DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1911, Page 2648

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

December 26.

- At the Cathedral on Christmas Day seven Masses were celebrated, the first three Masses by Rev. Father Holbrook, Adm., and the others by Rev. Father Ormbnd. All the Masses were largely attended, particularly by men, numbers of whom received Holy Communion. His Lordship the Bishop celebrated Pontifical High Mass at 11 o'clock, Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly being assistant priest, Rev. Father Liston deacon, Rev. Father Ormond subdeacon, and Rev. Father Holbrook master of ceremonies. There were also present in the sanctuary Right Rev. Mgr. O'Haran and Rev. Father O'Doherty. His Lordship preached a sermon appropriate to the day's festival. The choir, under Mr. Hiscocks, sang with much taste Millard's Mass. In the evening in lieu of Vespers,, a splendid selection of sacred items was given by the choir, followed by a fine sermon on the Nativity by Rev. Father Hunt, C.SS.R. There were very large congregations at all the Masses, and also in the evening. The high altar was very artistically adorned.

At St. Benedict's on Christmas Day the two early Masses were said by Right Rev Mgr. Gillan, who also celebrated Mass at Avondale. High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Smiers, Rev. Father O'Malley being deacon, and Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan subdeacon. Mgr. Gillan preached a fine sermon on the day's festival. Rev. Father Forde celebrated a Missa Cantata at midnight at Helensville, and Mass at Henderson on Christmas morning. Rev. Father O'Doherty preached at St. Benedict's on Christmas evening. The altar was handsomely decorated, and the crib was tastefully designed. At the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, the early Masses were said by Rev. Father O'Farrell, and the later Masses by Rev. Father Wright. At. the Sacred Heart Convent Masses were said by Rev. Father Liston, at the Mater Misericordire Hospital by Right Rev. Mgr. O'Haran, at St. Vincent's Home by Rev. Father O'Doherty, and midnight Mass St. Mary's Convent by Monsignor O'Reilly.