2008 Archive
Web site update
Regular readers will have noticed that the event calendar system on this web site has been significantly revised. We are now showing the next few events on the front page, and the entire list of events can be downloaded.
In the unlikely event that you spot an event that is missing, please contact the parish administrator.
Saturday 22 November
Music to die for
The third concert of the UCD Philharmonic Choir presented by the UCD School of Music will take place at Saint Bartholomew's this coming Thursday. Under the direction of Thomas Kehoe, the Choir will perform Duruflé’s Requiem together with music by Tavener, Pärt and Whitacre. The programme offers us a revealing view of four composers' varied responses to texts on the theme of death. Duruflé's Requiem is one of the best-known and most popular works of the twentieth century. It is by turns gentle and disturbing, passionate and becalmed - a beautiful and ultimately uplifiting response to the text of the Requiem Mass. The Requiem shares the programme with works by three prominent contemporary composers: the American Eric Whitacre (Sleep), Arvo Pärt (The Beatitudes) and Sir John Tavener (Song for Athene, made famous by its performance at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Funeral ikos). The Philharmonic Choir is a new initiative undertaken by the UCD School of Music, offering staff and students an opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of the choral repertory. The choir gathers its members from across the entire UCD Community in weekly rehearsals during the academic year. The Choir are delighted to be staging this performance in the beautiful setting of Saint Bartholomew's and hope that many will come on the eve of the season of Advent to reflect on the powerful themes of death, hope and light that are relevant to us all. The performance begins at 8.00pm on Thursday 27 November. Tickets (€12 / €8) will be available on the door. Further information can be found here.
Friday 21 November
Concert of Carols and Festive Readings
Our annual Concert of Carols and Festive Readings, featuring Alan Stanford, will be held this year on Sunday 14 December at 7.00pm. The concert will feature the usual combination of exciting dramatic readings by Alan Stanford and joyful festive music from the boys, girls and men of the church choir. As in previous years, we expect tickets to sell out quickly, so book now to guarantee your seats! Tickets (€12/€7) can be reserved by calling 01 668 8522 or emailing music@stbartholomews.ie.
Friday 14 November
Continental Concert
On Thursday 16 October we were delighted to welcome an accomplished youth orchestra from Germany to the church. Hosted by our friends at Saint Finian's Lutheran Church, Adelaide Road, the Baroque Ensemble of the Dessau-Rosslau Music School gave an excellent and well-received concert at Saint Bartholomew’s. Their programme featured works by Bach, Handel, Schütz and Scheidt, together with Thomas Roseingrave, a former organist of Saint Patrick's cathedral. During their time in the country they also socialised with the members of our girls’ choir and sat in on part of a rehearsal. Although unfortunately we didn’t get the chance to make music together on this occasion, it is hoped that the link we’ve formed might eventually allow us to do just that, whether it be here in Dublin or slightly further afield...
Monday 20 October
Music for India
After a sell-out concert in Prague, two international chamber choirs reunite in Dublin to help combat poverty in India. On Wednesday 29 October at 8.00, Saint Bartholomew’s will host the second meeting of Habemus (Ireland) and Acant (the Czech Republic). The evening promises to bring together the best of choral music through the works of Bruckner, Lauridsen, Stanford, Rachmaninov and others. The evening will also see a lighter side of both choirs with a few nice surprises for the audience! Habemus comprises of 17 singers selected from various Dublin-based choirs and university scholarship programmes. Performing predominantly outside of Ireland in venues throughout Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and the UK, Habemus have also appeared as a guest choir in masses, services, concerts, and corporate events across the country. Acant, comprising of 19 trained singers chosen from all areas of the Czech Republic, have just finished travelling throughout Eastern Europe as a guest choir in gospel, spiritual and choral concerts. The second joining of these international choirs is to promote awareness and raise funds for a particular international charity. Jeevodaya, founded by Fr Gerard Valavan in 1992, has fostered thousands of underprivileged children of all ages, in Child Care Learning Centres located in ‘slum’ regions of Bangalore, India. Jeevodaya’s focus is to educate and rehabilitate the most disadvantaged children in India, giving hope and prosperity for a better life in the future to many local communities. All proceeds from the evening will be directly given to Fr Valavan. Tickets €8; students / senior citizens €5) can be reserved now.
