Our Carol Concert this year took place last Saturday
at the Chaplain General's church of
St Catherine Labouré in Lancashire.
As ever, the Octavius Choir put on a splendid performance.
It's interesting to look back and see how the evening has grown over the years. The second year we arranged the concert can be seen
here in 2012
with just four singers.
Though the generosity of parishioners and benefactors has remained consistent and unwavering.
This year, raising £1,500.
Bringing the total for these concerts to £31,500.
Thank you everyone!
The church was packed this year. Pretty much every seat taken.
A testimony to the quality of the music.
A big THANK YOU to the members of "Octavius",
who give their time and talents freely
to support the Order's good work.
Fr Mark Lawler reads Chestereton's poem
"Gloria in Profundis"
Glory to God in the Lowest
The spout of the stars in spate-
Where thunderbolt thinks to be slowest
And the lightning fears to be late:
As men dive for sunken gem
Pursuing, we hunt and hound it,
The fallen star has found it
In the cavern of Bethlehem.
Members of the Coir also performed pieces with a Christmas message, including:
"Voices in the Mist" by Alfred Lord Tennyson
and
"King John's Christmas" by A A Milne
The singers were accompanied on organ, piano and on violin this year!
Davis Scott-Thomas is the is the Musical Director of Octavius,
who generally sing liturgical music in its proper setting -
that of liturgical worship.
Two Chaplains in wrapt attention!
Caught in mid-flow, our Grand Prior, Anthony Dickinson sings with Octavius and it is under his inspiration that the Concert has flourished over the past eight years.
The Chaplain General offers a vote of thanks
- and appeals for generosity!
After the Concert, we crowded in for a good helping of mulled wine and mince pies.
Our focus for the evening is
SUROL
a charity in Sri Lanka, whose Patron is Malcolm, Cardinal Ranjith.
They work assisting all those, of any faith or background, who are affected by leprosy.
Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith is presented with the Order of Merit of St Lazarus in 2014.
And with thanks to all those who contributed in any way,
a reminder of those who benefit from your generosity.