Registered at G.P.O.,
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PERTtit. • TYYRDAY , DECEMBER 19, 1936. . ,I
Iv.
SIXTY-SECOND YEAR.
ing
001 or-ivlary immaculate. East Fremantle 9 t,
The feast of our glorious Queen. Mary Immaculate, was celebrated very impressively at the Convent School, King-street, East Fremantle. last TuesThe Holy Mass was day morning. celebrated at oight o'clock by the Rev. and during it Father Kenny, nineteen young souls Teceiyed into their innocent hearts, for the first time, Nine their loved Lord and King. white little maidens, robed in long frocks, and ten small boys, wearing cream suits, symbolic of their innocence. made an impressive picture. During the Holy Mass the school choir rendered some very appropriate hymns. and the singing was not only The devotional. also sweet, but thanksgiving after Mass was made publicly by the happy children, whose prayers of praise and petition appealed to the large congregation present, and tears were shed by not a few. A s the school is placed under the patronage of Our Lady by, bearing her title, Mary Immaculate, a very devotional ceremony followed the conclusion of Mass and thanksgiving, namely, the crowning of the Queen of Angels and of Men. The large statue of Our Lady had been removed from its place
in the Sanctuary and placed under a canopy of moss, roses, and lights, the last named arranged so as to form the letter "M." children The nineteen privileged wended their way in procession to the statue, while the choir sang "Immaculate." The hymn "Bring Flowers of the Rarest" was sung, and at the words " 0 Mary, we crown thee with blossoms to-day," one of the senior pupils stepped forward and placed an exquisite crown of the choicest pink roses upon the head of our heavenly Mother. Rey. Father Kenny then consecrated all present to Mary, and no doubt to many minds came the words: "How can we love thy Son, Sweet Mother, If we love not thee?" The Rev. Father addressed the First Communicants in the following manner: Nly dear children, I must congratulate you on the happy privilege which has been yours this morning. You know, Our Blessed Lord loves children, and at all times He sought to gather them round Him. On one occasion He reproved the Apostles for children attempting to prevent the who were trying to approach Him, and He uttered the touching words: "Suffer
the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." Your prayers, my dear children, will certainly be heard to-day, therefore I exhort you to pray for those near and dear to you first of all, then to remember your teachers, who have worked for you. A sk Our Blessed Lady to accompany you through life, to be with you in all the trials and difficulties which may beset your path. Remind her of this day and of your consecration to her. Finally, when death draws near, let us hope that each one of us will be found in the sweet embrace of Our Lord with Mary to welcome us to the Heavenly land for all eternity. The children were then invited to partake of a sumptuous breakfast, or, more truly, a banquet, prepared by the good Sisters and the donations of the A special feafaithful parishioners. ture of the table was a large white cake, with the words 'My First Corn• munion Day" -iced across the top, .a gift of one of the very generous parishioners. The Sisters of St. Joseph desire to thank all those who, in any way, helped to. make the day the success it was.
For the benefit of those of our readers who were unable to obtain our Christmas Number, due to an unprecedented demand, we have included in this issue (p. 12-13) the composite inset of diocesan building achievements for 1936.