DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 18 September 1919, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) ' ■l.ij,?}: | September 12. • • A .welcome home social to : returned •,soldiers, organised by » ladies’ committee, was held in the-,-Hibernian Hall on Thursday evening last, - and despite very, inclement

weather was well attended. Mrs. Baxter, who supplied the necessary music, was .presented' with,, a: morocco, hand-bag in recognition of services "rendered.;- to the committee. During ; the ; evening;*' entertaining items > were: contributed by Miss Round and Mrs. Baxter. Mr. James Flannelly was an efficient M.C. : . - After the examinations recently; made by ; the Government Inspector at St,: Joseph’s’ Girls’ School, the children in Standards 3 and 4 organised an entertainment for the remaining standards'. The Rev. ' Mother Superioress and Rev. Father Fogarty were present,, and the dispensing of sweets, coupled with; the ; nice little programme, resulted in a most enjoyable afternoon for the children. On Thursday about BO of the pupils were take’s* down to Lyttelton on a visit to H.M.S. New Zealand. Rev., Dr. Kennedy and Rev. Father Fogarty took charge of the , party. The officers and sailors aboard were kindness itself, and were not, only interested in the intelligent questions put to them by the girls, but gave special attention to conducting them over the various parts of the ship. ' Norton’s Cafe was then made the rendeavous for afternoon tea. On the return train journey “The Wearing of the Green,” “God Save Ireland,” and “Angel of Light” were spiritedly sung by; the happy children, who are deeply grateful to Dr. Kennedy and Father Fogarty for their kindness. On Tuesday evening last in the Hibernian Hall a smoke concert was given to the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ senior football fifteen by some supporters of the club, led by Messrs. T. P. O’Rourke (president of St. Patrick’s branch H.A.C.B. Society) and Mr. J. Anderson (Gladstone Hotel).

Mr. W. Rodgers occupied the chair. Amongst the toasts honored were“ The Marist Brothers’ Club,” proposed by Mr. Anderson and responded to by Mr. D. McCormick (captain of the team); “South Island Representatives,” proposed by Mr. J. S. Tulloch, the responses being made by Messrs. E. Brosnahan and L. Peterson; “The Club’s Supporters,” by Mr. E. Fitzgerald, responded to by Mr. T. P. O’Rourke; and “The Champion Team,” proposed by Mr. E. O’Brien and responded to by Mr. J. Mullins. , - - .

The musical side of the evening was supplied by Messrs. E. Rodgers, Leo Brosnahan, A. McDonald, J. McCormick, L. Petersen, E. Brosnahan, R. Wilson, and M. Mannix, Mr. T. Hughes being at the piano. Rev. Father Fogarty addressed words of congratulation and encouragement to the assemblage, and was most enthusiastically received, after which the toast of “Kindred Societies” t was honored, Mr. J. Mullins being the proposer. On behalf of St. Patrick’s H.A.C.B.S. Mr. T. P. O’Rourke responded, for St. Mary’s H.A.C.B.S. Mr. J. Ormandy, Celtic Club Mr. J. Curry, and St. Vincent do. Paul Society Mr. T. P. Fogarty.

Proceedings terminated with the singing of “God Save Ireland.”

PRESENTATION TO MR. JAMES CURRY. The members and friends of the Celtic Club assembled in the Hibernian Hall on Friday evening for the purpose of bidding farewell to their president, Mr. J. Curry, who leaves for Akaroa to take charge of the Domain and Gardens in that district. . .. Rev. Father Fogarty occupied the chair, and there were present : His Lordship Dr. Brodio, Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Fathers Long and Murphy, the Marist Brothers, and a large gathering of club members. To the musical programme Miss Eily Rodgers, Mesdames Greenlees and Baxter, Messrs. P. J. Smyth, E. Bowden, and Rev. Father Murphy contributed, Miss Katie O’Connor being accompanist. ' . After, a brief address from the chairman. Father Fogarty, his Lordship, who was enthusiastically received, said that on hearing of the nature of the evening’s function he felt it would be anything but right if he were to stay away. ; As a Bishop, and one who has had a good deal of experience in the working of parishes as a priest, he felt that the Catholic people of Christchurch were suffering a loss in the departure of Mr. Jim Curry. The help given by wealthv people, (said the Bishop) is very often generous and of great assistance, but the greatest comfort and help came from the regular, reliable efforts of those in more bumpier spheres. Mr. Curry (continued bis Lordship) had for* many . .years',* identified himself with Catholic life of every ' kind —the Hibernian Society, Celtic Club, Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament claiming his principal attention. And he was pleased to be able to second the appreciation of the people, and at the same time would like to be able to detect in the bag presented 'to •;; Mr. Currv • a return ticket.,;! He • would extend most heartily to him his warmest wishes for the ; future, and trusted that his eXftWDl® ' n : associating 4 himself with Cath-.

. oiic work would be ail. incentive t f6r others to try and ohc work would be an incentive f6r others to try and emulate his efforts. ~ Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Fathers Long and Murphy spoke in terms of - high appreciation of the energy " and ability shown jby Mr. Curry in all works pertaining to the Church, and Rev. Brother Justin (Director of the -' Marist Brothers’■ School) thanked him for the deep interest he hade taken in the boys of the school and the Brothers. , . ; Other > speakers to express their appreciation of the evenings guest and to regretfully refer to his departure were Messrs. A. F. Jarman (secretary of the club), P. J. Smyth (instructor to the club), T. P. O’Rourke J Ormandy (St. Mary’s), and D. McMullan. Mi. Curry, who was received with great applause, thanked his Lordship the Bishop, the priests, and friends of and members of the Celtic Club for the very great kindness extended to him that evening. Pie was sorry to leave Christchurch, but leaving with the expressed good-will of those around him took the sting out of the parting. Many good things had been said of his successful efforts, but He (the speaker) recognised that he had not been playing solo, but had the ready assistance of many good fellow-workers, and to these he, regretted having to bid farewell. He would recommend to" the careful consideration of all Catholic men the joining up with the Archconfraternity and the Hibernian Society, which was-very dear to his heart. He thanked the gathering for the presentation given him, and in saying good-bye wished them all good luck. Supper was served, • and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne and “God Save Ireland terminated a. pleasant evening. Mr. Curry, at the close of the Hibernian meeting on Monday evening, was presented with a. handsome case of pipes as a mark of appreciation. The president, Bro. T. P. O’Rourke, after reviewing Bro. Curry’s work, called upon Rev. Father Long to make the presentation, and this was done in the warmest manner possible from the warm Irish heart of the beloved chaplain of St. Patrick’s branch. Several brothers spoke in support of Rev. Father Long, and wished Bro. Curry every success. A musical and elocutionary programme was submitted, and several toasts were honored, after which Bro. Curry thanked the brothers lor their good-will towards him and regretted having to part with those with whom he had spent so many pleasant years.