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.