DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 22 January 1920, Page 27

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) January 19. Very Rev. Dean Holley, S.M., Provincial, is tho guest of Very Rev. Dean Regnault at St. Mary's. Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., lias received an addition to his staff of assistant priests in the appointment to the parish of Father Stewart, late of Waitnate. The extra help will be highly appreciated by the people of St. Mary's. The annual retreat for the Marist Fathers of the diocese was conducted at St. Mary's,' Manchester Street, bv Rev. Father Eccleton, S.M., and was attended by 24 priests. The building of St. Joseph's Girls' School near the Cathedral, as well as the new schools at St. Mary's and Papanui, are held up for the present, owing to the shortage of cement.

The annual retreat of the diocesan secular clergy, conducted by Rev. Father Langley, C.SS.R., concluded on Friday, and was followed by a synodal meeting. His Lordship the Bishop has made the following changes among the clergy:—Rev. Father J. O'Connor, Hawarden, is to have charge of the newly-constituted Aldington parish, the Rev. Father Murphy, of the Cathedral, replacing him at Hawarden. Rev. Father Fogartv, of the Cathedral, takes up duty at Rangiora. Rev. Fathers P. Cooney, Lyttelton, and C. Graham, S.M., M.A., rector of St. Bede's College, have been appointed members of the Diocesan Council, with the title of "Very Rev." , The West Coast priests remained at the episcopal residence over Sunday after the retreat. The Catholic Girls' Hostel, situated in Cashel Street, has proved itself a complete success. The number of permanent boarders is now 31, and during the holidays the accommodation has been taxed to its utmost. Visitors from all parts of the Dominion have made the hostel their temporary home, and numbers are being turned away daily. Those who were fortunate enough to secure accommodation there speak in terms of praise of the management, and of the benefit to the committee in having such a capable matron. It is the intention of the managing committee to make still further improvements in the near future, and to make the hostel a home of which the Catholics of Christchurch may well be proud. His Lordship the Bishop has received advice that Hirer newly-ordained Irish priests —Fathers Falvey, Gallagher, and Finnerty—will be leaving for the Christchurch diocese at the first available opportunity. They pursued their studies and were ordained at Kilkenny College. At the close of the annual meeting held in connection with St. Patrick's branch, H.A.C.B. Society, on Monday evening, January 12, Bros. G. Ryan and J. Close inaugurated a movement having for its object the promotion of a St. Patrick's Day sports meeting in this city. Bro. Ryan spiritedly advocated the proper celebration of the national festival, and appealed to all, as descendants or Irishmen, to shake off the lethargy so apparent in tins matter in the past. He placed a cheque for a handsome amount at the disposal of the branch as a beginning, and guaranteed to find other patriots to do likewise. A strong committee was appointed, and several brothers spoke strongly in favor of the movement. His Lordship the. Bishop having been waited on, gave at once his wholehearted support, he having entertained the same idea for quite a long time, but war conditions had prevented him from launching the project. On last Sunday morning, at the 7 o'clock Mass, the members of St. Matthew's (ladies') and St. Patrick's branches of the Hibernian Society, in regalia, approached the Holy Table. A visit .by members and their friends was made to the new Nazareth House property at Middle'.ou. During the day over 200 availed themselves of the importunity given by the Rev. Mother and her devoted Sisters, and were well repaid by having one of the most enjoyable outings yet experienced by members of the society; an ideal day, pretty surroundings, and an energetic body of .workers contributing towards making it a success from the outset. Prior to luncheon, Miss E. Brophy, Mrs. Blackaby, and the lady helpers had a busy time, as did also the girls from Nazareth House, in the kitchen, tea, milk, hot water, and fruit salad being provided free. The beautiful property is about 15 minutes' walk from the tram stop, and for the old and delicate visitors this was made easy by the generosity of Mr. E. Holland, who thoughtfully made his horses and conveyance available for this purpose. Plenty of recreation was provided by the committee —Bros. T. P. O'Rourke (president), J. Close, M. Grimes, L. Courtney, J. S. Tulloch. J. Jacques, and AV. P. Daly. The annual meeting of St. Patrick's branch, H.A.C.B. Society, was hold in the Hibernian Hall on Monday evening, January 12, and • was well attended. Bro. T. P. O'Rourke, 8.P.. presided. Sick allowance (£8 5s lOd) and accounts (£6 ss) were passed for payment. Bro. M. J. O'Connor reported the activities of the U.F.S. Benevolent Association, of which body he was re-elected president. After the reading of the business sheet for the district meeting bv the secretary (Bro. Grimes), it was decided to discuss it at the next meeting, the officers in the meantime to ire into the details and raw up recommendations for submission to the branch. The officers elected for the ensuing term am: —President, Bro. T. P. O'Rourke: vicepresident, Bro. L. J. Courtney; secretary, Bro. M. Grimes; treasurer, Bro. W. P. Daly; sick visitors, Bros. J. McCormick and L. Haughey ; warden, Bro. H. A. XTpjohn ; guardian, Bro. F. Kingdon ; assistant secretary, Bro. M. Mannix; Judicial Committee, Bros. M. Grimes, J. Jacques,

H. TJpjohn, J. Lane, D. Edmonds, P. Pearce, F. Kingdon, • P. Smyth, and H. A. Sloan; Hall Committee, Bros. P Pearce, M. Grimes, T. P. O'Rourke, F. Kingdon, J. M. Coffey, J. Close, H. Up John, L. Courtney, and D. Edmonds. The installation of officers was performed by P.P. Bro. J. M. Coffey, assisted by P.P. Bro. J. Jacques, the former congratulating the officers on their re-election, which was an expression of the continued confidence of members. A vote of thanks was accorded Bro. A. F. Jarrnan, who through unavoidable circumstances is compelled for the present to relinquish office.