DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 23 August 1917, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) August 20. On Wednesday last (Feast of the Assumption) special Masses were celebrated at the Cathedral, all of which were well attended. At the 7.30 Mass there was a general Communion of the school children. The parish fund balance sheet for the ten months ended July 31, was' submitted to the parishioners at St. Mary’s on Sunday morning last. Of receipts amounting to X 978, some of which moneys are retained for particular works, a balance remained of .£'266 11s 4d. The sum of .£165 19s 4d had been the result of the penny collection. Speaking at St. Mary’s Church on Sunday morning last, Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., specially referred to the Pope’s appeal for peace, and urged the congregation to fervent prayer for the realisation of the ideals of his Holiness. The Pope (he said) seemed t-o stand out in bold relief as the one great man in the world at the present time that looked upon this fearful war from the higher standard of the supernatural. In the sixth contest of the basket ball competition a very exciting game was played between the A and B teams of the Sacred Heart Girls’ College. The B team in the previous matches of the season had scored so well that it evidently expected an easy win, but its over-confidence soon changed to alarm, for the A team put their best work into the match, and scored right through the game, the results being a win for the A's by 20 points to 3. At the monthly meeting of «the Children of Mary an instruction on the Feast of the Assumption was given by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, all members being urged to approach the Holy Table on the feast day and on the following Sunday, the usual monthly Communion Sunday. Rev. Dr. Kennedy, in referring to attendance at daily Mass, said the Children of Mary should set an example in this matter. The president (Miss G. Jarman) and her assisting officers are leaving nothing undone to promote increased membership, and the general welfare of the society. The following articles were forwarded by the Catholic branch of the Red Cross Society to the Main Depot for the month of July;— Seventy-seven pairs of socks, 3 pairs of operating socks, 17 pairs of mittens, 10 shirts, 56 handkerchiefs, 28 -suits of pyjamas, 8 underpants, 12 bed jackets, 7 undervests, 7 bottle covers, 9 scarves, 50 knitted washers, 14 pillow cases, 1 operation coat. I nightshirt, 10 veils, 6 capelines, 6 towel washers, A limb pillows, 60 plugs, 60 square swabs, and 600 swabs. 'Flic committee desire to acknowledge with thanks a donation of 5s from Miss Roughan, and Mr. Grierson for insuring 10 sewing machines free of charge. Very sincere sympathy is extended to Mrs. J. Mullen (already bereaved of her husband) on the death

of her eldest daughter, Kathleen* who passed away on August 7, in her seventeenth year. ’ The deceased had been a long and patient sufferer, and the respect in which she was held (and in which her sorrowing mother is also) was evidenced by the large number of sympathisers that attended the Requiem Mass in St. Mary’s Church, and accompanied her remains to the Linwood Cemetery on the morning of August 9. Friexxds from as far south as Centre Bush were present as well as a great many from North Canterbury. Rev. Father Seymour celebrated the Requiem Mass, and Very Rev. Dean Regnault, assisted by the Rev. Father Galerne, officiated at the interment.— R.l.P. Chief Detective Herbert, who, for the past two years has been in charge of the detective branch of the Police Force in Christchurch, commenced a three months’ holiday last week preparatory to retiring on superannuation. Chief Detective Herbert has spent nearly 37 ears in the New Zealand Police Force, having previously had a number of years’ experience in the police force in Melbourne. For the past 32 years he has, been engaged in detective work. Chief Detective Herbert was first stationed in New Zealand at Thames and afterwards at Auckland, Wellington, and Invercargill before returning again to Thames. He was afterwards stationed again at Auckland and then at Christchurch and Dunedin, returning to Christchurch two years ago. Miss May O’Donoghuc, a pupil of (he Sacred Heart Girls’ College (conducted by the Sisters of the Missions, Lower High street), has been successful in passing (he Public Service entrance examination for shorthand-typistes held in Christchurch in May last. As a result of the shorthand examinations held at the college centre the following pupils have received certificates from Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons: —Speed examination (June 7). —90 Words per minute—Edna Lagan, Frances Gibb, Rita Anderson, Ida Bradford; 80 words per minute— Kitty Murphy. Elementary examination (June 15). — Madge Haughey, Kathleen Fairweather, Claudia Slattery, Eileen Mitchell. Madeleine O’Brien, Mary McCartiu, Lily Martini, Eileen McCarthy, Eileen O Connell. On July 6 a special examination was held, the tests being supplied by Pitman s Examination Department. The six candidates were successful as follows : —Theoretical—May O’Donoghne, Ida Bradford, Rita Anderson, Edna Lagan. Elementary— Kathleen Fairweather, Madge Haughey. The solemnity of the Feast of- the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin was observed in the-- Cathedral on Sunday last. At 11 o’clock. Mass (Coram Episcopo) was celebrated by- the Rev. Father Long. The Very Rev. Father Graham, S.M., M.A., was deacon and Rev. Dr. Kennedy subdeacon. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon there was a special Confirmation ceremony for adults,- when 13 candidates mainly recent converts, instructed by the Cathedral clergy and by the Sisters of the Mission, received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the hands of his Lordship the Bishop. In an impressive address his Lordship explained the nature and effect of the sacrament, and gave the newlyconfirmed some practical advice as to the means to be adopted to ensure final perseverance. In the ■ evening his Lordship again occupied the pulpit, and from the text, ‘‘Mary hath chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her,” gave a fine discourse. The congregations, augmented by the numerous visitors to the city for the holidays, were exceedingly large on all occasions. The high altar and sanctuary were beautifully adorned, due to the devoted attention of Mrs. McLaren. The choir was conducted by Mr. W. H. Dudderidge, in the absence through illness of Mr. A. W. Bunz.