The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-20
MASSES AT ST. PETERS
ORDER or SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS DAY.
FOR
Celebration by Rev. Fathers Savage,
 o'Brien and shea-Bishop A1- len Issues an Appeal for the Orphans.

The services at St. Peters Catholic Church Christmas day will be in the form of three masses. the last mass at 10:3( o'clock being followed by benediction. The masses will be at a. m. a. m and 10:30 a. m. The first mass at 6 o'clock will be . high mass celebrated by Rev. Father Dennis Savage, parish rector. The music at this mass will be sung by the Catholic school children under the direc- ton of Professor E. l.. Merriam. Professor Merriam has been training the voices of the children for some time and the music by them is said to be very fine. This mass will be followed imme- diately by another mass.
 At z o'clock there will be mass ceIe- brated by Rev. Father H. A. OBrien.
 The last mass at 1o:3o will be a high mass and will be celebrated by Rev. Father Shea, Rev. Father De Bourne, 8. J., will preach at this mass.
 Each of the three priests at the rectory will probably say three masses Christmas day as masses will be said at the Con- vent of the Sisters of Loretto and at St, Margarets Hospital
 The following Christmas appeal for the orphans from Rt. Rev. Bishop Allen will be read at both masses today:
 The annual collection for the support Of the orphans will be taken up at Christ mas time.
 '"The object of this collection appeals to every kind and sympathetic heart. No matter how far one may fall from grace he always retains some trace of that di- vine seal which the Creator stamped upon his soul when He made him to His own image and likeness. Hence to sympathize with the afflicted. to feel for their wants and woes, and to hasten to relieve them Is dictate of humanity itself. While it is natural impulse, it is also Godlike because. if there is a way in which we can. here on earth. hope to resemble our bountiful Creator. it is in Ills mercy and His boundless charity.
 Aims given to the poor from motives of common humanity. are never thrown away. Be he saint or sinner, the man who bestows aims does a work good in itself, obeys a law impressed upon his nature by the great Author of his being and does that which being naturally right and proper will receive a reward from an infinitely just and munificent Lord and Master of creation.
 '"rhe Christian. however ought to give aims from higher and hoiier motives, from those motives of pure charity. which divine faith teaches and inspires. He should look on the suffering poor and orphans as the afflicted members of Jesus
 
 that, in soothing their misfortunes, in re- lieving their wants, he is doing it to Him Who is our Redeemer and who will one day be our Judge. He Himself has 50 stat ed 1t: Amen, say to you. as long as you did it to one of these my least breth- ren, you did it to Me" Matt. XIV, 70. What sublime motive for your benevo- lence is given in this plain declaration of the Man-God! Tn sheltefing. clothing and feeding these poor orphans, you do vir- tually the same act, and gain the same merit and you will receive the same re- ward as if you had rendered the same service to the Incarnate Word when He came on earth.
 "At Christmas time, when the myster- ies of Bethlehem are brought so vividly before us. this motive ought to appeal most powerfully to all hearts and prompt them to deal generously with the or phans.
 "Our orphans must be cared for and shielded not only from moral and social ruin but also from becoming through the worlds neglect, the pest and scourge of society. Our asylums, are doing blessed work and they should receive the encour- agement of every public spirited citizen. wishing you and your flock all the graces and blessings of the Christmas season, am.
 Sincerely yours in Christ,
 ''Edw. P. Allen,
 "J. w. Shaw, Bishop of Mobile"
 Secretary"