DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 1, 3 January 1901, Page 19

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

All the clergy of the diocese are requested by his Lordship the Bishop to assemble at Holy Gross College, Mosgiel, on Monday, January 21, in order to take part in the annual retreat, whioh is to be conducted by the Rev. Father Boyle, Melbourne. St. Patrick* Basilica, South Danedin, was very tastefully decorated for the feast of Christmas — the work of the ladies of the Altar Society. The early Masses were said by the Rot. Father Cnffey, and the Rev. Father Delaney was the celebrant of High Mass. The Music was rendered in an exceptionally able manner by the choir under the conductorship of Mr. Q. Neill, Mrs. Neill presi* ding at the organ. There was a large number of oommunicantfl at the early Mawes. The close of the century was marked by special religious ceremonies in St. Joseph's Cathedral. At midnight on Monday the Te Deum was solemnly sung in thanksgiving to Almighty God for all the blessings bestowed on the Church during the century. Then followed Pontifical High Mass during whioh the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. The Right Rev. Or. Verdon was celebrant of the Mass. After that the Veni Creator was sung to implore the Divine bleeping upon the century which had ju?t then opened. Theoere* monies concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A succ3BHful bazaar was held in Owjikann Deoember 21 and 22 in aid of St. Columba's Catholic Church. There were three stalls* two of which were devoted to fancy work and the third to refresh* ments. There were some very fine specimens of painting, fancy work, and carving displayed in the stalls. The hall (says the Clutha Leader) was tastefully decorated with flowers, evergreens, flags, etc., and presented quite a gay appearanoe. Several Balolutba people were present to assist their Owaka friends, and some of the best of the prizes fell to the former, notably a handsomely-painted mirror, which was won by the Mayor, Mr. John McNeil, who, it may be mentioned, performed the opening ceremony at considerable per* sonal inconvenience. A number of youthful performers frogs Balclutha executed some pretty dances and sang several nice choruses. The music for the dances was supplied by Mr. Neill Walls. A piano duet was nicely played by Misses Norah Angus and Maggie Walls. Miss Fitzgerald and Mr. Walls sang a duet in good style. Miss Vial contributed a few selections on the piano. The following id a lUt of the stallholders and their assistants : No. .1 stall was in charge of Mies Coneys, who was ably assisted by Miss Craig (Owaka) and Misses Fitzgerald and Gillies (Balolntha). No. 2 Htall was in charge of Meudames Pickworth (Balclutha) and Dow ling (Owaka). These ladies were assisted by Misses Horan and

Medder and Mrs. Anderson. A number of young ladies from Balclutha assisted in disposing' of the articles in the fancy goods stalls. The refreshment stall was in charge of Mrs. Colnmb, with Messrs. Donne and Anderson as assistants. The shooting gallery was attended to by Mr. Columb, where a very fair amount of business was done

There were crowded congregations at the early Masses at St. Joseph's Cathedral on Christmas Day, when large numbers approached the Holy Table. Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by his Lordship Bishop Verdon, Rev. Father Cleary being aan.»tint priest, Rev. Father Murphy deacon, Rev. P. O'Neill sub-deacon, aud Rev. M. Ryan (Holy Cross College) master of ceremonies. The musio was Weber's Mass in G, whioh was efficiently and devotionally rendered by the choir, assisted by a numerous orchestra. The solos were taken by Miss Blaney (soprano), Miss G. Bruce (contralto), Mr E. Eager (tenor), and Mr T. Hussey (bass). During the offertory the 'Adeste Fideles' was sung, the soprano solo being taken by Miss Blaney, the contralto by Miss Drumm, the tenor by Mr Carolin, and the bass by Mr W. Woods. Mr W. T. Ward conduoted, and Mr Vallis presided at the organ. A sermon appropriate to the festival was preached by the Right Rev. Dr. Verdon, in which the real meaning of Christmas was put before the congregation, whom his Lordship exhorted to praotise those virtues with which the great event of the year was inseparably associated. At the conclusion of the Mass his Lordship gave the Papal benediction and a plenary indulgence. As an outgoing voluntary the orchestra played Dnnster's 'Festival March.' The decorations were principally confined to the high altar, which was tastefully adorned with flowers, eto. The crib, which was erected near the main entrance, was visited by large numbers during the day. After Mass the choir was entertained at luncheon in St. Joseph's Hall by his Lordship the Bishop.