DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1911, Page 1145

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

June 19. The feast of John the Baptist, patronal feast of the diocese, will be observed in the Cathedral on Sunday next. . An effort is being made to liquidate the liabilities existing on the schools of the Cathedral parish in the city. Ine committee, which decided on voluntary subscriptions, have . been supplied with collecting books by the Very Rev. Administrator, and the result will, after a month, be given in a published statement and balance sheet. ° ... Playing in the junior flag contest on last Saturday in. Richmond Park, the Alarist Brothers’ Old Boys’ football team defeated Richmond by 3 points to nil—a penalty goal kicked by Woodham. In the fourth class match played on Sydenham Park, the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ team defeated Christchurch by 8 points to nil. Lagan scored a try; McGreal converted, and also kicked a penalty goal. In the primary school matches the Marist Brothers’ boys defeated Woolston by 11 points to nil, at Lancaster Park, lor the winners A. Meyer, J. Flood, and McLaren scored tries, one of which Dowd converted. The St. Patrick’s Coltero team (Wellington) will visit Christchurch at the end of this month. It will meet Lincoln College on June 28. and the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys on July 1. The Feast of Corpus Christi, patronal feast of the Cathedral, was most impressively observed' on Sunday last 111 the Cathedral. A special children’s Mass was celebrated at 8.30 o clock by his Lordship the Bishop, when nearly three hundred children made their First Communion. Amongst the number were children from Hals well, Addington, Woolston, and twenty-five from the Deaf and Dumb Institute at Sumner. Before and after their reception of Holy Communion his Lordship the Bishop addressed the children. - After Mass the children were entertained at breakfast in the convent girls’ parish schoolroom, and again in the afternoon at tea, provided and dispensed by the Sisters of the Missions. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and addressed the happy gathering, saying how he had travelled and put off other arrangements so as to be with them. It was a great joy to him to be in their midst, the largest number yet present on such an occasion, and to him the most pleasing function he had ever attended, I here was Solemn High Mass at 11 o’clock in presence : of the Blessed Sacrament exposed. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., was celebrant, Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon, and Rev. Father Hanvahan subdeacon. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon the Cathedral was crowded when Vespers were sung in the presence of his Lordship the Bishop, who imparted the episcopal blessing. In appropriate terms the Bishop addressed the children principally. A procession of the Blessed Sacrament, in which the young first communicants participated, ■ within and outside the Cathedral, was very largely attended. The demeanour of the children throughout the day gave great edification to their elders, and was a credit to the training they received from tho parochial clergy and their teachers. As remarked by his Lordship the Bishop at the' breakfast, he had never seen anything so devotional and proper even among older children, as the manner in which so many very young children had approached the Holy Table. Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by his Lordship attended by the Rev. Father Dignan, S.M., and’Hanrahan, v> L Under the title of a Coronation concert, a most enjoyable and well-patronised entertainment was given in the % hoal Mali on last Thursday evening under the auspices of tne Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Association, in aid of its funds. The concert was given under the patronage of his Lordship Bishop Grimes, and the varied programme was an artistic success. Specially noteworthy was the performance of the Convent pupils (the prize-winners in the recent competitions), and the Marist Brothers’ School boys in choruses and dumb-bell drill. The representatives of both schools acquitted themselves in a most creditable manner. Miss K. O’Connor was principal accompanist, others assisting in a like capacity, and Mr. R. Beveridge was stage manager. Following was the programme , lr ,ls ’ Convent pupils; Estudentina Band, selection: song, Soft ways,’ Miss M. O’Connor; song, Mr. C. Goggan club swinging, _ Convent pupils; song, ‘ Queen of Connemara, 'A r i . L \, Flg; so " g 1 Laid of We and glory,’ Miss Dulcie Mitchell; musical monologue, The water-mill,’ Miss Devereux; chorus, My bourne barque, pupils M.B S. • Coronation tableau—' Britannia,’ Miss R. Rodgers; Eng’ land, Miss B. Stapleton (hornpipe); Ireland,'Miss G. O’Connor (Irish jig); ScoHand, Miss McEarlane (Scotch reel); qnn+W f ™' ’ J- ISS T Eor °- nm J Canada, Miss N. Darling; South Africa, Miss J Harrington Maori, Miss E. Rodgers. Song, Love request ’ Mr. C. Fottrell; recitation, * LaicalMiss Devereux; bnmb-bells, Junior pupils M. 8.5.; song, Idle words,’ Miss W. Brick; Eight-handed reel Messrs. A. Watkins,. E. O Connor, S. Murfitt, G. McGloin, Misses C. 0 Connoi, N. Fox, G. .0 Connor, N. Holehan; song, Mrs. Commons. During an , interval in the proceedings the Very.

Rev. Father Price, who was received with hearty applause, apologised for the absence of his Lordship Bishop Grimes, and stated that the Association was pleased to welcome its friends, and especially the artists who had assisted in the programme. The aim of the Association was to gather in the young people and give them interests when they had left school, and their training also embraced athletics and training in arms. Father Price concluded with a few words in praise of the work that the association had done.