CHRISTMAS DAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18265, 26 December 1924, Page 13

CHRISTMAS DAY.

w —* II CHURCH SERVICES. || 33, THE CATHEDRAL.

«*Biere w.is a large congregation in ■fiatJathedral for the Choral Eucharist. iW* introit was "Thero were, shepGlory to God" (Handel). 'liirnhhishop Julius was tho preacher, ig to .a scve.ro cold, coupled |>afa hoarseness, he was unleliver hie eermon. "There is [or it," he said, "but just to best way I. can, one or two The first is this, to express ;felt desire for the blessing of ou all and on all people in tho in this Christmas Day. A Christmas and a very happy t. And I wish to give to you knowledge of Him, that lovo whose birthday it is, that you I tho source of the liighest s joy." noo m;:do a strong appeal for 's Guild, to which the Christrtories aro devoted. "I want on," he ssiid, "not to let St. after because I am not fit. 1 ) Cathedral to do what the 1 has always done for years give a good lead, to tho people ocese. I do want to see it on wforo I go, and I am looking o help me. That is all 1 can '. dare say, to you. God bless lis Christmas." CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL. mristmas ceremonies at tho Catholic Cathedral were very tended, and at the early Masses ;c numbers approached Holy on. Tho 11 o 'clock Mas 3 was a High Mass, celebrated by his Bishop Brodie, assisted by the • Father Collins, C-5.5.11., and her Murphy, Rev. Father Bonindant Priest, Rev. Father "deacon of- tho Mass, Rev. [ealeysub-deaoon. The Bishop, iacl the Uospel of the day, sec inspiring lessons of the testiIhrisfcmas, and concluded by 5 bis'heartfelt greetings to all. notion. of 'Christmas evening ially appropriate, the music j Sgested by tne festival of the & eermon was preached by bis the Bishop, who spoke con-' ;he inaugmation of the Holy .'ho ceremony of initiating the ir gives a striking proof of the 1 unity -of the Catholic '. said his Lordship, "in iooeao of the world cerewere being held in union impressive ceremon/ perform- , Holiness the Pope in opening id door of St, Peters. The ir or Jubilee traces its origin Id Testament narrative where very fiftieth year was a ycarof rivileges and blessings. The Church, for centuries past, has i, similar practice, and has now the period of Jubilee from 50 25 years. The impressive cererformed by Pope Pius XI. in reminiscent of the idea of f proclaimed by Constantine, Christian Emperor. The main St. Peter's, Rome, which is p during the intervening pcr»ned every 25th year, and the ther bestows special blessings who visit St. Peter's during le year. During the actual Jubilee special favours aiv to those only who visit Rome s considered that millions of ided to all the dioceses of the d, will visit Rome during this Lt the close of this year the spiritual blessings of the Jubilee will ho extended to all the ioceses of the ▼orld so that those who were not able to virit Rome personally may share I the blessings of tho Jubilee.'' i The Cathedral was prettily decorated jfor the Festival, the high altar preisenting a beautiful sight. The feature the Christmas decorations is a Crib arranged as a cave at one of ['ihe side altars realistically portraying y«he humble birth of the Divine Redeemer in the manger of Bethlehem pD the first Christmas morning. if At the conclusion evening deHrotions his Lordship, the Bishop enter, llttined the members of the choir and ifcongratulated them on the success of gjOio Christmas music, and also on the Sll&neral efficiency of tho work of the rajhoir throughout the year. |& The celebration of Christmas at the ijs't'gby street Methodist Church was llpendeu.with considerable success. At HKSfr'anorning service, conducted by the Bi|pr,.L. B. Neale, a large number of K||ts on behalf of the Home BSwe received. At eventide the seatffifeife capacity of tho Church was taxed Ilo'r'i its utmost, when a full Ippral service was presented by a largo ipoir, under the conductorship of Mr ISE Simpson. • Selections from "The JPfjSlsiah," choruses, and carols were litveii. Miss Lovell-Smith, Mrs L. B. ipeale, Miss Hilda Nicholls, Master iroole, and Messrs T. D. and H. Wil||ianis were the soloists. Yesterday, at Ig.a.m., a well-attended service was conpneted by the Rev. L. B. Neale. |? Solemn High Mass was celebrated at Sf-30 a.m. yesterday, the parish priest, |'we Rev. Father O'Connell officiating, Insisted by the R(jy. Dr. Geaney, rector pwSt. Bede's College), and Father Hig-

