DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 2 August 1917, Page 18

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

■ July 23. The nett result of the social held under* the allspices of the school committee recently was £75. A similar function to be held on September 12 at the Alexandra Hall is being promoted. Permission has been given Very Rev. Dean Vandyk, Superior of the Mill Hill Fathers, to appeal to the Cathedral parishioners on behalf of the Maori missions, during the month of September. Rev. Father Cooney is still in Lewisham Hospital, but his many friends will be pleased to know that he has very much improved. The Cathedral clergy are in the meantime attending to the Lyttelton parish. The ordinary meeting of St. Matthew’s (Ladies’) branch, H.A.C.B. Society, was held in the Hibernian Hall on July 23, Sister Ethel Rodgers presiding. Three new members were initiated. The usual social held in conjunction with the branch meeting was thorbughly enjoyed. An entertaining programme was contributed to by a number of those present. An enjoyable euchre and social was given under the auspices* of St. Matthew’s (ladies’) branch H.A.C.B. Society, on last Thursday evening in the Hibernian Hall. Among those present were the Rev. Fathers Cronin, Long, and T. Hanrahan. Mrs. Ernie and Mr. M. J. Flannelly were the winners of the first prizes in euchre, and Miss Hanna and Mr. Bell the consolation prizes. Sister Miles’ services as pianiste met with general appreciation. At the ordinary meeting of St. Mary’s branch, H.A.C.B. Society, held last week, there was a good attendance of members. Bro. P. Gunn presided. Two new members were initiated, and the meeting resolved itself into a social evening tendered to the Children of Mary, who had so ably assisted the Hibernian Society at the recent social held in the Art Gallery. The Rev. Father Roche, S.M. (chaplain) and Rev. Father Seymour, S.M., were present. A musical programme was contributed to by Misses Goggin and Cassin, Messrs. A. P. Delacour, L. Blake, and Rev. Father Seymour (songs), Misses Cosgrove and Gray (violin solos), and Miss Cosgrove (piano solo).

The ordinary meeting of St. Patrick’s branch, No. 82, H.A.C.B. Society, was held on July 16, Bro. J. Jacques, 8.P., presiding. There was a good attendance of members. Sick pay amounting to £l4 16s 2d and accounts for £BO 10s 2d were passed for payment. 3he balance sheet for the past quarter was read and adopted, as was also the very favorable report of the auditors, Bros. Garty and Walls. The sick and funeral fund showed an increase of .£55 9s sd, whilst the management fund also showed an increase of £7 lls 9d. The hall committee’s balance sheet was submitted, and showed a credit balance of £l3 5s 9d. One new member was elected, one accepted by clearance, and two candidates were nominated.

There was a large gathering at the Art Gallery last week on the occasion of the presentation of diplomas, medals, and certificates gained in the local examinations of the Trinity College of Music, London, in 1916. It is worthy of note that out of four instrumentalists selected to entertain the audience three were pupils of the Sisters of the Missions—lda Bradford, Helena Keane, and Kitty Murphy (the latter being the youngest L.T.C.L. for 1916). The pupils of the Sisters of the Missions secured three diplomas, 29 honors certificates, and 29 pass certificates. The Sisters of Mercy (St. Mary’s Convent, Colombo street) pupils secured one diploma, three higher local passes, three senior division, six intermediate, 12 junior, and six preparatory. Thirty-two honors certificates 'were obtained throughout. Sisters of Mercy, Darfield, secured two senior passes (one with honors), three intermediate, three junior (one with honors), two preparatory (one with honors).

The quarterly general , meeting of the Conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the circumscription of the Particular Council of Christchurch, was held in the episcopal residence on Monday evening, July 23. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and the Rev. Fathers T. Hanrahan and Seymour, S.M., were present. There was a good attendance representative of the Cathedral and St. Mary’s Conferences and of the Diocesan Ladies of Charity (Cathedral and St. Mary’s Confraternities). Bro. F. C. Delany (secretary of the Particular Council) reported on the work of that body. Bro. T. H. Cape-Williamson (president St. Mary’s Conference) and Bro. J. P. Noonan (on behalf of the Cathedral Conference) gave satisfactory reports of the work accomplished during the interval since the previous general meeting. Mrs. C. M. Green (Cathedral) and Miss Johnson (St. Mary’s) furnished comprehensive reports regarding the activities of the Ladies of Charity. The Rev. Father Seymour said that the work of the society was to him a source of great consolation. He commended the zeal and devotedness of the members of the society, and of the Ladies of Charity in their work in discovering and relieving cases of hardship and poverty. The Rev. Father Hanrahan notified the meeting that he had in view an arrangement by which regular attendance would be secured at the Courts in the interests of unfortunate Catholic children and others. In other cases mentioned he trusted the co-operation of the clergy with the St. Vincent de Paul workers would effect still greater results. His Lordship the Bishop, after expressing his admiration of the good work accomplished, and pledging his support to the members’ activities, emphasised the necessity of discretion and judgment as the two essentials in their treatment of cases. The members could rest assured that God would bless them and the work they were engaged in.