THE CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL ALTAR SOCIETY

New Zealand Tablet, 11 January 1912, Page 13

THE CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL ALTAR SOCIETY

; ;(From our own correspondent.) " y' ■ „The second annual meeting of the Cathedral Altar Society was held on ? Sunday afternoon, December 17. His Lordship s the Bishop r presided, the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm, and Rev. Dr. Kennedy were also present,: and a*fairattendance of members and friends, considering the inclement weather. The annual report read by the secretary < stated that the first general meeting ; of :; the present society, which in reality is a; re-con-structed one, was held on ' Sunday, .September: 18,, of last year, His Lordship ; the Bishop presided, and the ; attendance of ladies • was large. At that meeting the Ladies' Sewing Guild was ■formed in connection with the. society. Members meet ; every Thursday | afternoon at the convent, arid repair r arid renovate- vestments, altar linen, etc. The result - of this work during the past year was given in detail 4 and formed quite a lengthy list. The Society of Perpetual Lamps was also established. An appeal was made for annual subscribers, who would become honorary members of the 'Altar Society, with the result that ten members were enrolled. A number of new active, members were also enrolled, arid officers' selected for the year just expired. Monthly meetings have been held throughout the year, on the Thursdays following the first Fridays at which the monthly subscriptions were received and accounts passed : for /payment.. Mass celebrated every month for the intentions of members, every three months for deceased members, and on the occasion- of the death of any member. The society is enriched, with numerous special indulgences, granted by ; the Holy See for any good work connected with it. The committee desire to record its sincere appreciation of the invaluable services rendered to the Society over a number of years by Miss Kearney, who' retired from the position of secretary during the year, the office, and ( that of treasurer being in the interval undertaken by Miss M. G.

O'Connor. The thanks of the society, and indeed or the whole congregation (states the report),■ are due to Miss Rose White and Miss Kearney for their work week after week in adorning the high altar and oratories,! and in preparing the sanctuary for the various ceremonies during : the year. "; The : balanceTsheet showed receipts from all sources to have been £Bl 14s 6d, including the sum of £6 16s 7d brought forward from last: year; and £54 17s 5d monthly subscriptions. The expenditure has been ■ £66 6s 3id, leaving a credit balance of £ls 8s 2|d. r His Lordship warmly complimented the society on the excellent results of their; devoted efforts, and expressed his appreciation of the faithful manner in which-; the sanctuary requirements were ;' supplied and attended to. -;" '.- " -.-■.*... _ y

. . Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., expressed his pleasure and -surprise at such a substantial credit balance being shown, especially'in' view of the numerous and costly articles supplied and renewed during J, the year, and appealed for more; annual subscribers and new active members. ■ " ''"•■ '','''• '

In the selection of officers for ,the ensuing year Mrs. J. R;.; ward was appointed president, Lady Clifford; honorary vice-president, Miss M. G. O'Connor secretary and treasurer, arid- Mesdames .-> Harper • Hol--Horan, and Hynes, Misses Rose White, Kearney, and McGuire as a committee. '• ,

The Altar Society > desire to express their thanks to Mr. Frank Geogheghan (sacristan), Mr. Horton (verger), • and. the. senior sanctuary .boys for their assistance in -the adornment of the sanctuary; on the occasion of the various festivals.'