'A
faith that lives, Lord, grant to us this day...'
Autumn Occasions 06:
The Patronal High
Mass
Every
year on October 6th, the feast day of Saint Faith, the people of
her church in Crosby celebrate the Patronal Festival.
At this very
special High Mass, we give thanks for the life and witness of St
Faith, and remember with gratitude the priests and people who have
served our church since
its foundation.
This year saw the usual rich,
colourful and varied liturgy that we have
enjoyed over many years. The powerful preacher was the Rt Revd John
Goddard,
Bishop of Burnley, and Fr Neil was joined at the Nave Altar by the
usual plethora of priests in concelebration. The music was spectacular:
the service was sung to Schubert's Mass in G, and the choir was
joined by visiting soloists Sarah Helsby Hughes (last seen waving the
flag at the 'Last Night of the Proms' concert!), treble Keith Orrell,
trumpeters Dominic Starkey and Matthew Hardy and guest
conductor James Orrell. The organist was our acting Director of Music,
Stephen Hargreaves.
Our photos focus on processions (in,
Gospel and out!), as well as scenes during Communion and in the church
porch after the service.
To read about Saint Faith click here,
and to access a list of other churches in Great Britain and worldwide
dedicated to her, follow this link.
Now follow that ... and we did!
The following night saw distinguished operatic soprano Ann-Marie
Connors, accompanied by Fr Neil, present a fine programme of songs
(by Schubert, Brahms, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, as well as
some more recent Irish favourites) in St Faith's in aid of the Waterloo
Partnership. The soloists posed for the camera in the vestry after the
concert.
CLICK HERE to
read about the work of the Waterloo Partnership, with which we have
been associated since its inception.
Reports and pictures: Chris Price
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