DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 9 October 1913, Page 23

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) , October 6. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral from the eleven o’clock Mass on last Sunday. There was the usual procession and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament after the Vespers. The annual collection for diocesan charities was made on Sunday last (Rosary Sunday). In parishes or districts where it was not convenient to make the collection on last Sunday, it will be taken up on the next or following Sundays according to local arrangements. The quarterly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall on last Monday evening, Bro. H. A. Swan, 8.P., presiding over a good attendance of members. /Bros. R. P. O’Shaughnessy, P. P., L. Haughey, P.P., and E. L. McKeon, P.P., were nominated for the office of district deputy for North Canterbury. The branch will have an election for this office at the quarterly

meeting, on December 22. . The’ secretary reported that arrangements were completed for a social in the hall on October 15. Clearances were granted to two members, and one candidate for membership was initiated. Speaking at the annual meeting on last Saturday evening of the Christchurch Catholic Club, Mr. J. R. Hayward strongly advocated the attention of the club members being given to a study of the social question as indicated in the Tablet, and read extracts from the editorial on the subject which appeared in a recent issue. From the interest aroused, it is clear that an intelligent and practical knowledge of this useful science will be among the immediate pursuits of at least a portion of the members of the club. s Apart from the pleasure afforded by the concert given in the Theatre Royal on September 8 by the pupils of Mrs. Arthur Mead and Mr. Ernest Empson, L.R.A.M., in aid of the funds of Nazareth House (states the Press), those who attended in such large numbers, and who thus assured • its financial success, would have been more than pleased to have heard the expressions of gratitude of the Sisters, when the cheque representing the proceeds of the concert was handed over. The brief ceremony was a .fitting termination to the work of those who organised the concert to assist • the noble work carried on by the Sisters of Nazareth. The little party which visited the Home included Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Mead, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Empson, and several friends. Mr. Empson, in handing to the Mother Superior the balance sheet of the concert and the cheque, said that it was indeed a pleasant duty to have to perform. The total receipts had been £159 9s 6d, and the expenditure £34 7s sd, leaving a credit balance of £125 2s Id, which amount was represented by the cheque. Amongst those who had worked to assist the object of the concert were the theatre staff, who had given their services free. The Mother Superior, in accepting the cheque, expressed her deep gratitude. The Rev. Father Graham, S.M., M.A. (chaplain) said that, on behalf of the Mother , and the Sisters and all the old people and children in Nazareth House, he wished to express thanks to all for the grand result of the very fine concert that had been so kindly given. He quite recognised the ; sacrifice made by the organisers in giving up the proceeds of the concert. His words would be supplemented by the prayers of the old people and the children in the Home for those whose great effort and goodwill to help this great institution had been rewarded with such success. Mrs. Mead said that she took a particular interest in Nazareth House, and both she and Mr. Empson were very grateful to all who had worked so hard to make the concert a success. The visitors were then conducted through the Home by the Mother Superior and several of the Sisters, and were delighted with the institution and its marvellous organisation. Particularly pleasing were the visits to the little children’s nursery and to the classroom where the bigger girls and boys were assembled. The girls and boys sang one of their songs very nicely, and two little girls, who showed evidence ■ of careful training, • gave recitations very charmingly.