CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, 27 March 1913, Page 26

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.) As briefly mentioned in last week's issue of the Tablet, an important event in connection with the mission of the Marist Fathers in the Cathedral, which coincided with the observance of the feast of the Apostle of Ireland, was the breakfast following the men's Communion at the special eight o'clock Mass. In proposing the toast of the ' Bishop and clergy,' Mr. M. Grimes (secretary of the H.A.C.B. Society) said it was one any Catholic would feel proud to honor. His Lordship and the clergy were pleased at all times to render assistance to the society, whilst proof of the fidelity of our Catholic men was evident in the manifestation of faith witnessed that morning. Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., replying on behalf of the clergy, apologised for the absence of the Very ■ Rev. Vicar-General, who was to have spoken, but his duties prevented his attendance. Had his Lordship the Bishop been present the sight that morning would have been a revelation to him, and greatly cheered him. The devotion of the Irish people to their clergy was proverbial, and the noble examples with which history is filled have been reproduced in this young country, hence the faithful co-operation of priests and people. Mr. H. 11. Loughnan, proposing the ' Marist Missioners;' said such a gathering had never previously been seen in Christchurch, and was an extraordinary tribute to the influence of the clergy. The true apostolic zeal of the missioners, always characteristic of the Catholic priesthood, had been amply proved during the past fortnight, enabling us to value things in their true light, and showing also that the missioners were three worthy followers of the Apostles. Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., said they felt indeed proud of the men of Christchurch that morning, proud of the great gathering which showed their loyalty to the clergy and religion. They, as missioners, realised the great privilege conferred upon them in being invited to exercise their first efforts in the Cathedral of the diocese, and the results would prove an inspiration in their future endeavors. Speaking personally, they owed much to the grand old pioneers of this Dominion, that noble band of Marist Fathers, whose spirit of charity and of faith was still in the land and would endure. This grand gathering showed what the Catholic Church, could do, and though we live in strenuous times, when our holy faith is assailed, we must stand together in attaining and maintaining justice, and for this must all join the Catholic Federation. Rev. Father McCarthy, S.M., in brief but pithy remarks said that although men may be slow starters they were good finishers, and occasions such as this compensated missioners for their efforts. When leaving they would in truth retain in pleasing memory the happy days they spent in Christchurch. Mr. J. R. Hayward, in a patriotic speech of rare eloquence, proposed 'The Day we Celebrate.' We had (he said) hitherto celebrated St. Patrick's Day with deferred hope, but this year would be an exception, and the fight put up for holy faith and national independence was practically won, and next St. Patrick's Day would, he see Home Rule an accomplished fact. He spoke of the great leaders of the Irish national movement, not the least notable being the greatest statesman England had ever seen —William Ewart Gladstone—and John Redmond of our own time.

' Catholic Associations ' was proposed by Very Rev. Father Price. For the Church, the State, or the individual (he said) nothing tended more to raise the standard of life than properly organised and properly conducted Catholic societies. Their rules required all members to approach the Sacraments, and thus they became the soul of all Catholic work. He emphasised what had been achieved, especially by the M. 8.0.8. Association, in regard to young boys leaving school, and pointed out that any Catholic club or association was indirectly a source of strength to the Church. Mr. M. Grimes (president St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society), thanked the missioners for bringing about so successful a gathering, and made a strong appeal to all who were not members of his society to join it. Mr. Eric Harper, president of the Christchurch Catholic Club, said he represented what was a small but particularly energetic society, which, too, hoped to gain strength from the present great assemblage. Mr. L. Corbett returned thanks on behalf of the M. 8.0.8. Association, and Mr. J. J. Wilson responded for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Mr. 11. McKeon, secretary of the Christchurch Catholic Club, said it was with much pleasure.he proposed the toast of the 'Catholic press,' Although honoring the Catholic newspaper press as a whole, their chief concern was in regard to the N.Z Tablet. No paper printed (he continued) excelled the Tablet, or more effectually graced journalism in New Zealand. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the ladies, on the motion of Mr. J. Power. The proceedings throughout were marked by great enthusiasm, cheers for the clergy being of frequent occurrence. ASHBURTON. To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, a banquet was held in the Commercial Hotel on Monday evening, March 17. Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell presided, and those who sat down to the tables must have numbered nearly 100. An excellent dinner was provided. During the evening a number of speeches were delivered, between which songs and other items were given. ■ The first toast was in honor. of the 'Pope and King,' and was proposed by the chairman, who said that at all such gatherings as they were nolding thi3 toast was always given precedence. " It was given precedence, and the Pope and King were joined together, because one represented the highest spiritual authority and the other the highest temporal authority. They both represented law and order in their respective spheres. Very Rev. Father O'Connell proposed the toast of ' The day we celebrate.' He said he took it as a great compliment and a very great honor to be asked to propose the principal toast of the evening. To worthily celebrate the day, they must know something about St. Patrick and of the glorious work he did as Apostle of Ireland. ' Without infringing on the domain of controversy, and discussing whether St. Patrick was a Scotsman or a Frenchman, he would simply say that St. Patrick was a grand Irish gentleman. St. Patrick was born in 371, and at a tender age was sold as a slave and driven from his own country to earn among strangers, tending sheep on the mountain-side, a scanty livelihood. St. Patrick found himself among people who were pagans and who knew nothing of Christianity. He soon made himself acquainted with the language of the people, and after six years he was led back to his own country. Though it must have been with great gladness that he found himself among his own people, God had selected him for a great work, and He soon manifested to him his call to be the Apostle of Ireland. St. Patrick heard the cry of the Irish to come over and help them, and when he was ready he set out for the shores of Ireland, sent by God to evangelise the Irish nation. He went not only with the love of God in his heart, but with a love for his neighbor and a love for the country. The speaker then dealt in eloquent and poetical language with the results of St. Patrick's work as shown by the greatness of the Irish people in

arts and crafts, on the battlefield, on the platform, and in the political world. He concluded his stirring address amidst loud applause. • Mr. D. McDonnell proposed the toast of 'Farming and Mercantile interests.' He said the interests of both were well represented at the banquet, and were inseparable. One was dependent upon the other. As far as the Ashburton County was concerned, it was one of the most important farming centres in Australasia —certainly in New Zealand. From a farming and mercantile standpoint he did not think that the Ashburton County was ever in a sounder position. Mr. J. R. Brown, responding to the toast, said that though late he was thankful at being able to arrive in time to hear one of the best orations from Father O'Connell he had ever listened to in his life. Mr. M. J. Moriarty proposed ' The Irish National Party.' He said that he fully realised his inability to propose such a toast, but though his eloquence may fall short, his admiration for the Irish Party was not less than that of any man. He spoke of the Act of Union, which he said was brought about through bribery and corruption, and mentioned Henry Grattan as having done his best to prevent the passage of this iniquitous Act. The population of Ireland under the Act had fallen away in fifty years from nine millions to four millions. He referred to illustrious Irishmen who had given their lives for the restoration of Irish rights, laying particular stress on the work of Parnell, who had done more to solidify the Irish Party than any man of his time. Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell proposed the toast of ' The press' in highly complimentary terms, making special reference to the local publications. ' The visitors ' was proposed by Mr. W. Anderson and responded to by Father O'Connell. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs. W. J. Cunningham, W. Anderson, M. J. Burgess, V. Madden, Duncan Macdonald, and Very Rev Fathers O'Donnell and O'Connell. Mr. F. Curts acted as accompanist. At the conclusion, Mr. D. McDonnell proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Very Rev. chairman, which was carried by acclamation.