The Joy of the Resurrection - 50

Today is the 50th day of Easter, and so we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday. Here we have a photo of the paschal candle burning brightly at St Columba's Church, Culloden.



Let us pray that the flame of the Spirit will descend upon us:

Father in heaven,
fifty days have celebrated the fullness
of the mystery of your revealed love.

See your people gathered in prayer,
open to receive the Spirit's flame.
May it come to rest in our hearts
and disperse the divisions of word and tongue.
With one voice and one song
may we praise your name in joy and thanksgiving.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Feast!

Tomorrow I shall start a brief series on the Highland Games.

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Here we see the lovely plaque of Our Lady and Baby Jesus on the wall of the Lady Chapel.

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Here we see the lovely cross from Poland which is in the Lady Chapel.

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This is a photo of the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the main Chapel.

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Here we see the statue of Our Lady and the Holy Child in the main Chapel of St Columba's.

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Here is the view from the windows on the North side of the new church.



We look across the Moray Firth to the Black Isle and the Hills of the North. It is truly uplifting!

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Here is the view from the windows on the South side of the new church looking towards the trees of Culloden Forest.



An Australian viewer, who evidently dislikes our new church building, enquired whether we were planning to have any stained glass windows installed. Who would want stained glass when we have lovely views like this?

Tomorrow I shall show you the even better view from the windows on the North side.

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Today we celebrate the 7th Sunday of Easter.



Alleluia! sing to Jesus!
His the sceptre, his the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph,
his the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation
hath redeemed us by his blood.

Alleluia! not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us,
faith believes, nor questions how;
Though the cloud from sight received him
when the forty days were o'er
shall our hearts forget his promise,
'I am with you evermore'?

Alleluia! bread of heaven,
here on earth our food and stay!
Alleluia! here the sinful
flee to thee from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
earth's Redeemer, plead for me.
Where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluia! King eternal,
thee the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth thy footstool,
heaven thy throne.
Thou within the veil hast entered,
robed in flesh, our great High Priest.
Thou on earth both Priest and Victim
in the Eucharistic Feast.

Happy Sunday!

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Here is the meeting room at the end of the long corridor.



We use this room every Sunday for Children's Liturgy and for refreshments after Mass. Most Sundays this is just coffee, tea, juice, and biscuits - but earlier this month around 70 people enjoyed a cooked parish breakfast.



Here is a photo of our well-equipped parish kitchen.

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Here we have a photo of the War Memorial outside the main entrance of St Columba's.



In Memory of the Fallen - The Battle of Culloden 1746 - and of all British Commonwealth and Allied Service Men and Women who have died in the defence of freedom.

May they rest in peace. Amen

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Today is the 40th day of Easter, and so we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord.



Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
to his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!

There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
he hath conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!

Lo! the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
still he calls mankind his own. Alleluia!

See! he lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
See! he shows the prints of love: Alleluia!
Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!

Still for us he intercedes, Alleluia!
his prevailing death he pleads, Alleluia!
near himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
he the first fruits of our race. Alleluia!

Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
far above the starry height, Alleluia!
grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
seeking thee above the skies. Alleluia!

There we shall with thee remain, Alleluia!
partners of thy endless reign, Alleluia!
there thy face unclouded see, Alleluia!
find our heaven of heavens in thee, Alleluia!

Wonderful words by Charles Wesley.

Happy Feast!

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Here is part of the passageway of our new church - it is quite long!



To the right we have the Main Chapel, and to the left the toilets (Ladies, Gents, and Disabled), the plant room (boiler etc), the store room (folding tables etc), the sacristy (vestments etc), the Lady Chapel, and the kitchen. At the very end of the corridor we have the meeting room.

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Here we see the entrance to the Main Chapel from the entrance hall.



These flowers need watering to keep them alive. We use Holy Water to remind ourselves of our Baptism - and our new abundant life in Christ.

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Here we see Helen, the Sacristan at St Columba's, Culloden, carefully preparing the altar for Sunday Mass.



We have 3 Masses a week. Sundays at 9.30 am, Wednesdays at 10.30 am (followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament), and Thursdays at 7.30 pm. In addition we have a Service of the Word and Holy Communion on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm. You will receive a warm welcome at any of these services.



Here we see Helen in the sacristy clearing things away after the celebration of Sunday Mass.

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Today we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Eastertide.



This joyful Eastertide,
away with sin and sorrow!
My Love, the Crucified,
hath sprung to life this morrow.

Had Christ, that once was slain,
ne'er burst his three-day prison,
our faith had been in vain;
but now hath Christ arisen,
arisen, arisen, arisen.

Death's flood hath lost its chill,
since Jesus crossed the river:
Lover of souls, from ill
my passing soul deliver.

Had Christ, that once was slain,
ne'er burst his three-day prison,
our faith had been in vain;
but now hath Christ arisen,
arisen, arisen, arisen.

My flesh in hope shall rest,
and for a season slumber,
till trump from east to west
shall wake the dead in number.

Had Christ, that once was slain,
ne'er burst his three-day prison,
our faith had been in vain;
but now hath Christ arisen,
arisen, arisen, arisen.

