The Newtown bee., 1900-06-01

Sunday was notable day st St Roses
 church, the large auditorium being filled
 at each of the three principal services oi
 the day. The day also marked the close
 of the Mission conducted by the Fran
 cigcan fathers, which has been very suc'
 cessful and largely attended.
 At the second service on Sunday high
 mass was celebrated, Bishop TierneJ
 being present. Father Smith was the celebrant, Father Dominic ScanloD dea- con and Father Mann sub-deacon
 Fathers Lynch and Kennedy of Danbury, and Father Fox, the pastor, were also present within the sanctuary. The class presented to the Bishop for confirmation was an unusually large one. The girls, as is customary, were dressed in white with wells and the boys wore bands of ribbon upon their arms.
 The address of she Bishop to the class confirmed was couched in language that
 the youngest could understand, and was attentiyely listened to by all. He spoke substantially as follows: desire to \ congratulate you first of all, on this beautiful day for your confirmation serv- ] ice. You have had the benefit of the Mission during the last week which must have prepared you for this solemn event. It has given you time for thought and to ! make your prayers to Almighty God. The sacrament of confirmation is the completion of the sacrament of baptism, and through these ordinances you be- come soldiers of Jesus Christ. And speaking of soldiers we think of strong men, men who leave home to fight for country and to suffer hardship and pri- vation. You are called to be soldiers of Jesus Christ. You may not have to leave home and fight in foreign lands, but you are constantly to fight against the Evil One. Because of the necessity of strength in this conflict God has given you the sacrament of confirmation. Unless we are fortified by these holy sacraments of the church we cannot be victorious. To-day you receive God, the Holy Ghost. He brings you seven-fold gift, which is yours not only to receive, but to use. If you make use of this gift 1t is good; if not, you cannot expect blessing. Use this gift in your contest against the Evil One, use it to fortify you in the faith, especially those who, to-day, in this sacrament follow in the path ot our Blessed Redeemer.
 The grace is given you to enable you to fight. The first important virtue in soldier is obedience. And as soldier Jesus Christ we must obey. And then we must remember the conflict Is on every day. We must remember we are Cath olics every day of our life. Let me re- mind you never to forget your prayers, and to pray devoutly. Remember you are talking to Almighty God.
 After the service of confirmation Bish- op Tierney again addressed the children, substantially as follows: want to have you bear in mind. children, that you can always do good. You can so behave that people will ask you why you are so good. You now possess the grace of God, and see to it that you do not possess the grace in vain. Let this day be one of rejoicing to you. You are more responsible to-day than you were yester- day. The fault of yesterday was not as great ag that of tomorrow. Let us re- member to say our prayers, to attend confession and mass. A Catholic who neglects to attend mass commits mortal sin. And let us always remember, chil- dren, how much we have to thank God for his mercies. Our life is indeed miracle, for which we have to thank God. The Great Enemy will tempt you to many sins. There is one sin that despoils the home, separates husband and wife, chill dren from parents and which brings poverty and distress. speak of intem- perance, I speak of drunkenness. We want you to grow up good and sober men and women. I ask you, children, to take the pledge until you are 21 years of of age. If you keep it then you will keep it for life.'
 Following the address to the children 6 statue of St Anthony of Padua was un- yelled and blessed by the Bishop.
 T,Ea S&orr MeuufA ctur;no Cc of Nan