DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 21, 31 May 1923, Page 31

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(Prom our own correspondent.) The members of the Cathedral Choir were, on Sunday last, treated to an outing by Rev. Father Hanrahan, Adm. The part\ set out in motor cars and made a very pleasant run through the Cashmere and Tai Tapu districts, making camp at St. Joseph’s Home, Middleton. Rev. Mother Gertrude received them warmly, add entertained them hospitably. The choir members contributed a nice musical programme, and the children in turn sang for the visitors. The Orphanage Brass Band played selections surprisingly •well. Father Hanrahan thanked the Sisters for their kindly treatment, and he expresses his deep gratitude to Messrs. J. Ardagh; I). O’Connell, T. Tansey, P. H. Jones, George, Ryan, C. Cotter, P. Amodeo, and A. Mead who supplied cars for the outing. A meeting convened by Rev. Father Hanrahan, Adm., was held on Sunday evening last to devise a means of raising funds to instal heating apparatus in the girls’ schools. There was a- record attendance as considered from the standpoint of similar movements, and judging by the enthusiasm displayed success is already assured. It was decided to hold a sale of work in the Brothers’ school during the vacation in August next, and stalls were allotted as follows: —Flower Stall, Mesdames M. Brittenden and J. Nolan; Refreshment Stall, Misses E. Brophy, M. and M. Daly; Tobacco Stall, Mesdames Upjohn and A spell ; prise Packets, Mrs. Blackaby; Variety Stalls (2), Misses McAloon and Kiely, and Mrs. Burns. After its business meeting on Monday evening last, St. Mary’s branch of the Hibernian Society played St. Patrick’s branch at euchre. The attendance taxed the lodge room to capacity. St. Patrick’s won by 43 points. Bro. H. O’Connor, 8.P., welcomed the visitors, Bro. E. Fitzgerald. B.P. (St. Patrick’s), suggested a trophy to be nlaved for by the three branches of the society in Christchurch; and the suggestion met with general approval. During the evening songs were given by Mr. MacPherson, and Bros. J. Sweeney, H. Doherty, G. Nelson, and V. Toomey. Bro. S. Doherty presided at the piano. Ahaura (From our own correspondent.) TT . T , i • May 26. His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Brodie visited Ahaura last Monday (Whit Monday), and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to between 40 and 50 children He. was very pleased with the excellent disposition of the candidates, but his greatest source of gratification was "their grand knowledge of the Christian Doctrine. St. Mary’s Church, that nestles beneath the neighboring hill, was crowded to its utmost, capacity. The choir was very good The strains of the “Veni Creator” seem still to linger along the valley. The following priests were present. Our good pastor the Rev. Father Fogarty, Rev. Father Long Adm; (Greymouth), Rev. Father Herbert (Reefton), Rev! Father P. Mac Lean (China), and Rev. Father T. O’Regan (Greymouth). It was a gala day in Ahaura. ?' The Rev. Father P. Mac Lean was here last week, and the people were glad to see him and to help him. He was pleased with the response to his appeal, and is especially grateful to the people of Nelson Creek, Ngahere, and Blackball. He received something more than £35. Mrs. J. Smythe and Miss D. Corcoran, who have been spending a well-deserved holiday in Christchurch, came back a few days ago. Both are looking grand. They are

well versed in the latest methods of running garden parties and jumble sales, so we expect great things. The Blackball parishioners are hard at work collecting funds for the renovation and painting of 'their churchy' Airs. J. Keating and Airs. AI. Connors taking a very special interest in the hard but good work. St. AI unchin’s Church, Totara Flat, would not object to at least a couple of coats of paint. The long-felt want will be supplied, we hope, at the first available opportunity. Aluch credit is due to Aliss F. O’Brien (Nelson Creek), .Aliss Kathleen Ryan (Ahaura), and Aliss N. Donelian (Ngaherc), for the lively'and keen interest they take in their catechism classes. His Lordship Dr. Brodie was truly pleased with the knowledge displayed by the children. Timafu * (From our own correspondent.) May 28. The choir of the'Sacred Heart Church gave a recital of sacred music last night, in the presence of a large congregation. After the devotion of the Rosary, the choii rendered the “Gloria,” “Sanctus,” and “Credo” from Silas’s Alass very creditably. Alisses K. Dennehy and Aleehan sang as a duet an, “Ave Alaria.” The choii then . gave *‘Benedictus Est Tu,” Air. Fouhy/taking the solo. He also sang a “Pater Noster.” Air. Andrews rendered “Glory to God” (Peccia) in a spirited manner. During Benediction the choir sang Elgar’s “0 Salutaris” and Aliller’s “Tantum Ergo.” Airs. Alangos presided at the organ, and also played three organ solos —Dunhill’s “Nocturne, A. Godfrey’s “Romance Angelique,” and A. Aiailly’s “Toccata the last-named at the close of the recital. before Benediction, Rev. Father Hurley delivered a splendid discourse on church music, emphasising its ennobling influence on character ; and he expressed regret that the public authorities did not give sufficient encouragement to such an art.