The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-04-16
THE NEW CHUKCH.

! the parish of St. Augustine's and to
say that the opening services at the
new church we're successful and enjoy
able is putting it mildly. The new
altar not arriving in time the altar
from the old church was moved to
the new and did service during the
day. 1t was beautifully decorated in
keeping with the spirit of the festival
and in front of and about the altar
palms were tastefuly arranged. But an
extensive display on this occasion was
unnecessary for the beautiful new
church with old and new treasures
here and there about the chancel was
/ enough and the Easter spirit was
manifest everywhere.
The service at O'Clock consisted of
low mass and was we'll attended. The
solemn high mass at 10 80 in the fore
noon was the chief service of the day
and long before the hour set crowd
began to gather at the new church.
When the service commenced about
400 people had gathered in the church
and yet there was not suggestion of
crowding.
The ushers were w. L. Mulqueen,
Robert Fisher, Mitchell Menard, John
Flanagan, A. J. Allard, James Ken
needy, @. f. McKenna, II. T. Premier,
f. P. Callahan, p. j. McAvoy, George
Estee, and W. N. Theriault. After
the pews, which seat 900, had been
filled chairs were brought in and
placed in the vacant places about the
J church and in the aisles. In the con-
gregation were many not connected
the church who had come to. rejoice
with Father O'Sullivan and his con-
creation over the opening of the new
sanctuary.
The service commenced with Men
delssohns 95th Psalm rendered by the
Wilder Orchestra and Mrs. Z. E. Cal
lahan, organist. The musical program
as published in Saturdays Journal
was carried out and Director Galaise
and the choir received many deserved
compliments for the excellent manner
in which this part of the service was
carried out. The solo and duet work
was carried by, Miss Ida Hughes, Mrs.
A. Galaise, Miss Alma X. Fisher,
Miss Rosemary O'Neil, Miss Agnes
Allard, A. Galaise and w. j. Fisher
in manner which deserves high
praise. and the accompaniment of the
orchestra added greatly to the effect of
the music.
The impressive ceremony of solemn
high mass was rendered by Rev.
Father O'Sullivan as celebrant, assist
ed by the Rev. Father A. M. Salmon
of Swanton as deacon, and the Rev.
Mr.. P. r. Renard of Swanton, sub
deacon. The professional entered the
church through the vestry door that
leads to the main body of the church
and in it the officers of the mass were
proceeded by the cross bearer and al
tar boys. During the ceremony Father
O'Sullivan delivered brief but elo-
quent address in English and French
He said in substance that he was at
| lOoo. w libu NOluS w GA DlSSb SN6n re-
motely or feebly the thoughts of this
hour. The scene the occasion are
overwhelmingly significant. This is
the great festival and triumph, it
grave, and the children of men and God
rejoice today because His Son who
came to redeem them has triumphed
over all obstacles, all trials, death and
er, He has won the victory and His
children rejoice because their hero
and cOnquerer has proved to the world
that He has triumphed, and therefore,
because He is.our leader, we rejoice
with Him today.
Father O'Sullivan then spoke of the
new church. He said III part "There
is special local coloring to this
grand celebration today and | bid you
one aud all welcome to this new house
of the risen Christ.
You are welcome after years of
trial during which we were some
times upon the very brink of despair.
You have made sacrifices, you have
had to carry your cross but thanks be
to God you have succeeded. We will
not take pride to ourselves for the
success but will attribute it all to
Him. The pastor said he was happy
as Catholic, happy as "a priest and.
happy as native Vermonter to see
such a church erected in the capital
city of the State, and that he hoped
it would be an incentive to good cit
izenship as well as to religion.
Father O'Sullivan spoke earnestly
and it was plain that he labored under
almost uncomfortable emotion while
speaking. There were tears in the
eyes of many of the congregation, but
happily they were tears of joy and
not of sorrow.