The celebratory cake

The celebratory cake

As part of the year-long celebrations, the St. Mungo Singers had a great dinner and dance at the Pond Hotel in Glasgow. Over 80 choir members, family, friends and associates came together for a lovely meal and a chance to demonstrate their dancing skills. Guests included Johanna O’Connor (longest serving member of the choir), Archbishop Emeritus Conti, former conductors and organists of the choir, and instrumentalists who have played with them at various services and events.

Archbishop Tartaglia was unable to attend, due to other commitments but sent a generous message of thanks (see below) to the St. Mungo Singers for their many years of service to the Archdiocese and its liturgy. In typical St. Mungo style, the event was very informal with only a brief and fun speech by Gerry Healy on some of the history of the St. Mungo Singers, and a reply by Mgr. Gerry thanking everyone for all their hard work and commitment over the years.

Johanna cuts the cake as Mgr. Gerry looks on

Johanna cuts the cake as Mgr. Gerry looks on

A lovely cake was then cut by Johanna and the rest of the night was dedicated to catching up on the news and dancing.

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia very generously and kindly wrote:
“I’d be grateful if you could express on my behalf my deep appreciation to the St Mungo Singers for everything they have done over the years  for our diocesan liturgies and for liturgical music throughout the Archdiocese: their countless rehearsals, their great faithfulness and continuity and availability over the years, their fine singing and acute sense of the liturgy; and for making all our diocesan liturgies more beautiful, more participative and above all more sacred. The St Mungo Singers have accompanied the Archdiocese through the years of liturgical renewal and change following on Vatican II, and have done it admirably with a huge sense of service to the Church, the diocese and the liturgy. This is no ordinary thing and should not be under-estimated. The liturgical-musical service of the St Mungo Singers has been very beneficial to the diocese, and a true channel of grace.

On behalf of my predecessors, Cardinal Tom Winning and Archbishop Mario Conti. I express my heartfelt thanks to  yourself as the leader and inspiration of the St Mungo Singers, the directors of the choir, the organists and musicians, and to all the members, current and past, who have contributed to making sacred music for Glasgow.

Have an enjoyable evening and may God bless and reward you all”.