CATHOLIC PRO-CATHEDRAL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9298, 26 December 1895, Page 3

CATHOLIC PRO-CATHEDRAL.

Very large numbers of people attended at the Catholic pro-Cathedral, Barbadoea street, on Christmas Uve, in preparation foi the Feast of Christmas. Yesterday massei were celebrated every half-hour from 6 a.m, till 11 a.m. A large number of communicants attended. At the latter hour Pontifical High Mas 9 was celebrated by hr" .Lordship, Bishop Grimes, the Very Rev\ Father Cummings, V.G., being assistant priest, the Very Rev. Dr. Walters, Pre* sident of St. Patrick's College, Wellington, aud the Very Rev. Father Ginaty J being deacons of the throne, and tha Revs. Fathers Galerne and Malone deacon andsnbdeacon of the Mass. After the Gospel the Bißhop preached a discourse, dwelling upon the joys peculiar to the festival, the objects of the Incarnation, &c. Immediately after the Mass the papal blessing was bestowed upon the congregation by hia Lordship. The Maaslsungwas Gonnod's Third, and Novello's setting of " Adestes Fideles" was the offertory. In the evening pontifical vespers were sung, and a learned and powerful discourse was delivered by the Very Rev. Dr. IVatters. At theoffertory Miss Maribel Greenwood sang most pleasingly Gounod's "Av< Maria," and during the benediction Mr T. Butler sang Hummel'a •'OSalutaris'.'- Misa Funston presided at the organ with her well known ability. . At the close of the service his Lordship expressed his gratitude to the Very Revs. Dr. Waiters and Father Ginaty for their kind assistance during the ceremonies. The church was very tastefully decorated. A large number of pot plaints, palms and ferna were plaoed in the sanctuary, and the pillars of the nave were decorated with evergreens and toi toi. A crib' was situated at the bottom of the churoh, arranged so as to give a very good representation of the manger at Bethlehem. The decorations were carried out by Mrs A. J. White and Misses White, Hayward. Carney and others.