Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-05-29
PETIT JURORS.
St Francis de Sales Church.

The Rt. Rev. John S. Michaud, D. D.,
coadjutOr bishop of Burlington, must
have been sure that warm welcome al
ways awaits him here, when he saw the
large audiences that greeted him at both
| the morning and afternoon services, Sun
day, in the church of which he was for
several years the loved pastor. and by a
people, also, who irrespective of creed,
hold him in fond remembrance. The first
Mass was at o'clock, at which the Rev.
A. j. Barron, pastor of the church, was
the Celebrant. One hundred and six
teen children made their first COmmun-
ion on this occasion.
High Mass was celebrated at 10 o clock,
the bishop being present, seated on the
throne, and preaching the sermon.
Father Barron, whose acceptably fills
the position so long occupied by Bishop
Michaud, was the Celebrant also at this
Mass. Both services were attended by
large congregations, and the bishops
words were listened to with wrapt atten-
ton.
In the afternoon there were three SER
vices held Pontifical Vespers, Confir-
nation, and Benediction to close. The
class for confirmation consisted of 1l6,
who made their first Communion, only
SO of whom received the Sacrament, the
others being held book on account of
their youth. This class was the largest
ever confirmed in the history of this
church. The girls were dressed in white,
the boys in black suits, with white gloves
and rosettes, all presenting a very fine
appearance, and one of which the pastor
and people had reason to feel proud.
The sponsors for the boys were Michael
WEIGH and Patrick Fallon, for the girls,
Misses Lizzie Fleming and Nellie Pur-
cell. Before the hour set for the services
to begin, the church, with the exception
of two rows of pews on the middle aisle,
was filled. The high altar was hand
somely decorated with flowers and
green, the Shrine of the B. V. NJ, was
covered with flowers and house plants.
The Bishop and attending Clergy, the
Rev. Fathers Barron, LaChance and Pa
quet, were escorted from the Parochial
residence by the class to be confirmed;
the Sodality B. V. NJ, in regalia; the
Father Matthew T. A. B. Society, also
in regalia (both carrying banners); the
Bishop and clergy in carriages, the con-
gregation accompanying the procession
which formed in the order given, and
moved to the church, arriving at 4
o'clock. The Bishop was received by the
Parish Priest at the door in the usual
form, escorted to the throne ON the left
of the altar where he vested. The peo-
pie were admitted until standing room
was at premium and hundreds outside
were unable to gain admittance. The
Bishop was assisted in the services by
Fathers Barron as deacon; LaChance of
North Bennington, sub deacon and Pa
Quet of Arlington as master of ceremOn-
les. Before Confirmation the Bishop
spoke few appropriate words to the
class before him, calling their attention
to the sacredness of the occasion, and
that they were soon 30 be received into
the arms of Mother Church.
At the close of the Confirmation SER
vice he again addressed the audience in
few remarks. The singing by the
large chorus choir was an important
part of the service. The music rendered
was full Vespers, under the direction Of
Chas. II. Bennett, organist and chorister,
with solos, Ave Maria by E. @. Bennett,