Leeston

New Zealand Tablet, 10 January 1918, Page 79

Leeston

(From our own correspondent.) " December 30. There were large congregations at all the Masses on Christmas Day, many visitors being present on account of the holidays. In order to mark the festive season in celebration of the Nativity of our Divine Saviour large numbers approached the Holy Table both at the Leeston and Southbridge churches. On Sunday last/ after the .11 o’clock Mass there was a meeting of the parish committee of the Catholic Federation, the Rev. Father Hoare presiding.-. Matters in connection with local parish work were discussed, also correspondence from' the diocesan secretary. Messrs. John F. O’Brien/ and Ignatius N. O’Boyle (secretary) were delegated to attend the half-yearly meeting of the diocesan council to be held in Christchurch on January 22* ~ v-■. January 7. Sunday last being .Intercession Sunday, Rev. Father . Hoare, S.M., at the Masses in Leeston and Southbridge, exhorted the congregation to pray earnestly for an , honorable and lasting peace. Throughout the British Empire that day, he said, the King had asked that prayers be offered -in/ all the churches in supplication, and it was most fitting 'that this day should coincide with the first Sunday, when our Divine Lord would bo exposed in the Blessed Sacrament upon the altar. It was well known that most of the miracles at Lourdes took place during the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and he earnestly asked the congregation to attend in their numbers, and during the procession in the evening to pray to the King of Kings for the success of the Allied arms. In the evening at Leeston there was again a large congregation,, when the usual services in connection with the first Sunday were held. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament concluded the day’s devotions.