The age-herald., 1900-12-25
The Great Auditorium Filled to Its Capacity
FATHER GREELEY CELEBRAN I
Impressive Services in Commemora- ton of the Nativity of Christ-ln- spring Music by Strong Choir.
 The Christmas Sermon.

The midnight service at-St. Pauls Catho- lie Church in commemoration of the na- tivity of Christ was attended by congre- gation that filled the great cathedral-like building to its utmost capacity. As is usual on the occasion of high festivals, many non-Catholics were present.
 There was solemn high mass with the Rev Father O'Reilly as celebrant, the Rev Father Kennedy as deacon, the Rev. Father Downs as sub-deacon and BenJa- min Platto of St. Bernard's College as master of the ceremonies. Charles Hous- man and David McPoland were the aco- lytes, and many altars were in attendance. Purple, the penitential color which was seen during the Advent season, was re- placed by white, the color denoting joy, and many candles lighted the high altar. The main altar, the sanctuary and the side atars were appropriately dressed with garlands of evergreen and potted plants. When the celebrant and his attendants had entered very beautiful and picturesque was the ensemble.
 The ceremonies began few minutes af- ter the last stroke of twelve sounded from the courthouse tower
 Splendid music.
 
 choir of thirty voices supported by select orchestra sang Gounods "Messe Solonnelle," one of the most angelic of all the masses. With the first notes of the Kyrie hush-a profound silence per vaded the congregation, and the faithful, as they knelt in prayer, saying in their hearts, Lord! have mercy on us. Christ! have mercy on us," must have felt in an -s heaven-inspired music.
 After the Kyrie came the brilliant Gloria, sung with telling spirit. This part of the mass being finished, Father O'Reilly delivered a short sermon from the familiar Christmas text: "I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people, for this day is born to you Savious who is Christ our Lord, in the city of David, or, as 1t is found in the King James trans lation: For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, Savious, which Is Christ the Lord" St. Luke ?: 10 and Il.
 Father oReiIIy's Sermon.
 Father OReilly Said in part:
 "At this time we are invited to return thanks to God for all the benefits which our Lord and Saviour has purchased for mankind. It is day of spiritual joy and festivity. The angels rejoice because the gates of heaven are open to us and be- cause the sentence pronounced against us was removed: because all the graces and blessings of devine mercy are purchased for us.
 With intense ardor did the patriarchs and the prophets look forward to the full- ness of time when the Almighty, the Eternal Word should assume to Himself among His creatures on earth.
 Are our feeling those of gratitude and love on this great commemoration of the birth of our Saviour? Have we prepared our hearts as we should for Him to come and be born spiritually in us?
 After the lapse of four thousand years, from the creation of our first parents, the fullness of time came when the great promises were to be fulfilled, and fulfilled by the mighty, the wise, the learned or the world in general. It was the will of God that faith and not the wisdom of the learned should influence the minds of men in the belief of the mysteries of religion. He chose a poor stable for the place of His birth. He chose the most inclement season of the year. a time when the least accommodation could be had, the least attention given. In the depth of night, in poor manager the Almighty Word assum- ed mortality. Yet He could have had all the heavenly host make a demonstration over His entrace into time and the princes