Monday 20 October
Looking forward to Fauré
You are warmly invited to take part, on Saturday 8 November, in a Come-and-sing performance of one of the most well-known and best-loved works in the repertoire: Gabriel Fauré's Requiem. It promises to be an enjoyable and fulfilling afternoon's singing, and where better to sing this wonderful work than in the beautiful setting of Saint Bartholomew's? There will be plenty of time in the afternoon to fine-tune our singing under the direction of Peter Parshall, assistant director of music, before the liturgical performance at 5.00pm (in which the music will be interspersed with suitably themed poetry and prayers). All are warmly welcome to this event, whether or not they have sung the work before. Please bring your own copy if possible. The event costs €12 per singer (€10 for those affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music, which includes members of the Elgin Chorale and other singers from this church...); you are asked to book beforehand by contacting Peter on 01 671 2426 or at pparshall@rscm.com. For more information, visit RSCM Ireland's website at www.rscmireland.org. You can also download the flyer.
Monday 20 October
Forthcoming Premieres
We will be exploring one of the more unusual corners of the repertoire when clarinettist Jonathan Sage begins his solo national tour at Saint Bartholomew’s early in November. His programme features a number of world premieres, of Arts Council-supported works by Irish composers Garrett Sholdice and Jonathan Nangle and Englishman Alexander Harker. As such this will be an important occasion and we’re looking forward to welcoming a capacity audience to the church on Wednesday 5 November at 8.00pm. Tickets can be reserved now and will be available from next Sunday - please speak to the Vicar, churchwardens or music staff to reserve your seats.
Monday 20 October
175th Anniversary of the Oxford movement
As part of the commemorations occurring this year in relation to the Oxford Movement, which we in Saint Bartholomew’s are of course deeply indebted to, will be a lecture given by the Revd Patrick Comerford, ‘The Anglo-Catholic Movement: more relevant today than ever!’. This lecture will take place in Saint Bartholomew’s on Saturday 29th November at 7pm. The Oxford movement had, and today continues to have a profound effect upon Anglicanism. Its insistence on the centrality of the Eucharist and upon the use of the ceremonial has become both commonplace and widely accepted as normative. Anglo-Catholicism has always had a deep concern for issues of social justice, and in its day the Oxford movement worked to secure rights for those in rental property, just wages, better industrial conditions for workers and attempted also to lower infant mortality rates through education programmes and better social conditions. The theology, liturgical ceremony and social concern of the Anglo-Catholic movement continues to have a huge impact on the world-wide Anglican communion today.
Monday 20 October
Forthcoming Concert: Thursday 16 October
We're delighted that Ensemble Alte Musik, the accomplished youth orchestra from Germany, will shortly be joining us for a concert here. Hailing from the beautiful town of Dessau, the group have won awards in successive national 'Jugend Musiziert' competitions, performing music from the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries under the tutelage of opera singer Marianne Kaiser and string player and early music scholar Friedemann Neef. The group will be hosted by our friends at St Finian's Lutheran Church (on Adelaide Road). They will play at a Sunday service at St Finian's and will also give a concert there. The concert here at St Bartholomew's will be on Thursday 16 October at 8.00pm and will feature a programme that includes works by Bach (unsurprisingly!), Handel, Schütz and Scheidt, together with Ralph Roseingrave (a former organist of St Patrick's cathedral). During their time here the orchestra will also be socialising with our girls' choir. Although unfortunately we won't get the chance to make music together on this occasion, it is hoped that a link will be formed which might eventually allow us to do just that, whether it be here in Dublin or slightly further afield... Tickets for the concert (€10 / €8 concessions / €5 under 18s) can be reserved from the Parish office: tel 01 668 8522, email music@stbartholomews.ie. Please do come and support what promises to be an excellent occasion.
