Saint Bartholomew’s Day – Saint Bartholomew's Church

Pictured at the patronal festival Solemn Eucharist of St Bartholomew (Dublin) are (left to right) Michael Barry (Order of Malta), John Igoe, (Chancellor, Order of Malta), the Revd Dr Alan McCormack, Parish Priest of St Vedast alias Foster and and St Botolph without Bishopsgate, London, the Revd Michael Thompson, Frank McGoldrick (Treasurer, Order of Malta) and Jason McCann — From left to right, Michael Barry (Order of Malta), John Igoe, (Chancellor, Order of Malta), the Revd Dr Alan McCormack, Parish Priest of Saint Vedast alias Foster and and Saint Botolph without Bishopsgate, London, the Revd Michael Thompson, Frank McGoldrick (Treasurer, Order of Malta) and Jason McCann

After a terrible Summer weatherwise, the sun shone to brighten up the leafy suburb of Ballsbridge. The annual Patronal Festival Mass was celebrated at the earlier time of 7:00pm.

Traditionally, Saint Bartholomew’s Day marks the return of the church choir to the stalls following a well-earned “summer” break, however, this year, probably because of the late arrival of the summer sunshine, the majority of our senior choristers and gentlemen were still on vacation. The Choir of some five boys and eigh Gentlemen led the worship with the Setting Missa Sancti Johannis de Deo (or as it is commonly known “Little Organ Mass” ) by Haydn, and the soloist in the Benedictus, William Doyle excelled. The special preacher for the occasion was Fr. Alan McCormack, sometime Chaplain at Trinity College, Dublin, currently Vicar of Saint Vedast alias Foster, London.

Following recent resignations and appointments, this was also the last “big” service for both our incumbent Michael Thompson, and our Director of Music, Malcolm Wisener, both of whom are leaving us for pastures new at the end of September. Malcolm has been appointed as Director of Music at Saint Finbarre’s Cathedral in Cork, and we offer our best wishes to him as he takes his leave after some 22 years of loyal and faithful service to Saint Bartholomew’s Choir. We are indebted to Peter Parshall who has agreed to act as interim Director of Music during the vacancy, we also thank our assistant organist Eoghan Ward for maintaining the Music so admirably for the Sundays in July, Eoghan has agreed to continue his role as assistant organist and to “see in” the new Director of Music.

The full pattern of services resumes on Sunday 2nd September, however it must be noted that following consultation with the Archbishop and Choir members on the Select Vestry it has been agreed to move the time of Choral Evensong back to 6:00pm for a trial period of nine months. This is to facilitate those who travel long distances to worship at Saint Bartholomew’s and it is hoped that the earlier finishing time will appeal to parents and choristers and will encourage a better attendance at this service. Choir practices resume for the boys on Wednesday 5th and for the full choir on Friday 7th September.