DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 23 March 1911, Page 531

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) i March 20. A church parade of the Marist Brothers’ School Cadets is fixed for the first Sunday of April at the half-past 9 o’clock in the Cathedral. Quite a number of events, athletic and otherwise, in the Canterbury district, were fixed for St. Patrick’s Day and the day following, which seems to indicate that as a general holiday period the date is yearly becoming more popular. At an executive committee meeting of the Marist Brothers’ Old Buys’ Club, held last week, the secretary reported having written to the kindred associations at Tiiiuyu and Temuka in regard to arranging a series of inter-club football matches at both localities at Easter.

His Lordship the Bishop made an episcopal visitation of Rangiora on Sunday last, and is to be at Oxford, another portion of the same parochial district, on next Sunday. This will complete his Lordship’s visitation of the North Canterbury part of the diocese.

In view of compulsory military training there are indications of a movement to enrol in separate corps according to ago, the members of the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Association, which has already attained to a greater numerical strength than any organisation of Catholic young men ever before in the city.

A three days’ bazaar in aid of the building fund of a new church at Glentunnel was opened on last Thursday evening at Coalgate by Mr. C. A. C. Hardy, M.P. Musical friends from Christchurch and the Glentunnel Brass Band assisted at the entertainments. Coalgate and Glentunnel form part of the Darfield parochial district, in charge of the Fathers of the Missionary Society of the Sacred Heart. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Victoria League last week, his Lordship Bishop Grimes said that he felt sure the league deserved not only the approbation but the practical sympathy and support of patriots. Its objects were to strengthen the tics between the Old Country and the oversea dominions. He referred to the misconception he had found on the Continent regarding the relations between Great Britain and her colonies. It had been impressed on him that when war came the dependencies would throw off their yoke and- declare for independence. He had explained that there was no yoke, and had been met with the answer, What about Old Ireland?’ He had explained that if Ireland had the same autonomy as New Zealand, Australia and Canada, no one would" bo more loyal and devoted. hen war had broken out the people overseas had risen cn masse and had given a great objectlesson to tin world. Were there a like need to-day there would be the same response, and the league did a very useful work in strengthening these bonds that made for Imperial unity. /He had, Bishop Grimes added, been asked, on behalf of the league, to voice a farewell to the .president, Mrs. A. E. G. Rhodes, on her departure for England. _ She was • a lady as able as she was amiable, * and despite the indefatigable zeal of the honorary secretary, the president would be greatly missed during her absence in the Old Country. It was very rare to find a president with such admirable qualities. He wished her Godspeed on behalf of the league, and expressed the hope that her stay would not keep her too long away from her friends. , A renewal mission in the Cathedral by the Redemption, st Fathers was commenced at the 11 o’clock Mass on Sunday last, in the presence of a large congregation. Prior to the Mass the missionaries were met at the entrance of the Cathedral by the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., when the temporary charge of the parish was entrusted to thenp after which they were conducted in procession to the Sanctuary. Addressing the congregation, the Very Rev. Father Price said an introduction of the Redemptorist Fathers to the people was unnecessary in view of their many and successful missions conducted in the city and throughout the diocese. Their spiritual ministrations have always proved fruitful and lasting, and he urged a devoted compliance with the order of the Mission, and a faithful co-operation with the efforts of the Missionary Fathers from the very beginning, for upon this the ultimate success of the mission entirely depended. The Queuing sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Creagh, C.SS.R. He solemnly placed the mission under the patronage of , St. Joseph, whose feast day it was. At -past 3 in the afternoon the children’s mission was opened by the Rev. Father Creagh, C.SS.R. In the eVening there was an enormous congregation. All the ordinary accommodation of the great Cathedral was fully occupied long before the opening devotions, and by the fixed hour all of the several hundred additional chairs placed in the corridors, were in use, and still the people came in increasing numbers. The preacher was the Rev. Father Lynch, C.SS.R. who delivered an impressive discourse on the need of a preparation for the end of life and eternity. Quite a large congregation, attended the first early Mass of the Mission

at 6 o’clock this (Monday) morning. This is the Rev. Father Creagh’s first visit to Christchurch. With him is the Rev. Father Lynch, C.SS.R., who assisted in the Mission given here last year, and they are to be joined this week by the Rev. Father Whelan, C.SS.R. The centrally situated, and altogether up-to-date club rooms of the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Association in St. Asaph street, were formally opened on last Monday evening, in the presence of about seventy members. The Rev. Brother Calixtus, in an inaugural address, congratulated the members of the association on their possession of such spacious, convenient, and well-furnished rooms, and warmly complimented the executive committee on the realisation of their efforts to have everything ready and in good order for the opening of the season. There were evidently very great possibilities in regard to the club, and he wished it a continuance of the remarkable success already’ achieved in all it undertakings. Messrs. W. Rodgers and L. C. Corbett (vice-presidents) handling the cues, sent the balls across the billiard table for the first match, whilst the rest of the gathering engaged in games at the various tables for the remainder of the evening. The rooms are well lighted with electricity. A fine billiard table occupies the centre of the main assembly room, around which are ranged comfortable backed and cushioned seats. There are also six nicely finished card tables which, together with the seating, were all made by members of the executive committee. In addition, there are twenty-four new and serviceable chairs. Around the room are hung large framed photographic groups of the three last season football teams of the association. Occupying a conspicuous position is shown the handsome club banner. This is of green silk with deep gold > fringe. In the centre is emblazoned the harp of Erin, interwoven with shamrocks, above and bewhich are worked in letters of gold ‘ M.8.0.8.A.’, Christchurch.’ It is a beautiful and artistic production, and is the work of the Sisters of the Missions. A committee room, with a large table, also made by the members, a bathroom, with shower bath, etc., and other conveniences, are also provided. The floors are covered with linoleum, whilst interior decorations are still in progress. On the whole, the association is accommodated in a manner surpassed by few, if any others, in the city, and judging by the way the members attend each evening, the rooms have become already a popular resort.

Timaru (From our own correspondent.) On Thursday last about 500 children and adults left Timaru, some by special train and others by vehicles, for the annual St. Patrick’s Day picnic. St. Andrew’s was the scene of the gathering, and, with suitable weather and an ample supply of edibles, and prizes for the children’s sports, a most enjoyable time was spent. Rev. Fathers Tubman, Smyth, and Murphy accompanied the party, and took control of the programme. On Friday, St. Patrick’s Day, the Masses were largely attended, and in town the green was everywhere in evidence. In the evening a grand National concert in the Theatre Royal fittingly concluded the celebrations. The house was crowded, and the really excellent programme, arranged by the Rev. Father Smyth, was one of the most artistic ever heard on these occasions. Mrs. Meade, one of tho leading Christchurch vocalists, received an ovation on each appear" ance, her singing of the ‘ Jewel song,’ from ‘ Faust,’ being magnificent. Miss Dale, an Oamaru singer, also received an excellent reception. The other artists contributing Messrs. W. Jordan, W. Mcßride, Moore, and Andrews. The school girls gave a neatly executed scarf drill, and the boys added a fine display with the bar-bells. The Garrison Band played some acceptable items. Mrs. Mangos and Miss M. 'Venning presided at the piano, and greately helped in the success achieved.