DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 7 August 1919, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) . July 28. In connection with the peace celebrations, there was Solemn High Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday, July. 20. Father Morkane (Holy Cross College, Mosgiel) was celebrant, Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., deacon, and Father Murphy subdeacon. The choir sang Mozart’s No. 2 Mass in C, and after Mass the ‘ le Dcum’’ was sung. Father Bartley, late chaplain v ith the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, was the preacher, and during his discourse related many incidents which came under his personal knowledge in Northern Franco, and claimed that no parish with which ho ever had responsibility yielded more fruit than did the 500 soldiers under his charge in France. The preacher emphasised the fact that a nation which forgot God in its victory was unworthy of victory and peace. Special devotions for children- were held in the afternoon. Over 1000 -pupils of the Cathedral schools, as well as the children in Nazareth House, wearing regalia and carrying banners, mar died,to the Cathedral, where Lie Pope’s prayer for the preservation of peace, and the Rosary were recited. Father Murphy, 8.A., gave a suitable address to the children. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed, and the children marched back to their'respective schools, the procession being viewed by a large number of parishioners. The Cathedral was again"packed with a devout congregation in the evening, when there were Solemn Vespers, sermon, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Miss M. G.

O’Connor sang GounodV “Ave Maria,” with a violin obbligato by Miss Mary Ward. The “To Deum’ ’ was sung during the Benediction. Miss Mina Ward presided at the organ on all occasions. Father Bartley pleached also in the evening. He said that they were gathered before the altar of God with hearts filled to overflowing. .The long-looked-for hour had come, and hearts were ringing with the glad tidings. The measure of their joy that day was also the measure of the sorrows which they had passed through. They had seen the crucifixion of France ; they had seen her bled' white, and her civilian population suffering the terrors of war. One saw the French people daily with outstretched arms before the altar, singing the plaintive dirge, Spare, O Lord, O Spare Thy People.”' Louder than the notes of joy the message of peace was' to-day welling in the hearts of those people. They could all thank God for the measure of peace now enjoyed, but there would be no perfect peace until the industrial world was revolutionised, and charity and justice took the place-of cleverness and greed. The preacher asked the congregation, while thanking God for the victory enjoyed, to pray for the souls of the fallen, no matter from what side of the Rhine they came, and beseech the Mother of Christ to throw her mantle of sympathy over the hearts of those who mourn, St. Mary’s Church, Manchester Street, was crowded on Sunday morning, July 20, when, in connection with the peace celebrations, a Military High Mass was celebrated.. About 50 returned soldiers, in uniform, paraded with arms, under Captain Harper, D. 5.0., M.C., D.C.M. Twenty of the soldiers, under Captain A. F. Roche, formed a guard in the sanctuary, the remainder being seated in the front rows of the church. Other officers present were Lieutenant C. Barker and Lieutenant Ford, as well as Sergeant-Major O’Sullivan and Sergeant-Major Rochfort. Private P. Aitken acted as bugler, and Sergeant P. A. Anderson, Privates C. Dobbs and L. Lascelles were the acolytes. Several inmates of Chalmers Ward were motored to the church by members of the congregation. The Military Mass, which is rarely celebrated in the Southern Hemisphere, was most impressive. Very Rev. Dean Regnault was celebrant, Father Graham, S.M., deacon, Father Seymour, S.M., subdeacon, and Father Roche, S.M., master of ceremonies. The choir, under the baton of Mr. W. T. Ward, with Mrs. Cronin as organist, sang the Mass of St. Cecilia, and after the last Gospel the “Te Deum.” ‘‘Ecce Panis” was sung at the Offertory. At the Sanctus the guard stood to attention, and at the Consecration the soldiers presented arms, Bugler Aitken sounding the Royal Salute. Dean Regnault said he would reserve his special sermon for the evening devotions, but on behalf of the parishioners of St. Mary’s and the priests he was proud to welcome the soldiers back to their friends and their old church. Two, thiee, or four years ago each one of them,-with prosperity before them in their civil avocations, heeding the wail of the women and