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The
2003 Epiphany Festival was held on Saturday 11th January at the Parish Church of
Saint Agnes, Kennington Park, by kind permission of the Vicar,
Fr Christopher
Pearson SSC.
The
2003 Epiphany Festival was the first of, God willing, many in a new format,
arranged as an Area Festival for the South London Chapters (LG5&6) and
seemed to be well received by many who came. Of course, as in former years
at Southwark, brethren came from far and wide beyond the area covered by
LG5&6. It was a pleasure to see you all and I was very grateful for your
support.
The
day began with the singing of the Angelus at 12noon and a Solemn Concelebrated
Mass of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Principal Celebrant was Fr
Andrew Stevens SSC, Vicar of S. Nicholas Plumstead, Chaplain to the Chapter of
the Holy Redeemer (LG5/75) and Forward in Faith Sub-Dean for London and
Southwark. He was joined by Fr Pearson and three other priests representing two
of the other Chapters within LG5&6. Guild Members from the Chapter of
the Holy Redeemer served the Mass. Members of the Guild Choir assisted with the
musical accompaniment at both services.
After
the Mass, a hot lunch had been arranged. Those who had opted to book for this in
advance enjoyed a selection of hot main dishes followed by a choice of cold
desserts. There seemed to be general agreement that this option for lunch was a
good idea and many favourable comments were received about the catering. My
sincere thanks must go to my mother for all her hard work with the shopping and
advance preparation. She was ably assisted on the day by my wife, grandmother
and mother-in-law. Somewhat a family affair!! Any offers of assistance with the
catering for next year from spouses or others coming along would be gratefully
received...
At
around 3pm the brethren robed and reconvened in church for Solemn Guild Office,
Sermon, Procession and Benediction. The Officiant at the service was Fr David
Moore, Warden of the Guild, assisted by Fr Stevens and Reg Martin. The serving
team was predominantly from the Chapter of the Incarnate Word. The preacher was
Fr Christopher Pearson SSC, Vicar of St Agnes. He preached on the theme of
everyone having something to give and recalled some of his experiences of what
he had received from servers and the Guild. It was apt that we were holding our
Festival in a church where during his training the Vicar had been supported by
the Guild Candidates for Ordination Fund (C.O.F) to which half the money
received in the two collections at the Festival is being given. Fr Pearson also
said that he had heard that the GSS had been to St Agnes in the days of the old
church. He pointed out that the old building was destroyed in an air raid in
1940 and said he hoped we would not leave it so long until we went again! The
service concluded with a procession and Solemn Benediction.
It
was a great joy to see the church almost full for both services. Our sincere and
heartfelt thanks must go to Fr Pearson for his gracious hospitality. It was a
joy and privilege for me to organise this festival for the first time and in
this new format. Everything ran according to plan thanks to the parish
being so accommodating.
Thanks,
too, must be recorded to Fr Andrew Stevens for his assistance with the
preparations for the event. He kindly produced the "all-in-one"
booklet containing everything for both services. Thanks also to our Warden, Fr
David Moore, for coming to support us and leading the afternoon service.
A large number of photos of the day were kindly taken by the GSS Webmaster, Cllr Terry Doughty and can be viewed on the Guild website at www.GSSonline.org.uk/Epiphany_1.htm
Craig Aburn
Group Councillor for LG5&6
XXX
Reports / Photos from other year's Festivals
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
XXX
Page last updated April 2009
