DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 26, 29 June 1905, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) June 26.

The Rev. Father J. A. O'Connell has been appointed to collect for the Cathedral fund, meanwhile being freed from parochial duties. His place at the Cathedral is to be filled by the Rev, Father Peoples. The numerous Confraternities already attached to the Cathedral are to be added to by that of the Most Blessed Sacrament, which his Lordship the Bishop is very anxious to see established. The clergy of Canterbury assemble the episcogal residence to-day (Monday) to celebrate the patronal feast of the diocese, that of St. John the Baptist, Dujring the week the Bishop is to resume his pastoral visitation in South Canterbury. The electrical installation at the Cathedral, which was put in by Mr. A. A. Brown, has been tested by Mr. F. W. Armstrong, electrical inspector for the Fire Underwriters. 'A pressure of 500 volts was used for testing, and an exceptionally high tost was obtained. Anortflier of those pleasant social evenings for whicli St. Mary's Church committee have acquired quite a local reputation was held in the Alexandra Hall on last Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance, and the event proved most enjoyable. The Rev. Father Marnane was present. On the occasion of his feast day his Lordship the Bishop was the recipient of numerous messages of congratulation and good wishes. By the Sisters of the Good Shepherd at Mount Maigdala he was presented with an antependium in costly lace. Embroidered on back is a figure of St. John the Baptist and the Uamb of God with the sacred' inscription, ' Ecoe Agnus Dei.' An unique presentation from another ■ source was a mozzetta made from a piece of Roman purple, blessed by Pope Gregory XVI. There was a general meeting off the Catholic Club on last Tuesday evening to receive suggestions and discuss methods for the club's contrinuance, after the expiration of lease of *he present roomp on September 30. Among those in attendance were the Very Rev. YicaMjeneral, Rev. Fathers Mahonqy and O'Connell. Mr. J. R. Hayward (vice-president) occupied the chair, and. stated that although lacking the support of our C&tholic you|ng men generally in the past, it was absolutely necesslary to continue. Eventually the whole matter was delegated to the executive committee to act on the various proposals advanced.

Although the old Pro-Cathedral has been in use as a, girls' parish school since the Christmas vacation^ it still consists of "the four walls, without any interior arrangements suiting the building to the teachers' and children's requirements. This unsatisfactory state of things is of course mainly owing to the fact that being used as a church light up to almost the last minute, there was no opportunity to erect partitions and otherwise prepare for the classes. To remedy these defects an energetic committee has taken the matter up and accepted the tender of Mr. A. Swanston for the work, which is to be commenced to-day (Monday), and completed during the present winter recess. At St. Mary's Church, Manchester street, on last Sunday evening the choir produced with much success Mendelssohn's ' Lauda Sion,' with full orchestral accompaniment. The principal parts were allotted as follow :— Chorus, ' Praise Jenovah ; soprano solo and chorus, ' Sin<g} of Judgment,' Miss McLaughlm ; quintette, ' Ye who from His ways have turned,' Misses Harrington, Perrain, Casey, Messrs. A. H. and P. Blake; cHorus, ' They that in much tribulation ; soprano solo, ' Lord at all times,' Miss McLaughlin ; chorus, ' Save the people '■ ; quintette and chorus, ' TJiou didst free them,' Misses Harrington, Perrain, Casey, Messrs. A. H. and P. Blake. Miss O'Brien was organist, ana" Mr. W. H. Coffrigan conducted. During the Triduum in honor of the feasts of Corpus Christi and of St. John the Baptist, the preacher in the CattfKfciral on Thursday evening wias the Rev. Father O'Connell, and on Friday the Rev. Father CocneyV Many appioaebjed the Holy T a ble "at the early Masses on Sunday. There was Pontifical High Mass at eleven o'clock. His Lordship the Bishop was celebrant, the Very Rev. "Vicar-General assistant priest, Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon, and Rev. Fatther O'Connell subdeacon. The Bishop preached to a large congregation. In tfie

evening there were Pontifical Vespers, sermon, procession, and Benediction of the' Blessed Saor&ment. The preacher was the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, of A'karoa, who delivered a learned and impressive discourse from the text,, ' There was a man sent by God.' There was a crowded congregation. The Sisters o£ Our Lady of Missions arranged' a very enjoy ajble gathering an last Friday jifterno on in honor of the Bishop's feajst day. Accorapianyiing, his Lordship were the Very Key. VicarfGeneral, Rev. Fathers Cooney,, Mahoney,, and O'Connell. A feature of the oQcasion was the presentation to his Lordship of a costly cloth of gold episcopal cope, the work of the Sisters, and one of the highest artistic merit. The following musical and dramatic pro-gramme was submitted :— -duet, 1 Echo of the waves,' Misses Amyes, Coakley, Dwyer, Pofi, Buchanan, Murphy, (organ) Miss O'Connor ; festal song, pupils ; insUuuiental selection, ' Lindon,' (violins) Misses A. Rantin, E. Derrett, (banjo) Miss B. Myl'es, (harp) Miss C. Barker, (organ) Miss M. O'Connor, (piano) Miss D. Peaohey ; trio, ' Restless sea;* Misses I. O'Connor, M. O'Connor, B. Myles ; instrumental selection, 'Cloches de Corneville,' (violin) Miss* A. Rantin, (organ) Miss O'Connor, (piano) Miss McLaren"; drama, ' Little PickJe,' the characters being taken by Misses De Garvey, O'Cojnnor, Brown, R. Young, K. Duggan, Donnell, A. Riordan ; song, ' The valley of tears,' Miss M. Oi'Connoi ; harp solo, ' Beautmfl summer evening,' Misses Barker and Young ; instrumental selection, ' Terpsichorean,' (violins) Misses Rantin and DerreCt, (harp) Miss R. Young, (organ) Miss M. O'Connor, (piano) Miss V. Barker • quartette, ' Come where the lilies,' Misses O'Connor, I. O'Connor, A. Riordan, B. Myles, solo, * Caprice Aericn,' Misses Washbourn, J. McLaren, M. O'Connor ; dialogue, ' Old Mose,' Misses I. O'Connor and M. Brown ; duet, ' Lucrezia Borgia,' Misses McLainen, Wilson, O'Connor, Burland, Wa&hbourn, Rior'dan. At the conclusion of <tne performance the Bishop expressed his grateful appreciation of the Sisters 1 ' thoughtf ulness and their valuable gift. He also complimented the young performers on the artistic excellence of their entertainment.. ,