DIOCESE OP CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 2 January 1913, Page 26

DIOCESE OP CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) December 27. The Rev.. Father Taylor, Marist Missionary, after concluding a retreat for the Sisters of the Missions at the convent, Ashburton, commenced another ,on Friday for the Sisters at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Lower High street, Christchurch. A squad of St. Anne’s Senior Cadets from South Wellington, and now in Christchurch for the''military tournament, formed a guard of honor at the mtin entrance to the Cathedral on Christmas morning, prior to the commencement of the Pontifical High Mass. Subsequently the company occupied the front row of seats in the Cathedral, and at the Consecration presented arms -whilst the bugler sounded a call in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. The fine military bearing of the Cadets, and the perfect precision with which, the various movements were performed, elicited much favorable comment. Captain R. E. Martin was in charge. Masses were celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Manchester street, on Christmas Day at 7 and 9.30 o’clock by the Rev. Father H. McDonnell, S.M., of Greenmeadows, Hawke’s Bay. The choir, under Mr. Corrigan, gave a capable rendering of Gounod’s ‘Messe Solennelle.’ At the eleven o’clock Mass Novello’s 1 Adeste • Fideles ’ was sung at the Offertory. Mrs W. Cronin was organist. There were largo numbers of communicants at the early Masses and crowded congregations in the morning, and at the evening devotions. The high altar and sanctuary were very tastefully adorned. Masses were celebrated also in the suburban churches of the parish of Christchurch North, St. Michael’s (Hornby), St. Joseph’s (Papanui), and the Immaculate Conception (New Brighton). Christmas Day was observed in the Cathedral with all the solemnity usually associated with the great ;Christian festival. Masses were celebrated from six to ten o’clock, at each of which, especially the earlier ones, large numbers approached the Holy Table. There was Pontifical High Mass at eleven o’clock. His Lordship the Bishop was celebrant, Rev. Fathers O’Boyle and Quinn, S.M., deacons of honor at the throne. Rev. Fathers Hanrahan and Murphy, 8.A., deacon and subdeacon respectively of the Mass, and Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., master of ceremonies. His Lordship the Bishop preached a brief discourse dealing with the Incarnation and birth of our Divine Saviour, and at the conclusion of Mass imparted the episcopal and Papal blessings. The music was,Haydn’s ‘ Im-* perial Mass,’ capably rendered by the choir, Mr. Alfred Bunz being organist. The ‘ Adeste Fidel es ’ was sung as the Bishop was robing, and at the' Offertory Gounod’s ‘ Ave Maria,’ with ’cello obbligato, was sung. The high altar and sanctuary were tastefully adorned with flowers and foliage, the altars of the principal chapels in the Cathedral reflecting likewise the devoted care of the ladies of the Altar Society. A realistic representation of the grotto of Bethlehem, the tribute of the sacristan and sanctuary boys, occupied a recess near the front entrance of the Cathedral. ■ His Lordship the Bishop officiated at Pontifical Vespers in the evening, the attendant clergy being mainly those assisting in the morning, also the Rev. Father Bartley, S.M., M.A. The occasional sermon was preached, by his Lordship the Bishop on the subject of the day’s festival. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament concluded the ceremonies of the day, which were attended by large congregations. Masses were celebrated on Christmas Day .at St. Anne’s (Woolston), the Sacred Heart (Addington), and St. Agnes’ (Halswell)—-sub-urban churches of the Cathedral parish.