Autumn Glory - 6

Here is an autumnal view of the Dunkeld House Hotel on the banks of the River Tay.



This is a lovely hotel to stay at - but nothing like as good as the mansions above!

Our barren hearts make fruitful
With every goodly grace,
That we thy name may hallow,
And see at last thy face.

We pray that all the faithful departed will come to see the glorious face of God.

We will remember them

Today is the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, and at the 11th hour we will all fall silent for two minutes to remember the dead.

They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!



Here is a lovely scene in the Chapel of the Resurrection. On the floor around the candle stand we have the November lists. Over 150 members of the School Community have written the names of their departed loved ones and placed them in plain envelopes which are all pooled together. Above them we see the poppy wreath for Remembrance Sunday. But above the reminders of the dead we see the Paschal Candle burning brightly and pointing upwards to the Resurrection Window.

I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness,
Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy Cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
Heaven's mornng breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord,
And may light perpetual shine upon them.

May their souls,
And the souls of all the faithful departed;
Through the mercy of God,
Rest in peace. Amen.

Autumn Glory - 5

Here is the driveway leading up to the Dunkeld House Hotel - so different to the streets of Hammersmith! Life is a mixture of pain and pleasure.



O, by each mercy sent us,
And by each grief and pain,
By blessings like the sunshine,
And sorrows like the rain.

Autumn is both a glorious season and a sad one.

Autumn Glory - 4

It has been an amazing autumn so far in the East of Scotland - the warmest on record for many years. Some apple trees were still bearing fruit at the end of October.



Behold the bending orchards
With bounteous fruit are crowned;
Lord, in our hearts more richly
Let heavenly fruits abound.

Autumn Glory - 3

Here we have another lovely autumn image of the tower of Dunkeld Cathedral. The leaves on the trees were quite spectacular - complementing the dramatic architecture.



O, pour thy grace upon us,
That we may worthier be,
Each year that passes o'er us,
To dwell in heaven with thee.

A lovely thought for this month of the Holy Souls.

Autumn Glory - 2

Here we see some lovely autumn colours in the grounds of Dunkeld Cathedral on the banks of the River Tay in Scotland.



The ever-changing seasons
In silence come and go;
But thou, eternal Father,
No time or change canst know.

The Cathedral stands as a witness to this eternal truth.

Autumn Glory - 1

Here we see a creeper on the wall of the Physics Department at Latymer Upper School. During much of the year it is a not very distinguished looking green, but for a few days each Autumn it is a riot of colour. I like the green vestments of Ordinary Time, but it was good to wear cloth of gold on All Saints' Day! The whole of creation seemed to be joining in the festivities!

But All Saints' Day is followed by the Feast of All Souls', and much of November is taken up with praying for the repose of souls of the faithful departed. As Autumn draws on we are reminded that our lives on earth are running out.

The year is swiftly waning,
The summer days are past;
And life, brief life, is speeding;
The end is nearing fast.

It makes one stop and think - and pray!