DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 17 April 1919, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) April 12. 'r Bro. J. M. Coffey, 8.P., presided at the meeting pi St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, held 111 the Hibernian Hall on April 7. Bro. J. McCormick, 1 .B. (sick visitor), reported satisfactorily re the sick and distressed, and .£6 10s in allowances was passed lor payment. It was decided to assist the garden feto to be held at St. Mary's Presbytery grounds by furnishing and managing the side shows." Fifteen candidates were nominated for membership, and one new member elected. Bro. Lyons, who has recently re turned from active service, was welcomed by the president. The chaplain (Father Long) expressed his pleasure at the success that attended the efforts of members in securing so many candidates, and drew attention to the importance of attending the processions of the Blessed Sacrament, Accounts totalling .£l3 16s lOd were passed for payment. & The fortnightly meeting of St, Mary's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held at Ozanam Lodge on Monday-evening, March 31. Bro. A. F. Roche, B P presided, there being a full roll of officers and 'a oood attendance of members. The branch chaplain (Father Roche) and the district deputy were in attendance The president welcomed back, after nearly four years' of active service, Bro. Wilson, who was first secretary of the branch, and whom all wers delighted to see again, hale and hearty. Bro. Wilson acknowledged the kind remarks of the president, and pledged himself to renewed efforts for the welfare of the"branch. To Bro. J. M. Coffey (president) and Bro. T. P. O'Rourke (vice-president of St. Patrick's branch) Bro. iloche conveyed a cordial greeting, and welcome to the meeting. In replying, Bro. Coffey congratulated St. Mary's branch on its largely increased membership. A motion of appreciation of the services rendered in the cause of Hibernianism during the recent mission by Fathers McCarthy and O'Leary (Marist Missioners), was recorded on the minutes. Sick pay (£3), and accounts (£10) were passed for payment. Four new members were initiated, and three candidates nominated. Bro. J. Ormandy, P.P., proposed that St, Mary's branch consider the advisability of forming a juvenile branch of the society. Bro. 11. Johnston seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The ordinary meeting of St. Matthew's (ladies") branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, was held in the Hibernian Hall on Monday evening, March 31, Sister E. Jacques, 8.P., presiding. Fathers Cooney (Lyttelton) and Fogarty (Cathedral) were in attendance, and congratulated the branch on its large and active membership. Four candidates were nominated for membership, and accounts amounting to £l6 5s lOd were passed for payment, April 14. A garden fete will be held in St. Mary's Presbytery grounds on Anzac Day and the Saturday following (April 25 and 26) in aid of the Papanui church build* ing fund. Very Rev. Dean Hyland, Rangiora, has received the sad news of the death of his father, in Ireland. Solemn Requiem Mass will be offered at Rangiora on

Tuesday. His Lordship the Bishop and local clergy are to be present. On Palm Sunday there were very large congregations at the Cathedral. Prior to the 11 o’clock Mass his Lordship the Bishop officiated at the blessing and distribution of the Palms.

At St. Mary’s Church, Manchester Street, the blessing and distribution of the Palms took place on Palm Sunday prior to the 11 o’clock Mass. In the evening ' Father Moloney preached appropriate to the day’s observance.

At the Catholic Girls' Hostel a book afternoon was held on last Friday, with the object of furnishing the library. There was an attendance of about sixty, and the institution benefited to the extent of adding 120 books to its shelves. A musical programme was contributed to by Misses D. Nottingham, Cotter, M. O'Connor, and Giesking, and Mr. A. McDonald, Miss K. O'Connor being accompanist. Miss Johnston (matron) desires also to express appreciation of a handsome donation of eight pictures from his Lordship the Bishop. The afternoon was pleasantly spent, and tea was dispensed by the club members. At a recent meeting of the Cathedral sodality of the Children of Mary, Miss Olive Cranford, one of the most active members, who is leaving Christchurch, was presented by the president (Miss G. Jarman) with a prayer book. Father Fogarty (spiritual director) eulogised Miss Cranford's exemplary character, and the good work she had done in the interests of the Children of Mary over a number of years. Miss Cranford briefly replied, thanking her fellow-members of the sodality for their much-appreciated gift, and Father Fogarty for his kind remarks. On severing her connection with the firm of Mes.n\:. Ross and Glendining, Miss Eileen Courtney, daughter of Mrs. J. R. Courtney, Clifton Street, Addington, was presented by Mr. Davidson (manager), on behalf of the staff, with a case of cutlery. In making the presentation to Miss Courtney (on the occasion of her approaching marriage), Mr. Davidson referred to the esteem and popularity in which she was held, and wished her every success in her future life.

The balance sheets in connection with the recent garden fete, and with the Irish National concert held on St. Patrick’s Night, in aid of Nazareth House, were presented at that institution on Sunday afternoon, April 6. His Lordship the Bishop presided. Very Rev. C. Graham, S.M. (St. Bede’s College), was present, and there was a numerous gathering of friends of the Rev. Mother and Sisters of Nazareth. The proceedings were opened by a short entertainment provided by the children, which included songs, recitations, and drill, by both boys and girls. The statement of accounts in connection with the garden fete was read by Mr. Thos. Cahill, (secretary), and showed the receipts to be £BBO 14s 7d, expenses £49 7s Bd, and the fine credit of £B3l 6s lid. The returns from the various stalls were: St. Marv’s Stall, (Mrs. Barrett and Mrs. W. Clifford), £2Ol Os" 7d ; Cathedral stall (Mrs. Mahoney and Miss Farrell ), £IBB 3s 9d ; refreshment stall (H.A.C.B. Society, St. Matthew’s branch), £146 14s 3d; Halswell stall (Mrs. Murray, Miss McCarthy), £134 5s 7d; cake and sweet stall'(Mesdames Burns and Green and Miss Ward), £7l 19s 9d; ice cream stall (Mrs. Blackaby), £22 14s 6d. Sir Geo. Clifford sent a donation of £SO, other friends contributing £23. The net return from the concert was shown by the joint secretaries (Messrs. M. Grimes and J. McNamara) to be £l6B 13s Id ; and this sum, coupled with the fete returns, totals £IOOO. His Lordship the Bishop, in presenting the cheque to the Rev. Mother, complimented all concerned on the devotedness and energy exercised 111 lii 0 good cause cl lid resulting in such a financial triumph. He took the opportunity of publicly acknowledging the work of Sergt.-Major Pound in drilling, for some three years past, the children of Nazareth House, without any thought of remuneration. Father Graham having replied on behalf of the Rev. Mother and community, afternoon tea was dispensed.