DIOCESE OP CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 39, 28 September 1905, Page 6

DIOCESE OP CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

September 25

The duties in connection with Nazareth House have so increased that the Rev* Mother de Pazzi (Superior) has caibied to the 'Mother-General, at Hammersmith, London, for two additional Sisters, who may be expected to arrive at an early date.

St. Patrick's branch of tbe H.A.C.B. Society intend celebrating the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the society in this city on Wednesday, October 4. On next Sunday week the memblers of the branch will approach the Holy Table in a body at the Cathedral. An entertainment which the Catholic Club are promoting to form a fund for the purchase of prizes m connection with the Cathedral Christian Doctrine Confraternity, will be given in the club rooms on Thursday, October, 5.

The Rev. Mother de Ohantel, Mother-Superior of Nazareth Hmiso, Ballarat, is a passenger by tbe ' Wimmera,' which left Melbourne last week, to confer with the Rev. Mother-Superior of Nazareth House, Cbris'tchurch, on matters of interest in regard to extension of operations in this city. On last Sunday week his Lordship the Bishop made a pastoirai visitation to the parish of Darfield. The Church of the Holy Angels was crowded,, there heinnj a largo attendance of parishioners from the outlying districts. His Lordship, attended by the pastor, the Rev. Father Ahem, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 31 candidates. On the following Tuesday the Bishop proceeded to the West Coast.

Miss Nellie Dwyer, a pupil of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth of the Wanganui Convent, has been awarded first prize by the ' Austral Light ' (Catholic magazine) proprietary, Melbourne, for a competitive essay on Home Rule. This talented young lady, daughter oE Mr. Sub-Inspector Dwyer of this city, is only sixteen years of age, and has already achieved distinction Vva other studies, notably music. The devoted Sisters will naturally feel proud of their promising pupil. On last Tuesday evening the members of the Christchiirteh Catholic Club assembled in the rooms to say pood-byp to Mr. J. F. Shanlev, prior to his departure for? Wellington. Mr. 'J. R. Hay ward (vicc-presid'ont) presided, and at some length referred to Mr. Stanley's connection with the club and Ihe amount of pood work done by Mm. On behalf of the club the chairman presented Mr. Stanley with a handsome travelling rug. Eulogistic speeches regarding the services o£ the departing member were made by tbe Rev. Father Mahony, Messrs, J. C. Chase, M. O'Reillv, J. J. Oanavan, G-. Dofojbfc, D., Edrnotids', R. Beiveridigfe, and olttoers. The Rev. Father Mahony next presented Mr. Shanley with a gold pencil case and sleeve links, which constituted. 1 the

first prize for the club's eighth billiard tournament. Mr. Shanley, in responding, expressed his extreme pleasure at the warmth oE the reception accorded him., and to the knowledge t&at the worK he had done in connection with the club had been so much appreciated. Songs and other entertaining items were contributed, by many present.

Despite the exceedingly tempestuous weather prevailing the Alexandra Hall was crowded on last Thursday evening on the ocoasiosi o! air entertainment promoted to aid the Cathedral parish girls' school renovation fund. The eivent itself, under the original title ot a 1 Festa Oriental/ was of a wovel and attractive nature. The hall interior was artistically and appropriately decorated by A. J. White and Company, in which Japanese lanterns, fans, and umbrellas figured prominenrtly, supplemented by a profusion of pftlms, flowers, and! foliage, kindly supplied by Mr. W. Jones, Exeter Nurseries, Papanui. An entertaining programme of musical and othen items' was contributed as follows :— lnst-rumental overture, Geoghegan's String Band ; song, ' The trumpeter,' Mr^ A. Medhurst ; recitation, 'The road :to heaven,' Miss Riiua Young ; song, • Klick, klick,' Miss T. Casey ; instrumental quartette, Mrs. J. Wrigibft, Miss M. Frances, Messrs. Sheffield and Wright ; song, Mrs. T. Costello (encored ; song, <* Yeoman's wedQing song,' Mr. H. Schwartz , recitation, ' The yarn ol the Nancy Bell,' Mr. A. Dudley Ward; song, 'Fiddle and I,' Misses M. O'Connor (piano), C. Barker (violin), A.,RantiTi (encored) ; song, ' Under the sunset,' Miss C. Barrow ; banjo solo, BVir. J. Wright. As a memory test little Rima Young's recitation (apart from its artistic excellence) was a feat of exceptional merit, and well deserved the plaudits accorded by the audience. Mr. H. Rossi ter very capably filled the, position of musioal director, Mr. R. Beveridge that of stage manager, while ta Miss Murray and Mr, M. O'Reilly, as hon. secretaries, much- of the success of tine entertainment was due. After the musical programme a corps of about twenty amateur Japanese, attired, in strict l conformity to the fas-Mom prevailing among the ladies of the land of the Mikado, dispensed choice refreshments among the audience. Guessing competitions for valuable prizes, presented by Messrs. Stewart Dawson and Co. and the Dresden Piano Company antt others, added to the pleasure of the occasion, Ilia proceeding b>einfc •enlivened by selections by Mr. Geoghegan's band, The Very Rev. Vicar-General and a 1 numbori of tbe clergy were present. T'ba Cathedral choir celebrated on last Thursday evening at the Royal Cafe the first of what is intende'l to be fan annual social re-union. As a prelude to the e\ening's enjoyment the choir's affairs, from a business aspect were first dealt with. The Rev. Father S. Mahorayj (president of the choir) presided. The Rev. Father Peoples was present, and quite a representative gathering, 'despite the boisterous nature of the weatiher. Apologies for absmce were received from his Lordship the Bishoo, the Very Rev. Vicar-General, and Rev. Father O'Connell. The balance sheet submitted by the secretary, Mr. J. F. Shanley, showed the receipts tx> be £38 lfi-s 3d, and expenditure, £35 7s Od ; cash balance mi hand, £3 9s 3d. The principal expenditure was on account of the rerinstatement of the organ in its rermanenti position in the Cathedral, a work solely undertaken and successfully accoro.pl i shed by the choir. The fotal credlit balance, including assets, over liabilities was shown to be £8 9s 3d. Owing to the retirement of Mr. Shanley, Mr. D. Edmonds was appointed to the position of secretary. An excellent supper was supplied by the Royal Cafe in the first-class sityile so striking a> feature of this splendid establishment. A musical programme- and. toast list occupied the evening. Miss Katie Young was accompanist, anß songs -were contributed by Mrs. T. Oostello, Rev. Father M'ahcmy, Messrs. "R. Beveridge, J. F. Shanley, D. Ednnondvs, J. J. Canavan, and Hallen. Durinig the evening the conductor of the choir, Mr. H. Ross-iter, presented ojn behalf of the members, as a parting gift prior to his leaving the city, a case of pipes to the retiring; secretary, Mr. J. F. Shanlev. Mr. Shamley suitaMy res>poind'Cd . Responding to the toast of the choir, proposed by Mr. R. Beveridge, Mr. Rossiter attributed mnioh of the success attained financially to the energy and hard work of the late secretary ; and musically t/nr fha talented organist, Miss Katie Young. Ho waa afraid the members as a body did not fully realise the advantages they enjoyed amd the privilege of a good training and musical education so easily accessible. He alscf thaiitked the librarian, Miss Bowler, for her valued services.