Powerscourt Gardens

Keeping up the Irish theme, I spent a couple of days in Dublin last week, and on Tuesday 10 July visited Powerscourt Gardens.

These beautiful gardens are located about twenty miles south of Dublin in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains. The fountain in the middle of the lake is a very notable feature of these gardens.

What amazed me, in addition to the sheer beauty of the surroundings, was the fact that I almost had the gardens to myself. Very different to Kew Gardens - near where I live!

Who exactly is this Bishop Edward Darling?

Here you can see my boss - Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, questioning me on the recent content of the blog.

No, I'm only joking! This photo was taken at a luncheon held recently at Notre Dame School, Cobham. Earlier in the day I had acted as deacon to the Cardinal at a Sung Mass to mark the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the School.

The Cardinal was born in 1932, Bishop Edward in 1933, and Notre Dame School was founded in 1937. I am a real youngster - having been born in 1953!

Bishop Edward treks in the alps

Former Board member and current patron and retired Bishop of Limerick, Dr. Edward Darling, took to the slopes of the Alps last August in an effort to raise funds for Bóthar.

Bishop Edward celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination in 2006 and used this landmark in his life to inspire support for his efforts.

His campaign involved contacting all of the people that he had ordained in his lifetime and asking for their support. His requests met with a huge response from friends all over Britain and Ireland.

Bishop Edward had trained for the challenge in the Austrian Alps prior to the trek, which was a godsend for the real test where he excelled at the physical challenges that faced him on the slopes.

His presence in the group of 30 fellow participants was a huge boost to the event, both in terms of his fundraising contribution and in terms of his passion for the work of Bóthar.

On a personal note, one book in my collection which I really treasure is 'Choosing the Hymns' by Edward Darling. It was given to me as a gift in 1984, with the simple inscription 'To Peter - A memento of your love of hymns - Edward'. I have tried to follow Edward's example by taking great care over the choice of hymns sung in the Chapel of the Resurrection. It saddens me how poor the choice of hymns tends to be in the Catholic Church today - even (dare I say!) in our great Cathedrals.

As I said in earlier posts - what a remarkable man!

Bishop Edward Darling & Dr Donald Davison MBE, ARSCM

Here is Bishop Edward pictured on the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the diaconate in June 2006. He celebrated the day in his former parish of St John's Malone, South Belfast. He is pictured here with his wife Patricia, some of their children (and their spouses), and their grandchildren. A real family gathering! Edward was born in 1933.

After spending 13 years as Rector of St John's, Edward was appointed Bishop of Limerick in November 1985. His successor as Rector of Malone (Alan Harper) is now the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh.

We often sing Edward's words in the anthem 'All created things, bless the Lord!' at St Thomas Aquinas, Ham. The music is by Dr Donald Davison, Organist and Choirmaster at St John's Malone. Donald is pictured here after receiving his MBE earlier this year from HM The Queen at Buckingham Palace.



I got to know Donald when we were both on the teaching staff of The Queen's Univesity of Belfast.

Bishop Edward Darling and Dr Donald Davison were both the main editors of the Church Hymnal, published by Oxford University Press in 2000. It is a fine book, reflecting the enormous talent associated with St John's Malone. I quote now from the website of the Royal School of Church Music which honoured Donald in 2006.

'We move to Belfast, where Dr Donald Davison has worked over many years to support the worship and music of the whole Church of Ireland. This is in addition to his work as a parish organist and director of music, and until recently as University Organist at Queen’s and City Organist in Belfast. His career is that of a university lecturer in mathematical sciences; but the organ and church music have been as important a part of his life. In particular, the RSCM wishes to mark Dr Davison’s contribution to the new liturgy of the Church of Ireland; and especially his work as music editor of the fifth edition of the Church Hymnal, and his co-authorship with Bishop Edward Darling of the excellent Companion to that hymnal. On the recommendation of the Archbishop of Armagh, the Council of the RSCM has the greatest pleasure in appointing Dr Donald Davison to the Associateship of the Royal School of Church Music.'

The anthem 'All created things, bless the Lord!' is very suitable for Harvest Festival, and I should be pleased to make a copy available to anyone who requests it. Of course the copy would be for personal use only, and should not be used for public performance without the prior permission of the copyright holders. Simply let me have your email address with the request.

You may wish to make a thank offering to Bishop Edwards special charity - Bothar. Please visit www.bothar.org for details.

Wet and windy weather in Belfast

Sadly the sun did not shine on the 12th July Parades in Northern Ireland. As the photo shows, the weather was wet and windy. It could not have been easy carrying the great banners all those miles.

I was delighted to receive warm greetings on the phone from my friend Douglas Gibson - Glebewarden at St John's Malone. It was good to chat about 'old times', and to learn of the excellent work being done by Bishop Edward Darling - who is now enjoying retirement with his wife Patricia in Moira.

I have such happy memories of that great Church of Ireland priest. He boasts an even greater love of hymns than I do! Not only has he written some fine words, he has also composed a few fine tunes. I owe so much to his inspired ministry.

On an ecumenical note, congratulations to Fr Terry Phipps, the Rector of St James's, Spanish Place, London, who today celebrates the Silver Jubilee of his ordination as a deacon.


















I was privileged to act as deacon to Fr Terry yesterday, when he celebrated a Mass to mark the Golden Weddings Anniversaries of two couples - one of whom (Laurence and Maureen Philpotts) have connections with Latymer Upper School.

Fr Terry is seen here blessing the deacon prior to the chanting of the Gospel at a Solemn High Mass in the Tridentine Rite.



However, I was not put to the test! The Mass yesterday was said in English in the Modern Roman Rite.

12th July

I send warm greetings to all my Protestant friends in Northern Ireland who will be watching the parades today.

We rejoice at all that has been achieved during the past year in bringing the different communities together.

We pray that the parades today - which mark the 317th Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne - will be peaceful and good-natured. Let's hope for some sun!

Cutting the cake!

The anniversary cake was a lemon cake - it was absolutely delicious!

Before the cake was eaten, there was a gourmet barbecue to enjoy. I drank champagne and feasted on fresh salmon.

I was able to share the cake with the congregation of St Thomas Aquinas, Ham following the main Mass on Sunday morning. I even took a piece to Betty Wells (aged 90) later on in the day when I visited her home to give her Holy Communion.

So the cake fed plenty of people - though not quite 5,000!