DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 4 January 1912, Page 23

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.l "■/"'••"','"■""'-.'■ >-• December 29. Owing to the almost incessant rain on Christmas Day, and the .uncertainty; of the weather conditions r on Boxing Day, the attendance at ": the ■; annual Catholic picnic and sports gathering, combined with 'the school children's treat at the Riccarton Racecourse, fell considerably short of previous : -years' gatherings. / -At 9 a.m. three electric cars,, each with two trailers, left the vicinity of the Cathedral fairly well filled, picking up others at:the final starting place. The afternoon proving bright and fine, 'many others were attracted to the grounds, and everything passed off J very happily. His " Lordship the Bishop and ''" a number of the clergy visited the scene of the outing 5 during the day, and entered into the pleasures of the assemblage. Athletic contests and "amusements of a;" varied and -pleasing nature were provided for the children. - / On another portion of the grounds a sports programme for those/of maturer years was carried out, providing much interest for all present r J The Stanmore Band provided music j and : incidentally an enlivening effect" generally. • -;■: : ■' / In connection with the Feast of the Nativity a Midnight ;Mass (Missa Cantata) was celebrated at Nazareth House by Rev. Father Graham, S.M., when all who were able approached the Holy Table. .The music was beautifully rendered by the Sisters and children's 'choir. / Father Graham preached on the Nativity, and concluded by wishing his. hearers all the joys, and happiness of the festive season. iFatherl Graham also celebrated Masses at 8 and 8.30 o'clock; and gave Benediction of : the';Blessed.Sacrament in : the evening. The orphan children were generously provided /with' seasonable gifts, and the old people with special Christmas fare,' a real pleasant time being spent by all. A large -Christmas tree, loaded with novelties, was presented' to -the children by his /Lordship "the ; Bishop, arid on/last/Wednesday'/dismantled;:each child? receiving a present. The same afternoon Lady Islington ; accompanied /by the Hon. /Miss ; * Stapleton-Cotton and Captain Shannon^ A.D.C., his ; Lordship- Bishop Grimes, \ and Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., visited' Nazareth House. "] The Rev. gathers Graham, S.M., and Gilbert, S.M., with the ; Sisters arid children, received Lady Islington, who was presented with a* beautiful bouquet, and entertained with a musical and elocutionary programme by the little]' ones. Inl/: happy= terms Lady / Islington spoke to the children. 6 His * Excellency, she said, after his recent visit, was' so charmed and had reported so eloquently of'-his experience, that she could not resist the temptation of also coming. She was indeed charmed and delighted with' all she had seen and heard, and her visit would be to-her always >a very pleasant memory. At her request' Lady Islington was shown every portion of the institution, arid entered into kindly converse with the old ~ people,