DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 24 April 1919, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) April 21. The ceremonies incidental to Holy Week—mencing with the office of Tenebrae on Wednesday evening-—were observed with great solemnity in the Cathedral. After Tenebrae the Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., gave an instructive discourse on the ceremonies of Holy Week. The Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell (Ashburton) preached on Thursday evening on the institution of the Blessed Eucharist. On Friday evening Father Cooney (Lyttelton) preached on the “Passion of our Divine Lord.” On Thursday morning there was Solemn Pontifical Mass and the Blessing of the Holy Oils, his Lordship Bishop Brodie being celebrant, assisted by a large number of the diocesan clergy. After Mass the Blessed Sacrament was carried in procession to the Altar of Repose, which had been suitably prepared by the members of the Altar Society, and throughout the remainder of the day large numbers of worshippers attended in adoration, the watches throughout the night being sustained by the male members of the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and the Hibernian Society. On Good Friday morning Mass of the Pre-sancti-fied commenced at nine o’clock, the Cathedral being packed with, a devout congregation. The- Bishop was celebrant, and the Passion was sung by the Rev. P. Cooney (Lyttelton), Rev. J. Hanrahan (Darfield), and Rev. J. Long, while the choir sang the other sacred music of the solemnity. At three o’clock in the afternoon his Lordship the Bishop conducted the devotions

of the Stations of the Cross, and at the conclusion bestowed the blessing on the large congregation with a relic of the true cross. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy. Adm., officiated as master of ceremonies - at all the solemnities of Holy Week. /

At the early Masses at 7 and 9.30 on Easter Sunday large crowds approached the Holy Table. Commencing at eleven o’clock, there was Solemn Pontifical Mass, the Bishop being celebrant, Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., assistant priest, Rev. - Fathers Bonetto and M. Fogarty deacons at the throne, and Rev. J. Long and Rev. J. C. Murphy deacon and subdeacon respectively of the Mass. The Bishop spoke a few words of commendation to those who had assisted in the ceremonies of the week, and gave a short discourse on the Feast of Easter. The Papal Blessing was imparted at the Mass. The choir, conducted by Mr. P. F. Hiscocks, Mr. H. Hiscocks presiding at the organ, rendered Haydn’s Imperial Mass, closing the ceremony with the “Hallelujah Chorus” (Handel). In the evening the Bishop presided at Pontifical Vespers, and preached an eloquent and stirring sermon, taking as his text “If Christ be not risen from the dead then is your faith vain.” The solemnities were brought to a close by Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. After Vespers the choir was entertained by the Bishop, who, with Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, felicitated all concerned. Messrs. Hiscocks and Hayward replied on behalf of the choir..

There were large congregations at all the Holy Week devotions at St. Mary’s Church, Manchester Street. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings the office of Tenebrae attracted large numbers. From the Solemn High Mass on Holy Thursday morning till the Mass of the Presanctified on Friday the faithful kept up perpetual adoration, the men in relays taking the night watches. On Good Friday the hundreds of young and old that filled the church came in turn to the altar rails to venerate the cross. At three o’clock in the afternoon the church was again well filled for the Stations of the Cross. On Easter there were four Masses. The last was a iSolemn High Mass. The celebrant, Very Rev. Dean Regnault, in conveying Easter greetings to his flock, reminded them that they should return thanks to God 'who had sent peace once more into the world. They •should pray (he said) that Almighty God might enlighten the minds of those statesmen who were at present endeavoring to secure for the world a lasting 'peace. The Mass music was harmoniously rendered by St-. Mary’s Choir, conducted by Mr. W. T. Ward. During Holy Week the singing of the choir contributed much to the solemnity and impressiveness of The ceremonies. The sanctuary was tastefully decorrated, as was also the Altar of Repose on Holy Thursday. Seldom was St. Mary’s Church so beautifully •ornamented as it was this Easter. Much credit is due to the ladies of the Altar Society and the Children of Mary, who spared no pains to make the sanctuary worthy of the occasion. On Easter Sunday about 60 of the children received their First Holy Communion at the 8 o’clock Mass. At the evening devotions they renewed their baptismal vows. Before doing so they were addressed by Father McCarthy, Marist Missionary, who impressed upon them the obligation of being faithful to their promises. The ceremonies were brought to a close by a procession, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

There was Solemn Requiem Mass at the Church of St. Mary and St. Francis de Sales, Rangiora, on last Tuesday for the repose of the soul of the late Mr. Hyland, father of the Very Rev. Dean Hyland, pastor of the district. Dean Hyland was celebrant. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm,, deacon, and Father Leen (Lincoln) subdeacon. His Lordship Bishop Brodie, in addressing the congregation, conveyed to Dean Hyland the sympathy of the priests and people.

The Celtic Club held a musical everting on Tues- : day, April 1, in the Hibernian Hall, which was was largely attended. The president, Mr. J. Curry* presided, and amongst those present were Rev. Fathers Long and Fogarty, and several of the Marist Brothers. During an interval, Mr; Curry referred to the excellent and devoted assistance that had been rendered to the club since its inceptioii by Miss M. G. O’Connor, and expressed a desire to Father Long, to ask Miss O’Connor’s acceptance of a small token of the club’s esteem. Father Long, in presenting Miss O’Connor with a* handsomely bound volume of songs, referred to the kind and generous service she had for years unselfishly given to the club. He was (he said) pleased to have an opportunity of publicly thanking Miss O’Connor, whose talents were so much appreciated that no Catholic musical programme seemed complete without her name appearing thereon. Rev. Brother Emilian endorsed Father Long’s remarks, laying emphasis on the unassuming nature of Miss O’Connor, who was not only an artist but a lady in the true sense of the word. Rev. Brother Emiliau also spoke eulogistlcally of Miss O’Connor’s artistic- abilities, and in appreciation of her generous helpfulness on all occasions when her valued services were sought. On behalf of Miss O’Connor,. Father Fogarty, in grateful terms, acknowledged the club’s gift. An enjoyable programme was contributed to by Misses E. Rodgers, M. G. O’Connor, and D. Taylor, Rev. Brother Emilian, and Mr. L. N. Hilton (songs), Mr. and Mrs. Mooney (character sketch), Miss E. Behrens (violin solo), and Mr. P. J. Smyth (recitation). Misses K. O’Connor and E. Baker were accompanists. Extensive preparations have been made for the garden fete, to be, held on the afternoon and evening of Friday and Saturday of this week in the grounds of St. Mary’s Presbytery, Manchester Street. The proceeds are in aid of the building fund of the new Catholic church at Papanui, an object that deserves the support of the whole Catholic community.