Music list
The music list for September/October is now available.
Saturday 30 August
Parish Study Group - the Vicar writes
A few months ago I mentioned starting a parish study group with a preliminary meeting in August. Unfortunately we have been unable to arrange a meeting for August, as it can be a busy time for some and a holiday period for others. However, I would like to begin the meetings in September. The first meeting will take place in Saint Bartholomew's parish room on Thursday 25th September at 8pm. We will meet once a month throughout the year, and to focus our studies we will be looking at "Reading The Bible Again For The First Time" by Marcus J. Borg (ISBN 0-06-060919-2). This book will serve as an introduction to our study of the scriptures. The book may need to be ordered. You can take the information above to any good book store willing to place an order for you. You may also purchase the book online at amazon.co.uk or abebooks.co.uk (good for cheap second-hand volumes!). When you get your book, please read Part One: Foundations, in preparation for the meeting in September. If you have any trouble ordering a copy of this book, please get in touch with me. Anyone is welcome to join the study group, even if you are not part of Christ Church, Leeson Park, or Saint Bartholomew's, Clyde Road. Do come and join us!
What is Love?
'What is Love?' : a concert of seventeenth-century lute songs and madrigals took place on Wednesday 16 July at 1pm. What a delight this fifty-minute concert was with a quartet from Christ Church Cathedral Choir - soprano Sue Rynhart; alto Tuula Voutilainen; tenor Ernest Dines; and bass Barra Lysaght, with their lute player from London, Chris Goodwin. The beauty of their voices, the so-sensitive lute playing, the glorious madrigals, and the wonderful acoustic, particularly just outside the screen, all combined to provide us with a mid-day uplifting experience. Apparently this was a first venture for the quartet which they then repeated the next day in the Goethe Institute. Fortunately they promised Fraser they would return another time to sing in St Bartholomew's. So many of us live some distance away from the church; we need to keep in touch or at least fill in one of the beige forms Fraser has been leaving around the church so that efforts will be made to alert us to events such as this. Indeed, sometimes opportunities for a concert such as this come up with little time to spread the word. Thank you Fraser.
Bobby Barden
Spanish Opera
A beautiful summer's evening in early July saw St Bartholomew's hosting an exciting and unusual concert. Bathed in light by the setting sun, the church was transformed into a rustic glade for the Irish premiere of the first-ever Spanish opera, Celos aun del aire matan, which was written in around 1660. A packed audience witnessed a colourful and lively performance given by students from the University of Sheffield led by the world-renowned early music expert Andrew Lawrence-King. This was a very different event from anything which has taken place at St Bart's in recent history, and the church was honoured indeed to be able to welcome such distinguished guests! Their visit clearly roused people's curiosity, as the church was packed! Lawrence-King's is a familiar name here in Ireland, thanks to his previous visits to the country and his lengthy and distinguished discography, and he led a performance of characteristic energy and inspired musicality. We were left in awe at the young singers' mastery of seventeenth-century Spanish, and at the dexterity of Lawrence-King at his harp! The language barrier was easily surmounted thanks to a detailed synopsis of the (rather complicated) plot in the programme and an English-language narration by the character Calderon, the playwright himself. The church's acoustic was perfect for the forces involved: it added warmth and resonance without being overwhelming. The words were crystal clear even from the very back of the church! The atmosphere was added to by the playing of Spanish guitar music as the audience took their seats and by the simple but effective decoration of the church with foliage and candles. The performance was featured on RTE Lyric FM and glowingly reviewed by the Irish Times, amongst others. It is hoped that this will be just the first of many such interesting and diverse productions at St Bartholomew's in the months and years to come, and that future events will continue to delight and inspire those who choose to attend them!
