DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12, 25 March 1909, Page 459

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) March 22. His Lordship the Bishop returned to the city on Monday after a few weeks spent in the Hawarden district. On last Sunday week his Lordship celebrated Mass at Wai an and returned ' to Hawarden, a drive of thirty-four miles, where, in the evening at the usual devotions, he preached a panegyric of St. Patrick. On the Feast of St. Joseph the children of St. Mary's Convent gave a concert in honor of his Lordship the Bishop, to whom they presented a very nice address, whilst the if AWry orave liitn a valuable rochet of Limerick lace. The Vicar-General (Very Rev. Dean Ginaty) and the priests of the Cathedral and of St. Mary's were present on the occasion. At the 7 and 9.30 o'clock Masses said- on Sunday by the Bishop, his Lordship spoke very strongly against the absurd custom, so common in the Dominion, of giving pagan or worldly names not found in the calendar of the Saints to their children. The Bishop said that none but

March 22.

Christian names are allowed, to be given in., Baptism and Confirmation. He also deprecated the practise of asking prayers for Mr., Mrs., or Miss such a one; the Christian names should be given, and no titles. An Irish national concert was given on the evening of t St. Patrick's Day at Askburton in aid of the funds of - tne Sacred. Heart High School, and was largely attended. The programme was an unusually, attractive one, and" was greatly appreciated. Among the performers were Madam Linay, Mesdames Hall, Barrie Marschel, Forrester, Miss Vlullen, Messrs. Clarkson, Humphreys, Aitcheson, Anderson, Burgess, Barrie Marschel, and H. A. Yates. An overture was played by the convent pupils, and Miss Clarldge was accompanist. St. Patrick's Day was celebrated at Cheviot by an Irish national concert "tliaTt proved most enjoyable. .".The attendance completely filled the Mackenzie Town Hall, the audience including the Hon. G. Fowlds, M.P., Mr. G. TVitty, M.P., and Mr. G. W, Forbes, M.P. The Minister during the- course of the evening ga"ve a short , address, ~ commenting on. the ibenefits of celebrating national days, • Songs were contributed by Misses "E. Smith, Chegjj'inr a'ntf "Wmtorhonrne, and Messrs. R. Allan, A 7 J. Allan, a'nd'Dudloy "VVyatL— -Mr. Murgatroyd gave a violin solo and Mrs, T. Geo was accompanist.