Churches reflect on Christian spirit

Press, 26 December 1984, Page 5

Churches reflect on Christian spirit

This Christmas has been marked by a strong sense of caring in the community, said the Bishop of Christchurch, the Rev. Maurice Goodall, yesterday. People were aware that others had problems, such as loneliness and shortage of money, he said. "They were doing more within the community to help.” Particularly impressive was the number of people who had helped with such activities as the City Mission’s Christmas dinner. Bishop Goodall said that the apparent abundance of Christmas spirit seemed to be matched by the interest in the religious significance of Christmas — judging by the big attendances at local churches for Christmas services. Christchurch Cathedral was packed for the midnight service on Christmas Eve. People were sitting up in the choir stalls and pouring out the front door, he

said. Most noticeable was the increased number of young people. The midnight service was popular perhaps because it meant that people had a free day on Christmas Day for going away or taking their time over Christmas dinner. The early-morning services yesterday were also noticeably popular, said Bishop Goodall, probably because of the fine weather. They, and the 11 a.m. services, were well attended by families. Bishop Goodall’s comments on the apparently more reverent atmosphere of the midnight service, were matched by his Catholic counterpart. The administrator of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Barbadoes Street, the Very Rev. Miles O’Malley, said that the packed congregation at the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve seemed much more

respectful than in past years. Previous Midnight Masses had been disturbed at times by people who had perhaps spent the hours before drinking, he said. Young people were also predominant amid the Catholic Cathedral’s midnight mass congregation. The five services on Christmas Day were well attended, in particular by families, said Father O’Malley. Christchurch North Presbyterian Church in Papanui, was one of a number of city and suburban churches to hold Christmas Eve candlelight services. The minister, the Rev. Max Garrity, said that more than 100 people had attended — a big number by the church’s standards. The Christmas Eve service was introduced last year as an experiment, said Mr Garrity, and had proved so popular that it had been retained.