Wednesday 2 July
Parish newsletter
The two most recent issues of the parish newsletter are now available to download.
Opera première at St Bartholomew's
We at St Bartholomew's are delighted to announce the forthcoming Irish première of a fascinating piece of music - the earliest surviving Spanish-language opera!
'Celos aun del aire matan' - a story of love, jealousy and revenge among the gods - was composed in 1660 by Juan Hidalgo to a libretto by the leading seventeenth-century dramatist Pedro Calderòn. The production is being brought to Ireland by students from the University of Sheffield, England, under the direction of the world-famous early music expert Andrew Lawrence-King. The manuscript lay undiscovered for centuries and has only recently been prepared for modern-day performance. This will be its first performance in Ireland.
The Irish premiere will be an event of some cultural and musical importance, and we are looking forward to welcoming a capacity audience to our ornate and beautiful church. The performance will be semi-staged, with colourful costumes and clever use of the building, and it is suitable for all ages. Although it is sung in Spanish, the full synopsis in the programme and the use of a narrator who comments on the action in English make it fully accessible to all - even to those who have no knowledge whatsoever of seventeenth-century Spanish!!
The performance is on Wednesday 2 July at 8.00pm, and tickets are available now. Demand will be high, so we advise you to book now to guarantee your seat! Tickets are available at the very reasonable cost of €12 (concessions €10; under 16s €5). Book now by calling the church office on 01 668 8522 or emailing music@stbartholomews.ie. Tickets may be available on the door, but this cannot be guraranteed!
Further information about the opera is available at https://www.shef.ac.uk/hispanic/events/celos. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Recent Events
On Saturday 24th May the Choir of St Bartholomew's travelled to Christ Church, Rathgar to take part in a concert in aid of the fabric of both churches. Also taking part was Spanish Guitar duo Luke Tobin and Gerard Boyle. The choir sang Haydn's Little Organ Mass, and other favourites including Howard Goodall's 'The Lord is my shepherd' and Stanford's Te Deum in B flat. The choir and instrumentalists were well received by an appreciative audience. On the previous Thursday evening, the feast of Corpus Christi was marked by a Solemn Eucharist sung by the Girls' Choir. It was followed by a barbecue in the church grounds, and we are grateful to everyone who helped to make it an enjoyable occasion.
John and Rhona McKay
On Sunday 18th May Niamh Harty said a few words of thanks on behalf of the Select Vestry and the Parish of St Bartholomew to Father John McKay: "Father John has taken most of the Sunday Eucharist services for the last six or seven months during the inter-regnum, together with many extra services over the Easter period and other special occasions. We are all extremely grateful to have had him at the helm, looking after us, and keeping us on course in quite uncertain times. His constant presence was very re-assuring. His sermons were always thoughtful, and in his down to earth style, sprinkled with a sense of humour. Father John was always unassuming – for example, whenever we thanked him for being here in St Bart’s, he always replied by saying he was honoured to be with us. We thank God for sending him back to us at this time. And of course we are also very grateful to his wife Rhona, who is also such a part of our community. She is always so welcoming and willing to help out, whether it is handing out leaflets or serving coffee, and all with a wonderful smile. We know that John and Rhona will not be far away, and really want them to promise us to keep coming back often to see us".
A few words from our new vicar, Revd Andrew McCroskery
It is good to finally be with you all here in Saint Bartholomew’s and Christ Church, after what seems quite a long time since I met with your parochial nominators. I simply want to take the opportunity to thank you again for your very warm welcome. A lot of work went into the organization of the institution service and I greatly appreciated it. It was a very special evening and a very moving service. I am looking forward to getting to know you over the next few months as I settle in to life in Dublin again and I look forward to journeying with you in faith in this new chapter of your parishes.
