DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 13 March 1919, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) March 10. The mission conducted during the week by Fathers McCarthy and O'Leary, Marist Missionaries, at St. Mary's Church, Manchester Street, proved a most remarkable success. The attendances at the morning exercises were all that could be desired, whilst at the evening devotions every available part of the church was made use of for seating accommodation. The devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration began on Friday morning, and was continued until the conclusion of the High Mass on Sunday. On Sunday morning no less than 1130 persons approached the Holy Table, 981 of these at the seven o'clock Mass. The congregation that assembled at the closing ceremony on Sunday night totally exceeded the most sanguine expectations, the church being densely packed. Father McCarthy preached a masterly discourse on the Divinity of the Church. The Papal Benediction was given at the close of the sermon, and the renewal of Baptismal Vows made and solemn. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament brought to a close the most successful mission ever given in St. Mary's parish. Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M.. in addressing the congregation expressed his gratitude to all concerned in the success of the mission, and referred to (lie remarkable ability of these two New Zealand born missioners, whose sermons (he said) were both interesting and dogmatically instructive. Their presence . (continued the Dean) should act as a strong incentive to the encouragement and foundation of scholarships for young men and boys of promise and ability who are not furnished with too much of this world's goods. Lack of the necessary means may often be a deterrent and prevent many from following a glorious ,vocation such as was exemnHfiarl '••■ ' tvt :.,i tti..j-t „/ , ■,-, ~ h * u, - u j.ii me two i'laimi A'a,unci o m present with them. Dean Regnault also thanked the members of the H.A.C.B. Society, Children of Mary, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and of the choir for their kind attention to the needs of the occasion. The fine, new convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Colombo Street North, is now completed, and will be

solemnly blessed and opened by his Lordship Bishop Brodie on Sunday afternoon next at 3 o'clock. The members of St. Patrick's branch, and of St. Matthew's (ladies') branch of the Hibernian Society, in regalia, will approach the Holy Table at the Cathedral on Sunday next, at the seven o'clock Mass, in honor of the Feast of St. Patrick. The panegyric of the Apostle of Ireland will be preached in the Cathedral on Sunday evening by Father Cooney (Lyttelton). At the fortnightly meeting of St. Mary's branch H.A.C.B. Society, held on Monday evening, March 3. Special reference was made to the sad news just to hand of the death, in France, of one of the members, Bro. P. Cosgrove. The president (Bro. A. F. Roche) moved a resolution of condolence with the relatives, which was carried in silence. Bro. Cosgrove was the first treasurer of the branch, a position which he held with credit up to the time of his enlisting with the 15th Reinforcements : and it was resolved that the branch approach the Holy Table on Sunday and have Mass said for the repose of the soul of deceased. Sick pay amounting to £2 was passed for payment. A special canvass for members was made by the officers after all the Masses on Sunday. The school committee and building fund guarantors met at the episcopal residence on last Thursday evening. His Lordship the Bishop and Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy were present. The plans of the new parochial girls' school buildings were approved of. A start with the erection will be made at an early date. Father F.- Buckley, of Auckland, who has given such valuable assistance in the Cathedral parish during his stay here, is returning to Auckland this week. Father Buckley devoted himself to the work of chaplain to Mt. Magdala during the indisposition of Father Bell, S.M. Father D. P. Buckley, of the diocese of Dunedin, addressed the women's division of the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament at the Cathedral on last Tuesday evening. His discourse on why Catholics objected to the term "Roman" being prefixed to their legitimate religious title (a term not of their. seeking but one imposed upon them for motives generally understood) was very interesting and instructive. Timaru (From our own correspondent.) March 7. Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., and Father Hurley, S.M., Adm., were in Timaru during the week on a short visit. Father Dignan, S.M., of Wellington, is at present assisting at the Church of the Sacred Heart, pending the arrival of Father Bartley, S.M., M.A., who is expected to take up his duties here shortly. Of the six pupils presented by the Convent of the Sacred Heart for the intermediate Examinations, all succeeded in obtaining a pass. The names, in order »f merit, are, Lucy Kennedy, Betty Petre, Cecilia Barrett, Winifred Mahar, Alice Burgess, and Betty O'Connor. In the Intermediate Shorthand Examination of the Sydney Business College, the following percentages were obtained by the pupils of the commercial class:—May Craighead, 100; Betty Petre, 94; Mona Gillespie, 94; Nora Courtney, 94; Ina Bray, 94; Mona Clark, 93; Marjorie Courtney, 92. Commenting upon the character of the work presented, the examiner said: "The theoretical as well as the practical work of the pupils was all that could be desired. '".' . . I would like to refer narticularly to the very excellent, shorthand writing. In every case the : outlines were most artistic and accurate." Miss Stock, of Invercargill, has entered upon her duties as matron of the Catholic Girls' Hostel, and is

seconded by her sister, Miss Mabel Stock. The hostel has fully justified the hopes that were, placed in it, and it will, soon be necessary to devise means of increasing the accommodation. " This year's annual St. Patrick's Day concert, to be held in the Theatre Royal on Tuesday next, March 18, promises to be 'absolutely the finest musical treat ever afforded a Timaru audience. No pains have been spared by the management to secure high-class musical talent, and as the tickets are having a phenomenal sale, a crowded house is assured. As the proceeds are to be devoted to . the upkeep of our schoolsthis annual concert being one of the school fund's chief sources of revenue, — should be patronised by all who have the cause of Catholic education at heart. Among the artists taking part in the concert are Mrs. P. W. Rule, Miss Agnes Cunningham, Mr. Ernest Drake (Auckland), Miss Paula Scherek (violinist, Dunedin), Mr. W. Watters (Oamaru), Mr. Geo. IT. Andrews, and Mrs. N. D. Mangos (accompanist). National dancing will be under the supervision of Miss Gwen Ritchie, while there will also be an orchestra of 16 instrumentalists, under the conductorship of Mr. T. O'Connor. Invercargill (From our own correspondent.) March 10. Next Sunday (March 16) the quarterly Communion of the Hibernian Society will take place, and as it will be the Sunday preceding St. Patrick's Day it is anticipated that there will be a large attendance. "The Invercargill delegate at the Diocesan Council meeting of the Catholic Federation speaks in glowing terms of the hospitality extended to the visitors by the Dunedinitea. Monday next being St. Patrick's Day, the national festival will be celebrated by a grand Irish national concert in the Municipal Theatre. A splendid programme has been arranged, some of the 4 artists coming from as far as Dunedin. This annual concert is the one Irish event of the year, and a crowded house —as has been the gratifying experience of former years is anticipated. Last year scores of people were unable to obtain admission, so patrons would be well advised to reserve their seats at the Bristol. The price is 2s, with a booking fee of sixpence. Every Catholic and Irishman should turn out on St. Patrick's Night.