DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 52, 29 December 1904, Page 19

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

December 26

A bazaar in aid of the local Catholic .presbytery lurid was opened at Lyttelton on Christmas Eve by Mr George La)u reason, M.H.R. It is to remain open for a week.

Much tio the sorrow of the congregation his DordsJhip the Bisiholp, owing to indisposition which all trust is onl;- temiporiary, was unable to take part in tihe ceren)ionies; of Christmas Day in tjhe Pro-Cathedral. The Sisters of the Mission corr^pleted their annual retreat last week, wjhich was conducted by the Ray Father O'Donnell, C.SS.R. The Sisters of Mercy go into retreat this week, which is to be conducted by the Rev. Father Pidgecn, C.SS.R.

The Marist Brothers in the Colony have arranged for separate retreats this year. Those of the North l-slamd are to assemble as usual at the Sacred Heart College, Auckland, and those of the South Island at Christchurjch.

Christmas Day was the anniversary of the bleesilng and solemn qpqming of the Pro-Cathedral by the late Bis'hjqp Viard, S.M. The actiu^l date was Christmas Day, iSfi4, bXit during the 40 years sfnee t»ben many -ditic<ns and improvements have been effected on the original tiuJlding. The church secretary (Mr. E. O'Connor) has been at his post all these years, and on Sjunday he remarked in terms akin to sorrow that it would be tihe last great festival observed witßiin those walls.

At t)he Pro-Oatiheidral on Christmas Day Masses were celebrated every half-ihaur until halfipast mine. There was Solemn High Mass at 11 o'clook, the Ray. Fatlher O'Cosunell being celebrant, the Very Rev. Fattier Le Menant des C'hesnais deacon, and Rev. Fatlher Mtihony subdea^.on. The "\ cry Rev. Vicaf-G-eneral briefly ad<dre«iseld the cWngiragati-dn on the day's festival. The ni/usiic was Binchnell's Mass, the leading parts being takqn by Mias F. (Gardner, Mrs. Costello, Messrs. A. Medhur.st and J. R. Hlaywar"d. Miss Katie Young was at the origan. Mr. E. J. Painter led an orchestra and Mr. H. Rossitdr condjueted. At the offertory Navello's ' Adeste Fildeles ' was su'ng-. Tihe nave, uanctuary, high and sude altars were tastefully decorated under ttie siupervisictn of the bacristan, Mr.' F. Geagheghan, with the 'assistance of several willing workeis. Miss White, with her usual kindness, furnished many beaiutiful (palms, \v)hiah very miaJterially eiihanctfd the gflnecal effect. At Vesi^ers tihe Rev. Father Pklgeon, C.SS.R., 'preached. T)he soleraai opening of >tHie new Cathedral is defitely fixed fior Sunday, P'ehruary 12. The artier of ceremonies is as Hollow :— Sunday, at 11 am., siolenwi blessing antd dedication by his Grace the Arohbialiop of Melbourne, aissiste/d by prelates from Australia and New Zealand. Pontifical High Mass will be sung by one of the visiting prelates, and spcicial music will be rendered by a ooni'bi'nQd choir. The dedication sermon will be preached by him (Jrace the Coadjutor-Ardhbishdp of Sydney. In tihe c/ening there will be Pontifical "Vesjpers aild a sermon by his Grace the Arohbishorp of Melbctupne. On Mnlndaiy aiid Tuesday there will be M-asises from 6 to 8, Pantifiqal ILiglh M,a&-s at 9 o'clock, and in the evemi'nigs a sermon by one of tfhe visiting prelates. On Wednesday mior'nme; Masses 6 to 8, Pontifical High Mass at 9 o'clocsk, and sermon by one of the visiting (prelates. On Tihurs-day evening there will be a adriversta.yitone by the Hiber'niam Society of Chris4church, assisted W diocesajn b^anrthes, in ho'noT of the preLates and clergy. Travelling arrangements at reduced rates have been made so asi to eaiable visitors to attend the ceremonies.