DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 10 March 1921, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

March 7. His Lordship Bishop Brodie leaves this week for the West Coast. Very Rev. Dean Bowers has entered upon his duties as diocesan secretary at the Cathedral, and Rev. Father Hanrahan, those of Administrator. Rev. Fathers Herring and Eccleton, Marist Missioned, will open missions on Sunday next at New Brighton and Papanui. The missions beng conducted by the Marist Fathers at St. Mary's and Addington are being attended by crowded congregations, and the number approaching the Holy Table each morning is exceedingly large. The new school buildings at St. Mary's is progressing favorably, the builders being now engaged

on the second storey. It is expected to be completed and ready for use after the mid-winter vacations.

The Irish national concert, in aid of Nazareth House, will be given in the King Edward Barracks on Saturday evening, March 19, this being the only date near that of St. Patrick's Day available for a hall. The programme is of a high standard, and included in the artists are Messrs. McGrath (Dunedin) and Waters (Invercargill). With the object of forming a sodality of the Children of Mary in the Sacred Heart parish, Addington, a meeting was held in the church on Sunday afternoon under the direction of Fathers McCarthy and Southerner, Marist Missioners. Forty aspirants were enrolled. The consecration ceremony will take place on Sunday evening next. An advance step in connetion with the Addington district is the formaton of a branch of the Hibernian Society. Since his advent to the parish, Rev. Father O'Connor has been anxious for what was realised on last Sunday afternoon. Members from St. Patrick's and St. Mary's branches attended in regalia to assist at the ceremony, which was conducted by the District Deputy (Bro. M. Grimes), assisted by Bro. L. J. Courtney (president of St. Patrick's branch) and Bro. H. Johnston (secretary St. Mary's). It was pleasing to see Bro. T. Hynes, one of the founders of Hiberiiiauisra in Christchurch in 1863, amongst the visitors. Rev. Fathers O'Connor and Finnerty were present, and took an active interest in the .proceedings. Bro. Grimes, in opening the meeting, explained the aims and objects of the society. After reading the official opening address, and the constitutionaldispensation, he initiated 17 members into the new Sacred Heart branch. The following office-bearers were then elected:— President, Bro. W. Maloney; vice-president, Bro. Hugh McDonald; secretary, Bro. T. Lagan; treasurer, Bro. A. O'Donoghue; warden, Bro. R. J. Grose: guardian, Bro. S. J. Puller: sick visitors, Bros. E. F. Duggan and E. D. Clark ; trustees, Bros. 11. McDonald, W. Maloney, and E. F. Duggan : medical attendant, Dr. Ardagh. Bro. Grimes, on behalf of the New Zealand District, tendered thanks to Father O'Connor and congratulations to the newly-formed branch of the Hibernian Society, and expressed the hope that in the progressive parish of Addington its numerical strength would increase and its usefulness be early noted I by parishioners. Bros. H. Johnston, L. J. Courtney, T. P. O'Rourke, and Past-District Deputy Bro. R.' P. O'Shaughnessy also addressed the meeting in encouraging terms, Rev. Father O'Connor and Bro. Malonev responding.