DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 35, 7 September 1922, Page 23

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) September 4. Rev, Fathers Dillon (New Plymouth), O’Regan (Greymonth), and O’Sullivan (African Missionary) are guests ■ of Rev. Father Ha,nr ah an, Adm., at the Cathedral presbytery. Father O’Regan preached at the Cathedral on Sunday night. - Rev. Father Campbell, C.SS.R., is to conduct a Retreat for the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament in the last • week of September A successful social promoted by Mr. Lanyon, with the . object of providing St. Anne’s Church with an organ, was ' held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Woolston, on last Thursday. Rev. Father Gallagher expersses his gratitude, to all who helped on the function. In order to liquidate the debt on that portion of the parish, a long-standing handicap to progress in the district, Father Gallagher and an ener- . getic committee are preparing for a garden fete, to be -held on December 9. Rev. Father O’Connell, S.M., of St. Mary’s, is having very necessary additions made to the presbytery, the accommodation of which has proved altogether inadequate . for the demands made upon it. Mr. H. St. A. Murray has drawn the plans, and Messrs. Fullwood and Hay are carrying out the work. • As a result of the winter-months’ socials held in St. Mary’s Memorial Hall, - and organised by Mr. and Mrs. Prendergast and the Children of Mary Sodality, a substantial sum has been accumulated for the school improve- -. meat fund. Father O’Connell has lost no time in utilising it, and already two splendid shelter sheds (which may be used also for class-rooms) have been'erected. The playground has been graded and asphalted—adding greatly to the appearance of the ■- fine school building as well as to the comfort of the children. : . ———; Levin On Thursday evening, August 24, the solemn devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration began in Levin, and on Sunday evening we regretfully . saw its close (writes an esteemed correspondent). Each morning there were big congregations at the two -Masses,... and ’ each evening the church was packed to its utmost capacity. The general Communion at the eight o’clock Mass op Sunday was a, most impressive sight. At the 9 o’clock Mass each morning 3 we listened to a. practical instruction, and each evening a; lucid exposition of Catholic teaching regarding the Holy Eucharist was listened to with rapt attention. Each instruction found in Our Lord’s abiding presence-its centre ; and its inspiration. The preacher on each occasion was Rev. Father Eccleton' (Marist Missioner), and we earnestly hope that what we have heard from the eloquent missioner is but a prelude to, if possible, a bigger feast of T things spiritual in days riot fay distant. At the Renewal Communion on Sunday morning 12 children had the happiness of receiving our Blessed Lord for the first +ime. It was a memorable day for the privileged little ones. - The children’s choir most. pleasingly .• tendered appropriate hymns during the Mass. After the Mass the Sisters enter- . tained the First ‘ Communicants to a sumptuous < breakfast. The 11 a.m. Mass was a Missa Cantata, - the celebrant being Rev. Father Fitzgibbon. ■' The choir, under the baton of .Mr. 0. , Foote, sang the' Mass admirably, Mrs. Campbell v presidin'" afwthe organ. The evening devotions ; concluded.. with the Pabal blessing and they singing of the hvmpi> ; . ' “Faith-of Fathers.” ; • . , /JS#- — - *.