DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 9 January 1913, Page 47

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) December 28. Next Friday week the men’s branch of the Sacred Heart Sodality meet at 7.30 p.m., and the general Communion will take place on the following Sunday. This sodality was started about a month ago, and is now over 100 strong. The women’s branch has been also established, and meets every Friday previous to the first Sunday in the month, when a general Communion will take place. ■ At Ilelensville, in St. Benedict’s parish, the festival of Christmas was ushered in by the celebration of Midnight Mass by Rev. Father Forde, when a number of people received Holy Communion. Masses were also celebrated at Avondale and Richmond by Rev. Father McLaughlin, and at St. Benedict’s at 6.30 and 7.30 and at Surry Hills at 9 o’clock by Monsignor Gillan, V.G. Rev. Father Forde celebrated High Mass at 11 o clock at St. Benedict’s, Monsignor Gillan being deacon and Rev. Father Clarke subdeacon. Monsignor Gillan preached on the ‘ Nativity.’ In the evening there were Rosary and Benediction.. Monsignor Gillan referred in suitable terms to the dignity conferred, on Monsignor Brodie, which was in every respect wellmerited. The high altar was beautifully decorated, as was also the cribthe work of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Children of Mary Confraternity. . • . At the Cathedral on Christmas Day Masses were celebrated from six until eleven o’clock. ' His Lordship Dr. Cleary celebrated Pontifical High Mass at eleven o’clock. Very Rev. Father O’Connell, ■ S.M., was assistant priest, Rev. Fathers Holbrook and O’Malley being deacon and subdeacon respectively of the Mass, and Rev. Fathers McCarthy, S.M., and O’Doherty deacons, at the throne. His Lordship the Bishop preached on the day s festival, and concluded by invoking God’s blessing on all his priests and people. Haydn s ‘ Imperial Mass’ was sung in a finished manner by the choir, under Mr. Hiscocks. In the evening the choir gave a choice selection of, devotional music. His Lordship the Bishop presided. Rev. Father McCarthy preached an impressive sermon on the great festival of the day, after which there was Pontifical Benediction. The high altar was decorated with much taste, and the crib was very handsomely adorned. The Sisters of Mercy and several young ladies are to be complimented for their labors in this matter.