Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-26
CHRISTMAS DAY Ar TnE CHURCHES.
ErIcf Sermons and Elaborate Music
In Many Institutions.


ErIcf Sermons and Elaborate Musi,
In Many Institutions.
The Omaha churches observed the day
OF peace and good will with the usual serv
ices OF appropriate significance. Sermons
were generally brief and elaborate musi,
and the holy communion composed the gen
cral celebration OF the occasion In som,
cases the chancels and organ lofts were
draped with smlax and evergreens, whilt
few potted plants diffused their fragrance
from the altar rails.
At st. Johns Episcopal church the serv.
ices began at midnight Christmas eve, wher
the holy communion was celebrated ant
Monks service in c sung by the full choir
The auditorium was handsomely draped with
eyergreens and illuminated by numerous can.
dies which lent a really impressive effect
to the altar and decorations. Services were
also held at 1880, 10 and o'clock yester-
day.
The Christmas celebration at All Saints
began with the celebration of the holy com
munon at 1880 yesterday morning. Al
1870 the regular services were held and also
a second communion. The musical features
were especially creditable and included q
harp solo and accompRniments by Miss
Pauline Lowe.
At Trinity the holy communion was cele.
brated by Bishop Worthington Immediately
after midnight Christmas eve. The cele-
bration was repeated at 8 o'clock and the
regular Christmas services followed at II
o'clock. The musical program was excep-
tionally elaborate and well rendered.
At St Philomenas cathedral Bishop Sean
nell celebrated the pontifcal high mass at
a. m. This was followed by the papal
benediction and low masses at Z, and
o'clock AT 1890 o'clock the solemn high
mass was celebrated and was followed by the
benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. At
the and 1890 o'clock services La Hache S
mass was sung by the cathedral choir.
At the Catholic church OF the Sacred
Heart the masses were celebrated at 6,
and 1890 o'clock, the last being the high
mass. This was accompanied by the SER
mon and followed~by the benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament. Farmers mass in b
fiat was rendered by the full choir, the solo
lists being Mrs. T. =. O'Brien, Misses Knight,
Jacobberger, Margaret Cannon and Reynolds
and Messrs. Louis Cutting, Emerson and
Peter Henstebeck
At st. Patricks Catholic church the usual
masses were celebrated with high mass at
10 o'clock. At 1880 La Hache's mass was
sung by choir of twenty voices the solo
lists being Mrs. T. j. Mahoney, Misses Gertie
Rush, Perrie Braun NJ Rourke and Ma
honey and Messrs. Mcmillan and Braun.
Perhaps the most unique of this years
Christmas entertainments was that given
ldSI evening at Sl, InllOuena y SCuOUl udlt
In its name and in many of it's features 1t
was suggestive Of the old-time performances
that were the beginning of the modern thea
ter. 1t was mystery play, entitled The
Nativity of Christmas" 1t was under the
auspices of the Sisters of Mercy, who are
teachers in the school, and the parts were
taken by pupils as follows: The Virgin Mary
Miss Eliza Tracey; Elizabeth, Miss Blanche
McKillip; Angel of the Annunciation, Miss
Annie Garvey; heralding angel, Miss Gene
viz Trpft tl,nf ft,fa no1, CnA,
Joseph, Edward Kennedy; King Herod and
court, Christopher Mason, Jerry Maher, Jo-
seph Connor, Richard Maher, Arthur Ken
ney, Richard Kennedy, Frank McInerny and
Edmund Schuhart; kings from the east
Harry Lahey John Croft, Edmund Johnson;
shepherds, Patrick Kennedy, Albert Falls
and Albert Moore.
The chorus choir OF forty-five children's
voices was supplemented by the cathedral
choir, and all the music was under the di-
rection of Miss Swift, the leader of the or
ganist.
The stage was festoooned with ropes of
evergreen, and above in gilt letters was
Merry Christmas The youthful actors
had indulgent critics and met with applause
at every point. The entertainment was en-
joyed by several hundred. The proceeds are
for the benefit of the school,
The day began with an o'clock prayer
service at the Peoples church. Then while
part of the working force were preparing
lne trees anOtneT party went with the pas
tor to the funeral of little child, and from
there they went into the homes of the poor
and destitute, carrying provisions for the
families, and candy and toys for the chill
dren. Thirty-five calls were made before
sunset and much good was accomplished A
special invitation had been extended to Mr..
Savidge and his workers by Mr.. Wright,
superintendent of the poor farm, and Sheriff
Mcdonald of the county jail Handsome
bouquets had been secured and these were
especially acceptable to those who We're shut
in. The time at these institutions was
profitably spent in conversation short ad-
dresses, prayers and songs. The evening
was spent at the church. where delightful
time was given the children. The attend
ance was large and the program excellent,
and the little ones pleased with gifts from
the trees. The best singing that this party
OF singers heard during the day was at the
county Jail, all the prisoners joining in
heartily