Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 3 June 1915, Page 24

Diocesan News

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH (From our own correspondent.) May 31. The annual diocesan collection in aid of the Seminary fund was made in the Cathedral on Sunday last. The prayers of the Cathedral congregation were asked on Sunday for the repose of the souls, of Messrs. T. Hanna and Willis, two members of the Expeditionary Force, who sacrificed their lives in defence of" the Empire at the Dardanelles. The Feast of Corpus Christi, patronal feast of the Cathedral, will be observed on next Sunday. Both divisions of the arch-confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament will receive Holy Communion at the 7 o'clock Mass in the Cathedral. After the 1 1 o'clock Mass there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament', fol-. lowed after Vespers by a procession and Benediction. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., who was officiating at Methven in connection with the Forty Hours' Adoration, was replaced on Sunday at the Cathedral by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, who celebrated the . half-past 9 o'clock Mass, and preached in the evening. In place of the usual Vespers there were Rosary, sermon, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, to allow of greater time for the address on -Catholic Federation by Mr. Girling-Butcher in the Hibernian Hall. A jumble sale, promoted by Mrs. F. Green, president of the Cathedral confraternity of the Diocesan Ladies of Charity in aid of its funds, was held in the Hibernian Hall on last Saturday evening. A large and miscellaneous stock of articles, the gifts of helpful wellwishers, was disposed of realising about £l2. This method of support effects a dual purposeit enables poor people to acquire at a very low cost many necessary and useful things, the cash thus realised being available for the relief of others, who are in much need. A party, organised by Mr. P. C. J. Augarde, gave a successful concert on last Wednesday evening to the inmates of the Jubilee Memorial Home, Woolston. Vocal, instrumental, and elocutionary items were contributed by the following-.—Misses. D. Grant, M. Higgins, and Cotter (2), Messrs, Augarde, B. Rennell, J. Mercer, F. Cordery, and A. McDonald. The matron, on behalf of the inmates, expressed her cordial thanks to the performers for their most enjoyable programme of music, which was highly appreciated. "The singing of ' Auld lang syne' and 'God save the King' concluded the visit. Mr. P. Augarde played the accompaniments. The members of St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society promoted a benefit entertainment for Mr. L. G. Corbett, who has been incapacitated for some time, and which eventuated on last Wednesday evening. A sum, which will be very helpful to him and his young family, was realised. The Hibernian Hall was filled, and many tickets were disposed of by energetic friends. An excellent programme was opened by Mr. J. B. Riordan's orchestral party. Songs were contributed by Misses M. O'Connor and Olga Wacked, Mrs. Baxter, Messrs. Toon, J. McLean, Taylor, and C. Fottrell; recitations by Miss Anderson and Mr. Frank McDonald, a cornet solo by Mr. Timms, and a clog dance by Messrs. Walker and Reeves. After the ordinary business of St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was concluded on last Monday evening, a smoke social was held, when Bro. 11. A. Sloan was presented with a past president's collar, and Bro. J. Joyce was the recipient of an illuminated past president's certificate. Bro. J. Griff en (president) occupied the chair, and amongst those present was Rev.

Father Long (chaplain). In making- the presentation - to Bro. Sloan, the president referred in eulogistic terms to the excellent work done by the recipient as a member of the society, his remarks being endorsed by Rev. - Father Long, Bros. M. Grimes; F. J. Doolin, R. O'Brieiij and others. Bro. Sloan thanked the members for their recognition of his services, and said that it had always been his aim and object to do his utmost for the benefit of the society, and that it would be his pleasing duty to advance the interests of Hibernianism in the future as he had done in the past. Bro. R. P. O'Shaunessey (district deputy) handed an illuminated past-president's certificate to Bro. J. Joyce, one of the founders of the society, who, in reply, said: ' I thank you very much for the honor you have conferred on me to-night, in presenting me with this memento of your respect. It will always be a great pleasure for me to look on this certificate, which will remind me of the good old days when the H.A.C.B. Society was young in the Dominion. It will also remind me of the members who worked with me so long, and who have now, like myself, either retired from the ranks of the busy workers of the society or have gone to their well-earned rest. It is now forty-three years since I first became a Hibernian, and I am proud to be still a Hibernian. I have never had a break during all that time, and I have always been financial on the books. I have never drawn on the sick list, but I must thank God for that, for He has granted me a happy life, free from any serious illness. I feel very proud of the honor you have conferred upon me in being the recipient of your appreciative testimonial, which will always occupy a prominent place among the pictures in my home.' Light refreshments were then handed round. Vocal items were contributed by Messrs. Sweeney, Falvey, Lloyd, Smith, and Clancy. Timaru (From our own correspondent.) May 31. The ladies of the Catholic Patriotic Society, as a result of their weekly sewing meetings, have packed ready for shipment another case of clothes for the distressed poor of Belgium. On last Monday evening a guild of Catholic girls was formed to do Red Cross work for our wounded soldiers. Mrs. Loughnan has charge of the guild, and the weekly meetings are held at her residence in Perth street. The weather was all that could be desired on Thursday afternoon, when the pupils of the Sacred Heart Convent held a fete in aid of the Belgian relief fund. A number of stalls had been tastefully arranged about the grounds, which are large .and extensive, and attractive goods were displayed to tempt the visitors. An art stall was well stocked with beautiful articles, the work of the nuns and the children, and besides this there were a fancy stall, a toy and sweet stall of which the different classes had charge, superintended by the nuns. Tables were placed about the beautifully kept lawns, where afternoon tea was served, which drew more sixpences from the willing givers. During the afternoon, a concert was given by the pupils in the large reception room, to which all the visitors were invited. The programme was a most enjoyable one, and added greatly to the pleasure of the gathering. That the fete was a most successful one was proved by the amount of the takings, which are over £7O. The girls are naturally much pleased with the good result of their efforts.