DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 21, 28 May 1908, Page 23

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

■ '- • May 25. "< :" His Lordship the Bishop has spent several weeks, in" the Darfield parochial district. On last' Sunday, week he celebrated Mass at Glentunnel at 9 a.m., and again at a later hour in Darfield*.' During his stay he "has visited all the principal townships in the Malvern -district, and as many of the families as time would permit. He returned to the city towards the end of .the week. _ - In the Cathedral on Sunday his Lordship the Bishop referred to the Beatification that day by the Sovereign Pontiff of the Venerable Madame Barat, foundress of the religious Sisterhood of the Sacred Heart, who have a world-wide renown for the religious education and training of young girls. He traced briefly from .the French Revolution the spread of the Sacred Heart Order to the chief countries of the world, and referred to the splendid establishments they have erected and conduct, many of which he had visited, and two of which we have happily in this Dominion. During the recent visit of Sir J. G. Ward to .Kaikoura with Lady Ward and. party a visit was made to the Church of the Sacred Heart, the visitors being'received by his Grace the Archbishop of Wellington and the Rev. Father Golden, pastor of the district. The party were much impressed with the beautiful marble and granite altar, stated to be the finest of its kind | in the Dominion. The convent school was also visited. ! The children sang and the Rev. Mother Superior made .a presentation to Lady Ward, and one to be conveyed "to Miss Eileen Ward. In honor of the event the children were granted a holiday. His Grace the Archbishop,, after concluding a visitation of Kaikoura, came "on to Christchurch and later returned to Wellington. The ordinary meeting of St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on last Monday evening. Bro. R. P. O'Shaughncssy presided, and there were forty members present. Two candidates were initiated, and two proposed for membership. The president reported concerning the canvass for new members. The secretary, Bro. F. J. Doolan, was presented with a cheque subscribed by the officers and members on the occasion of his recent marriage. In making the presentation the president referred in complimentary terms \o the many services rendered to the society by Bro. Doolan, and especially to the ability displayed in his secretarial duties. Bros. J. McCormick, J. R. Ilayward, J. Power, F. Dennehy, L. Ilaughey, R. O'Brien, W. P. McNamara, and W. Keiley endorsed the president's remarks, added' a tribute of "gratitude to members of the secretary's family for valued assistance on many occasions to the branch's undertakings, and wished him a full measure of health, happiness, and prosperity in the future. Bro. Doolan returned thanks in suitable terms. With a view of encouraging increased' membership *- the local branch of the H.A.C.B. Society has issued' a neatly printed folding circular giving among other .information the. following explanations :— \As the objects and. aims -of the H.A.C.B. Society, .together with't^e bene^ fits 'assured by right of membership, are not generally, known, it has been decided "to issue this circular J "in order that those who- read may ponder -well over the objects and benefits, -and be convinced of the advan-,, tages to be gained by joining such a society. The society is firmly established in every principal 4own • throughout Australia and" New Zealand, and persons on" Joining a" branch become by virtue 'of their membership' members of the society.. in all those places, and being registered the legal rights of members "are protected. It being essentially a' Catholic society, having the approval of the* Church, any person no matter what -his nationality may be admitted to -membership"; provided n he is a practical member of;the Catholic and conforms to th~e rules 'Of the 'society. The . numerical, strength of the local 'branch is 200 members; : and ,•, the accumulated funds amount to £1504 >2s 3d. The medicalattendants are Drs. Davenport, O'Brien, and'Sandstein, and the branch is connected -.with the United FriendlySocieties' Dispensary, XJ.F.S. Benevolent Association, and U.F.S. Interchanges of Medical Benefits Association.'