DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 2 December 1920, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) November 29. Very Rev. Father Whelan, C.SS.R., addressed last week a very largely attended meeting of the women’s branch of the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. During his remarks he exhorted his hearers to retain the fervor of their recent retreat. The local convents were, as usual, very successful with their pupils in the recent Trinity College musical examinations. In addition to their many passes obtained in the various grades, the gold medal presented by the Christchurch Centre for the senior examination was won by Miss Madge O’Malley, a student of the Sisters of the Mission. A meeting was held in the Hibernian Hall on Tuesday evening of the St. Patrick’s Sports Association. . A finance committee consisting of Messrs. G. M. Ryan, J. Anderson. J. S. Tulloch, E. McCullough, J. Close, O. H. Taylor, and the president (Mr. B. J. McKenna), was appointed. The association has been successful in securing Lancaster Park for the meeting on March 19. Cash and trophies to the value of £4OO will be competed for. The programme of sports has already been drawn up, and the secretary (Mr. J. M. Coffey) is energetically eagaged in working for the success of next year’s fixture. Rev. Father Dillon, New Plymouth, is on a ; visit to Christchurch, and is the guest of his Lordship Bishop Brodic. The annual outdoor procession of the Blessed Sacrament was held at Mount Magdala on last Sunday afternoon, under ideal weather conditions. The grounds were tastefully decorated, arches and bannerettes marking the line of procession, and several small altars were erected. The two altars from which Benediction was given were richly adorned, the drapings (the work of the Sisters)

being much admired. The Sacred Host -was borne in procession by his Lordship the Bishop, and a. number of the clergy were present. There were also representatives of the various convents, and Alarist Brothers, about 40 altar, boys from the Cathedral, in <charge of Rev. Brother Phelan and the sacristan (Mr. Frank Geoghegan), and some .250 visitors. Those, with the inmates and Sisters of the Good Shepherd, formed an impressive procession, which was rendered more devotional by the singing of the institution's choir.