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Large Congregations Attend Three Masses at St. Paul’s
Father Coyle Preaches at Two Services at St. Paul’s – Sign of the Cross
Local Birmingham Newspaper
October 1905
The three masses at St. Paul’s yesterday were largely attended. The Rev. Father Coyle said first mass and the Rev. Father Kitrick was the celebrant at the 9:30 and 10:30 o’clock services.
The second mass is attended by the Sunday school children in a body. While the priest at the altar is saying the mass in Latin in low voice Father Coyle occupies the pulpit and reads prayers and scripture in English. This service, including a short discourse, lasts only 35 or 40 minutes. The theme of Father Coyle at the Sunday mass yesterday was the sign of the cross. He said that all Catholic children were taught to make the sign of the cross properly by first placing the fingers of the right hand on the forehead, then below the breast, then on the left shoulder and then on the right shoulder, saying, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, amen;” but many Catholics, said the priest, become careless and make the sign hurriedly. “Not one person in twenty who enters this church,” he continued, “makes the sign properly.”
Father Coyle then impressed upon his hearers the holy significance of the sign. Catholics should always cross themselves slowly and reverently and repeat the words accompanying the sign in devotional spirit.
Father Coyle delivered a sermon at the last mass. There will be only one mass at St. Paul’s each morning this week and the hour will be 8 o’clock. Father Coyle was quite indisposed yesterday afternoon and on the advice of a physician will not leave his bed for several days.
The Rev. Father Goevert is attending to the mission churches in the Birmingham district.