Putnam patriot., 1917-12-28

IL was a big day at St Mary church l Christmas Christina. is a holy dav and 1 there are always large congregations at all ef the services This Christmas was i nique in the history of the parish as it i saw two young men or the parish rais- l ed to the priesthood occupying the sane l tuary offering their first sacrifice of the l mass Frienls and relatives of the young mrn, who have consecrated their l lives To the church med the large audi l torium at both masses Friends af oth- CT religious denominations were pres. 1 ent. Many saw the interior of the 1 church for the first time since # has 1 been renovated and decorated and re
 marked upon its harmonious beauty l Special music was heard at all except | the early six o clock mass The singing
 was of unusual excellence adding much i te the solemnjty of the services Miss l Elizabeth Bvrne was at the organ The children s mass was at eight O !. i elock. The young people of the paroch- 1 ial school were in attendance and the ! musical program was rendered by the children of the parish
 Special interest eentered in the mass eS at 915 and to30 Q clock At the 1 high mas al gf5 Rev Adelard IaGroix son of Alr and Mr~ Narcisse laGroix. l Maynard street. was celehrant Fr l Mayotte acted as deacon. Fr Dvleman a@ sub deacon and Fr Bedard as ma Ster | of ceremonies
 Fr. LaGroiN sang the mass in voice that reached to all parts of the large church lt was a proud and happy day for his parents. relatives and friends i marking thr elimination of wears If pro. tohnd study and the ordination ta the priesthood that took place in Hartford last Sunday
 The music hy the nine clock choir was fine. The program was a~ follows Eeni Creator LaHache St Michael Mass Ioesch Adeste Greeoriop
 Fr Bedard delivered an address in French appropriate to the time It was a Christmas sermon based on the life of Christ Fr Bedard alluded to the young man recently ordained to the priesthood who is to devote his life to the religious duties or the church. ad ministcrrg to the spiritual welfare of the people He took opportunity to wish all present a merry Christmas
 Before the large congregation came from the church after the 915 mass hundreds of people were waiting out side for the 1o1 high mass Fr. Thorn as Mctlarry was celebrant He has liv- cd all of his life in Putnam He has had the esteem and respect of large circle of friends and aequaintances Early in life he decided to study for the priest hood. He persevered in his determina md ail ,.ha Ita friends watched his career with interest and reioiced with him this Christmas morning that he had through his per severance and determination, reached the high plane of his ambition. before him Il life of sacrifice and ministrations to his people wherever il may be his for tune to be assigned His proud parents were there If is the ambition of every father and mother of Irish extraction to have son iu the priesthood The cup of joy af Mir. and Mrs. Patrick McGarry must have been overflowing as they saw their son in the sanctuary, before hun dred. of his fellow townSmeu celebrat ing this. his first mass. If was indeed joyous Christmas morning for the rela tives and friends that crowded the aud itorium and they must have felt that it was a good omen when. just as the con elusion of the mass. the sun which had been hidden behind the grey winter clouds. burst through and lighted the church with the warmth of it's winter rays.
 As at the preceding mass Fr May otte acted a- deacon. Fr Dykeman as sub deacon and Fr. Bedard as master of ceremonies The musical program was an excellent one and we'll rendered The choir was augmented by Mir. Harry Parent of Webster. who sang 70 Sal utaris.f by Weigand in a fine rich bass Voice. The choir sang the Mass of the Angels Gregorian
 The singing of Mir Parent was spec ial feature surprise to Mir McGarry Another feature was the sermon deliver ed by Rev Maurice r MeAuliffe of St Thoma, Seminary Hartford from which Fr Mctarry graduated Fr. McAuliffe based h- sermon on fine life of Christ from birth until the crucifixion. when he said. God gave his only son as sacrifice that the sins and iniquities of the people of the earth might be for given. Upon Christ $ resurrection and ascension to his father in heaven God blessed the disciples and made them priests. Their descendants of today con tinue to be chosen a. priests as this young priest (alluding to Fir McGarry) has been chosen to live a life of -aeri- ice and devotion. preaching God s word and ministering unto his people The address lasted for half an hour and was listened to with close attention
 Fr Bedard took occasion to make few remarks and to wish the members of this congregation. as he had the pre- vious one. merry Christmas.
 During the day the clergymen enjoyed a fine Christmas dinner at the rcetory
 In the evening there was a solemn yes per service sung by Fr Bedard assisted bv Fr LaCroix and Fr McGary with Frs Mayotte and Dykeman in the sane tuary The music was Meigand F Mus iesl Vespers by the o15 choir and an other large congregation was present.