Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-12-28
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY.
At St. Francis de Sales Church
A Notable Occasion-Sermon by
Father Cunningham.

Father Cunningham.
The midnight services in this church
Monday night were largely attended and
were quite impressive. Among the au-
dienCe were many from other churches in
the village, and although the services
were rather long, yet the interest in them
did not abate in the least. One thing of
especial interest to the members of that
church and society was the fact that for
the first time one who had been brought
up in the church was to officiate at Holy
Mass, and had chosen his Mother Church
in which to Celebrate, and to speak his
first words as priest to those whom he
had always known, and who were deep
ly interested in him.
The history of the Rev. Father Cum
ningham is SO well known to the people
of Bennington that it is not necessary
for us to repeat it here; and it must have
been great pleasure to him, when he
looked over the large audience at the
Christmas Eve services, to see there so
many friends, all with a look of welcome
on their faces.
Father Cunningham was ordained
priest by Cardinal Gibbons in the cathe-
dral at Baltimore last Saturday. There
were large number ordained at the
same time of which eleven were
from the New England States. He
10 Of tla
dained priest that ever went from Ben
nington. The services connected with
his ordination began Thursday when in
the chapel of ST. Mray's College he was
made sub-deacon, being made deacon
Friday in the same place. The ordina-
ton services were largely attended, there
being two special car loads from New
York of relatives and friends present in
the cathedral. Among those from this
section were his sister, Miss Lizzie Gun
nIngham and brother Frank. Edward
Granger of Pittsfield, Mass, and among
those who were in attendance at st.
Francis de Sales church were II. Il. Gun
ningham, brother who is a clerk in the
New York post office; an uncle, John
Cunningham and wife of Hazardville
Conn. Mrs Mary German and daughter
Allie of Hinsdale, Mass, Mr. and Mrs.
William Cassidy of Burlington, this State.
Promptly at 1l.45 p. m. the musical
part of the services began, and which
were on scale never before eGualled in
this church. 1t consisted of solos by
E. C. and C H. Bennett, DR.. E. b. Daley,
Mrs. Daley, Miss Hurley, Miss Sullivan,
Miss Foley and quartettes, and violin So
10 by George Donnelly all well rendered,
and all attentively listened to. The Mass
was celebrated by Father Cunningham,
who also delivered the Christmas sermon
of which the following is an abstract.
Father Cunningham said:
Mine is the pleasure to greet you this
blessed night my dear friends, each and
every one of yOu-with the tidings of Joy
and happines-tidings, which were first
heard above the crib at Bethlehem 1900
years ago. "Gloria in excelsis Deo, ct
in terra pax hominibus bonae volunta-
It's" "Glory to God on High, and on
earth peace to men of coed will" Glory
to God on High" for to-day is born
Saviour to the world. Peace to men of
good will" peace to unhappy mankind
so much in need of salvation, peace to
you my dear friends: peace of soul and
peace of heart is my sincere wish to all
Of you this glorious Feast Day. With
the fullness of my heart extend a mer
ry Christmas. Merry; because we have
found Saviour in the GOdchild, merry
i'll having received a peacemaker with
our Omnipotent God.
"Gloria in excelsis Deo;" All yes that
angelic anthem has lost none of its sweet
ness in the course of ages cycles. IL was
taken up few hours ago in the far off
country of Judea, yea at Bethlehem it
self, to start onward over the whole
world upon its almost 19OOth annual mis-
sion Of joyful tidings. AS precursor of