The 2004 Epiphany Festival was held on Saturday 10th January at the Parish Church of Saint Agnes, Kennington Park, by kind permission of the Vicar,
Fr Christopher Pearson SSC.

This year’s Epiphany Festival continued the new arrangements, which began last year in that it was arranged as an Area Festival by the South London Chapters (LG5&6). It was a great joy to see so many familiar faces from far and wide. The church was full (c.120 faithful) with servers and supporters from the local area of LG5&6 (South London), as well as from other parts of London, and from as far a field as Bristol and Leicester. It was more like a National Festival!

The festival was the first time the new Guild concelebration vestments were used. These were ordered, after discussion at the last Council meeting, from J&M Sewing in Newcastle who were very helpful and efficient in producing the vestments for us. Fr Moore blessed the set of twelve chasubles and two dalmatics in the sacristy prior to the Mass, assisted by the Group Councillor.

The day began with the singing of the Angelus at 12 noon at the statue of Our Lady 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 Regional Dean for Southwark. He was assisted by Deacon Peter Hudson, OLM Curate at Saint Paul’s, Deptford, and Subdeacon Christopher Noke, a first year Ordinand on the SEITE course. The Warden, Fr David Moore; the Vicar, Fr Christopher Pearson and four other priests representing some of the Chapters present concelebrated. 

After the Mass, a hot lunch had been arranged and many of those present 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, Barbara Aburn for all her hard work with the shopping and advance preparation. She was ably assisted on the day by my wife, Nicki, grandmother and mother-in-law. Somewhat a family affair once again!! Any offers of assistance with the catering for next year from spouses or others coming along would be gratefully received. Unfortunately, if we do not get more help with the catering and clearing up after lunch, we will have to reconsider these arrangements. Due to the lack of additional help, those doing the catering were unable to get to either of the services, as they would have liked.

At around 3.30pm the brethren robed and reconvened in church for Solemn Guild Office, Sermon, Procession and Benediction. The service began with a welcome from Fr Moore, who thanked those who had been involved with the organisation of the day and welcome Fr Graeme Rowlands Chaplain General of the Society of Mary and Parish Priest of Saint Silas Kentish Town as the preacher at the service. Fr Moore said that he had known Fr Rowlands since he was an undergraduate Ordinand at Kings College in 1971, which made Fr Moore feel very old. The Officiant at the service was Fr David Moore, Warden of the Guild, assisted by Fr Hudson and James Holmes. Fr Graeme Rowlands preached an interesting homily preceded by various humorous comments from the Group Councillor, Craig Aburn who continued with what Fr Moore had said. Craig recalled how he had been born when Fr Rowlands was the aforementioned undergraduate Ordinand, which would make Fr Rowlands also feel very old! Fr Rowlands had gone to Saint Alban’s Holborn in September 1971, so actually knew Craig before he was born in the October.  After the homily, a procession of rather too many robed servers followed and the service concluded with Solemn Benediction, which was followed by tea in the church hall.

It was a great joy to see the church full for both services and so well supported. Our sincere and heartfelt thanks must go to Fr Pearson for his gracious hospitality, once again. It was a joy and privilege for me to organise this festival for the second year, as everything ran pretty much according to plan thanks largely to such an accommodating Vicar making life that much easier!!!

Guild Members from the Chapters in LG5&6 served at the Mass and in the afternoon, under the guidance of the MC, Group Councillor Craig Aburn. Members of the Guild Choir assisted with the musical accompaniment at both services, so thanks to all of them and to our organist.

Thanks, too, must be recorded to Fr Andrew Stevens for his assistance with the preparations for the event. He kindly produced the Mass booklet as well as celebrating the Mass and assisting in the afternoon. Also to our Warden, Fr David Moore, for coming to support us and leading the afternoon service once again and to the many members and Priests Associate who attended and by no means least, our preacher, Fr Graeme Rowlands.

It was also a pleasure to have with us our Acting Secretary-General and Webmaster, Councillor Terry Doughty, at the festival for the first time since taking up the reins from our late Secretary-General, Roy Cresswell. Terry, along with Mary Attenborough, took several photographs of the day, which can be viewed on the Guild website at www.GSSonline.org.uk/Epiphany_2004.htm if you haven’t already found them!

Craig Aburn
Group Councillor for LG5&6

XXX

Reports / Photos from other year's Festivals

XXX

Page last updated April 2009