DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 12 June 1919, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) Juno 9. A Novena, preparatory to the Feast of the Sacred Heart, will be conducted by two Redemptorist Fathers, beginning on the eve of Corpus Christi. On the following Sunday the diocese will be consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On Sunday, June 1, his Lordship the Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 231 children and adults at St. Mary’s Church, Manchester Street. The Bishop gave an instructive sermon appropriate to the occasion, after which he officiated at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There was a crowded congregation.

• ' The recent garden fete, held in the presbytery grounds at St. Mary’s, in aid of the Bapanui church building fund, resulted in £GG2 being added to the fund. Very Rev. Dean Regnault expresses his gratitude and that of his assistant priests to all who assisted in making the fete such a financial'' success. The amounts from the various stalls were: —-Produce (Mesdames Heapy and Boloski and Miss O’Connor), £274 8s; fancy (Misses Rooney and Sisson), £l4l 12s 9d ; refreshment (Mrs. Prendergast); £129 Is 2d; St. Mary’s (Mesdames Evans and Smith), £74 17s Gd : Children of Mary (Misses Kelly and Riordan), £SO 9s 2d ; the side-shdws were productive of £l2 19s : 6d.

Mdlle. Antonia Dolores, the world-famed French soprano, honored the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, of St. Mary’s, Manchester Street, at the devotions on Sunday afternoon, June 1, when she attended the church and sang Mr. R. IT. Rossiter’s local composition, “O Salutaris Hostia,” to a crowded congregation. Mdlle. Dolores some time ago had this song dedicated to her by Mr. Rossiter, a native of Christchurch, and she was so charmed . with it that she promised she would sing it in- Christchurch at, the first opportunity. This she did with all the impressiveness that such, an artist could infuse into the words. This is the only occasion during the present;' Australasiaix ; tour that Md|]e. Do-

- lores has sung A in a church, and Christchurch ,is thus particularly honored. ‘ ~~ ; "

yi The r,accidental. death of*' Clarence r James Patrick (Pat) Gregory, which occurred *on the night -of Wednesday, May, 28, occasioned widespread sorrow. Deceased was a very fine young fellow, ; and exceedingly popular among his comrades * and acquaintances. An ardent footballer since his schooldays - at the Marist Brothers’ School, he was captain iof ; the M. 8.0.8. second grade team, and was actually on his • way to attend a practice preparatory to the ‘ following Saturday’s match when the lamentable- accident happened. The deceased was the son of Mr. J. A. Gregory, -of Barbadoes Street, Sydenham, and was 19 years of age. After leaving school he entered the Railway Department as a cadet. Although under age, he spent some time in camp with the Signalling Corps of the “Expeditionary Force. Returning to Christchurch, he joined the office staff of the N.Z. Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Association. Deceased was an expert swimmer, was treasurer of the Waltham Swimming Club, and had won many trophies in swimming,' tournaments. 'Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul; of deceased was offered at the High Altai’ in the Cathedral on Saturday by Father Murphy, assisted by Very Rev. Dr.' Kennedy, Adm. There was a crowded congregation. Tlx© Marist Brothel's’ School Choir, under Brother Emilian, sang--, appropriate hymns during Mass, and at the graveside. The “Dead March” from “Saul” was played by Miss K. O’Connor as the funeral proces- : sion left the Cathedral. Representatives of the various football and swimming clubs, Canterbury Rugby Union, and N.Z. Farmers’ Co-operative Association were present. Father Murphy officiated at the interment in Linwood Cemetery, Very Rev. Dean Regnault being also present at the graveside. The deceased was for nine years among the most diligent sanctuary boys of the Cathedral. He was a brother of Mr. Arthur Gre-

gory, an ecclesiastical student at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel. Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved parents and relatives in their sad loss. —R.l.P.