The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-05-25
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES
Large Gathering at the AnnunciatiOn
Church Last Evening.
ELABORATE FLORAL DECORATIONS.
The Occasion Was the Annual Reception
and Initiatory Ceremonies of the So
dality-Rev. oConnor, of Potts
vile, Delivered the Sermon.

The Church of the Annunciaton on West
Cherry street was the scene of brilliant and
most impressive event last evening, the oc-
casion being the annual reception and nita-
tory service of the Ladies of the Sodality,
religious and charitable society connected
with the church. The event is always of
much importance and the large congregation
takes great pride and interest in it. Last
night fully twenty-five hundred people must
have been in attendance. All available space
in the church was occupied. Among them
were many from neighboring towns and not
few from distant points.
The interior of the church presented a
beautiful appearance. The altar and shrines
were engulfed by lilies bleeding-hearts, car
nations and roses of various hues and other
beautiful flowers, and their fragrance per-
vaded the spacious place of worship. The
sight presented by this splendid array and
the procession of about two hundred little
| girls dressed in spotless white, wearing white
wreaths and carrying red, lilac and yellow
silk banners, made a dazzling effect.
The ceremonies commenced shortly after
seven o'clock and continued until almost
nine, but they were of such an interesting
character and the singing by the choir and
soloists was so pleasing that the large gather
ing was far from wearied when Rev. II. f.
! O'Reilly, the pastor, congratulated the
SOdality upon the success of the event and
dismissed the congregation.
Rev. o Reilly was assisted during the even
ing by Rev. Henry Naylon the curate of the
church; Rev. j. l.. OConnOr, Of Pottsville
Rev. j. Mccullough of Girardville Rev
Pendergrast, of Fackville, and Rev. Carten,
of Mahanoy City. Rev. O'COnnor delivered
the sermon to the Sodality and initiates. Mr..
Edward Coughlin, Of town, was the organist
and conductor during the evening, and
Mr.. l.. J. Coughlin, led the choir.
The singing was beautifully impressive as
rendered by both the choir, soloists and
children, and especially so on the part Of the
former The many difficult selections We're
almost faultessy rendered. Among the
soloists were Misses Annie Z. Coogan, Maggie
Laferty, Maggie Z. Cavanaugh aud Katie
AIaley. Misses Jane T. Lambert and Maggie
Laferty with Messrs. p. J. Feeley and
William Hill formed an effective quartette
Miss Lizzie AIcAudrew and Mr.. j. Rcith,
rendered valuable assistance to the alto
and basso parts of the choir. Among the
hymns rendered during the evening were
Come Children Joyously," "Chaplet of
Roses" Rose of the Cross and Mary all
Fair and Beautiful"
The ceremonies opened with the march of
the children robed in white. Seventeen altar
boys were in advance They marched down
the east aisle to the altar. crossed to the west
aisle and marched back to the front of the
church. and then proceeded down the main
aisle where they remained during the
balance of the ceremonies. During the pro.
ce,sion there was singing bv the choir and
children This was followed bv scriptural
recitations bv the following little pirls
Lizzie Monaghan. Jennie Betteridpe. Nav
Burns Nav Doolev Nellie Hauphton Agnes
Bradigan Annie NTonaobau Annie Rurke
| Mary Mitchell MAGGIE Foley. Julia Uipoins
Lizzie Wbalen. Sabina Lailv. Name Welsh
and SalHe Devers Masters John Garfield and
| Harry Tobin also assumed prominent parts
at this stage of tbe propram.
The crowning of the Virgin Mary was
done by Miss Ella Francv. which was inter.
spered bv selections from the choir Upon
the conclusion of this part of the program
Rev. O'Reilly received the sixty initiates To
the SodaIity and vested them with the
insignia of the society. which consists of a
neat medal suspended from a white satin