Birthday of St John the Baptist

The picture is a representation of the birth and naming of St John the Baptist from a fresco painted in 1313 from the Peruzzi chapel of the Church of Santa Croce, Florence. Our celebration of this feast was led by Fr Brian Stephens and our music contained a number of new hymns. The celebration was tinged with a note of sadness as we said goodbye to Maz who is off to Afghanistan for the next four months. We will miss the sound of her clarinet and her ability to transpose music that she has previously never seen - she will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Choirboy is a big fan of Graham Kendrick and we used one of his compositions as the opening hymn - Meekness and Majesty. It has a lovely keyboard part and the combination of guitar and organ worked particularly well (thank you Mary). The following link to Graham Kendrick's website is well worth exploring as there are many fine examples of his music on the site.

www.grahamkendrick.co.uk

Entry: - Meekness and majesty

Gloria: - Gloria

Responsorial Psalm: - Oh the word of my Lord

Alleluia : - Plymouth Alleluia

Offertory: - Blessed be God

Holy Holy: - Gathering Mass

Memorial Acc: - Christ has died, Christ is risen (repeat)
He will come again (repeat)

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei
Lamb of God, You’ve taken away all of our sins (repeat 2 times)
Have mercy on us
And grant us Your peace.

Communion: - Jesus, Lamb of God

Recessional: - Colours of day

The warm forgiveness of God

The theme of today's readings and of our homily from Father Mead was the warmth of God's forgiveness. Father David was saying mass in the absence of, well anyone else - Father Stephen has gone and we await the arrival of Fr Mark O'Keefe in two weeks time. Our choir looked rather theadbare and apart from Mary (fresh from her Scillies sojurn) on the instrumental front was choirboy and his daughter. Nevertheless we enjoyed a joyous celebration with a good mixture of guitar and organ.

Entry: - Majesty, worship His majesty

Gloria: - Gloria

Alleluia : - Plymouth Alleluia

Offertory: - Take our bread, we ask You

Holy Holy: - Gathering mass

Memorial Acc: - Christ has died, Christ is risen (repeat)
He will come again (repeat)

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei
Lamb of God, You’ve taken away all of our sins (repeat 2 times)
Have mercy on us
And grant us Your peace.

Communion: - Do not be afraid

Recessional: - I am a new creation

Holy Communion/Father Stephen's last mass

In a beautifully poignant ceremony, six of our parish's youngest made their first Holy Communion. In the absence of Mary, Kath provided organ accompaniment and despite her nerves did a fantastic job. Musician wise we were only two guitars but flutes and recorders are back up to full strength (two) but Maz was away preparing for her Afghani sojurn. Choirboy minor, minor, minor, minor made his first Communion today so it was a special event for the choirboy family and Mrs Choirboy's parents who had made the long trek from the North West for the occasion.

Musically we used a number of guitar driven up tempo pieces and slowed for communion and then Choirboy's interpretation of 'Jesus thou art coming'. Our recessional was a hymn sung at Father Stephen's ordination, so it was goodbye and good luck from all at Holy Trinity. It remains to be seen what changes Father Mark wishes to make (if any) to our music liturgy. A rather nervous choirboy will let our many readers know ASAP but in the meantime we have what I suppose we could call an interegnum and next Sunday we will have the pleasure of Father David Mead.

Entry : - Alleluia, sing to Jesus

Gloria: -

Alleluia : - Plymouth Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Open your ears, open your eyes, open your hearts, to hear God’s word.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Credo/I believe

Offertory: - This is my body, broken for you

Sanctus: - Gathering Mass

Mystery of faith
Lord by Your cross and resurrection, You’ve set us free, You’ve set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world (repeat)
Saviour, Saviour Saviour, Saviour
You set us free, You set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei
Lamb of God, You’ve taken away all of our sins (repeat 2 times)
Have mercy on us
And grant us Your peace.

Communion: - Be still, for the presence of the Lord

Reflection: - Jesus thou art coming

Recession: - On Eagle’s wings

Trinity Sunday

Today we celebrated our patronal feast, that of the Most Holy Trinity. Further information about the history of our parish can be found on the web at: -

www.holytrinitynewquay.co.uk

An added irony to the celebrations was Father Stephen's goodbye. Next week is in fatc his last Sunday but he used his sermon today to give thanks and to say goodbye. Our liturgy was animated today by our children who read and performed with great style. Mass was followed by a BBQ and fortunately the weather held off whilst we enjoyed good food, good company and said goodbye and good luck to Father Stephen.
Our musical liturgy had many references to the Trinity and included choirboy's Sancta Trinitas, a rather echoey version of which is on: -

www.myspace.com/holytrinitychoirboy

Entry : - Holy God, we praise thy name

Gloria: - Gloria (Duffy)

Alleluia: - Alleluia VII (Taize)

Credo/I believe www.myspace.com/holytrinitychoirboy2

Offertory: - In bread we bring You, Lord

Sanctus: - Gathering Mass

Mystery of faith (www.myspace.com/holytrinitychoirboy2)

Lord by Your cross and resurrection, You’ve set us free, You’ve set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world (repeat)
Saviour, Saviour Saviour, Saviour
You set us free, You set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world

Amen: - (www.myspace.com/cornwallchoirboy)

Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Die
Lamb of God, You’ve taken away all of our sins (repeat 2 times)
Have mercy on us
And grant us Your peace.

