Rangiora

New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1911, Page 2517

Rangiora

The devotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament commenced on Sunday, December 3, in the Church of St. Mary and St. Francis of Sales, Rangiora. A Missa Cantata was.celebrated at 11 o’clock by the Rev. Father Hyland, who preached an appropriate sermon on the nature and object of devotion. The church was crowded, large numbers having come from Kaiapoi, Loburn, and Cust. After Mass there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament, in which the Children of Mary and the members of the other parochial confraternities took part. In the evening an impressive sermon on the ‘ Second Coming of Christ ’ was preached by Rev. Father Richards, of Hawarden. The sermon on Monday evening was preached by the Rev. Father Quinn, S.M., of St. Bede’s College, who gave an instructive discourse on the necessity and the advantages of frequent Communion. The clergy from the adjoining parishes helped in the confessionals, and at the Masses on Monday and Tuesday large numbers approached the Holy Table. It was a most edifying spectacle to see the great numbers that were constantly present as adorers during the devotion, many of whom came from remote parts of the parish. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr. Herbert Dix, sang in a faultless manner Turner’s ‘ St. Cecilia’s Mass in B.’ Mrs. H. Dix presided at the organ throughout the Adoration. The altar was most tastefully and artistically decorated by the Sisters of the Mission. A word of praise is due to Mr. and Mrs. Dix for the manner in which they have brought the choir up to their present standard of efficiency.