Russkaya Cappella- Concert in the Cathedral 5 May
June 20, 2011
We are a group of local singers, with a variety of church affiliations and none, who love singing Russian music. We have sung for Russian and Romanian Orthodox services, as well as for a wedding at Turnbull Hall Read more
The St Mungo Singers 1971 – 2011
June 14, 2011
The St Mungo Singers 1971 – 2011 (This is an ongoing report)
The St Mungo Singers were founded in 1971 by Frs McGinty, Trainer and Fitzpatrick and Kathleen Donnelly to promote liturgical music in the Archdiocese of Glasgow. We began by supporting Music Conferences – at St Aloysius’, Garnethill, at Cardross College, at Bellarimine School – and were given our name The St Mungo Singers by Archbishop Scanlan.
Fairly soon we realised that there would be many advantages in having a larger liturgical choir and so we decided to gain more support by a performance of The Mass of St Patrick, by Philip Green, with Canon Sydney McEwan singing the Mass in St Mary’s, Calton. It worked really well.
We visited about 70 parishes within 5 years, and our first memorable Archdiocesan event was the welcome for the Papal Legate, Archbishop Bruno Heim, at the request of Archbishop Thomas Winning. The Archbishop suggested that we find or devise an Entry Processional based on the medieval ‘Laudes’ or Litany form , and, given the nature of the occasion, it seemed appropriate to use ‘feed my lambs, feed my sheep’ as the response! Since then we have sung at a great many Archdiocesan events, including funerals for priests, ordinations, consecrations, visits of the Nuncio, parish jubilees, the Wayside Club, Archdiocesan Lourdes Days, RCIA & Pentecost . . . . A high point was the Kelvinhall Ordination Mass with several choirs and St Andrew’s Brass. We also supported the early Children’s Masses on Palm Sundays and Cantatas from 1977 until they were strong enough to sustain themselves,. We were the main participants in events marking the multi-centenaries of St Margaret, St Mungo, St Ninian, St Columba, St Gregory the Great, and Blessed John Duns Scotus and we have enjoyed collaborating with St Aloysius’, Garnethill in the Ogilvie Vespers.
This year’s choir program has included music for the Papal Visit, the Requiem in St Agnes’ (including the plainsong Introit and Communion), and one for ourselves in St Leo’s, St Andrew’s Day, the St Mungo Festival events, Carols for Peace, the Mass of our Celtic Roots, the RCIA service on the 1st Sunday of Lent, the Ogilvie Vespers, the Chrism Mass, the re-opening of St Andrew’s Cathedral, St Andrew and a Catena of Saints, an Ecumenical Vespers in Bishopbriggs, the Champagnat Mass, Glasgow the Welcoming City, a wedding in St Aloysius’, an ordination, an Investiture Mass for The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, and a festive Mass to launch the New Missal. One of our ongoing concerns is to support parish choirs in the Archdiocese and this has also engaged the attention of the Music Committee.
Developments
Ecumenical events
Early on we worked with Kerr Spiers and the Paisley Baptists, with Rev Bill Hewitt of Elderslie, and Fr Godfrey Hartley of the Episcopalian Mission to Seamen in Govan, and we shared concerts with the Jewish Choral Society and the Kedron Choir. We played a major part in the Glasgow Garden Festival and the 1990 Year of Culture. Since Glasgow Churches Together began we have given it continual support collaborating with many other choirs, bands and instrumentalists to the present day. Events have included the Agape launching GCT, the Year of the Celtic Saints, the St Mungo Cantata in Glasgow Cathedral, the first Scottish Ecumenical Assembly of the Year 2001. At the initiative of Archbishop Conti and Dr Laurence Whitley we have taken a leading part in the annual St Mungo Service in Glasgow Cathedral
Civic events
We were invited to participate in The Garden Festival in 1988 and were at the heart of the ’Songs of Praise of the Christians and Jews’ forging many warm friendships. We gave some discrete support to the Children’s Mass at the Garden Festival along with St Andrew’s Brass and the Art Dept of St Roch’s Secondary —this was probably the biggest event of the Festival. With the encouragement of Lord Provost Alex Mossom we initiated the now annual Carols for Peace in the City Chambers, and then at the invitation of Lord Provost Liz Cameron engaged the GCT Music and Worship Committee in organizing Glasgow the Welcoming City. Most recently, with the inspiration of Bailie Catherine McMaster we have participated in the St Mungo Festival in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow Cathedral and, of course, the annual St Mungo Mass which was upgraded by Cardinal Winning in the 1980s.
