Norwich bulletin., 1919-12-26
FOUR CHRISTMAS MASSES
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The observance of the Feast of the Nativity began at St. Patrick's church l with a high mass celebrated at 5.3e 1 o'clock Thursday morning by Rev. l John H. Broderick. the attendance be- ing large, as is the rule each Christ mas morning. Organist Frank L. Far rell had arranged an attractive musf- cal program for the choir, devoted body of volunteer singers who add to the interest of the services at this church. The members of the quartette are Mrs. Frank L. Farrell Miss Loretta Bellefeur, William Giea- son and John Doyle.
 The low mass at 7.30 was read by Rev. Peter J. Cuny. There was & very large attendance at the o'clock low mass, said by Rev. Myles P. Calvin, when the junior choir sang Christmas hymns, Mir. Farrell having his youth full chorus in good control. A feature of this service was the ancient hymn l of the church. Adeste Fideies, the so- l prano solo well given by Miss Anna McGarry.
 The solemn high mass at 1os0 was sung by Rev. Myles P. Calvin, Father Frederick being deacon and Father Cuny sub deacon. Lang's string or organ playing with fine precision and most harmonious melody throughout
 the mass, when portions of the com l positions of Willard and La Hache 1 were sung. Mrs. Farrell was heard with great favor especially in the l solo portions of Adeste Fideies. and
 the unaccompanied choruses for male
 voices were noteworthy numbers Ben l ediction of the blessed sacrament fol- 1 lowed the mass, given by Father Gal win, when the choir gave beautiful
 rendering of Tantum Ergo. Verdus- sen's setting.
 Owing to the extreme length of the
 earlier services, the rector. Father
 Frederick, did not preach from the pulpit as is customary. speaking brief I ly from within the sanctuary railing instead. Having read the epistle and
 gospel for the third mass of the day,
 he wished, the congregation a happy and holy Christmas, making the point
 that 1t should be happy day since it
 was the feast of the Founder of their
 holy religion, Who, by taking upon | Himself human flesh. secured for man
 his salvation. It should be a holy day also, and the preacher recalled the
 lessons of the first gospel of the feast
 Luke ii. 1-14. the narration of the
 events relating to the birth of the Christ-Child in the stable of Beth,e |
 came. not as a king or a warrior, but
 as the humble Babe of a poor mother
 teaching mankind the lesson of hu
 nility. The story of Bethlehem. of
 the Redeen1er who came to bring
 peace and goodwill, should incite men T to live more closely to the ideals of the Divine Saviour, to follow each day more nearly in His footsteps; and this
 thought was developed by Father
 Frederick in an able and convincins
 manner which made the oft-toId
 scriptural story have a new meaning
 for the listeners of the day.
 Christmas greenery palms, bego- nias, sniiax and other trailing vines ] decorated the three altars as a back
 ground for scarlet poinsettia and car
 nations. To the awe mad deiight ot the hildren in particular, the manager
 scene is reDroduced at the gospeI side of the main altar, and is surrnounted by an illuminated star The offerfngs at this crib go to the poor. The dee. orations represent the faithful labor } and good taste of the Sisters Of the ii parish convent.