DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 16 August 1917, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) August 13. The Rev. Father Cooney, diocesan examiner of Catholic schools in religious knowledge, is to visit the suburban schools of the Cathedral parish during this week. St. Mary's Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will bo pleased to received donations of magazines, copies of the Tablet, or Messengers, for the benefit of patients in the local public hospital. At the carnival to be held in November ill connection with St. Mary's parish, the tobacco stall is to be in charge of Nurse Doherty, and the Telegraph Office, Hoop-la, etc., in charge of Miss Marie Banff eld. These were omitted from list previously published. The renovation of the sanctuary of St. Mary's Church, as well as the erection of a new episcopal throne arc due to the Altar Society, under the presi-

dency of Mrs. Barrett. The throne, constructed by Mr. Charles Geoghegan, is of very artistic design and workmanship. The fifth of the series of basket-ball matches of the season was played on last Friday, when Technical College A met and defeated Sacred Heart Girls' College A by seven points to three. Sacred Heart Girls' College B played and defeated Girls' High" School A by 13 points to 6. The members of St. Patrick's branch H.A.C.B. Society in regalia approached the Holy Table at the seven o'clock Mass in the Cathedral on last Sunday, their Communion being offered for the repose of the soul of their late 13ro. James Nelson. It being also the monthly Communion morning of the women's division of the arehcoufraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, the combined numbers were very large. Playing in the senior Rugby football contest Marists secured a victory on Saturday last over Linwood by the narrow margin of one point, the scores being Marists 11, Linwood 10. Little can be said of the game except that it was intensely hard and exciting, the crowd of spectators at the Show Ground being kept well interested. Marist team played well, but was unfortunate in being somewhat disorganised through the absence of the selected wing forward. Linwood, Merivale A, and Marists are now on even terms for the championship. Gratifying success at loaded tho social given under ■ the auspices of the M. 8.0.8. Association in the Hibernian Hall on last Tuesday evening. In the euchre contest Miss Mannion and Mr. O. McGough, jun., were the winners: the consolation prizes being allotted to Miss K. Goulding and Mr. E. McCullough. Supper was served, and the social was continued" for several hours. As pianist Mrs. Miles (whose services were gratuitous) gave general satisfaction. On behalf of the association. Mr. P. Greenlees (secretary) thanked those present for their patronage, and especially the members of St. Matthew's (Ladies') branch H.A.C.B. Society, for their generous assistance in making the social such an unqualified success. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick's branch H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall on last Monday evening. Bro. J. Jacques, P.P., presided. All the officers were present, and a good attendance of members. It was resolved that the members of the branch, in regalia, approach the Holy Table in a body every quarter. Three new members were elected and one candidate nominated. Sick pay amounting to £l6 10s, and accounts for £l2 were passed for payment. Bio. Jas. McCormick submitted the report of U.F.S. Benevolent Association, which showed a credit balance of £l9 17s 3d, after having disbursed £SO in benefits to needful cases during the year. The report was accepted by tho branch as being eminently satisfactory. " ° The ordinary fortnightly meeting of St. Mary's branch H.A.C.B. Society was'held on Monday evening, August 6. Bro. Guiin, P.P., presided. the Rev.' Father Roche, S.M. (chaplain) was present, and a hill attendance of officers. Sick pay < L'2) and accounts amounting to £4 were passed for payment. Bro. Ormandy, V.P., reported satisfactory progress regarding Catholic Federation. Three candidates" were nominated. The statement of accounts presented by the secretary in connection with the recent social in aid of St Mary's Church improvement fund disclosed the satisfactory net • proceeds to be £53 12s. The secretary (Bro. Johnston) and assistant secretarv (Bro. Moir) were accorded a vote of thanks for the devoted manner m which they had carried out their onerous duties in connection with that event. At the conclusion of the business a "social" was held, the Very Rev Dean Regnault, S.M., and Rev. Father Galerne, S M being present as guests. Pro. Johnston took the 'opportunity to present the Very Rev. Dean with a cheque for the amount previously mentioned as the result of the branch's effort to assist in liquidating the debt incurred in the church improvement. He also expressed

appreciation of the great assistance given the branch by the Children of Mary on the occasion of the social. The Very Rev. Dean in accepting the cheque, expressed his gratitude to the branch for the good will and energy displayed by the members. The amount realised by them for so worthy an object was to him (the speaker) a pleasant surprise, and afforded a still further proof of their love of the faith. During the evening refreshments were served, and an enjoyable programme was contributed to by Rev. Father Galerne, Bros. L. Blake, A. De-la-Cour, C. Fottrell, Ormond, and J. Ormandy. Rangiora The death of Miss Kathleen O'Carroll, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. O'Carroll, King street North,&Rangiora, which occurred very suddenly, about three weeks ago, at the age of 16 years, occasioned widespread sorrow (writes a correspondent). She was on the teaching staff of the local convent school, and had been engaged in her usual avocations until three days before her death. The deceased was a devout Child of Mary, being a most exemplary member, never having missed a, meeting : and was also a member of the choir. Her piety and sound faith were remarkable in one so young, and this, together with a most cheery disposition,' won for her numerous friends, and endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. The funeral, which was a. large one, took place immediately after the Requiem Mass. The Children of Mary in regalia preceded the cortege from the church to the cemetery, and as the casket was borne from the church the "Dead March" from "Saul" was played by the organist. Much sympathy is extended towards the bereaved parents as this is the second sad loss they have sustained within this last year, a son. Private John O'Carroll, having been killed in the great Somme offensive.—LP. Timaru (From our own correspondent.) August 13. The half-yearly meeting of the local branch of the Hibernian Society was held on last Monday evening. Bro. Shea, vice-president, presided. The sick visitors reported that there were only two brothers on the funds, and their sick pay was passed for payment. The U.F.S. Council delegates gave a lengthy report on tne hospital bed scheme. A Roll of Honor board was received from an anonymous donor. The balance sheet was read and adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Bro. J. Shea; vicepresident, Bro. H. Travis: secretary, Bro. P. Mahoney ; treasurer, Bro. J. Sullivan; warden, Bro. G. Mellor; guardian, Pro. F. O'Connell : sick visitors, Bros. C. Sullivan and B. Conlon ; auditors, Bros. J. G. Venning, ami A. Wilson; canopy-bearers—Bros. F. O'Connell, W. Cosgrove, G. Mellor, and C. Whittleston ; delegate to Catholic Federation, Bro. J. Shea. Bro. M. H viand, P.P. (in the absence of Bro. M. O'Connor, P.P.) installed the newly-elected officers. It was decided to present Bro. M. O'Connor, the retiring president, with a P.P. certificate in appreciation of the good work he had done for the branch during his term as president. Morven On Thursday evening, July 26, a concert of exceptional merit was given in the Morven Hall, in aid of St. Joseph's Church funds. The hall was filled to overflowing, and that the audience appreciated the talented contributors to an excellent programme (which was opened with the National Anthem) was proved by the rounds of applause given to each number. Vocal solos were contributed by Misses M. G. O'Connor (Christchurch) and Meehan (Makikihi), Rev. Fathers J. S. Herbert (Timaru), and O'Connell (Oamaru), and Mr. G. 11. Andrews (Timaru). Miss Scherek (Dun-

edin) gave a number of violin solos most artistically. Mrs. N. D. Mangos, as accompanist, gave the utmost satisfaction. The Rev. Father Aubry, S.M., very sincerely thanked the performers for their much valued services, and also the audience which so numerously patronised the concert. After supper was served was held, music being supplied by Mrs. T. L, Cooney, Miss Delahunt, and Mr. McAleer.