Institution
On a sunny spring evening, Monday 19th May, Revd Andrew McCroskery was instituted as incumbent of St Bartholomew's with Christ Church, Leeson Park by Archbishop John Neill. The setting of the Eucharist was Haydn's Little Organ Mass, sung by the choir of Boys, Girls and Gentlemen. The motet View me, Lord, with words by Thomas Campion and music by Richard Lloyd was sung. The address was given by Archdeacon Robin Bantry White. A reception was held in the former vicarage beside the Church, by kind permission of the Order of Malta.
Eucharist Services during the week
The weekday Eucharists will resume in Saint Bartholomew's on Tuesday 27th May and Thursday 29th May at 12.45pm. There will also be a Eucharist celebrated in Christ Church, Leeson Park at 10am on Wednesday and in St. Mary's Home at 10.30am on Friday.
Concert in Rathgar - Saturday May 24th
The Gentlemen and Boys of the choir will sing at a concert in Christ Church Rathgar on Saturday May 24th at 8pm in aid of the Tennant Hall Fund and St Bartholomew’s Fabric Fund. Spanish guitar duo, Luke Tobin and Gerard Boyle, are also on the bill. All are welcome.
St Bartholomew's Table Quiz 2008
The annual Table Quiz and Auction was held in the familiar venue of Merrion Cricket Club on Wednesday 16th April. A good attendance of Choristers, Parents and friends of St. Bartholomew’s Choir created a “fun” atmosphere, and all enjoyed what has become a major social event in the life of our Parish. There was a good turnout of Parents of the newer Choristers who started with the choir back in September 2007, and it was a good opportunity for all to get together, and to meet in a convivial atmosphere. A total number of 14 competing tables took part in the quiz, and our thanks must go to Richard Bannister for all the time taken in researching some challenging questions, the production of answer sheets, and the compilation of the two picture rounds. The prizes for the Quiz were sponsored by Richard Bannister and Robin Heather.
One of the important aspects of our Annual Quiz and Auction is the level of support we receive in the form of Donations and Sponsorship, we would therefore like to acknowledge and thank the following for their generous support this year. The Wicklow Wine Company, Saab Ireland Limited, Jaguar Ireland Limited, Lumley’s Bakery Limited, Seat Cars Ireland, The Fone Factory, Michael Doyle, Bobby Barden, Paula Somers, and Alan Bigley.
We are indebted to all Parents, Choristers and Friends who donated Bottles and other items towards the raffle, and ensured that there were prizes for nearly “everybody in the audience”, it is impossible to mention all the donors by name, so please accept this as a collective thank you to all who contributed. All in all, it was a very successful evening both socially and financially, and the total to date after the deduction of expenses to Merrion Cricket Club, and following donations, stands at €2150, and all the monies raised by this and other future fundraising events will go towards bringing both choirs on tour in 2009.
Robin Heather
Wednesday 16 April
Latest news
In light of recent resignations and appointments, it was decided to remain in Ireland for our Post-Easter trip this year. The Boys and Gentlemen of the Choir left Dublin on Friday 28th March, and braved the combined elements of appalling weather and treacherous roads to make the 260 km journey to Westport, Co. Mayo.
The Choir were accompanied by Fraser Wilson, recently appointed director of music, and Alexandra Jobling, our acting assistant organist. The trip was organised as a “working” weekend, and it was a good chance for Fraser to meet and greet the Choristers and Gentlemen before he takes up the post of director of music in May.
Westport is a compact estate town, and all the venues and amenities were within walking distance of our hotel. On arrival, the travelling party made full use of the hotel’s leisure centre before dinner and a good night’s rest. After breakfast on Saturday, the choir met in Holy Trinity national school for an extensive rehearsal session. Following the rehearsal the boys and some of the adults ventured to Westport House, and enjoyed some of the facilities which included a slippery dip slide, a model railway, swan pedaloes, and the log flume ride.
Later that evening the Choir led the singing at the Vigil Mass in St. Mary’s Church, and we were welcomed warmly by Fr. Denis Carney, Administrator, Gabriel Kelly, the Parish Organist, and members of a 400 plus congregation who showed their appreciation with a very generous applause at the end of the Mass. After the service, Choristers and support party returned to the Hotel for dinner.
