DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 16 March 1911, Page 475

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

' . /- (From our own correspondent.) March 13. His Lordship the Bishop is now making an episcopal visitation of the Rangiora parish. He was at Loburn on Sunday last, and visits Oxford to-day (Monday). In his episcopal visitation at St. Joseph's Church, Cheviot, on last Sunday week, his Lordship the Bishop, after celebrating Mass, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to twelve candidates in the presence of a congregation which crowded the church to its utmost capacity. An efficient choir, with Miss Coakley at the organ, rendered the music very effectively. In the evening his Lordship the Bishop preached, and addressing those who were earlier in the day confirmed, exhorted them to live a holy life, to be steadfast in the faith, and ever mindful of the good resolution formed that day. An appeal in aid of the Cathedral fund realised the satisfactory amount of £SO. Accompanied by a party of their teachers (the Sisters of the Missions), the pupils of the Sacred Heart Convent High School had a very pleasant outing last week. All were conveyed by special train to Cashmere Hills. The older children walked over the hills by Dyer's Pass 'to Governor's Bay, and onward by Corsair Bay to Lyttelton, thence back home by train. At a convenient and suitable spot on the way, refreshments, sent in advance, were greatly enjoyed. Apart from the healthful exercise of the excursion, another object, the educative one of nature study, was fully attained by supplying the young people with a supply of subjects and results of observation for subsequent composition work at school. On another day the children of St. Joseph's parochial.girls' school were similarly treated, being taken to Sumner by tram. A pleasant and profitable outing from essentially an educational point of view resulted. Their teachers, the Sisters of the Missions, were in charge of the party. A quarterly general meeting of all conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, under the circumscription of the Particular Council of Christchurch, was held on last Monday evening in the meeting room of the Cathedral conference. ' There was a representative attendance, and much enthusiasm was manifested in the works and progress of the society. A reference to the correspondence received, and dealt with since the previous general meeting, was made by the president. Satisfaction was expressed at the extent of the useful and necessary operations of the conferences during the year as revealed in the summary transmitted to Sydney for inclusion in the annual report of the society. Comprehensive reports regarding the work being done by the several conferences, and the association of ■' Ladies of Charity,' were given by the various presidents, and proved most edifying. The President stated that a renewed effort would be made by the Particular Council during the present year to extend the society by founding conferences in tho diocese where such do not already exist, and hoped that tho work would have the ready consent and assistance of the various pastors, and earnest co-operation of the parishioners. In an endeavour to assist the conference of St. Joseph's Mission to Catholic Seamen, Lyttelton, by securing the erection of a meeting and social hall for the better carrying on of their work, the Particular Council intend to contribute from its funds a certain sum as circumstances permit. The ordinary meeting of St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall, Barbadoes street,.on last Monday evening, Bro. Getson, 8.P., presiding. Certificates were received from nine brothers claiming sick allowance, and one brother was declared off. Sick pay to the amount of £lO 10s was passed for payment. A brother now residing in Rhodesia, South Africa, tendered his resignation, which was accepted with regret. Bro. Dobbs, delegate to the Dispensary Board, supplemented the annual printed report of that body, which was adopted. The president (Bro. Getson) reported that arrangements had Deen completed for the annual Communion in honor of the feast of St. Patrick. Members of tho branch, and of the Catholic Club are to approach the Holy Table in a* body, and afterwards march to the Empire cafe for a combined Communion breakfast. The very Rev.. Father Price, Adm., wrote tendering his resignation of the position of chaplain '-owing to press of duties, and intimated that his Lordship the Bishop had appointed the Rev. Father McDonnell to the position. The Secretary was; instructed to write to the Very Rev. Father Price thanking him for the services rendered whilst holding the office. The branch expressed condolenco with Bros. Gilmore and Garrigan on the recent bereavement sustained by each, and instructed the Secretary to convey, same to the brothers. Accounts to the amount of £4 10s 6d were passed for pSyment. The receipts amounted to £43 13s Bd. /