ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1568, 22 March 1887, Page 3

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, TEMUKA.

, On Saturday last the feast of St. Joseph, the patron Saint of the above Church, was observed at the Church with great festivities. The bells on the previous evening announced the feast. The Church on the occasion presented a most beautiful spectacle. The principal altar was dressed up with lovely flowers, in gold, and lace worked with gold. On the Blessed Virgin's altar were similar decorations, while that of St. Joseph's was adorned with lilies, roses, etc., the artistic work of the Sisters. Added to these the improvements which the Rev. Father Fauyel has had effected lately, the Church bad an unsurpassable apprarance. Higb Maes was celebrated by the Rev. Father Fauvel at nine o'clock, which was well utiendod. About 30 children received their first Communion, for which they have buen preparing for about four weeks, In addition to these about 70 adults availed themselves of the feast to comply with their paschal duty. The choir, under the able conductorship of Sister Ansplm, rendered B»timan!fl Kyrie, Webbe's Gloria and

Credo (Mass in G), and Webbe's Sanctus and Agnus Dei (Fourth Muss in D). A t the Offei tory " Holy Joseph, Dearest Father" (Niederrneyer) was sung,and an appropriate hymn was given while Iho people were going out of the church. After Muk3 the children were conducted by Sisters .Raymond and Beda hi th- schoolroom, were a sumptuous breakiast had been prepared for ihem. The room was decorated most tastefully with evergreens and flowers, whi'e on the table were also lovely bunches of flowers, The tables, which were very long, were five in number, an dwerespread with everything that c<>u dbe desired. There was a special table for the children chich had received their fmt Cora.nuuion, the things on which were still more tempting than on the others. On ;he whole, the room wl'h its decorations iad eatables presented a beautiful appearance. At about ha f-past ten grace ■vns *»<id by the Rev. Father Fauvel, •mi 200 children, besides a large number of adults,, did full justice to the good things kindly provided by the ■3Hiers. After prayers had been offered up, the children, in charge of their teachers, adjourned to the two adjoining paddocks, the boys to one and the girls the other. The girls at different parts of the day wpre in charge of Sisters' Anselm, Mary D«nnis, Mary Joseph, Marie, and Beda, wnile the boys were in charge of the Superioress, Sister Raymond. The lay up to one o'clock was spent in every kind of amusement. A large number of races were got up, the prizes for which cousis'ed of all kinds ' of toys and other things, which seemed to greatly please the children. A large number of parents and friends were, also present, and they, as well as the children, seemed to enjoy themselves to their hearts' content. At one o'clock i.he children partook of lunch in the paddocks, after which they again indulged.in the same kinds of games as before till two o'clock, when the bell rang, calling the child r»n to line up and march into church to attend Benediction, which took place shortly Btier two o'clock. The altar was brilliantly lit up, and the service was most impressive. The choir sang " 0 Salutaris Hostia " ami '« Tantuin Ergo Sacramentum" from fit. Mary's Service, which were rendered with good effect.

Miss Gaffaney presided at the harmonium during Mass, and Miss O. Quinn at Benediction, owing to the unavoidable absence of Miss Gaffaney. After the Benediction the large crowd commenced to make their way homewards, everyone appearing to have enjoyed themselves' thoroughly during the day. On Sunday last the Rev. Father Fauvel delivered a most eloquent, as well as instructive and impressive, sermon, taking for his text " Go to Joseph" —Genesis, xli., 45. This was a sermon appropriate for the feast of St. Joseph, and was dealt with in a masterly and intelligent manner by the rev, gentleman.