DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 18, 2 May 1907, Page 13

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) April 29. The Very Rev. Father Duclos, S.M., Visitor-Gen-eral of the Society of Mary, arrived in Christchurch from Westtland * this weak, and was a guest at St. Mary's presbytery, Manchester street. He is now visiting the other parts of Canterbury. What is probably a record in marriage ceremonies, so far as Christchurch is concerned, took place in the Cathedral on last Wednesday morning, when five couples were united in the bonds of Matrimony, one family contributing a double wedding (the Misses Hickey). The Rev. Father Peoples celebrated the Mass, and united four couples, and the Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell the fifth. The general committee of the St. Patrick's Day celebration met at the presbytery, Barbadoes street, on last Friday evening, his Lordship the Bishop presiding. The balance sheet of the national concert, given on March 19, was presented by the hon. secretary, Mr. E. O'Connor, and showed a net credit balance of £100 15s. On the motion of Mr. G. R. Hart, seconded by Mr. J. R. Hayward, the balance sheet was adopted and commented upon as being exceedinp-ly satisfactory in view of the fact that the sale of tickets at the theatre was stopped early in the evening by the civic authorities, to prevent over-crowding, and also considering the counter attractions of the Exhibition The secretary of the ladies' committee and those acting with her were warmly thanked for their exertions in the disposal of tickets, a great proportion being; sold by them The H.A.C.R Society and Catholic Club each contributed largely to the success of the event. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. E O Connor (general secretary) for his excellent manageSffilr l S xt the Bishop, on behalf of the Sisters of Nazareth, expressed gratitude for the excellent results achieved, and especially to the performers whose services, as in the past, were given gratuitously. He spoke of several visits made by him when lISL m f IT*™ t0 * * reat institution of Nazareth House at Hammersmith, the Mother house of the Order^ where the Mother-General and community were T^?l\ » te . resta ; 'a <*c movement EXted TS£ six years ago m setting apart St. Patrick's Day for

an annual benefit entertainment for the local Sisters. They were naturally delighted vAth, ami deeply grateful for the successful results.