Happy Sunday!

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Hail thee, Festival Day!
Blest day that art hallowed for ever;
Day when the Church, Christ's bride,
Is to her bridegroom espoused.



I have loved All Saints' Day ever since I worshipped at All Saints', Margaret Street, London for 8 years during the 1970's. Now the day will mean even more to me, as it will also be our Dedication Festival at St Columba's, Culloden.

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Not a very good photo, but...



... here we see Bishop Peter Moran of Aberdeen with a visiting archbishop, priests, deacons, and altar servers following the Solemn Dedication of the new church on Saturday 1 November 2008.

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Today we celebrate the Feast of St Matthias.



Here we see the main sanctuary in the new church. One of my favourite features of the new building is the lovely wooden floor and furnishings. On the wall behind the altar you can see the tabernacle in which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. The red light is a sign of Our Lord's abiding presence with his people. The Celtic Cross gives a very Scottish feel to the building.

It is possible to screen off the sanctuary area with sliding doors which are concealed in the wall either side of the sanctuary. This enables the nave area to be used for secular functions - such as the monthly bingo night!

Happy Feast!

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Here we see the main body of the church - with seating for 200 people. I am pleased to report that at Sunday Mass there are few empty chairs.

The church fits in well with the local area, and worshippers have splendid views of the surrounding countryside, with the 'Hills of the North' in the distance.

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November 2008...



... and the new church is open - Alleluia!

Here we see the spacious entrance hall and the open doors leading to the main nave and sanctuary. The walls of the hallway are painted in 'Episcopal Purple', and give a very warm feel. The wonderfully comfortable chairs in the nave are in the same colour.

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Another view of the new church taken on the Eve of All Saints' Day 2008.



This dramatic photo shows the church framed by the trees of Culloden Forest. I am pleased that so much wood has been used in the construction of our new building - it makes it fit in well with the natural surroundings. Well tomorrow you are in for a treat! The first photo of the completed interior - taken on the Day of Dedication - 1 November 2008.

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No, these are not members of the choir at St Columba's Culloden. They are in fact choristers at the Chapel Royal, who sing at services attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.



Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,
Your sweetest notes employ,
The Paschal victory to hymn
In strains of holy joy.

For Judah’s Lion bursts His chains,
Crushing the serpent’s head;
And cries aloud through death’s domains
To wake the imprisoned dead.

From hell’s devouring jaws the prey
Alone our Leader bore;
His ransomed hosts pursue their way
Where Jesus goes before.

Triumphant in His glory now
To Him all power is given;
To Him in one communion bow
All saints in earth and heaven.

While we, His soldiers, praise our King,
His mercy we implore,
Within His palace bright to bring
And keep us evermore.

All glory to the Father be,
All glory to the Son,
All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While endless ages run. Alleluia! Amen.

Happy Sunday!

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Late October 2008...



... and another photo of the finished church. The Sanctuary is the area to the right of the photo. We are all so proud of our new church!

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Late October 2008...



... and the bespoke build is finished on time and all is ready for the Solemn Dedication by the Bishop of Aberdeen on 1 November - what a day of rejoicing! The builders have done a magnificent job - and on budget (£750,000).

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Early October 2008...



... and the six torch bearers line up in the new sanctuary. Wait a minute - it hasn't been Dedicated yet!

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Late September 2008...



... and only 5 weeks to go to the Dedication of the new church by Bishop Peter of Aberdeen. The inside is taking shape - but the vertical supports have yet to be removed!

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Mid September 2008...



... and the main entrance to the new church is nearing completion.

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Early September 2008, and less than 2 months to go. But what is the strange 'wee' building in the foreground?



This was intended as the new residence for the Parish Deacon.



I told them they could think again! It is now used as a store room for garden equipment and cycles.

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Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
of triumphant gladness!
God hath brought his Israel
into joy from sadness:
loosed from Pharoah's bitter yoke
Jacob's sons and daughters,
led them with unmoistened foot
through the Red Sea waters.

'Tis the spring of souls today:
Christ hath burst his prison,
and from three days' sleep in death
as a sun hath risen;
all the winter of our sins,
long and dark, is flying
from his light, to whom we give
laud and praise undying.

Now the queen of seasons, bright
with the day of splendor,
with the royal feast of feasts,
comes its joy to render;
comes to glad Jerusalem,
who with true affection
welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus' resurrection.

Neither might the gates of death,
nor the tomb's dark portal,
nor the watchers, nor the seal
hold thee as a mortal:
but today amidst the twelve
thou didst stand, bestowing
that thy peace which evermore
passeth human knowing.

Alleluia now we cry
to our King Immortal,
who triumphant burst the bars
of the tomb's dark portal;
alleluia, with the Son
God the Father praising;
alleluia yet again
to the Spirit raising.

I love hymns with lots of alleluias!

Happy Sunday!

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Late August 2008...



... and here is a closer view of the outside of the new sanctuary.

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Early August 2008...



... and from the road side things look almost finished. However there remains much work to be done inside before Bishop Peter solemnly Dedicates the new building on 1 November 2008. The outside of the sanctuary is now clearly visible.