On Sunday morning, the Choir rehearsed in Holy Trinity Church for a service of Morning Prayer which was led by Mr. Denzil Auchmuty, Diocesan reader. The parishioners were delighted to have “live” music at the service, normally they use cd recordings. After this service we joined the parishioners for tea and coffee, and shortly afterwards, the travelling party returned to Dublin.
Robin Heather
Latest news
The Solemn Eucharist for Palm Sunday started in the Church Grounds with the Blessing of the Palms. We were very fortunate with the weather, which thankfully remained dry for the occasion. The Choir led the worship with the setting of the Missa Brevis by Palestrina. We would like to thank Mrs Gwen Martin for playing the Organ for this service. Later that Evening the Girls Choir led the worship at Choral Evensong, which included the dramatic anthem “Ride on in Majesty” by Grayston Ives.
As we enter a busy week, please note the following service times: Holy Thursday: 8:00 pm Solemn Eucharist of the Lord’s Supper, Stripping of the Altars and Procession to the Altar of Repose. Good Friday: 12:00 Noon, Matins ( Mens Voices ) 1:30 pm The Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday ( Full Choir ) Holy Saturday: 9:00 pm The Solemn Pascal Vigil of Easter ( Girls Choir ) Easter Day: 11:00 am The Solemn Eucharist of the Resurrection. ( Full Choir ) Full Details of the music for these and all service can be found under the diary listings on this website.
After Easter, the Boys and Gentlemen of the Choir travel to Westport, Co. Mayo to sing at two Services, on Saturday 29th March at 7:30 pm Vigil Mass, St. Mary’s Church, The Mall, Westport, and on Sunday 30th March at 11:30 am Matins, Holy Trinity Church, Newport Road, Westport. This will be the first choir trip under the direction of our new Director of Music, Mr. Fraser Wilson.
The Choir return to St. Bartholomew’s Church for the service of Solemn Eucharist on Sunday 6th April ( Easter 2 ), following this service, the Annual Easter General Vestry meeting will take place in the Church. This is an important meeting, and as well as the annual elections to Select Vestry, we will also hold the triennial elections for Synod Representatives, and Parochial Nominators.
Robin Heather
Latest news
We welcomed an old friend of St. Bartholomew’s Church, Dom Henry O’Shea from Glenstal Abbey as our special preacher at the Solemn Eucharist, during Fr. McKay’s incumbency, he was a regular visitor, so much so that some had come to regard him as an honorary Curate. In his homily he looked at the various gospel texts for the season of Lent, and used the term “follow upper” used regularly in Dublin in the days before Video and DVD to illustrate his point, the follow up to the season of Lent being the events of Holy Week and Easter. In the afternoon, the Girls and Gentlemen of the Choir travelled to Christchurch Cathedral to sing Choral Evensong. We were welcomed very warmly by the Precentor, Revd Adrian Empey, and the Girls excelled in the beautiful acoustic of the Cathedral. The music included the Evening Service setting in F by Harold Darke, and the Motet “Call to Remembrance” by Richard Farrant. Whilst we were singing Evensong, the Cathedral Choir were recording a CD of the music of Herbert Howells in St. Bartholomew’s Church for release later this year.
Robin Heather
New Vicar
The Reverend Andrew McCroskery (b. 1974) has been appointed as the new Vicar of St Bartholomew’s. He will be taking office later this year. Rev McCroskery holds a BD from Glasgow University, and a M. Phil from Trinity College Dublin. His previous parishes include St Mark’s Newtownards (Curate), St Fin Barre’s Cathedral (Dean’s Vicar), and Youghal Union (Incumbent).
Richard Bannister
Latest News
Next Sunday, 24th February 2008, the Girls Choir and Gentlemen visit Christchurch Cathedral Dublin to sing Choral Evensong at 3:30pm. Car Parking is available in the Multi-storey Car Park in Werburgh Street opposite the Cathedral.
