IN THE CHURCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 96, 26 April 1933, Page 9

IN THE CHURCHES.

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES. SERMON BY EX-CHAPLAIN. I Anzac Day services in the Auckland churches of all denominations yesterday were largely attended. Solemn Mass of Requiem was celebrated at St. Patrick's Cathedral at 11 o'clock yesterday morning for the fallen soldiers. The celebrant was the Rev. ! Father P. McKeefry, Father Quinn being the deacon and Father FitzpatrTck sub-deacon. The cadets of the Sacred Heart College supplied a guard of honour for the catafalque. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Owen Doyle, who for four years was attached as chaplain to the Auckland Battalion on active service. Father Doyle spoke of the heroism of the men of Anzac, and while insisting that wars were sometimes justifiable, he maintained that nearly always the evil effects of war far overbalanced any good that might result. For that reason he asked his°hearers earnestly to pray and strive for peace above all other things. The way of war was sordid, brutal and dehumanising. "We should acknowledge our duty, apart from any sentiment or love, as Catholics, before the.altar of sacrifice, to pray for those soldiers who gave their lives for their King and country," concluded Father Doyle. The Sacred Heart cadets at the com-' mencement of the service carried a wreath from the Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Dr. J. M. Liston, and laid it on the catafalque. Later this wreath was laid on the Cenotaph by Dr. J. T. Buxton, representing Bishop'Liston, who is at present in the South Island. The preacher at the service at St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, was the Rev. Canon Fancourt. At St. Matthew's Church, Canon E. H. Strong spoke in the morning, and in the evening the Rev. H. K. Vickery gave an address. At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre there was appropriate singing by the choir, and solos by Messrs. Len Barnes and Leslie Russell. An impressive feature of the service was the lighting of the lamp of remembrance by members of Toe H. At the Sacred Heart Church, Pbnsonby, a Solemn Requiem Mass took place yesterday morning, in the presence of a crowded congregation. The Rev. Father Joyce was the celebrant. An impressive address was delivered by the Rev. Father Doyle. He spoke of the ideals of Anzac, namely, to defend nationhood and to end wars. He concluded by reminding his hearers that while the bodies of their heroes lay buried on the fields of battle, their* souls lived for ever. \Thereforc, as a duty of gratitude, let the living pray for their fallen dead. A large male choir was present under Mr. Matt. Guthrie, and sang the Gregorian Chant, and at the conclusion of the service the Dead March was played by the organist, Mr. Harry Hiscocks. At the Balmoral Presbyterian Church the Rev. W. A. Gilmour preached, and there were special musical numbers. A combined service was held at St. John's Methodist Church, an address being given by the Rev. J. D. Jensen. At the Salvation Army Congress Hall, Sir George Richardson presided. An Anzac pageant, written by the Revs. W. A. Constable and Wilna Constable, was presented at the Unitarian Church, Ponsonby. A special service was held at the Synagogue, the sermon being delivered by the Rev. S. A. Goldstein. There was a large attendance at St. Paul's Church, Devonport, at 7.30 last night, when a combined Anzac service was held, the ministers of all the churches in the borough taking part. The Rev. W. Lawson Marsh presided and the Rev. P. N. Knight, 8.A., gave the address. A combined choir led the singing.