children of .'Belgium and France, went away with a smile from those who held them dear, and all that seemed dearer to them than life. the spirit of France had been their spirit, and the sufferings of Belgium became their own sorrow. While they were away fighting-the prayers of their fiiends went up daily to God, beseeching His protection of them. The Dean said that he knew, from private information he had received from France, how nobly the New Zealand soldiers had conducted themselves, and how they had extended a helping hand to the sick and stricken of France whenever possible. “As long as France will bo France its men will be proud of you, and its women will be grateful to you for all you have done for their kind.” Dean Regnault concluded with a note of sympathy to those who mourn for the fallen, and exhorted the soldiers, now that they could lay down their swords, to carry on in the fight for honor and liberty, not in dissensions, but in the goodwill of common brotherhood and Christian charity, and so help to build up a nation on the principles for which they fought on Europe’s battlefields. -There was also an unusually large congregation at the evening devotions. The returned soldiers were again present, and at the

Act of Benediction they, presented the Royal Salute. After the Rosary had been - recited, Dean Reghaulfepreached an eloquent sermon appropriate of thanksgiving. Marshal Foch (he said) had invited the people of England, France, and Ireland to pray for the victory of the cause of right, and the peojjle had responded. The Dean paid a tribute to the heroism of the New Zealand soldiers in Gallipoli, Palestine, and France, and expressed admiration for the sacrifice and devotion of - the, chaplains, doctors, and nurses, and concluded with a few fitting words of consolation and sympathy to the relatives of those who suffered the loss of loved ones. The choir sang the “Te Deum” and Miss Riordan sang an “Ave Maria.” Requiem Masses for the repose of the souls of the soldiers who lost their lives during the war were celebrated at the -Cathedral on Monday, July 21, that at 8 a.m. being a Children’s Mass. Requiem Mass was also celebrated at St. Mary’s Church for the same intention. A juvenile branch of the Hibernian Society was inaugurated in Christchurch on Wednesday, July 16. Some 50 boys, under the supervision of Rev. Brother I he!an, assembled in the Hibernian Hall. Bro. M. Grimes presided, and was assisted in establishing the branch by Bro. T. Cunccn (New Headford) and Bro. M. Mannix. The officers elected were as follows: President, Rev. Brother Phelan; vice-president, Claude Dobbs ; secretary, J. Gillum ; treasurer, J. Madden; warden, L. Freney; guardian, 11. Hayward; sick visitors, J. Tansey and J. Mahony. Bro/T. Cuneen addressed the boys, congratulated them on the formation of the branch, and wished it every success. The installation was conducted by Bros. Grimes and Mannix, who also addressed words of encouragement to the boys. Rev. Brother Phelan said he accepted the office of first president with gratitude, and promised to do his utmost for the welfare of the organisation as a whole and of each boy individually. He then read a comprehensive and varied itinerary of evening attractions for several months ahead. * . On Thursday last the New Headford branch of the Hibernian Society accepted an invitation to a card match and social evening, extended to them by St. Patrick’s branch. To their long list of victories already gained, they added another, winning the evening’s contest by 40 games to 39. A cordial welcome was expressed to the visitors by the local president, Bro. T. P. O’Rourke. Several toasts were honored, and Bro. M. F. Ryan returned thanks for the hospitality accorded the New Headford brothers. A musical programme was contributed to by Bros. O’Sullivan, Jamieson, Mannix, and Smyth (St. Patrick’s), Bro. Roche and Mr. Kimber (New Headford). The Catholic children taking part in the peace procession on Monday last made a very fine showing, and their neat appearance was very favorably commented upon along the line of route. A banner of the Sacred Heart, and another of St. Philomena, were carried in front, and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Sisters of Nazareth, and the Sisters of the Missions had every reason to be proud of their charges. The boys of the Marist Brothers’ School marched in good style. _ Tne Hibernians mustered well for the civilian procession, and had a decorated lorry with a tableau representing Faith, Hope, and Charity—the emblems of the society. The pretty design was the work of the Sisters of the Missions. [This letter reached us too late for insertion in our last week’s issue.— .-N.Z.T.~\