Christmas Eve commenced with Lauds at 9 and the last Mass of Advent at 9.30. This was followed by Sacred Space: two hours of silent prayer in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament exposed.
At 12.30 the flower ladies arrived to decorate the Church. Douglas placed the figures in the crib in readiness for Midnight Mass.
At 12.30 the flower ladies arrived to decorate the Church. Douglas placed the figures in the crib in readiness for Midnight Mass.
While I heard confessions, Fr Mark led the Carol Service at Gloucester House, a residential home in the Parish.
At 4pm around 60 children came to church where Mr Chessman led the traditional crib service with Christingle. The Christmas story was explained by the aid of children who volunteered to act the part on the spot. Mrs Hendry made sure that all those who wanted played an instrumnet to accompany the Carols. At the end of this service the Christmas Tree was blessed.
Fr Mark and I recited the First Vespers of Christmas around 6pm.
Carols before Midnight Mass started at 11.10 which enabled us to enter into the spirit of this holy night. At 11.30 Midnight Mass started, at the end of which the Bambino was translated to the Crib and placed there as Fr Mark ably sung the Proclamation of Christmas.
Around 15 people turned out for the Mass of the Dawn at 8am. The church was full again for the Mass of the Day at 10am which started with the blessing of the crib. The Voluntary at the end of the Mass was the Radetzky March by J. Strauss the appreciation of which was shown by a good round of applause.
At 4pm I visited the hospital, took communion to some of the patients and visited the rest. This time I took with me a car full of fruit packages which members of our congregation prepared for those who were spending Christmas Day in hospital. Domenico and Maria turned out to be excellent helpers in taking all the packages from the church to the bed sides. The packages were appreciated by all and there was even a tear or two.
A splendid Christmas indeed - Thanks be to God and all those who worked so hard.
A couple of quiet days now await me. This blog will be (God willing) updated in the New Year.
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