DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 30 December 1920, Page 27

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

' 'VSolemn Requiem-Mass" for *the repose of the soul of the late >" Mr. John ; Coffey ■ (father of 4 /Very"' Rev, Father Coffey, Adm. St. Joseph's Cathedral, and. of. Rev. Mother M. Margaret and Sister M. Austin, 0.5. D.), will be offered at. St. Joseph's Cathedral on Tuesday, January 4.-'v<*.: ; -v., h.'C,'

. ; ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL," DUNEDIN. ■_ : -' * "V. At ' St. : Joseph's (Cathedral on Christmas. Day f Masses were' celebrated continuously from 6.ti1l 9 a.m., each: being attended by a large congregation,, aiibTpractically the whole number present at each,separate Mass \ approached the Holy Table. There was Solemn Pontifical Mass at 11 o'clock, his Lordship the:.; Bishop -being : celebrant, Very :* Rev. Father Coffey, .assistant priest; ; Rev. Fathers. Kaveney • and. Marlow, deacons of 'honor' at the'throne; and" Rev. Father- Ardagli Riid' Rev. ' J. Fenton, deacon and. subdeacoir respectively of the Mass..** Veryßev.' Father. Coffey,. Adm.,* preached an impressive discourse on the, subject of the day's, festival, and, as he. did at the earlier Masses, extended. to the parishioners his sincere good wishes \ for all the .blessings of a joyous Christmas and a bright and happy■ New : ■Year.: The choir, with; Mr. A. Vallis at the organ . and Signor Squarise 'Conducting, gave a fine rendering of [Gounod's,Third/Mass. The "Adeste Fideles" ; (Novello's arrangement) / was sung by the choir at the Offertory, the , various parts. (solo, . duet,: two and quartette) being admirably rendered.- At the/conclusion of Mass bis Lordship the Bishop imparted the Papal Blessing.. The high altar was very beautifully adorned '.;; and in the evening brilliantly illuminated, and reflected great credit on the painstaking and devoted -workers who were Responsible for producing such, tasteful and striking-/ effects. The 'crib." too,-was very; realistically.arranged, and proved an object of devotion which; attracted large numbers. - : In; the evening, -after the recital of the Holy. Rosary, a number of sacred selections were rendered" by members 'of St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir,, in the presence of''liis/: Lordship. the Bishop at the throne. The time-honored anthem, '•Adeste.Fideles" (Novello's; arrangement) wasrheautifullv given by Mrs. Sandys (soprano), Miss M. Drumm (contralto), Mr. M. Coughlan (tenor), and Mr. J. McGrath (bass), and the choir. Mr. D. Fogarty gave a good rendering of Santley s "Ave Maria.-" Mrs. F. Woods sang "The Blind Ploughman'' admirably. Mr. ; - J. McGrath's rendering of .•Nazareth was in keeping with the. fine standard of-/vo-calisation with which his name is always associated; "Incline Thine Ear" was splendidly given by the choir .Mr. F Woods taking the solo. "PerSignum Crucis" ; (a -16th century composition) was, well rendered by a. double male quartette. .Stephen Adams's 'Holy. City" was very pleasingly given by Mrs. Sandys. Mr. A. Vallis contributed an organ solo in his usual artistic style, and in,conclusion the choir was heard to great 'advantage, in "Joseph Fili David" (.Santley). . Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given bv Ins Lordship the Bishop, the incidental music including Elgar s 0 Salutans," O'Donovan's "Tantum Ergo," ?■' Divine Praises" -and the T 'Adoremus"/ (Plain Chant)/' - : i The members of the choir were afterwards entertained by the Bishop Very Rev. Father Coffey and several others of the clergy being present. His Lordship cordially thanked the choir for its devoted services during the year and expressed appreciation, of its fine musical renderings of that day (Christmas) as also on the occasion of the recent episcopal consecrations. Dr. Whyte- also spoke interestingly of sacred music and eminent composers, his remarks very much impressing those present. Mr. Vallis (organist) and : Mr. H I oppelwell (secretary) voiced, on behalf of the choir, sincere thanks to bis Lordship for his kindly sentiments -and much appreciated recognition of the choir's efforts, a/work in which they (the members), took an individual. pride. " OBITUARY . , Md?. JOHN COFFEY, TIPPERARY. IRELAND. On Friday -last a cable " anouncing the. death of : his father in Gappel Hill, ,Bird: Hills, Co. Tipper.arv, Ireland, reached the Very- Rey. : James- Coffev, Acini ;I)viuedin. Mr. Coffey ; , had reached the threshold- of •BU,.years, and almost up. to the, end had "been in splendid Ilea (th. : The, death, .of,; his. son. Rev. John Coffev, a few months fso was a great shock from which he never entirelv rallied. Mr; Coffey gave of his large "family two sons to the uriestlioofl. and . two .daughters to "the Order of St Dominic- Mother Margaret Mary, North-East'Valley and-Sis-rer Austin; To his devoted wife who shared his joys and sorrow for nearly 60 ; years arid to Ins children f* -,"r Ml 1 abroad,.the good works, and the solid pietv-of :,-, Ins, full life bring now ; ; an assurance- of' happiness ; which !s the only real consolation . in. bereavement. - ; To Father Coffey, Mother Margaret Mary, and- Sister Austin we offer our . profound sympathy. Solemn Requiem Mass for^ the deceased.will be celebrated in St. Joseph's Cathedral on. Tuesday, ; January 4—R.I.P. '.-■:■ .;;-.: -V--V'.