DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 1, 7 January 1925, Page 31

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

".- (From our own Correspondent.) '-.'x ife" . January 2. ' His Lordship the Bishop will officiate at a -,. profession ceremony at "Villa Maria," Riccarton, on Monday, and at the Sisters of the Missions; Ferry Road, on : Tuesday afternoon, and; will then proceed to the West Coast to attend the .diamond jubilee celebrations of Rev. Mother Mary St. Clare, . . ',.' - ;—-- "\The Retreat of the Marist Fathers of the diocese, to '';. be conducted by Rev. Father ,Clune, C.P., will be held at St.' Bede's College, commencing on January 19. The Retreat for the diocesan secular clergy will take place on January 26, and will be preached by Rev. " Father Collins, C.SS.R.. Father Collins is at present conducting a Retreat for the Sisters of Mercy at Lyttelton, while Father Murray, C.SS.R., is similarly : engaged at. Temuka. :>? ; Rev. Father MeLoughlin, of Holy Cross College, v. Mosgiel, passed through Christ;church during the week. || Rev.: Father Gilbert, 5.M.," Rector of St. Patrick's College, Wellington, passed through Christchurch during the week to attend the--;jubilee celebrations at Hokitika. A YEAR'S PROGRESS: REVIEWED BY rX:- : ' BISHOP BRODIE. r Speaking at the Catholic Cathedral on "Sunday night, the 28th ult., on the year 1924,. Bishop Brodie gave an outline of the work done- in various parts of the diocese (says the Lyttelton Times).). /.-The diocese of Christchurch, said his Lordship, : gave evidence of the solid foundations laid by the pioneer Catholics, under the distinguished leadership of Archbishop Redwood, in whose diocese Canterbury and West:land; were included until constituted a separate diocese in 1887. The late Bishop Grimes, of revered memory, zealously continued the ; record of progress, and the magnificent cathedral will ever be a. fitting monument to perpetuate the memory of his untiring and zealous labors. The Apostolic Delegate and the ; many members of the hierarchy of Australia, who visited the Dominion for Archbishop | Redwood's golden jubilee in February last, :, were astonished, at the' fine churches, religious and charitable institutions, and schools throughout the diocese of Christchurch. The year 1924 would show that the enthusiasm and generosity of the Catholic people | still survived, and the records of the work ■undertaken proved that present activities were quite in accord with the traditions of the past. The work of the year in the structural development department included the erection of"new Ibuildings and additions to existing buildings and comprised all buildings brought to completion during the year, and ; those still in progress at the end of the year. Amongst the works brought to completion during the year are: "~ X New school, Leeston. • ■' ::? New parish school, Waimate. '" Extension to school, Morven. .New. boys' school,'Timaru. ~ p . New boys' school, Greymouth. : ; ' Science room and music room,-St. Mary's _-Convent, Christchurch. , - - ; ; _ . ; " e fe These works Involved an outlay of £22,000, independent of an outlay of £SOOO for=maintenance and repair of existing buildings.

The works' still under construction at the end of the year include: ~ . " '^ '-, '■■ Additions to building at Mount Magdala. Additions to building at Villa Maria Convent of. Mercy, Riccarton. "- '~ ' """' Additions to building at :St. Bede's College, ; Papanui. [ .■•; :: • :'■''■''' ;.,-; - / : : •-' „- ' New school-church at -Beckenham, North Linwood and Riccarton. * - New church at Marshland. -'■•;--■ ;: New school for boys at Christchurch' (the contract has just been let). : - New stone church at Little River. Additions to girls' school at Timaru. New convent for the Sisters of Mercy at Grey mouth. ■-• - : Additions to Convent High School for Sisters of Mercy," Hokitika. s Additions to church at Fairlie. The expenditure, estimated and authorised, of these works still under construction is approximately £90,000. In the department of parochial:.extension is included the acquisition of necessary properties for parochial equipment. The following properties have been acquired:— Additional section of land, Greymouth. House and section, New Brighton. House and land at Beckenham. House and land at Papanui. Section of land, site for church at Marshland. The outlay necessary for the purchase of these properties was about £BOOO. - The total amount required for this comprehensive programme of diocesan development is approximately £120,000. This is a large amount certainly, but when it is - membered that the sum of £22,000 required for buildings brought to completion during the year was already, subscribed, and the buildings were opened free of debt, this sets at rest any fear regarding the obligations involved in .all the works still in hand. The diocese possesses a valuable asset, a reliable source of confidence in the self-sacrifice and untiring work of the diocesan clergy" and the Marist Fathers, and of the various communities of religious Brothers and Sisters who devote their lives, without thought of earthly remuneration, to the sacred work of their calling; this proved source of confidence and of God's blessing, combined with the—- - failing generosity of the people, explains the success of past efforts and the assurance of success in the present extensive development programme. •'. Another feature of interest in the year 1924 was the constitution of three new par-, ishes at Papanui, Riccarton, and New Brighton. These new parishes will entail some difficulty in the pioneering days of the districts named, but the development is-a necessity to- cope with the requirements of the spreading population of the city. In conjunction with this parochial extension movement it will please the people to learn.that new; school-churches are being erected at Beckenham, North Linwood, and Riccarton, and a new church at Marshland, with another church in contemplation; these new churches and school-churches will enable all the people; to attend Mass without having to travel un..;reasonable distances. •. :: -.xT*--; ; v .:; ; "As Bishop of the diocese," continued his Lordship, "I am; confident the coming year ; ; will ; record a generous response; for the works

undertaken; our people will rise to the occasion, - and emulate the. generosity, of the past, and look ;to 1925 with determination that, with God's blessing, ". the close of the year will, record-the accomplishment of great work in the diocese of Christchurch." : . His Lordship concluded by wishing to his clergy, the-: religious communities, and the laity of the diocese and to his fellow-citizens ;of other faiths, all the blessings of a happy and prosperous new year. " ; : /". .