Swansong
of a Music Director
At
the end of July, 2006, the people of St Faith's and St Mary's said a
reluctant goodbye to GERARD
CALLACHER, Director of Music for the United Benefice, as
he left us to prepare for training for the priesthood of the Roman
Catholic Church (the church of his upbringing).
The story of Ged's last Sunday is told in Joan Tudhope's pictures. At the end
of the morning Sung Eucharist at St Faith's, Ged kneels for a blessing
from Fr Neil, who is flanked by Churchwardens Kari Dodson and Leo
Appleton. That afternoon, very appropriately, Ged and the choir sang
the service of Solemn Vespers at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ
the King in Liverpool, scene of the first four pictures below.
That evening, at a party to make his departure, Ged is seen with
assorted choir members, guests and friends, in a less solemn setting.
The three 'Cardinals' helped to establish the party mood! The names of
those letting their hair down are withheld in the interests of their
reputations, but it is good to be able to identify, in the centre of
the sixth picture and below the gazebo, Martin Jones, soon to enter
the final year of his training for the Anglican priesthood: he and Ged
are memorably continuing the fine tradition of vocations to the
priesthood of which St Faith's is rightly proud.
The links at
the foot of this page lead to Fr Neil's article about Ged,
published in the September issue of our parish magazine Newslink
- and
to pcitures from Ged's positively final appearance, playing piano duets
with Fr Neil at the final Summer Saturday concert at St Faith's on
August 26th, 2006.
Read Fr Neil's
tribute to Ged Callacher
See
pictures from Ged's final concert at St Faith's, on August 26th
Go to the St Faith's Choir page
Go
to St Faith's home page