DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 23, 11 June 1908, Page 14

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our o^n correspondent.) N ' N June 8. The splendid new phapel just completed for the community of Notre Dame-dcs Missions, and adjoining the convent, Barbadoes street, is to be solemnly blessed

and opened by his Lordship the Bishop on his feast day, Wednesday, 'June 24. ~ The Rev. Father Kerley, S.M., who for a brief period has been assisting 'at St. Mary's, Manchester street, returned to Tiniaru at the end of this week, and is to be replaced at St. Mary's by the Rev. Father Schaefer, S.M., from Wellington. The congregation of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Addington, are arranging a bazaar to be opened in the local Oddfellows' Hall on July 27. - Energetic efforts are being made to ensure a result whereby the liabilities on the church and • school, both fine new buildings, will be entirely liquidated. On Sunday last, the Feast of Pentecost, a Missa Cantata was celebrated in the Cathedral at eleven o'clock by the Rev... Father People^, S.M. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until the conclusion of Vespers. In the evening there was the usual procession of the Blessed Sacrament. The Rev. Father Peoples preached appropriate to the occasion. St. Mary's Concert Company visited Hornby on Friday and presented an excellent programme of music to a crowded audience in the local hall. An amusing comedietta, entitled ' The Agency Office,' was staged, all the characters being well sustained. The following contributed to the programme :— Misses Brick, Harris, and Riordan, Mesdames Scott and King, and Messrs. M'Namara, Pouplcwcll, Foley, King, Scott, Hickmott, M'Mahon, and Keith. The accompanists were Mr. Oakcs and Mr. P. C. Aupuarde. The Inspectors under the Education Board of North Canterbury have arranged the annual inspection of the various Catholic schools controlled by the Sisters of Our Lady of Missions as under : — The Sacred Heart Convent school and Cathedral girls' parish school, Monday (Mr. Mulgan) ; St. Ann's school, Woolston, Wednesday (Mr. Mulgan) ; St. Agnes' school, Halswell, Friday (Mr. Foster) ; Sacred Heart s^pol, Addington, Wednesday (Mr. ■ Ritchie). The examination of the Sixth Standard pupils of all our schools is arranged for towards the close of the year. Very extensive improvements and necessary additions have within the past few weeks been effected at the episcopal residence. In connection therewith a circular letter has been issued by the Very Rev. Administrator of the Cathedral parish, appealing for subscriptions towards the cost of this very necessary and urgently needed work. The total cost of these improvements, which include better accommodation for the priests and the household of the Cathedral presbytery, an improved water supply, etc., will be about £1100. The following is an extract from a letter received recently from the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, Chittagong, India :— % The 25th of March was a day of special rejoicing, not only for our community, but also for all the good Catholics of Chittagong, being the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the House of the Order. Of the Sisters who came out from Europe with our venerated Mother Foundress in 1883 to lay the foundation of the Indian mission, two are still here laboring as zealously and devotedly as ever to make God known, loved, and served by our Indian people. A few weeks previous ,to the celeb/ration, the Rev. Father Fallize addressed the people in the church, and spoke at length of the great good accomplished by the Sisters during those 25 years, and of their unremitting labors and services so ungrudgingly given with no expectation of recompense. The Rev. Father also pointed out that in the carrying on of the good works heavy expenses had been incurred yearly towards which the Government gave some aid, but the balance the Sisters had to make up by their own labors and the sale of their needlework, etc. On behalf of the priests and the people he acknowledged the devoted and generous assistance of the Sisters, and thanked them for it. He asked all to pray for them, and also to present them on this happy occasion with some gift as a token of their love and gratitude. The Rev. Father then invited the people to assist at Holy Mass in A\\e convent chapel on the morning of the 25th. The gift of the good people to the Sisters was a, very handsome ciborium, with a suitable inscription. In the afternoon the people were invited to an entertainment given by the children, after which, all returned to the chapel and joined in a heartfelt "Te Deum," followed by solemn Benediction dt the Blessed Sacrament.'