CHRISTMAS DAY AT LEESTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 38, 18 January 1895, Page 19

CHRISTMAS DAY AT LEESTON.

(Frum an occasional Correspondent.)

The first Christmas Day we celebrated in our beautiful church of "Our Lady of the Rosary," was an occasion of special rtj )icing for xii. Our good pastjr, the Very Rev Father Chervier, while wishing his people a happy Christmas, congratulated them on having at last bid good-bye to the old church — which he described as being too ranch like the " Stable tf 3tthlehem,'and erected in its place a more fitting dwelling in which to honour the Infant Jesus.

The sanctuary and main altar Were beau 'if ally decorated with evergreen?, toi-tois, Christmas lilies, and scarlet geraniums, and the side altars looked very nice, especially that of "Oar Lady of the Rosary," which was a profusion of lilies, and other whita flowers. The n aseive stone pillars were wreathed in garlaodi of red and white fljwers, each being finished off with the native cabbage tree, and 'he effect of the foliage ou the white background was very beautiful. Amongst those who helped ia the decorating were Mrs Francis O1O 1 Boyle, Misses E. Holley, O'Brien, Oumiuine, Gillens and O'Donobue At tht earnest request of good Father Chervier a very large number of the people received Holy Communion at 7 o'clock Mast, and at 11 o'clock, Solemn High Mass was celebrated, the choir rendering "The Mas 3of the Assumption," with " Adeste Fideles " at the offertory. The solos were taken by Mrs Beily, Miss M. O'Brien and Mr F. Hulley, Miss K-te O'Brien acted as organist.

In the evening the usual devotions were followed by Benedic ion of the Most Blessed Sacrament,