The Jersey City news., 1899-12-16

Mary A, McMahon, Assistant Recording
| Secretary: Isabella NutIey, Financial Sec
retary: Mrs. Eliza Kenny. Treasurer; Mrs.
Crane, Guard: Mrs. Mary Kane, Marshall;
Mrs. Elizabeth Kelleher, Past President.
I The branch is growing in membership,
and a spirit of sisterly love predominates.
A new year of success Is eagerly antici-
pated. social session was held after
the regular meeting Thursday night ard
the members spent most delightful hour.
Miss Kate Dunning won the white se-
eret.'.
st. Peters.
The pupils of the first grade of st.
Peters Parochial School held recep-
tion last Thursday afternoon in their
class room After they had partaken Of
feast Of cake and cream they adjourned
10 ST. Peters Hall where all had a good
time.
At the meeting of the Young. Mems
and Ladies Sodality next Thursday
evening the Rev. Father Harpes will pre-
side. The melting will be held in the up
per part of the church Now that the
winter months are here the members of
the Lyceum gather every evening in large
numbers In the Lyceum rooms and indulge
in the many games to be found in the
handsome clubhouse. The bowling team
OF the Lyceum can be seen practicising al
mast every night 1t is entered in the
Catholic Bowling League and It intends
to be ready to meet the strongest team IN
the league.
St. Rrfdgst's.
The newly elected officers Of st. Brid-
r
and they intend to make this winters sea-
son a very lively one.
The Rev. Father Ryan and his assist
ants are still busily engaged taking the
census Of the parish. Money for the three
late pastors of the church still pours in
and in a short while work will be begun
on them.
From Everywhere.
Bishop Wigger, of the Roman Catholic
diocese of Newark, who will be the first
American prelate to say mass in the Grot-
to of the Nativity at Bethlehem, received
the honor from the Franciscans in recog-
milton of his support and assistance to
the Commissariat of the Holy Land on
Mt. St. Sepulchre, Washington. In a
larger sense 1t is an honor conferred be-
cause 1t is to this country that Francis
cans are to look in future for men to
serve at the shrines of the Holy Land.
Ffanciscans have long officiated at these
shrines, and the new commissariat at
Washington is to obtain brothers and
priests for this spiritual. educational and
relief work Hence the honor of the
forthcoming Christmas service in the fa-
nous grotto, and the selection of the
Newark Bishop.
The Christmas mass conducted in the
grotto by the Patriarch of Jerusalem is
most impressive. The French Consul al
ways comes from Jerusalem with re-
tinue of horsemen. and the Sheik OF
Bethlehem goes out to meet him. On
Christmas Eve service begins with
pontifical mass in the Franciscan church.
This service is concluded shortly before
midnight and then an imposing process
sion, bearing countless candles, advances
to the grotto The crucifer leads, the
priests clad in richest yestments. The
Patriarch bears in his arms with great
precaution a wax figure of the Christ
which rests on silken cushions. rose col
ored and embroidered in gold When
the manger is reached the Gospel story
OF the immaculate cOucept1UA - tolut a.
ter which the image is laid in the man
ger The service lasts until about two
| in the morning.
1t is now expected that by next Octo-
Der the initial building of the Catholic
| College for Women, near Washington
| can be opened for students. The corner
stone, just laid. is Of Trinity Hall, q
building the plans for which have beer
| considerably altered since originally pub.
lished last spring. Additional land has
4 also been purchased. Trinity College Il
| for the higher education Of Catholic
women, similar to Bryn Mawr, and one
| of the prime movess in it is Miss Olive
Risley Seward, who will be remembered
| as the author of a life of her father
Mr.. Lincoln's Secretary Of State The
| college will be in charge of the Sisters
of Notre Dame de Namur, teaching
! order having already many schools II
! this country, coming here from Belgium
| by invitation Of the late Archbishop Fur
| cell, of Cincinnati, and having theil
| chief house in that city.
|