Repertoire
From the beginning our aim has been to promote that understanding of the role of liturgical choirs indicated by the Vatican Council— to lead and support the congregation and to enrich the occasion by appropriate choral music. Our policy has therefore been to sustain our heritage of liturgical music while promoting contemporary music which facilitates the full active and conscious participation called for. This is no easy task but our repertoire has maintained a core of Plainsong, with music of Palestrina, Tallis, Byrd, Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Berlioz, Vaughan-Williams, Elgar, Rutter, and Chilcott. Lots of our liturgical material is local and provides accessible and singable melodies which are sensitive to the meaning of the texts and can be enriched by choral harmony, but we have also introduced many of the great classic ecumenical hymns to the Archdiocese, and encouraged the music of Taize and of Iona.
As the New Missal approaches we are already busy working on new settings by Noel and Gerry.
The Media
Over the years we have often been able to enrich the Church’s presence in the media with broadcasts including Columba Ryan’s unforgettable BBC radio ‘Witchcraft and God,’ (with some insightful music by John McQuaid) the VIP STV series, the BBC Songs of Praise in the People’s Palace, and several Masses in St Mungo’s, Townhead
Our events are well reported in the Archdiocesan Music Committee’s website (stmungomusic.org.uk) and its bulletin St Mungo’s Music, while we tend to be a supporting presence in the reports of liturgical events in the Catholic Media
Choir Management
the choir is led by Gerry, Noel and Elaine, with Jane the Organist, Mary the Secretary, Grace the Treasurer, and with John Limond as our Chairman, Elspeth as Convenor of the Social Committee and Maureen as its Secretary. We have close links with the National Music Committee , the Music and Worship Committee of GCT and with the Sacred Threads Embroiderers.
Social Life
We have regular social events of which the most significant could be described as pilgrimages: Lindisfarne, Iona, Whithorn, St Andrews, Dunfermline, Culross, Alloa, Skye, Morar, Lochgilphead, Dublin, Rothesay, the Holy Land, Rome, Salamanca, Malta and shortly Rome again and Orvieto. We hold an annual Requiem for deceased members, have an annual Christmas Dinner, and a day out. We have re-introduced the custom of starting the new session—this year on the 14th August—with a sung Mass, an introduction to the choir plans for the year and a little new music—along with a soiree and swalley . . .
‘May the road rise to meet us . . . . . . . .
Funeral of Fr. Jim Kirby
June 9, 2011
The funeral of Fr. Jim Kirby, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Glasgow, was held in St. Michael’s, Parkhead on 1 June. Fr. Jim had retired early due to ill-health and spent his last days in Ayr with relatives. Read more
Glasgow Champagnat Mass 2011
June 6, 2011
The Champagnat Mass, St Mungo’s, Townhead
Monday 6th June 2011
Glasgow’s annual Champagnat Mass took place in St Mungo’s, Townhead, a parish with more than a century of association with the Marist Brothers. Carmelite Fr Joseph Chalmers presided and preached, and spoke very movingly of Fr Chapagnat’s story and his effect on so many throughout the world even to the present day. Brother Joseph McKee, Vicar of the Marist Brothers, recalled the table round which Fr Champagnat gathered people and of his very modern instinct for ‘inclusivity.’ The St Mungo Singers supported the large congregation of Marists and their friends, Jane McKenna played the organ, Dorothy Gunney sang Psalm 97 and Dr Noel S Donnelly played the Clarsach. The Mass was followed by traditional hospitality in St Paul’s Halls.
