Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 302, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1915 — St. Augustine’s Church Notes. [ARTICLE]

St. Augustine’s Church Notes.

Next Friday is the Vigil of Christmas, a day of fast and abstinence. Saturday the great important feast of Christmas will be celebrated with splendor in honor of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Every priest of God on this day celebartes three holy masses in honor of the threefold birth of Jesus Christ; first, in memory of his birth as man from the Blessed Virgin Mary; second, in remembrahce of his birth in the hearts of his followers; third, this mass commemorates his eternal birth from the Father before all ages. The church will be decorated most exquisetely with garlands, cut flowers and the representation of the stable of Bethlehem, the crib in which the sweet child Jesus was bom for our salvation.

The new sanctuary lamp, a most beautiful piece of art. a generous donation of the late beloved member, Martha Donnelly, will be in place. Many may not know the reason why t’light burns continually before tl f tabernacle. In the Old Testament ( ’ commanded that a lamp be filled with the purest oil of olives, should always burn in the Tabernacle of the Testimony without the veil (Exod. XXVII, 20, 21.) The church prescribes that at least one lamp should continually burn before the Tabernacle not only as an ornament of the altar, but for the purpose of worship. It is a mark of honor. It is to remind the faithful of the presence of Christ and is a profession of their love and affection. Mystically it signifies Christ, for by thia material light He is represented who is the “true light which enlighteneth every man" (John 1,9.) For symbolical reasons olive oil is prescribed for the lamp, for it is a symbol of purity, peace and godliness. For this noble gift may the donor be remembered not only on Christmas day by the members in their prayers but frequently in the future.

The first service on Christmas day will be at 5 o’clock, so that like the shepherds in the darkness of the night the faithful may come to the Sweet Babe of Bethlehem to adore Him. The Holy Name Society will receive holy communion in a body at this mass. The second mass will be at 8. Rosary, highmass and sermon at 10, concluding with sacramental benediction. The sacrament of Penance can be received on the following days:' Thursday afternoon and evening; Friday from AO to 12 in the morning and from 2 to 5:30 and from 7 as long as necessary. The annual festival given by the ladies of the parish was a great success. They cleared $629.85. The congregation wishes to thank all members as well as friends who helped to make the affair a success. F. JD. Craig, who some twenty years ago, published The Peoples Pilot in this city, is now engaged in the hotel business on East Washington street, Indianapolis, where he has been for a number of years. John O’Connor saw him on the train the other day and had quite a visit with him. (Mr. Craig was on Ms way to Wisconsin. We never before had as large an assortment of Xmas candies, nuts, layer and package figs, dates and orSmres. " BOWLES & PARKER.