DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1, 5 January 1905, Page 13

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.)

December 29. The Christmas festivities were impressively carried owt in the city chorches. At the Cathedral Masses wexe said at 6 a.m., 6.30, 7.30, 9, 10, and High Mass at 11 o'clock, which was celebrated by Rev. Father Patterson, Adm., Father Holbroojc being deacon, and Father Cahill stutoWeacon. The early Masses weire largely attended, aihlEl the communicants were very numerous 1 . The confraternities of the Children of Mary anfl Guard of Homor in their regalia were in attendance. His Lordsnip tihe Bishop was present in the sahctulafry at the last Maps,, and after tbe first Gospel aiddrpseed the congregation in language appropriate to the great festival of the Nativity. The choir was in good force and form, awd reuideTed in fine style Merca,dante's Mass, upder the charge of Mr. P. F. Hiscocks. The church was crowded, mlany halving tup sitland tihroughdut the Mass. In the evening Vespers were sung, after which the Rev< Father Benedict, 0.P., delivered a suitable disaourse. Pontifical Bemetiiiotion foUaweti by trtie Bishop, Rev. Father Hlolbrook being deacon and Father Cahill subdeacon. Rev. Fatlher Benedict, 0.P., also assisted. There was, again a very large congregation present. The ahlurah has' recently undergone a thorough renovation insiMe, aM Wow looJks vejry well. The high altar was tastefully decorateid, and at Benediction presented a beautiful spectacle. The Chrisitmas crib in the southern wiftig was strikingly realistic, and during tihe day and evening was 1 visited by many of the faithful. At St.. Benedict's the early Masses were attended very well, ain)d the number and devotion of commlitiibants were m/ost edifying. The high altar was handsomely decorateid by tjhe good Sisters of St. Joseph. Vespers and Befrefdictlotn were given, at which tihe faithfkil assisted in large nunvbers. At the Sacred Heart Church there were early Masse® and a Missa Cantata at ten o'clock. After the last Mass Re)v\ Father Buckley made a nice presentation, on behialf of tihe members of the choir, to the flondjuctloir, Mr. T. Aidamp, for his long and valued senvices as choirmaster and conductor, and hoped Khat 'he wjolild long comtinAie tto wield the baton in the Sacred Heart choir, a wish which he re-edhodd on behalf of the parishioners and himself. Mr. Attains suitably replied anW returned his most hearty thanks.