Pre-Mass:
Mary the Dawn and Christ the Light of Day,
Mary the Gate and Christ the Heav’nly Way,
Mary the Root and Christ the Mystic Vine,
Mary the Grape and Christ the Sacred Vine,
Mary the Beacon, Christ the Haven’s Rest,
Mary the Mirror, Christ the Vision Blest.
Woman of love who Son of God conceived.
Woman of faith, “blest since you have believed.”
Woman of sorrows, standing by the cross,
Woman of prayer with Church at Pentecost.
Mother of Christ, our brother, friend and king!
Mother of God, with you to God we sing!
A new Lourdes Hymn
Hail, Mary, most blessed, the Mother of God,
And given by Jesus as Mother of all.
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria, Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria
The angel’s great message, the birth of God’s Son,
Required your acceptance, so graciously given. Ave …
You cared for your cousin and joy swelled your heart.
You voiced all our hopes in your Magnificat. Ave…
A stable for shelter in labour and love,
You welcomed your baby, God’s gift from above. Ave …
The angels and shepherds first witnessed Christ’s birth.
The kings show God’s message is for the whole earth. Ave …
Hail, Mary
Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Blest art thou among women and blest is the fruit of thy womb.
Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us sinners now.
Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us at our death.
Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Harp music
Ave Maria (Arcadelt)
Harp
Fr Joseph Chalmers presiding
Entry Song
Praise my soul the King of heaven! To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him! Praise him! Praise him! Praise him!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise him for his grace and favour To our fathers in distress.
Praise him still the same as ever, Slow to chide and swift to bless.
Praise him! Praise him! Praise him! Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness!
Father-like he tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his arms he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him! Praise him! Praise him! Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows!
Russian Kyrie
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison, Christe eleison, Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison.
Dunkeld Gloria
The Liturgy of the Word
1st Reading: Sirach 24: 28-31
Ps 97: The Lord will come with justice and fairness.
2nd Reading: Acts 1:12-14. 2:44-47
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth
for revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom to children.
Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Matthew 18: 1-7;10
Homily
Harp reflection.
Intercessions
During the Offertory Procession we sing:
A Celtic Invocation
Christ be near at either hand. Christ behind, before me stand!
Christ with me where e’er I go – Christ around, above, below.
Christ be in my heart and mind. Christ within my soul enshrined;
Christ control my wayward heart; Christ, abide and ne’er depart!
Christ my light and only way. Christ my lantern night and day.
Christ be my unchanging friend, Guide and Shepherd to the end!
Praise the Father, source of all love! Praise the Son who reigns above!
Praise Holy Spirit, Comfort in need! Praise on our lips, in our hearts and our deeds!
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
Holy, holy, holy Lord … . . . . . . (Kelvinhall)
Memorial:
Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again, Christ will come.
Hosannah, hosannah, hosannah, hosannah,
hosannah in the highest. Hosannah in the highest.
Through him with him in him ……….Amen.
Communion
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof.
But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosannah! Hosannah! Hosannah in excelsis.
Bless’d be the Father who made us his people,
daughters and sons baptised in his name. . . . . . . .
choir: Praise the King of all creation (Bach – Quinn)
Blessing
St Marcellin hymn
Saint Marcellin, to thee we pray that we who sing thy praise today
may learn of thee how little worth are all the vanities of earth,
how great, with heaven as its goal, the worth of every human soul!
To bring all minds to know the truth, to win for God the souls of youth,
to lead the heart of man and child to love God’s Mother undefiled -
this was thy care. Make us to be afire with love of God like thee.
O Marcellin, teach us to know God’s presence with us as we go;
to seek our Lord and love him most in Crib and Cross and Sacred Host.
