CHRISTMAS DAY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 379, 27 December 1882, Page 2

CHRISTMAS DAY

was observed as a Sunday during the fore, noon by a large section of the community there being service at tho Episcopalian and Roman Catholic churches. The decorations at tho former were very effective. The large eastern window was trimmed with evergreens ; over the communion table there was a large white cross wreathed with white roses and on either side was the sacred monogram. The communion rails weie also trimmed with evergreens and white flowers and the lectern with evergreens and scarlet geranium. At the entrance to the chancel there was a very handsome scroll, " This is the house of God and the gate of Heaven." Over the vestry door and main entrance there were also Christinas texts, and along the walls there wore numerous designs in flowers and evergreens, the windows being trimmed up with lycopodcum. The effect of the decorations as a whole was very pretty, and the ladies who worked so hard are certainly to bo congratulated. The service on Christmas Day was very bright. The musical portion was exceedingly well given, and a capital sermon was preached by the curate, the Rev. Mr. Root, from the text " And His Name shall bo called Wonderful." There was a large congregation.

At tho Catholic Church, there was also a large attendance at mass, and at vespers. The Rev. , Father Grogan had a heavy day's work, conducting Mass at Patea in the early morning, mass at Hawera at 11. and then vespers. The collections were in aid of the priest's salary, aud tho people siiowed their love ior him in a very practical manner. The collections at Patea were £50, and at Hawera in the morning they reached the respectable sum of £70.