DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 24 December 1908, Page 30

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) „•■'• December 21. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament fron: . the eleven o'clock Mass until after Vespers at St. Mary's Church, Manchester street North, on Sunday last. The . Marist Brothers of the *South Island are to assemble in Christchurch for the annual retreat fromJanuary 2 to 9. • The annual retreat of- -the Sisters of the Missions, which is... to be conducted by the Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M., of Meanee, commences on Saturday^ December 26. The annual spiritual retreat of the diocesan clergy will commence in the Cathedral on January 12. The retreat is to conclude on-the following Sunday, : after which the annual synod will be held.

The children who made their First Communion on Sunday week at St. Mary's Church, Manchester street, were entertained in the schoolroom at breakfast, which was provided by the ladies of the congregation,, and were attended by the Sisters of Mercy. . The Rev. Father James Gilbert, a native of Wesfcland, lately ordained for the diocese by bis Eminence Cardinal Mprari, is expected to arrive shortly, and is to be located in the Ahaura district. ' '.'• r Continuing his series of discourses in the Cathedral on ' The Church of our forefathers,' his Lordship the Bishop -on Sunday evening treated of the -Anglo-Saxon times, when the Church was in communion with Rome, proving from historical records that as a riatiq.ll the origin of British Christianity .was due to the Popes. The annual retreat of the Sisters of Mercy, which is being conducted by. the Very Rev. Father Bannin, C.SS.R , commenced at St. Mary's' Convent, Colombo street North, on last Friday evening. * The Rev. Father McGrath, C.SS.R., is engaged conducting a retreat at Mount Mag dala. Members of the executive committee of the St. Patrick's Day celebration, whose particular object is to aid the funds of the institution,, met on ; -last Tuesday evening at Nazareth House to arrange necessary details in coir nection with, the foundation stone ceremonial of the new building on the afternoon of January 17. His LordshiD the Bishop presided, and various suggestions were .advanced and action taken in matters requiring immediate attention. A social evening was given on last Tuesday by the Christchurch Catholic Club, for which a large number of invitations were issued. His Lordship the Bishop and Rev. Father Moloney, S.M., were present. The president, Mr. J. R. Hayward, presided. Songs were contributed by the Rev. Father Moloney, Messrs. Schwartz, Beveridge, and J; R. Hayward, and Mr. R. McNamara recited. In furtherance of the object of the gathering, the president outlined the special purposes of the club, and formulated a motion to the effect that ' all present pledge themselves to join and promote by all possible means the interests of the Christchurch Catholic Club.' His Lordship the Bishop supported the motion, and gave an address endorsing tho president's remarks, showing the position the club should really occupy in regard to Catholic young men. After refreshments, there was -an oratorical competition for tho Federated Catholic Young Men's Societies' dinloma, hi which there were four contestants. Messrs. J." R. .Hayward and Eric Harper acted as judges, with his Lordship the Bishop as supervisor. - Mr. J. McNamara (' Henry Grattan '), with 70 points out of a nossible 100, was adjudged the winner; Mr. P. McNamara ('Robert Emmet ') Avas awarded 68 points, and Mr. D. Dennehy ('William Pitt') 64, and Mr. 11. Salmon ('Richard Seddon ') 62.