HASTINGS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 24, 15 October 1897, Page 29

HASTINGS.

(From an occasional correspondent.")

Sunday, September 28, was a day of great solemnity in the Church of the Sacred Heart. At 8 o'clock Mass was celebrated by the parith priest, the Rev. Father Smythe, at which about twenty children made their first Holy Communion. The Rev. Father preached a short but touching sermon to the communicants, and then made an appeal to those present to pray that the Almighty might give them the grace to preserve their heart* pure and free from sin.

The opening of the Forty Hours' Adoration took place at the 11 o'clock Mass, there was Solemn High Mass. sung by the Very Rev. Dr. Pestre ; deacon, Rev. Father Smythe ; sub-deacon, Rev. Father Menaid. At the end of Mass a procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament took place around the grounds, at which assisted the various sodalities, including also the Hibernians in regalia carrying banners. Amongst these were especially noticeable those of the Sacred Heart, Children of Mary, St. Patrick. In the evening there was solemn Vespers in presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Rev. Dr. Kennedy of Meanee, preached a very telling and practical^sermon on " Final Perseverance."

i On Monday morning Missa pro pace was sung by the Rev. Dr, Kennedy and adoration was well attended during the day.

On Monday evening solemn Vespers was sung by the Rev. Father Bell, and the Very Rev. Father Patterson, of Palmerston North, peiched a "very eloquent sermon on " The love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus," particularly as shown in the Most Blessed Sacrament. On Tuesday morning the Rev. Father Patterson was celebrant ; deacon, Rev. Father Power ; sub-deacon, Rev. Father Bell ; the parish priest being master of ceremonies. The choir under the

leadership of Mr. J. H. Loughnan rendered the music in a very impressive manner and the Rev. Father Smythe expressed his pleasure at the devotedness manifested by his congregation, and felt especially gratified at the large number that had approached the Holy Table. He thanked in a special manner the visiting olergy, whj so kindly assisted him to carry out the ceremonies in a manner really worthy of the occasion.

I might here remark that the altar was splendidly decorated by the devoted Sisters of St. Joseph, and that the sanctuary boys, twenty -two in number, performed their respective parts in a manner that would do credit to young seminary students.