Why have one cake when you can have two!
‘I Rejoiced when I heard them say ”Let us go to the house of God.”
When it’s the Diamond Jubilee (and also the birthday) of the long serving Director of Music for the Archdiocese of Glasgow, Mgr. Gerry Fitzpatrick, there is only one way to celebrate and that is – in his own words – with a mega, mega Mass! And so it was that his parish church, St Leo the Great in Dumbreck, was crowded with musicians, singers, fellow priests, family and friends in addition to the parish community for the Jubilee Mass on Sunday 17 March.
Among the concelebrating priests were Fr Noel Colford who had been with Mgr. Gerry in seminary in Rome, Canon Bob Spence from Durham who has known Mgr Gerry since his days in Rome and, at the other end of the spectrum, Mgr Michael Hutson from Argyll & the Isles Diocese who first met Mgr Gerry when he joined the St Mungo Singers when a music student before going on to study for the priesthood.
The congregation included ecumenical guests from Glasgow Churches Together and members of the Glasgow Archdiocesan Music Committee. It goes without saying that St Mungo Singers (current and retired) were there in plenty, as well as members of the ad hoc group of players which had morphed into the St Mungo Ensemble and joins the choir for so many events. Sadly missing was Fr Willie Slavin, another classmate from Roman days, who had died in July 2023.
As anyone who knows Mgr. Gerry would expect, the music for the Mass would never be restricted to or even mainly his own compositions, but included works by Scottish liturgical composers whom he has worked with over the years including Dr Noel Donnelly, David Harris and Catherine Walker, as well as classic choir motets (Elgar’s Ave Verum), and it finished with Hail Glorious St Patrick.
In his homily Mgr Gerry reflected on the themes of the readings – the lovely passage from the prophet Jeremiah on God’s promise of a new Covenant and St Paul’s words on the self-sacrifice of the Lord. These remind us of God’s unchanging love, and so in the Eucharist we give thanks and look ahead in confidence. On a personal note, he said he had so much to be thankful for, with particular memories of Pope St John XXIII, and the prayers and support of so many people.
Mgr Gerry with colleagues to help him cut the cakes
At the end of the Mass Canon David Wallace gave a “surprise” few words. He remembered being inspired by Mgr Gerry at a liturgical event in 1991! Mgr Gerry, he said, had been so much part of all our lives. He had been a founder member of Glasgow Churches Together and was still involved today. His energy was rooted in Christ and he was constantly looking forward to what was happening next whether that was the St Mungo Singers, Glasgow Churches Together, the parish etc.etc.
Then it was off to a celebratory lunch at Haggs Castle Golf Club where there was lots of food, few speeches but plenty of time to talk, as well as cakes to cut.
Ad multos annos, Mgr Gerry!
