DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 27 March 1913, Page 24

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) Match 24. The Rev. Father Long, who was ordained in Ireland for the diocese, arrived recently in Christchurch, and is assisting in the Cathedral parish. Mr. Paul Verchaffelt, an ex-pupil of the Napier Marist Brothers' School, who passed the Civil Service and Matriculation examinations and obtained his accountancy degree, is secretary to the Public Service Commission, now sitting in Christchurch. The following candidates from the Convent of Mercy, Colombo street, were successful at recent examinations:—TeachersPartial C, two candidates; Full D, one candidate; Partial D, three candidates! Junior Civil Service Marjorie Young and Flora. Dun-

can. During March Monica Courtney, presented, herself for examination at the Normal School, and obtained a proficiency certificate in Standard VI. In the Trinity College theory examination, -held in December, senior honors were gained by Basil Kingan (81); intermediate honors, Irene Oldbury (93) and Ena Brown (91). After Tenebrse in the Cathedral on the evening of Holy Thursday, the sermon on the Blessed Eucharist was preached by the Very Rev. Dean Hyland (Rangiora). During the night, watchers before the Altar of Repose in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart were provided by the H.A.C.B. Society, Catholic Club, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Arch-confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. The Mass of the Presanctified on Good Friday was celebrated by Very Rev. Dean Hyland, Rev. Father Murphy, M.A., being deacon, Rev. Father Long subdeacon, and Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., master of ceremonies. The Passion was sung by Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., Rev. Fathers Richards and Cooney. 'ln the afternoon the devotion of the Stations of the Cross was conducted by the Rev. Father Murphy, M.A., the prayers being said by the Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm. At the conclusion, the blessing was given with a relic of the True Cross. After Tenebrse, a . sermon on the Passion was preached by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, of Methven. There were large congregations at all. the services. There was Solemn High Mass on Holy Saturday. Very Rev. Father Price, D.C.,. Adm., was celebrant, Rev. Father Richards deacon, and Rev. Father Long subdeacon. Besides the clergy already mentioned Very Rev. Father Graham, S.M., M.A., and Rev. Father Dignan, S.M., assisted at the Holy Week devotions. Easter Sunday was, as is customary, observed with befitting solemnity in the Cathedral. Mass was celebrated at seven o'clock by the Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., and at half-past nine by the Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., who addressed the congregation on the subject of the day's festival. There was Solemn High Mass at 11 o'clock, Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., being celebrant, Rev. Father O'Boyle deacon, and Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., subdeacon. Very Rev. Father Price preached and dwelt especially on the fact of the Resurrection proving Christ's divinity and establishing beyond all doubt the fundamental truth of the Christian religion. The music was Haydn's No. 1 Mass, capably rendered by the choir, Mr. A. J. Bunz presiding at the organ. The high altar and sanctuary were tastefully adorned with choice flowers and palms. The congregations were large, and great numbers approached the Holy Table at the early Masses. In the evening there were Vespers and Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the same clergy officiating as in the morning. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Long, who took for his text the words, Rejoice and be glad, for this is the day the Lord hath made.'