Farewell to Ham - 3

Here is the piper waiting for a note from the organist for the final hymn at the end of Mass - 'All things bright and beautiful'.



I'm sorry - but I could not keep a straight face. This would not happen at Westminster Cathedral!

Farewell to Ham - 2

Whilst I like the sound of bagpipes, I'm not too keen on them as an accompaniment to Gregorian Chant!



As you can guess - the Parish Priest (Fr Walter Walsh) and Parishioners of St Thomas Aquinas Ham sprang a surprise on me, and arranged for a piper to be present at Mass. It was a good job this Mass was in the Modern Rite - it would not have gone down well at our weekly Old Rite Mass - which is usually celebrated by Fr Mildew!

I don't think Len our organist was too pleased - the piper literally drowned him out! To be fair, he was a brilliant piper - I understand he plays at prestige events at Harrods.

Farewell to Ham - 1

I shall finally be leaving London for the Scottish Highlands on 25 November.



In the meantime the Deacon of Ham is having private bagpipe lessons!

Remembrance Day

Today, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month we will fall silent for 2 minutes as we remember those who gave up their lives in the service of their country.



O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of thy throne,
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly, forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guide while troubles last,
and our eternal home!

St Chad

Another of my favourite English saints is Chad - a name which I chose for my confirmation name.



This photo is of Lichfield Cathedral. Chad was at one time Bishop of Lichfield.

The Lateran Basilica

Today, the Church celebrates the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. This is the Cathedral Church of Rome - where Pope Benedict XVI has his bishop's chair. Today we celebrate our unity with the Bishop of Rome.



Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord, and precious,
binding all the Church in one;
holy Zion's help for ever,
and her confidence alone.

All that dedicated city,
dearly loved of God on high,
in exultant jubilation
pours perpetual melody;
God the One in Three adoring
in glad hymns eternally.

To this temple, where we call thee,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
with thy wonted loving-kindness
hear thy servants as they pray,
and thy fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.

Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
what they ask of thee of gain;
what they gain from thee, for ever
with the blessèd to retain,
and hereafter in thy glory
evermore with thee to reign.

Laud and honor to the Father,
laud and honor to the Son,
laud and honor to the Spirit,
ever Three, and ever One,
consubstantial, co-eternal,
while unending ages run.

Happy Feast!

St Aidan

One of my favourite saints of England is St Aidan - whose feast is celebrated on 31 August.



Here we see a photo of his statue on Holy Island - Lindisfarne. As a boy I worshipped at St Aidan's Church in Leeds and have most happy memories of that vibrant parish. We always had a pilgrimage to Holy Island on the last Saturday in August.