DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1911, Page 2647

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.

December 26.

Midnight Mass was celebrated at Christmas in the chapel of the Sacred Heart Convent by Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., chaplain. .

Very Rev. Father Brown, CSS.R., Superior of the Waratah Monastery, concluded a retreat to the

Sisters of Mercy at tlio convent, Colombo street, on Saturday. ;: ;

Rev. Father Bartley, S.M., M.A., commenced today a retreat for the Sisters of the Missions, at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, High street.

Christmas Day in Christchurch was marred by very inclement weather. At the time of writing the conditions are unfavorable for out-door pleasure, necessitating the abandonment or postponement of the Catholic excursion picnic and sports gathering. _,_ ;-•

Masses were celebrated in St". Mary's Church, on Christmas Day, almost continuously from 7 o'clock, andattended by large congregations, there being over 500 communicants at the early Masses. There was a Missa Cantata at 11 o'clock, at which the Rector, Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., was celebrant. Brief addresses were given at all the services on the subject of the day's festival; cordial good wishes for all the joys and blessings of Christmas being also extended. The music was selected from various Masses and was excellently rendered by the choir, Mrs. W. Cronin being organist. In the evening there were Solemn Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, given by the Very Rev. Dean Hills, attended by Rev. Fathers Hoare', S.M., and Dignan, S.M. Rev. Father Morkane, of Holy Cross Ecclesiastical College, Mosgiel, Dunedin, assisted in the morning. In the suburban churches of the parish Masses were celebrated as follow : —The Church of the Immaculate, New Brighton, St. Joseph's, Papanui, and St. Michael's, Hornby.

On Sunday evening at the Cathedral there were Solemn Pontifical Vespers and Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Masses were celebrated on Christmas morning almost continuously from 6 o'clock to half-past 9, each being attended by very large congregations, the greater portion of which were communicants. At 11 o'clock there was Pontifiaal High Mass. His Lordship Bishop Grimes was celebrant, the Rev. Father Graham, S.M., M.A., assistant Driest, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy and the Rev. Father Gilbert, S.M., M.A., deacons of honor at the throne, the Fathers Daull; S.M.A., and Hanrahan, deacon and subdeacon respectively of the Mass, and the Very Rev. Father Price (Administrator) master of ceremonies. First addressing the congregation in general terms ,and then from the gospel of the day his Lordship the Bishop preached an impressive discourse, showing the birth of the Divine Saviour to be the fulfilment of the prophecies of ages and the realisation of the symbols and figures predicting the advent of the Messiah. The music was Gounod's Messe Solennelle, excellently rendered by the choir, with Mr. Alfred J. Bunz at the organ. At the offertory Novello's arrangement of the 'Adeste Fideles' was sung. In the evening there was Pontifical Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The occasional preacher was the Rev. Father Bartley, S.M., M.A., of St.'Patrick's College, who delivered an eloquent sermon to a very large congregation. The sanctuary and high altar were profusely and most tastefully adorned with choicest flowers and foliage, and in the evening brilliantly illuminated. The whole of the nine fully-fur-nished side chapels were also beautifully adorned for the occasion. Masses were celebrated at the suburban churches of the Cathedral parish at 8 a.m. in that of the Sacred Heart, Addington, and at 9 a.m. in St. Agnes's Church, Halswell.