DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 5, 31 January 1907, Page 14

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our -own correspondent.)' Janoiary 28. The Rev. Father Bannou, C.SS.R., opened the mission at fc>t. Michael's uhurch, tlornoy, at 10 o'clock JV^ass on Sunday last. . _ „„ - The attendance at the Exhibition has now exceeded' tho lirst million. The milhaneth person to pass the turnstiles was a young girl, who, passing tnrough about live o clocic ou Saturday last, secured the" goul watch, provided in connecuion with this event. Some weeKs a-go the children of St. Mary's Catholic schools stoareu. in common with our other schools the privilege of free passes to the Exhibition at the invitation of Sir John Hall, Mayor of Christchurch. The following- letter troni his Worship has been' received in. acknowledgment of" a letter of thanks sent him by the children :—• My dear Children,— Your nice letter ' of the 23rd January has giveai me very great pleasure. 1 am very pleased indeed to hear that you enijpyed. yourselves au the .Exhibition, and "that everyone was kind to you. Thantt you very much for' your, good wishes about my illness. continue very weak and suffering and have little ""'prospect of recovering health and happiness. '■ I can only ask for your prayers to Almighty Uod that He will give me some relief or release me from my sunering as He may think' best.' - . . ' In connection with the mission by the Redemptorist Fathers, a, special Mass for men was celebrated at St. Mary's, Manchester street, at eight o'clock on last* Sunday morning', by the Rev. Father Cognet, S.M. (Okato), when a very large body approached the Holy Table. At the eleven o'clock Mass the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M. -(Provincial), was celebrant, and a mission sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Lowham, C.SS.R. The same eloquent preacher addressed an overflowing congregation in the evening, which marked the close of . the mission. In most impressive terms he exhorted his hearers to •profit Iry .the mission. Appreciative referencei ■' wat* made to the various ' services rendered, as contributing to the emine&vt success attained, and ,the Rev. Father Hickson and Rev. . Father Hoare were^specially thanked. " Gratitude was expressed, towards the Sisters of Mercy, who had done much to further the interests of the mission. ' These pious clients of our Blessed- Lady (he ' continued) are always working for you and your, children, more indeed than most, of you imagine.'. The Rev. Father Lowham returns to Wellington' to-day (Monday). -