THANKSGIVING MASS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1935, Page 10

THANKSGIVING MASS

DEVOUT INITIAL CELEBRATION. COMMENCEMENT OF JUBILEE. A full congregation took part in the service of thanksgiving in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Hawera, at 7 ann. yesterday, when 'the first ceremony in connection with the festivities celebrating the jubilee of the arrival of the Sisters was held. The High Altar, moulded from pure white plaster, was decorated with flowers in autumn tints, matching the vestments of the celebrant of the mass, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor P. F. Cullen, parish priest, who during the course of the long service delivered an impressive sermon on the benefits bestowed upon a Catholic community fortunate enough to have the education of the children entrusted to the hands of the Sisters. The mass, which was fully choral, was sung by a choir composed of the children of the parish and members of the Children of Mary Society who made the scene more picturesque by their pale blue gowns and white veils. Beside the Hawera Sisters, many visiting nuns took part in the service, the black and white of their robes adding a sombre note to the spectacle. The choir, which had been trained by Sister Charles and was ably assisted by the organist, Mrs. W. A. Quin, contributed in no small measure to the beauty and devotion of the proceedings. During the remainder of the day visiting Sisters from Patea, Opunake, Kaponga, Manaia and the mother convent at Wanganui were entertained by the Hawera Sisters, no further arrangements for the lay people having been made for the day. The Sisters will be entertained in St. Joseph’s hall this evening by a concert arranged by the parishioners, during the couree of which an illuminated address will be presented by the Rev. Monsignor Cullen. The celebrations will conclude with a demonstration and the presentation of an illuminated address by the school children on Tuesday afternoon.