There will be no service of Choral Evensong in St Bartholomew’s Church that day, and indeed the church will be closed to the public to facilitate a CD recording of the music of Herbert Howells.
Robin Heather
Visiting Preachers
Sunday 2nd March, Lent 4, 11am. Celebrant: Fr. John McKay. Preacher: The Revd Celia Grace Kenny. Celia is a Presbyterian Minister of the Church of Scotland. Ordained in St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, she served on the Board of World Mission in the Hungarian Reformed Seminary in Chuj and has recently completed a Masters Degree in Peace Studies at the Irish School of Ecumenics.
Sunday 9th March, Lent 5, 11am. Celebrant: Fr. John McKay. Preacher: Anne Thurston. Anne is a theologian and writer. Her books include: Because of her Testimony, Knowing her Place, and A Time of Waiting. She is also very much part of our own parish family.
Latest News
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World, happy are those who are called to his supper. This was the theme for all our services yesterday, the second Sunday of the Epiphany of our Lord. Fr. John McKay reflected on this theme in his homily, and the Choir performed the beautiful motet “The Lamb” by Tavener during the communion. After the morning Eucharist, the choir travelled to the RTE studios in Donnybrook to record the music for a televised Service of the Word to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The service will be broadcast on RTE 1 television at 11:15 on Sunday next, 27th January 2008, and will be led by our former Curate, Fr. Albert Ogle.
Our newly appointed Director of Music, Fraser Wilson will visit Dublin next weekend, and he will conduct the Music at the service of Solemn Eucharist on Sunday morning.
Later in the day, the Girls Choir return after their Christmas break for a Service of Choral Evensong, which will feature the second setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in E Flat by Charles Wood. The choir will be conducted by Ms Alexandra Jobling, our interim assistant organist. The Girls choir will be singing in Christchurch Cathedral on Sunday 24th February 2008, at the 15:30 service of Choral Evensong; more details will follow.
We continue to pray for those charged with the task of appointing a new Vicar, and ask for God’s guidance in their deliberations. The closing date for applications for the position was 30th November 2007, and prior to Christmas, our Parochial Nominators met with the Archbishop, and at this meeting they all swore an oath of secrecy, so they are not now in a position to discuss the nomination process, the prospective candidates, and the timescale of an appointment with members of the Vestry or Congregation.
Whilst writing, may I thank personally all those who offered me good wishes and congratulations last Sunday on the occasion of my 40th anniversary as a Chorister.
Robin Heather
Latest News
First and foremost, a Happy New Year to all.
The attendance at both the Midnight and the 11:00am Solemn Eucharist services on Christmas Day was very encouraging, and the Music reflected the festive mood with settings by Mozart and Schubert. We are indebted to Fr. John McKay who Celebrated and Preached at both services. During the 11:00 service, Tim Thurston made a presentation to Eoghan Ward who has now retired in order to persue his business interests. We wish Eoghan well, and welcome Ms Alexandra Jobling as our assistant organist for the forthcoming term.
We thank Revd Paul Houston, Rector of Clondalkin and Rathcoole for stepping in at short notice to take the service on Sunday 30th December.
The full Choir returned after their Christmas break for the Solemn Eucharist for the feast of Epiphany, and travelled to All Saints Church in Carnew, Co. Wicklow to lead the worship at a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols later in the day. We would like to thank the Parishoners of Carnew for the warmth of their welcome and hospitality, and to wish their Rector, Ven Dermot Dunne well as he takes time off for medical reasons.
The full round of Choir Practices resumes this week with rehearsal for the Girls and Boys on Wednesday, and for the Full Choir on Friday. It is important that all Choristers make a determined effort to attend all practices this term as the seasons of Lent and Easter begin in early February, and we have therefore less time to rehearse and put together musical programmes for this busy period.
Robin Heather