gins. ' Beethoven's Mass, in "C" wa3 given by St. Mary's choir, assisted by a large orchestra under the conductorship of Miss Minn Ward. Tho bolos were artistically sung by Mrs Frank O'Brien, Misses M. Ward and D. Goggin. Messrs L. J. Blake, J. J. McGrath, and W. A. Atwill. During tho offertory, Novello's "Adestc- Fidolis" was sung, the quartette of folos being beautifully sung by Mrs F. H. Wilson, Miss M. Riordan, .md Messrs J. Bruton and W. E. Bcln ens. At the conclusion, 'Marche Pontifical" (Gounod Fletcher) was nlayrd. Miss Veronica Ward presided'at tho organ throughout. The Rev. Father O'Connell, m the course of a snort address, conveyed on behalf of the priests of the parish their heartiest good wishes to all Parishioners that the-* may receive tho joys of Christmastide. Ho expressed a. hope that the world in general would soon come bad? to enter into the real spirit of Christmas, and that the message of the first Christmas morning would again enter the hearts' of all men.

AT THE INSTITUTIONS. After looking forward for weeks to the festivities of Christmas,;the jure 11ilo inmates of the Christmas Hospital found their anticipations fully realised, when ward 9 was transformed into a brichtlv-coloured fairyland. The sight was a brilliant one, Tno ward being de~ coratcd with coloured balloons, streamers and flowers in profusion, lho clulAren's beds were arranged so that tne libtlo patients could see all that was goin" on. The chief attraction was a tremendous Christinas Treo from which hung many toys of all shades, sizes, varieties and colours. Then, of course, tlie great moment arrived with the adivent of Father Christmas, with his remarkable punctuality. Having many thousands of other children to attend to all over "the world —some of the smaller patients expressed a doubt that he would be able to visit all. But with his remairkablo power of being everywhere as the same time,' the old gentlemen—a member of the medical staff by the, way, who had* forsaken the white overall from the time being—arrived up to schedule time and was welcomed with a shout. The old man with the famous white'whiskers then handed round the various presents selected by the childien, and was assisted in utfs happy little time-honoured function by some of the hospital officers. Full use was made of the toys, and when the recipients became 'too tired to p-lay with them any longer, they discussed the various merits of their parents. Finally file happy buzz of conversation died down and the youngsters fell asleep perhaps to dream of their wonderful day. The nursing staff divided-into three groups, and transformed themselves into carol singers. Further pleasure was given by a mixed quartette which ivisited the wards and dispensed musical cheer v The other wards also were beautifully decorated and vosterday say a continuous stream of visitors, while a long line of motor-cars outside the institution gave the passers-by a good idea that "something special" was going on inside. In ! commemoration of the season special meals were served, and, generally, those who were unfortunate; yet fortunate enough in one way, to be patients, will find it a long time before they forget Christmas, 1924. Fitting celebrations of the' season took place at the city's other institutions, tne St. Saviour's, Presbyterian and Me&ho- • dist Orphanages, the Jubilee. Nazareth, Mt. Magdala and Salvation Army Homes. VISIT TO SUNNYSIDE. Several members of {he executive of t«ho Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association (the Rev. F. T. Bead, Messrs H. J. Knight, M. "W. Richards, and W. E. Leadloy) visited the returned soldier patients at the Sunnyside Mental Hospital on Tuesday, taking with them Christmas gifts of cigarettes, tobacco, pipes and books. About forty were assembled in fie receiving home of the institution, and after the. gifts had been distributed' 6horfc speeches wero made by the Rev. F. T. Read, Messrs M. W. Richards and W. E. Leadlev, conveying Christmas greetings to tho men, and assuring them that the Association, was looking after tbeir interests, and after the interests of their dependents. 011 behalf of the men assembled," one of the patients suitably replied, thanking tho Association for its continued interest in tho patients and their dependents.