. Sick allowances amounting to £9 18s sd, and accounts for £59 12s 9d, were passed for payment. As a mark of respect to the memory of the late Bro. Jas. Power, the regalia was. draped, and Bro. Coffey made feeling reference to the generous support and untiring zeal manifested by the deceased in. all things Hibernian and Catholic. While his kindly nature and genial personality will be missed from amongst us (he said), his good works will ever be remembered. A! motion of sympathy was carried, the members standing in respectful silence. Various reports were placed before, the meeting, the principal being those having reference to the annual district meeting, and to the quarterly record of the TJ.F.S. Dispensary /The former was held over s until next meeting. T The Dispensary report was considered most ■'" satisfactory, and received 'very hearty support from : our delegates, Bros. Grimes and Dobbs. Photographs' of Past Presidents of ' the branch are now being framed in groups; and the members acknowledge with | thanks generous i help in this matter from Bro. W. Brittenden ■ and the Hall Committee. One new member was elected. :-• f . /" .f, c vy.'i M. 8.0.8. senior grade football team .suffered its first reverse on Saturday, June ,21, losing to Linwood.

The-game was the most "strenuous witnessed-her© for many years,. and right up to .the ; call of time Marists were in l the lead. A | penalty, ’ awarded to Lin wood, ; kicked by Davis, struck the J top of the goal post and i; fell 5 inwards y (luckily 1 for 5 Lin Wood); r> and 1 time was immediately called. Up to this the scores were 5 points to 3, e ‘ ! O’Malley y scoring 1 a fine ,J try H which McDonald converted. Two’, penalty goals comprised ' Linwood’s 6 points. The ‘ Mullins E brothers received injuries ” on the previous ’ Saturday, •• and their : absence J was' ; felt in Marists’ 5 ; back division. In r! the- second grade contest Mkrists drew with Old Boys, while Kaiapoi defeated the thirds by 24, points to 5. Fourth grade won handsomely from ‘ Albion, the scores being 33 points to 3. >a; ’ :; -’ rT The ceremony of ’ Consecration ito r the Sacred Heart took place on Sunday at the Cathedral, and at all the churches of the Cathedral and'’ St. Mary’s parishes. Solemn High Mass was celebrated at both 'centres, commemorating the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul, after which there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Pastoral Letter on Devotion to the Sacred Heart, from the Archbishops and Bishops of Australasia, way read in the morning, and the Solemn Consecration and singing of the To Deuin” took place in the evening. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., preached the occasional sermon at the Cathedral,, and Father O’Leary (Mari A Missioner) at St. ’ Mary’s Church. ’ -. ; w \ ’ , .On Tuesday evening Mr. Jas. Curry, president of the .Celtic Club, on behalf of the, members, presented Messrs. A. F. Jarman, (secretary) and P. J. Smyth (instructor) each with a fountain pen , and pipe, in recognition of their valuable services to the club in the past. The president and. Father Long spoke eulogistically of the ability and’ zeal of both members, and they in turn made suitable response. J Ashburton (From our travelling correspondent.) June 29. •** • During the period of the war, and owing to the fact, that many of the members of the Ashburton Catholic Young Men’s Club were on active service, regular meetings were discontinued. Now, however, as many have returned, and others are returning, it has been thought advisable to reconstruct the club and arrange for, periodical gatherings. The first of . these took place on Wednesday evening, June 11, Mr. R. Nealon presiding. There was a fair attendance of • senior and junior members, the programme consisting of the evergreen and instructive. “Question Box,” the information sought varying from that on- subjects of a humorous nature to leading topics of the day. ’■ Judging by the ready and intelligent manner in which the younger members replied to their allotted queries, there,is little doubt that, with experience, there will be some good speakers among them as time goes on. The president expressed his pleasure at seeing so many young men present that evening, and said he hoped the attendance would continue as satisfactory.-; ;: He : urged upon each to do his part in increasing the membership, as no. better training could be offered . anywhere , to boys after they left school than in clubs such as theirs. The meetings are held. on each Wednesday evening. .; ; 'iyii On Sunday last the . parish of Ashburton was consecrated to the Sacred Heart. Addressing, the congregation on,the occasion, the Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell said it was most gratifying to see, in response to his appeal, of the previous Sunday, the large number, who had approached the Holy Table, there being 339 communicants at the 9 o’clock Mass. He warmly congratulated ’ the parishioners on the splendid profession of 1 their faith witnessed that morning, and oh the manifestation of their devotion to ; the Sacred Heart. ..The Very Rev. Dean also celebrated Holy ; Mass at Hinds,, where no doubt the same remarkable religious fervor would be shown. ’ ' / b''’ J ' T '■ Mr. E. O’Malley, who has been 'connected with the Timaru firm of Guinness and -Xe Crexx, as' manager of (heir v Geraldine branch,”.' was entertained I recently by

WHS. '.■■•.' ,c fjv% prominent business men and farmers =of that -■■ district, I prior to his departure "Z forAsh burton, where he has .] been - appointed manager of \ the new ) business firm of l Pyne, Gould, and Guinness. Mr. O'Malley enters upon I his new duties in a week or so.- ..'-,......: