John Anthony Bell RIP
January 11, 2012
John Bell
Argyll & Isles Pastoral Music Weekend 2-4 September 2011
September 14, 2011
The second Diocesan Pastoral Music Weekend of this year was held in its usual venue at St. Mary’s Kinnoull. Around
60 musicians from across the diocese attended. Unfortunately Bishop Toal was unable to be there, because of illness, but the musicians were joined by Mgr. Jamie MacNeil, Fr. Roddy Johnston, recently ordained Fr. David Connor and Deacon Stanislaw Pamula (who was on his way back to Rome), as well as Fr. Michael Hutson and his usual team of helpers.
Argyll & Isles musicians hard at work
The tried and tested format for the music weekend is extremely successful – refurbishment of existing repertoire, the introduction of new music, talks on aspects of the liturgy and music’s place in it, all interspersed with time for socialising and relaxation in the beautiful surrounds of Kinnoull. The focus this session was on the music for the new translation of the Missal.
The weekend began on Friday evening with a warm-up session of some familiar pieces, and a first look at Dan Schutte’s “Mass of Christ the Saviour”. After St. Mary’s usual filling supper, the group convened again in the chapel for further work on this Mass before the session closed with Night Prayer. Then there was time for everyone to catch up on each other’s news in the Common Room.
After breakfast the next morning, there was time for preparation for morning Mass. After Mass, Mgr. Jamie gave a reflection on the new text for the Sanctus, focussing our thoughts on what is meant by the term “holy” – in brief it means to be like God. Then there were further rehearsals on music for the new translation. In addition to the Schutte Mass, the group learned the Lamb of God from the Rose-Conlon Mass of St. Mary McKillop and refreshed their memory of the Latin Pater Noster. Fr. Michael made the point that the reason for singing certain less commonly sung parts of the Mass (such as the Preface or the Our Father) was to give greater solemnity to particular celebrations. The priests of Argyll & the Isles Diocese had now attended sessions on the place of music in the Mass.
After a break for rest and relaxation, Fr. Roddy gave an reflection on the Gloria, and, in his inimitable way, had everyone looking at it with new eyes - a song of joy after the Penitential Rite which makes us ready to sing it – a Christmas song which we sing throughout the year. But, he asked, how do we glorify or bless God? His answer was that every good thing we have or are is to the glory of God and we give it all to him when we sing the Gloria.
A final rehearsal after supper still left the group with the energy for an informal ceilidh. Even Fr. Kieran, the Rector of St. Mary’s, was persuaded to do a party piece, and the music included great fiddle playing from our youngest member, Kevin, and some beautiful guitar playing by Fr. Roddy.
Kevin the fiddler gets the toes tapping at the ceilidh
The weekend closed with the group joining the parish community for Mass on Sunday morning, presided over by Fr. David. This Mass is, for many, the highlight of the weekend, as it gives the opportunity to put into practice what they have learned and experience first hand how the liturgy can be. Deacon Stanislaw gave the homily and set us the challenge of recognising that love is often to speak the truth into the eyes of another. It is not just a sentiment, it can be a rebuke to others, and we need to be prepared to love with belief and with courage. We can be irritated or angry with another but still continue to love them. It is better to get the truth into the open, rather than hide our anger until it explodes and destroys love.
After Mass, it was time to pack up and get on the way, reflecting that it really won’t be very long till the next Music Weekend in May 2012!
Argyll & Isles Ordination
July 7, 2011
Fr. David with Bishop Toal after the Ordination service
The ordination of David Connor on 14 June at St. Columba’s Cathedral, Oban was a lovely, warm and uplifting diocesan occasion. The Cathedral was full for the service, presided over by Bishop Toal, with Bishop Emeritus Murray also present, together with a large number of priests from across the Diocese and from other Dioceses, as well as many of David’s family and friends, and his colleagues from the Diocesan Choir. Before Mass started, the Choir presented David with a gift to mark his ordination, and also gave his sister a bouquet of flowers. Read more
Argyll & Isles Pastoral Music Weekend
May 28, 2011
Argyll & Isles musicians rehearsing
The Argyll & Isles Spring Music Weekend took place at St. Mary’s Kinnoull, on 6-8 May, with over 60 musicians and singers from throughout the Diocese attending. We arrived to beautiful weather, with deer wandering through the grounds, birds singing and the St.Mary’s chickens sounding off. The only sad note was the absence of Br. Malachy, a familiar figure in the garden and grounds, who had died the previous month. I think a number of the choir will have paid a quiet visit to his grave in the little cemetery at St. Mary’s. Read more
Argyll & Isles Pastoral Music Weekend 3-5 September 2010
September 11, 2010
Argyll & Isles Music Weekends are renowned for being a great mix of hard work and enjoyment but this September’s event reached new heights as 46 participants from across the Diocese came together, primarily to prepare for the Papal Mass at Bellahouston, whether as members of the Papal choir or as support for their parishes. There was a special pleasure in welcoming newly ordained deacon Rev. David Connor who joined us from Maynooth College. Read more
Argyll & Isles Pastoral Music Weekend May 2010
May 13, 2010
Argyll & Isles Pastoral Music Weekend was held in its usual venue, St. Mary’s Kinnoull over 7-9 May. This session, we had a record attendance of just under 70 people, many of them “weel kent” faces but also an encouraging number of new people and some returning regulars. The numbers meant in fact that some had to get offsite accommodation as we exceeded the capacity of St. Mary’s, and many of the rehearsals had to be held in the main church. Read more
Argyll & Isles Chrism Mass 2010
April 20, 2010
Bishop Toal and concelebrants at the Chrism Mass
Argyll & The Isles Diocese celebrated their Chrism Mass on 24 March in St. Columba’s Cathedral, Oban. Bishop Toal concelebrated with a large number of diocesan priests, including Fr. Colin McInnes who was home from South America. Before the Mass, the Diocesan choir remembered one of their members, Mrs. Celia MacDonald who had recently died, and they quietly sang “Receive her soul” Read more
In memoriam
March 19, 2010
Argyll & Isles Diocesan Choir had a very sad liturgy to attend this week – the funeral Mass of one of its members, Mrs. Celia MacDonald of Read more
Argyll & Isles Diocesan Choir Pilgrimage to Salamanca
October 17, 2009
What a way to start – 4 o’clock in the morning at Glasgow Airport! Well it was meant to be a pilgrimage so I suppose we couldn’t complain, and indeed, as the group from Argyll & the Isles Diocese (choir members and friends) assembled, they looked remarkably cheerful in spite of the pouring rain and, in some cases, not having been to bed at all! Read more
Argyll & The Isles Pastoral Music Weekend May 2009
May 7, 2009
Bishop Toal with participants
The Music Weekends just get better, according to some of those taking part! Over 40 musicians from throughout the Diocese (together with some associates from beyond the Diocese!) gathered over the weekend of 1-3 May at St. Mary’s Kinnoull to make music, reflect on their music ministry and catch up on news with friends old and new. Read more
