DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1911, Page 2647

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

On Christmas Day at the Sacred Heart Church, North-east Valley, Masses were celebrated at 6,7, and 7.30 by the Rev. Father Skinner, and at 8.30, 9, and 11 o'clock by the Rev. P. O'Neill. ' At St. Patrick's Basilica, South Dunedin, there were Masses at 6, 7.30, 9, and 11 o'clock on Christmas Day. A feature of the day's ceremonies was the very large number of communicants at the early Masses. Midnight Mass was celebrated in the chapel of the Convent of Mercy, and also in the chapel of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Anderson's Bay. Sincere regret was felt in Dunedin when it became known that the Rev. Brother Brady, principal of the Christian Brothers' School, had been recalled to the mother house of the Order in Sydney. During the seven years that Brother Brady was principal, the school made considerable progress, and the many successes of the pupils at the annual public examinations bore testimony to his ability as an educationist. Brother Brady during his stay in Dunedin had the entire confidence of the parents of the pupils, and his popularity with the boys was unbounded. He took a very keen interest in athletics, and encouraged in every way the various football and cricket teams from the school which had been so successful in past seasons. In his departure from Dunedin Brother Brady took with him the best wishes of the Catholic community.

On Christmas Day at St. Joseph's Cathedral Masses were celebrated continuously from 6 to 9 o'clock, at all of which very large numbers approached the Holy Table. At 11 o'clock his Lordship the Bishop celebrated Pontifical High Mass, Rev. Father Coffey, Adm'., being assistant priest, Rev. Father Scanlan deacon, Rev. Father Skinner subdeacon, and Rev. Father Corcoran master of ceremonies. The sermon on the day's festival was preached by the Rev. Father Coffey. The music was Gounod's Messe Solennelle, which was remarkably we'll rendered by the choir, under the conductorship of Brother Cusack, Mr. A. Vallis presiding at the organ. The proper of the Mass was chanted, and the ' Adeste Fideles ' was sung at the offertory. There were large congregations at all the Masses, and the Cathedral was crowded in the evening when the choir gave several sacred selections appropriate to the Feast of the Nativity. Brother Cusack again conducted, and Mr. A. Vallis presided at the organ. The following were the selections: ——Mrs. Power, Ave Maria' (Gounod) Mr. McGrath, Nazareth Mr. PopplewelL ' Noel' (Barnby) ; Mr. Eager, air from ' Rebekah.' The choir sang 'Joseph Fili David,' the ' Adeste Fideles,' Santley's ' Ave Maria,' and Mozart's Gloria.' At the conclusion there was Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The high altar was very artistically decorated for the festival, white and scarlet flowers and graceful foliage being used for this purpose with much taste and judgment. This was the work of Misses Murphy and White. At the conclusion of the day's ceremonies, the choir was entertained in St. Joseph's Hall. Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., who presided, speaking on behalf of his Lordship the Bishop and himself, thanked the choir for the very excellent music rendered in connection with the day's ceremonies, and also for their services during the year. Thanks were specially due to the conductor (Mr. Vallis) for the state of efficiency to which he had brought the choir, and also to Miss Callan who had proved herself a very capable organist, and one who had a thorough knowledge, of Church music. He concluded by wishing the members a very happy Christmas. Messrs Flynn (secretary) and Vallis briefly replied.