View a Christmas forest in a parish church; Summer Madness at Christmas; Concerts for a variety of charities; Music Director shaves for charity; Church Music video; Media Review – Catholic bishops on abortion, NI binge drinking measures
Church hosts ‘Christmas forest’
A County Down church has hosted a Christmas Tree Festival featuring 72 uniquely-designed trees.
Hundreds of locals, including school children, businesses and community groups, contributed to the festive forest inside Magheralin Parish Church. BBC Newsline’s Chris Page reports.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20575666
Summer Madness at Christmas
Many of the young people coming to the Summer Madness camp often wish that they could experience a little bit of the ‘festival’ vibe throughout the year. And now there is chance to catch up with friends and fellow campers in the awesome surroundings of St Anne’s Cathedral Belfast – on December 8.
The amazingly popular 4 Kornerz are back over from London to pump up the celebration and set the tone for this Christmas extravaganza; Aaron Boyd (Blue Tree) and Ryan Griffith will be rendering a few of their own alternative carols and David Dickenson (Youth Alpha Ireland) will pull the evening together with a seasonal word of hope for next year at Glenarm.
So, you’ll get time to visit the city centre for some Christmas goodies then can pop in to the Cathedral for a little light refreshment as the programme gently begins to build up from 6pm with some mulled wine and mince pies; formal kick–off at 7.30pm.
There’ll be a chance to take advantage of the early bird prices for next year’s festival and hear all about the ‘StreetReach On the Move’ in L’Derry – adding five extra days to your SM experience – in the UK city of culture no less!
Tickets (£5) can be got at the door or from the Summer Madness office Email: office@summermadness.co.uk
St Nicholas Day concert
St Nicholas Parish Church, Lisburn Road, Belfast is hosting a concert on St Nicholas’ Day, Thursday December 6.
The concert will feature the Avalon quartet, and the choirs of St John the Evangelist, Magherally and St Nicholas will present the story of Nicholas.
The concert begins at 8pm. Proceeds (after costs) will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Suggested donation is £7.50 but concessions will apply.
Carols with ‘Cadenza’ at Hillsborough & Kilmore
Monday 10 December 2012 at 8.00pm in Hillsborough Parish Church
Monday 17 December 2012 at 8.00pm in Kilmore Parish Church, Co. Down
Admission:£10, including festive refreshments.
Tickets: Tel: 07773 846028 or pay at the door.
All proceeds in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care
Carnalea Christmas Concert for scanner appeal
On Friday 7th December The Carnalea Parish (Down) Christmas Concert starts at 7.45 p.m. Our entertainment on the evening comes to us from the young people of the McMaster School of Dance and Lisburn ladies choir Harmony 2. Tickets are five pounds. These can be purchased from the parish office or on the door on the night. All the proceeds from the evening will be going to the Royal Belfast Children’s Hospital Scanner Appeal. It’s all in a terrific cause and promises to be a lovely evening.
Roderick’s Great Shave for Children in Need
Roderick Bain, Director of the Music Group at St Cedma’s, Larne, (Connor) bravely allowed his beard to be shaved off in aid of Children in Need. Roderick is an accomplished musician and a valued parishioner of Larne and Inver Parish and many parishioners turned to lend their support to Roderick as he lost his beard in Larne’s famous ‘Prom Café.’ ‘The Crew’ Hairdressers stepped up to the challenge, and an enjoyable afternoon was had by all, especially when Roderick played the flute! Roderick’s chin chilling gesture raised £433 for Children in Need!
‘Music, Eucharist & You’ Video Released by Church Music Dublin
Church Music Dublin has recently recorded a video entitled Music, Eucharist & You. The educational video is primarily aimed at musicians, but may be of interest to all worshippers. The video is presented by the Archdeacon of Glendalough, the Ven Ricky Rountree, who is chairman of Church Music Dublin. The Archdeacon guides the viewer through the musical aspects of the Eucharist.
The new video can be viewed by clicking on the following link: http://www.churchmusicdublin.org/Music-Eucharist-You-0
Church Music Dublin is an agency of the dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough which aims to provide ongoing training for all who lead music in worship. The organisation supports church music by providing information and training and by fostering a sense of community among musicians. It also seeks to serve all involved in the music of worship – congregations, instrumentalists, choir directors, cantors and clergy. One of their main focuses is on churches where musical resources and opportunities are limited.
Trevor West Memorial Service at TCD Chapel
A Memorial Service for Trevor West F.T.C.D. will be held in Trinity College Dublin Chapel on Friday 7 December at 5.15 pm. Trevor was Associate Professor of Pure Mathematics in TCD (1977–2004), as well as Junior Dean (1974–1978), a former Member of the Board of the College and a former Chair of D.U.C.A.C. In addition, he was a member of Seanad Éireann for the University of Dublin constituency (1970, 1973, 1977 and 1982).
Limerick Advent Procession
On a truly miserable wet night a large congregation gathered at St. Mary’s Cathedral Limerick to make the Advent journey from darkness into light. There cannot be many buildings more suitable for this annual event than St. Mary’s Limerick. The flickering candles in the brass chandeliers cast the only light in the building as the procession begins, giving a truly medieval atmosphere to the haunting sounds of St. Mary’s excellent choir and musicians.
This year’s liturgy and music was well up to the usual high standards and a well organised procession told the story of Advent hpoe in scripture readings and song. This was Dean Sandra Pragnell’s first Advent procession in the Cathedral and she and the team are to be congratulated on a job well done. Many thanks also to Bishop Trevor, who made the effort to attend amidst a very busy schedule this year, to the choir, organist and musical director and of course to the catering team who provided mince pies, mulled wine and all sorts of other good things after the service.
MEDIA REVIEW
Catholic bishops to discuss abortion report
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/bishops-to-discuss-report-by-expert-group-215674.html
A majority of Irish people want new legislation on abortion in Ireland, according to a new opinion poll.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20568283
All-you-can-drink promotions ban
The NI Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland confirms he is banning fixed price promotions of alcohol.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20582757