St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, Te Aroha.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4406, 4 May 1909, Page 2

St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, Te Aroha.

On Sunday, at the 9 o’clock Mass, about 30 boys and girla made their first Communion. As the occasion has always been considered to be one of the most important in the life of the child, it is not surprising that, in spite of the inclemency of the weather, the church was crowded with the parents and friends of the children. The girls were dressed in white and wore wreaths andvei's, and as they knelt at the alter rails the parish priest (Father McGuinrtess) addressed them with great earnest ness. Me told them of the great efficacy of the prayers of children, especially children who had just made their first Communion, and asked thorn all to pray earnestly for their parents, who had the first claim upon them, also for the Church and the parishoners generally, and added with*much feeling, that ho hoped they woqld remember their priest. After Mass the children proceeded in processional order to the Convent where a substantial breakfast had been provided by the Sisters assisted by a Committee of the ladies of the parjsh. Npedless to say the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and doubtless will always look back with pleasure on the happy day on which they made their first Communion. The .Sisters at the Convent are to be congratulated not only on tho way in which the children were prepared, but also, for the manner in which tho whole arrangements were carried out