DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 15, 15 April 1909, Page 575

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

April 12.

At. St. Joseph's Church, Lyttelton, in the afternoon of Good Friday there was the devotion of the Stations of. the Cross, followed by a sermon on "the Passion "by the Rev. -Father Cooney in the presence of a large congregation..

Very sincere sorrow is felt at the death by ' drowning at Napier of Mr. ;R V P. Clarkson, a native of Christchnrch, and a convert to our holy religion. Tlie late Mr. Clarkson was well known here, "and was formerly a rice-presi-dent and one of the., most useful members* of the old Catholic Literary Society, (since merged into the present Catholic Young Men's Club) during the presidency of Sir Westby B. Perceval. He was one of the most manly -of men, a sincere friend, a helpful'^worker, and one who never forgot the true attributes of a gentleman. His scholarly attainments were of a high order, and as a promising young New Zealander the Dominion has sustained a distinct loss by his untimely death. May his soul rest in peace is the prayer of many a co-worker and confrere.

The solemn ceremonies of Good Friday were observed in their entirety at St. Mary's Church, Christchurch, North. The Rector, the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G., officiated, attended by the Rev. Father Drohn, M.S.H., and Rev. Father Hoare, S.M.j The church was crowded at all the services, and, in the evening the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty preached an impressive discourse on the Passion. On Easter Sunday there were large numbers of communicants at the early Masses at St. Mary's, and the suburban churches of the parish. There was Solemn High Mass at eleven o'clock, celebrated by the Rev. Father Moloney, S.M., the Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., being deacon' and Very Rev. Dean Ginaty subdeacon. A sermon appropriate to the day's festival was preached to a large congregation tby Dean Ginaty. Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the evening were also largely attended.

The ceremonies of Holy Week commenced as usual in the Cathedral on Wednesday evening with the office of Tenebrae, and were- continued on Thursday and Good Friday evening. On Thursday morning Solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop, the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G., being assistant priest, the Very Rev. Deans O'Donnell and Bowers deacons o£ honor at the throne, Rev. Fathers Tubman, S.M., and Moloney, S.M., deacon and subdeacon. respectively of the Mass. The preacher on Thursday evening was the Rev. Father Gooney (Lyttelton), and on Good Friday evening the Rev. Father Moloney, S.M. (St. Mary's). On Good Friday morning his Lordship the Bishop was celebrant of the Mass of the Presanctified, and the cantors of the Passion were the Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell, Rev. Fathers Hills, S.M., and Richards. -There was a very large congregation at Adoration of the Cross, and again in the afternoon at the Way of the Cross; and at its conclusion the blessing was given with a relic of the true Cross which was afterwards exposed for the veneration of the faithful in the chapel of the holy relics. The Very Rev. .Father "Price, Adm., was master of ceremonies at all the services on Thursday and Friday. On Holy Saturday Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father Price, the Rev. Father Richards being deacon and Rev. Father Fanning, M.S.H., subdeacon. On Easter Sunday very large numbers approached the Holy Table at the eai'ly Masses. At eleven o'clock there was Pontifical High Mass. His Lordship the Bishop was celebrant, the Rev. Father Bell, S.M. 3 was assistant priest, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon, Rev. Father O'Hare subdeacon, and Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., master of

ceremonies. His Lordship the Bishop addressed the cou- - gregation on the subject of the day's festival, and imparted the Papal blessing. The music was. "Weber's Mass in.G., very capably rendered by the'ehoir, Mr. A. Bunz being organist. The high altar, sanctuary,, and altars of the/ various side '.chapels were effectively adorned with flowers, and palms, and when illuminated at night looked ■ particularly beautiful. . His Lordship ~ the Bishop agaia pontificated at Vespers,- the \ery Rev. Father Price, Adm., being assistant "priest, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy and .Rev. Father O'Hare deacon and sxibdeacon respectively. , His Lordship the Bishop preached to a crowded congregation on the ' Scriptural proof of the Resurrection. 3 - Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament concluded the'ceremonies of the day. His Lordship ihe Bishop cordially, thanked the choir for- the excellent manner in which the exacting duties of Holy Week especially were carried-out., and the church workers generally for • services rendered in every department, the devoted help thus' rendered being very highly appreciated. , — -