UHI Celebration - 2

Following on from a magnificent ceremony in the Eden Court Theatre, there was a procession through the the streets of Inverness, so that the entire city could celebrate Scotland's newest university.



The two ladies at the back were two of the official UHI stewards and the gentleman in front is a parishioner of St Columba's, Culloden. He was amused to see me standing next to the official BBC camera crew! Well, what do you expect on this blog - third rate photos?

UHI Celebration - 1

Here we see the Eden Court Theatre located on the banks of the River Ness in Inverness. This was the setting for the magnificent celebration to officially inaugurate Scotland's newest university - the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) on Thursday 25 August 2011. All is now in place for the start of the Academic Year 2011-12.



These were the words of welcome by The Rt Hon The Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT PC FRSE - our Patron.

Along with many others, I have been a long-time supporter of the establishment of a university in this region.

Our new university is an exceptional institution with boundless potential in contributing to the re-invigoration of the Highlands and Islands, to the economy of Scotland, and as a leader in the development of new approaches to adult education.

The university's teaching and research reflect the natural environment, the diverse cultures, and the industries of the Highlands and Islands, while its innovative delivery, through a network of community-based campuses, and use of technology to overcome geographic barriers, has received worldwide recognition.

I hope you enjoy this momentous occasion and join me in wishing the University of the Highlands and Islands every success for the future.

Wise words indeed!

Kenmore Kirk - 12

As we celebrate the Beheading of John the Baptist, let us gaze on this great saint more closely.



O happy band of pilgrims,
If onward you will tread,
With Jesus as your Fellow,
To Jesus as your Head.

O happy if you labour,
As Jesus did for men;
O happy if you hunger
As Jesus hungered then.

The cross that Jesus carried
He carried as your due;
The crown that Jesus weareth
He weareth it for you.

The faith by which you see Him,
The hope in which you yearn,
The love that through all troubles
To Him alone will turn.

The trials that beset you,
The sorrows you endure,
The manifold temptations
That death alone can cure.

What are they but His jewels
Of right celestial worth?
What are they but the ladder
Set up to heaven on earth?

O happy band of pilgrims,
Look upward to the skies,
Where such a light affliction
Shall win you such a prize.



Tomorrow, we shall be starting our celebration of Scotland's newest university - the University of the Highlands and Islands.

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Like Peter in today's gospel, we so often struggle when things don't go the way we want them to. We must play on even when the going gets tough. After all, we are on the winning side!



Father, hear the prayer we offer:
not for ease that prayer shall be,
but for strength, that we may ever
live our lives courageously.

Not for ever in green pastures
do we ask our way to be ;
but the steep and rugged pathway
may we tread rejoicingly.

Not forever by still waters
would we idly rest and stay;
but would smite the living fountains
from the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in hours of weakness,
in our wanderings be our Guide;
through endeavor, failure, danger,
Saviour, be thou at our side.



Happy Sunday!

Kenmore Kirk - 11

Here we see St Columba at Iona Abbey.



The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread’st a table in my sight;
Thy unction grace bestoweth;
And O what transport of delight
From Thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.

Kenmore Kirk - 10

O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord!



O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Winds of God, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O let the Earth bless the Lord : yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Green Things upon the Earth, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Whales, and all that move in the Waters, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Fowls of the Air, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O let Israel bless the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

O Ananias, Azarias and Misael, bless ye the Lord : praise him, and magnify him for ever.

Kenmore Kirk - 9

Here we enjoy a closer view of King David - so famous for his writing of the Psalms.



Songs of praise the angels sang,
heaven with alleluias rang,
when creation was begun,
when God spoke and it was done.

Songs of praise awoke the morn
when the Prince of Peace was born;
songs of praise arose when he
captive led captivity.

Heaven and earth must pass away;
songs of praise shall crown that day;
God will make new heavens and earth;
songs of praise shall hail their birth.

And will man alone be dumb
till that glorious kingdom come?
No; the Church delights to raise
psalms and hymns and songs of praise.

Saints below, with heart and voice,
still in songs of praise rejoice,
learning here, by faith and love,
songs of praise to sing above.

Hymns of glory, songs of praise,
Father, unto thee we raise,
Jesus, glory unto thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.



Best wishes to the Transalpine Redemptorists, who are celebrating Little Christmas today!