DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 7, 14 February 1907, Page 14

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) J February 11. The Catholic members of the No. 3 Battalion, Wellington Cadets, now encamped -in the Exhibition grounds, were marched to the Cathedral for the eleven o clock Mass on Sunday. A brass band invasion Christchurch has set in preparatory to this week's contests. About thirty bands are to take part, and will be the greatest event of its kdnd ever held in Australasia. Altogether upwards of 1000 bandsmen will be engaged. Tickets for the national concert in celebration of' St. Patrick's Day, and in aid o£ the , funds of Niazarejth Houfse>, have been, widely circulated, and thene is every indication that the event will prove as successful as previous ones for the same deserving object. With extraordinary perversity many of .our Catholic people persistently term the Cathedral the t ProCatbedral,' especially when having announcements in-" serted in public papers. In 'the past. ' Pro,' as -a prefix, was appropriate, but now with absolutely the. finest Cathedral in the Colony, - ignorance in the direc- , . tion indicated is inexcusable,- and to many -most annoying. Those outside our denomination apparently know better, and one never hears them using -any others than the proper, v torm. It is> to be hoped we have now heard the last 'of this misnomer. The meeting held last week to organise a suitable reception to his Lordship the Bishops on his return . to the diocese was -very- enthusiastic. An executive " committee was appointed, consisting of the Very" Rev. Vicar-General,~ Rev. Father 'O'Connell, Mr. P. Burke .(•hon. treasurer), and Mr. E. O'Connor (hon. secretary) to arrange details. As a tangible proof of the esteem . in which his is held, it is intended to present him with a p>urse of sovereigns, which wilL be accompanied by an address on behalf of .the clergy and laity, delivered by the Very Rev. Vicar-General. It is also* intended -to illuminate the Cathedral, the convent, and the grounds with electric light^on the evening of . the "Bishop's arrival, and to * admit the public to the grounds of the episcopal residence.