And lead us when our life is done to Mary and to Mary’s Son!
Choir: Regina Coeli (Lotti).
Everyone is welcome in the hall for refreshments.
Acknowledgements and Copyright.: Mary the Dawn: Used in “Mary for all Christians” John McQuarrie ã Harper Collins. Music and verse 2 (c) Noel Donnelly. A new Lourdes Hymn: (c) Stephen E Smyth. Ps 97: Words & Music (c) Noel S Donnelly. Benedictus: Blessed be the Father: Words & Music of verses Noel S. Donnelly © Kevin Mayhew. Music of Mass parts and Gospel Acclamation © Gerry Fitzpatrick. Archdiocesan Calamus lic: 0269 and CCL Lic: 27398.
Pope Benedict on the Continuity of Sacred Music
June 1, 2011
Benedict XVI Underlines Continuity of Sacred Music
Says Tradition Rightly Lives Alongside Progress
MAY 31, 2011 Benedict XVI is underlining the continuity of sacred music that stretches back to the “authentic and glorious tradition” begun by St. Gregory the Great.
In a letter address to Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, grand chancellor of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, the Pope called the centenary of its foundation an “important event,” and a “reason for joy for all the cultivators of sacred music.”
Placing the foundation of the institute in context, the Pontiff recalled that Pius X founded the institute in 1911, eight years after publishing an instruction on sacred music issued “motu proprio,” titled “Tra le Sollcitudini” (Among the Cares).
With the instruction, Benedict XVI recalled, Pius X “carried out a profound reform in the field of sacred music, returning to the great tradition of the Church against the influences exercised by profane music, especially operatic.”
The German Pope continued: “This masterful intervention needed, for its realization in the universal Church, a center of study and teaching that could transmit, in a faithful and qualified way, the lines indicated by the Supreme Pontiff, in keeping with the authentic and glorious tradition that goes back to St. Gregory the Great.
“Hence, in the span of the last 100 years, this institution has assimilated, elaborated and transmitted the doctrinal and pastoral contents of the pontifical documents, as well as of Vatican Council II, concerning sacred music, so that they can illumine and guide the work of composers, of chapel maestros, of liturgists, of musicians and of all formators in this field.”
Benedict XVI then highlighted the “essential continuity of the teaching on sacred music in the liturgy.”
Even modern Popes, he continued, such as Paul VI and John Paul II, reaffirmed “in the light of the conciliar constitution ‘Sacrosanctum Concilium,’ [...] the end of sacred music, namely, ‘the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful,’ and the fundamental criteria of Tradition.”
He noted several elements of the Tradition of sacred music, such as “the sense of prayer, of dignity and of beauty,” “the primacy of Gregorian chant, as supreme model of sacred music,” and “the importance of the ‘schola cantorum.’”
Benedict XVI said the more traditional forms of sacred music have been “considered expressions of a conception that responded to a past to be overcome and neglected, because it limited the liberty and creativity of the individual and the communities.”
“However,” he countered, “we must always ask ourselves again: Who is the authentic subject of the liturgy?”
“The answer is simple, the Church” the Pope answered. “Not the individual or the group that celebrates the liturgy, it is first of all the action of God through the Church, which has her history, her rich tradition and her creativity.”
“The liturgy, and consequently sacred music,” the Pontiff explained, “lives from a correct and constant relation between healthy ‘traditio’ and legitimate ‘progressio.’”
Benedict XVI then urged the institute, “on the basis of these solid and sure elements, to which are added an age-old experience,” to continued “with renewed impetus and commitment your service in the professional formation of the students, so that they acquire a serious and profound competency in the different disciplines of sacred music.”
“Thus,” he concluded, “this Pontifical Institute will continue to offer a valid contribution for the formation, in this field, of the pastors and lay faithful in the different particular Churches, fostering also an adequate discernment of the quality of the musical compositions used in liturgical celebrations.”
— — —
