Tag: Parish Church

Belfast, Music, newsLeave a comment

Bicentenary Celebrations begin with fantastic concert at St George’s Belfast

Michael McFarland Campbell

521883_147656575415931_1288860845_nTwo hundred years ago, the foundation stone of the new Parish Church of St George on the site of the old Corporation Church beside the River Farset in Belfast was laid. Three years later, it was duly dedicated and opened. Two hundred years of witness to the city have passed with an emphasis through most of that on quality Church Music, so it was unsurprising that the opening concert of the Bicentenary Celebrations would be a fantastic display of church music.

The choir of St George’s was joined by the Schola Cantorum of St Peter’s Cathedral Belfast and from Worcester Massachusetts the choirs of All Saints’, Worcester and Notre Dame Academy, Worcester.

The four choirs combined to open the concert with the Magnificat in C by C.V. Stanford followed by Mozart’s Ave verum corpus. Hearing these pieces took me back to singing as  a boy Continue reading “Bicentenary Celebrations begin with fantastic concert at St George’s Belfast”

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The words in verse not in order you expect…

Michael McFarland Campbell

Last night at Compline in St George’s Parish Church, Belfast the text of the reading was from Hebrews 9.11–15. This evening, having found during my search last night for my Roman Breviary a copy of The Hymns from the New Testament, by John Metcalfe, I turned to the reference I read last night from the Revised English Bible.  Not all of the verses are formed into an hymn, but those that were are thus: Christ being come a great high priest of good things that shall be, by that more great and perfect place wherein abide doth he; Not made with hands, that … Continue reading The words in verse not in order you expect…

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Blogging, Cymru, LGBT, WalesLeave a comment

Snow, Sunshine, and Scouts: part 1

Michael McFarland Campbell

Last weekend, I was away in Wales with Scouts. It was the first outdoor activity event run by FLAGS – Active Support Unit for Lesbians & Gays in Scouting which whilst not overly well attended, to put it mildly, did bring four of us together for some craic and some good exercise in Snowdonia. Being a Scouting event we were prepared for most eventualities.

I set off on foot to catch the bus to Belfast Central Station with Andrew. In the station, we waited until the barrier opened, I crossed beyond it, looked back – hoping to get a hug from him – but he was walking away… Turns out we were both nearly in tears: it was the first time we’ve been apart for quite some time, and certainly since our marriage just over a month previously.

The journey from Belfast to Dublin was uneventful, Continue reading “Snow, Sunshine, and Scouts: part 1”

CD4 count, Health, HIV, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Viral load1 Comment

each time you tell, you’ve no idea what you risk unleashing

hivblogger
Positive Life NSW looks at serodiscordant gay couples

I am HIV positive.

Just saying that brief sentence or its alternative

I am living with HIV.

gives people the opportunity to do and say the most remarkable things. Continue reading “each time you tell, you’ve no idea what you risk unleashing”

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the clergy today should be wearing pink…

hibernocatholic1

Today is the second day this year that the clergy ought to be wearing pink at Mass. That is the vestments are meant to be rose coloured. This is what happens during Lent on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent, and today, Gaudete Sunday – the third Sunday of Advent.

Clergy from Hungary wearing Rose Vestments (pic: New Liturgical Movement)

Third Sunday of Advent

On this day the Church urges us to gladness in the middle of this time of expectation and penitence: the coming of Jesus approaches more and more. St. John, the holy precursor, announces to the Jews the coming of the Savior. “The Savior,” he says to them, “lives already among us, though unknown. He will soon appear openly.” Now is the time for fervent prayers and for imploring Jesus to remain with us by His mercy. Let us prepare the way for Him by repentance and by a worthy reception of the Sacraments. All the prayers of this Mass are filled with that which the Church wishes our souls to be possessed at the approach of the Savior.* Continue reading “the clergy today should be wearing pink…”