DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 4 November 1920, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) November 1. At the Competitions recently held in Wellington' Misses Elsie Ives and Helena Keane, pupils of the local Sisters of the Mission, were awarded the first prize in the piano duet under 16 years. Miss Ives also scored first place in sight reading, third place in songs (test selection), and in the test piece was highly commended. Rev. Fathers Leen and Creed returned from Australia during the week. Roth are much improved in health. Very Rev.. Father Whelan, C.SS.R., continued during the week the retreat for the members of the arch-confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. All the exerc-ses have been well attended, and very large numbers approached the Holy 1 able on Sunday morning. In the evening, in the presence of a crowded congregation, lather Whelan preached a most impressive sermon on faith and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. His Lordship the Bishop took the opportunity of thanking the devoted missioner for his splendid efforts, and expressed his pleasure at the response of the congregation as witnessed that morning. This was, continued the Bishop, the more consoling to him at the present time when the legislators of the country seemed bent on placing on the Statute Book a law relating to marriage that was practically persecution. However, when it is taken into consideration that in this comparatively small diocese of Christchurch 'during he last 20 years -no less a sum than £300,000 had been spent on Catholic institutions and churches, he felt he need have no fear as to the solidarity of the faith of his people. He urged them to join the archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament as a means of bringing upon, them God’s blessing and of strengthening them in times of trial.

Rev. Brother Denis, Provincial of the Marist Brothers, arrived in Christchurch yesterday, having just returned from a visit to Europe*. He brought with him a teaching Brother for the local staff, which, owing to the illness of Brother Siegfried, has been working shorthanded. Even the exceptional vitality possessed by Brother Phelan has been for months past sorely tried, the bulk of the extra labors falling upon him. The new arrival has been anxiously looked forward to so as to relieve the pressure. ' - '•'■■;. On behalf of the Marist Brothers, Brother Basil, who is collecting for the new Novitiate, wishes to ex-

press '.appreciation of the generous response being made to the appeal' by the " people' of Christchurch. They 'are following the magnificent lead given by his Lordship the Bishop in a manner that is truly admirable. Rev. Brother Denis was agreeably surprised at the success of ' Brother /Basil’s work during the short time he has been in this; city. .>•. ' Rev. Brother Siegfried is, we are pleased to say, rapidly improving in health. In the Hibernian Hall on Thursday evening last, the Christchurch Catholic Club tendered a welcome home to Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Hayward. Mr. P. J. Amodeo, president of the Club, presided, and the attendance was large and representative. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., represented the Cathedral clergy. An entertaining programme was contributed to by Miss E. Rodgers, and Mr. W. Atwill (songs), Mr. and Mrs. Allan Young * (humorous recitations), and Miss J. Mabin (musical monologue). Miss Elsie Ives very capably played the accompaniments. Mr. Amodeo said he was very pleased to see such a fine gathering of club members and friends assembled to extend to their former president and Mrs. Hayward a hearty welcome home after their tour of the Old Country. Everyone (he said) was agreed that both had benefited by their trip, and he was pleased to see them fit and well.. He thanked the artists who contributed to the evening’s entertainment. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, on behalf of the clergy, eulogised the work of Mr. and Mrs. Hayward in Catholic movements in the past, congratulated them on their safe return to Christchurch, and wished them many years of health and prosperity. Any parish (he said) would be proud of the Hayward family, and he was quite sure that the guests of the evening would be found interesting themselves again in connection with the club and Catholic affairs generally. Mr. Hayward, was greeted with applause, and expressed appreciation of the warm welcome extended to Mrs. Hayward and himself. They had at all times received kindly consideration at the hands of the clergy. Referring to incidents of his tour, Mr. Hayward made special mention of the great work being done In England by the laity by means of Catholic Evidence lectures, instancing one occasion on which he heard a Catholic lady addressing the dockyard workers at Tower Hill. He thought it quite probable that something might be started in this line as an adjunct to the Catholic Club. Supper was followed "by a social evening, the music being supplied by Mr. W. Cowl in. Hokitika (From our own correspondent.) October 29. The people of Westland have been strenuously endeavoring to obtain sufficient funds to renovate and enlarge the local hospital. The Catholics of Hokitika have not been backward in doing their share towards furthering this deserving and charitable object. A large number have contributed privately, and recently the Catholic Club held a social evening in aid of the hospital funds and collected a fairly large sum. Some time ago a Church Committee was elected to further the interests of the parish. lam very pleased to be able to state that this committee has entered enthusiastically into its undertaking, and already the effects of its efforts are being felt. The average weekly penny collection in aid of the Convent schools has risen from about 10s to £2. A quarterly collection for the purpose of liuqidating the Church debt was inaugurated, and the first collection realised close on £IOO. Rev. Father Eccleton, Marist Missioner, who has been laid up for some time with a bad attack of influenza, is about again, and appears to be rapidly recovering good health. We all wish him a complete and speedy recovery.

/ His Lordship Bishop Brodie paid us a flying visit on the ~ 22nd inst., but owing to pressure ,of 'business he. was compelled to return to Greymouth almost "im-« mediately. • i!t *- ’' ‘- 1 ’ '< ! " ' 1 'd * At the recent Trinity' College TMusic Examinations held at the local Convent, Misses E. Hatch* and Mk. Jones were successful in obtaining their A.T.C.L. certificates, both obtaining , honors. I believe that Miss Hatch, who obtained hers in violin playing, is the only one holding this honor on the Coast. As both young ladies are strong supporters of our church choir we are all pleased at their successes. A meeting of the local Hibernians was held on Thursday evening for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year. A large number of members was present, and the business of . the evening was quickly dispatched. The local branch promises to be a strong one, and may it have every success.