The Grand Master's Christmas Message

Carol Concert

The Annual Carol Concert for the Order 

was last Saturday and what a splendid event it was.

The Octavius Choir,

under the directorship of David Scott-Thomas,

gave a packed St Catherine's Church a wonderful evening

to get us all into the Christmas spirit.

This year the organ was played by John Robinson, 

organist at Blackburn Cathedral.

Our own parishioner, Jerome  Ness, 

mesmerized us with two pieces on classical guitar.

The musicians and singers give their time and talents freely,

which enabled the evening to raise about £900 for the Order's charities.

The charities supported this year are St Catherine's Hospice, in Leyland

and SUROL - the charity in Sri Lanka assisting those affected by leprosy,

under the patronage of the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.

Members of the Order provided prizes for a Grand Draw

(and sold the tickets!)

as well as providing supper for the choir 

and serving mulled wine and mince pies to everyone afterwards.

The evening was introduced by the Grand Prior, H.E. Anthony Dickinson.

Photographs and video curtesy of Matthew Jackon.

Carol Concert 21st December. 7.30pm

Charity Carol Concert

Saturday 21st DECEMBER

7.30pm

Mulled wine and Mince Pies to follow.

An evening of Christmas music and readings by candlelight

for young and old alike.

"The proper start to Christmas."

The concert is free 

but there will be a collection taken up for the work of the Order of St Lazarus, 

which includes supporting those suffering from leprosy in Sri Lanka 

and, locally, St Catherine’s hospice.

Everyone welcome.

St Catherine Labouré Church
Stanifield Lane
Farington
Leyland 
PR25 4QG

Brussels Anniversary

The Grand Priory of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Duchy of Luxemburg recently celebrated five years of its official re-establishment. Pictured here HE Damien van Bellinghen, Grand Prior of Belgium, Dom Cyrile, one of the French Chaplains, the Abbot of Maredsous, Rev Fr Simon Henry, Chaplain to the Grand Magistry and Chev. Pierre Piccinin da Prata.

 Mass and an Investiture was celebrated in the 

Church of the Carmelite Fathers in Brussels.

 

 Dom. Bernard Lorent, the Abbot of Maredsous, was celebrant and preacher at the Mass.

The Grand Master invests Dom Bernard Lorent with the Order of Merit.

Chevaliers kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. 

The excellent music was provided by Les Petits Chanteurs de Belgique

(in a rather precarious looking choir loft!)

The Grand Master, HE Jan Count Dobrzensky z Dobrzenicz 

and HE Prince Charles-Philippe de Orleáns 

were both present at the weekend of events. 

These included an informal dinner the night before and a Concert by "Gospel for Life" 

raising funds for the Order's charitable activities.

Mass was followed by a splendid Charity Dinner and Dance at the Hotel Brussels 

opposite the Church on the Boulevard de Waterloo.

Chaplain to our own Grand Priory, 

representing the our Grand Prior, HE Anthony Dickinson, 

with Abbot Lorent and Dom Cyrile.

Photo Credit: David Nivière.

All Souls Mass 2019

Mass was offered on All Souls Day for the deceased members and friends of the Order,

as well as for deceased members of the parish

at St Catherine Labouré Church in Farington, Lancashire.

Some of the members processing in.

Introibo ad altare Dei.

The MC for the Mass was one of the Esquires of the Grand Priory (currently studying history at Reading University), brought into the Order last year under the initiative of our Grand Prior, Chev. Anthony Dickinson.

Fr Mark Lawler preaches the Homily.

 

Detail of the vestment,

dating from the 1950's.

Thanks to the singers.

Few in number but creating a beautiful sound unto God.

They sang Claudio Casciolini's Missa pro Defunctis.

The Absolutions at the catefalque.

A few of the folk afterwards enjoying a cup of tea.

Thanks to John Robinson for the photographs.

Charity Gin Tasting Evening

The Grand Priory hosted a Charity Gin Tasting evening in Lancashire last week.

Such events have become very popular in recent years 

with the resurgence of new gin distilleries 

and renewed interest in creative new flavours.

 

It proved a popular event with us as well.

We raised £280 for the Orders Charities.

These include:

tackling leprosy in Sri Lanka with our partners SUROL

British Army Veterans Benevolent Fund, 

St Catherine’s Hospice, 

         St Joseph’s Hospice.          

 

 There was much discussion as to the relative merits of each of the six bottles we tasted.

 Obviously a discerning palate here.

It looks like Father may have tasted something a little bitter?

It proved a very enjoyable evening.

Our thanks to those who donated the various bottles of gin.

It had to be explained to some that it was not a whole bottle for each person!

 

 

Something fitting for the end of the evening!