Communion: - Amazing Love

Sancta Trinitas

Chorus Sancta Trinitas
Unus Deus
Miserere nobis (repeat)
1.One God, three Persons, one life in You, Lord. All glory and all power are Yours forever and ever.
Chorus
2. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our divine mystery. All glory and all power are Yours forever and ever.
Chorus
3. Risen Lord, our redeemer, all our hope is in You. All glory and all power are Yours forever and ever.
Chorus
Amen, Amen.

Recession: - Walk in the light

Pentecost

The Church was surprisingly full today for the feast of Pentecost. I say surprisingly for as visitors to Newquay will know, this is the weekend of 'Run to the sun' - an event loved and loathed in equal measure by North Cornwall coast residents. In his third to last 10.30 homily Father Stephen used a wonderful story to remind us of the power of the Spirit and how he 'orchestrates' our lives if we let him. Secondly he urged, that renewed and infused with this power, we should proclaim loudly that Jesus Christ, the Son of God is risen. A powerful call to evangelise the gospel, something as Catholics we are particularly poor at.
Our music liturgy contained, of course, many references to the Spirit and I believe many were uplifted by the liturgy. Many apart from Jimmy who was mysteriously absent - where are you Jimmy?
Finally choirboy received some sad, if not inevitable, news. Maz is to be posted to Afghanistan and leaves in 4 weeks. We will miss her and pray for her safe journey and return to us.


Entry: - Come Holy Ghost

Gloria: - Gloria

Gospel Acclamation: - Eight-fold Alleluia

Offertory: - Take our bread, we ask You

Sanctus:- Celtic Liturgy – Holy Holy

Mem Accl: -
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life
Come Lord Jesus come, come again in glory (repeat)

Come Lord Jesus come, come again in glory (repeat)

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei: - Mass of Peace

Communion: -Spirit of the living God

Father, in my life I see

Recessional: - Go tell everyone

Feast of the Ascension

It seems odd to be celebrating the Feast of the Ascension on a Sunday instead of a Thursday but that is what happened this Sunday. Some cynics (some people might describe choirboy as cynical) would suggest that this is a desparate ploy by the Church to plug the gaps of failing attendances at mass on feasts such as the Ascension - I couldn't possibly say that. Nevertheless, our music liturgy was centred around the Ascension and it was particularly joyous with many people saying how much they had enjoyed the music, so a big thank you to all members of the choir and musicians for your continuing dedication and effort. We are also on the countdown to Father Stephen's departure and his largess knows no bounds as we prepare for new hymn books and an augmented system of amplification.

Entry: - Alleluia, sing to Jesus

Gloria: - Gloria

Gospel Acclamation: - Seek ye first (verse 1)

Offertory: - Blessed be God

Sanctus:- Celtic Liturgy – Holy Holy

Mem Accl: -
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life
Come Lord Jesus come, come again in glory (repeat)

Come Lord Jesus come, come again in glory (repeat)

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei: - Mass of Peace

Communion: - Bless the Lord my soul

Hail Holy Queen

Recessional: - Lord for tomorrow

Hail Holy Queen

Choirboy has been asked about his composition, Hail Holy Queen on a number of occasions - it has even been sung at a wedding in the Philippines ! It is now available via the following link: -

http://www.myspace.com/holytrinitychoirboy2

Happy listening !

Derek's loss is our gain.

Derek turned up on Sunday - so what ? Well he had announced that if he was successful in his election as bookkeeper at his local club then he wouldn't be able to attend Sunday morning mass and would fulfil his weekly obligation by going on Saturday evening. Fortunately Derek's loss is the choir's gain. So you will all dear readers be still able to hear Derek's dulcit tones, his shouts of encouragement ('Oill give it five'),tambourine and his effusive duets with Gil. We are truly blessed. It was akin to the return of the prodigal son !

The sixth Sunday of Easter continued with the theme of love elaborated by Brian our Deacon with his usual pithy observations. We had great feedback from visitors and choirboy was able to share some of our music with them.

Entry: - Gather us in

Gloria: - Gloria

Gospel Acclamation: - Alleluia No1 verse 2

Offertory: - Blessed be God

Sanctus:- Celtic Liturgy – Holy Holy

Mem Accl: -
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life
Come Lord Jesus come, come again in glory (repeat)

Come Lord Jesus come, come again in glory (repeat)

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei: - Mass of Peace

Communion: - Song of a young prophet

Recessional: - Holy Virgin, by God’s decree

5th Sunday of Easter - Love

Father Stephen's theme for today was love or rather what we might comprehend as love and what the early christians referred to as agape. Many long theological treatises have been written on this subject which we can essentially paraphrase as follows: -

God is Love, and His love is very different from human love. God's love is unconditional, and it's not based on feelings or emotions. He doesn't love us because we're lovable or because we make Him feel good; He loves us because He is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His own Son (who also willingly died for us) to restore that relationship.

The unconditional nature of this love is exemplified by the cross.

Our music liturgy reflected aspects of this wondrous gift and also had a Marian theme, being the first sunday in May. At the end of mass , Father Stephen crowned our statue of Our Lady of Lourdes with a golden crown kindly donated by two parishioners.

Finally choirboy was delighted to share some of his music with fellow music liturgists visiting for the weekend. He hopes to make more music available soon to listen to on the my space links to the left of this blog. To this end he has created a new myspace account, the last link on the left: -

www.myspace.com/holytrinitychoirboy2

Entry: - Hail Queen of Heaven

Gloria: - Gloria

Gospel Acclamation: - Alleluia No1 verse 2

Offertory: - This is my body

Sanctus:- Celtic Liturgy – Holy Holy

Mem Accl: - www.myspace.com/holytrinitychoirboy2

Lord by Your cross and resurrection, You’ve set us free, You’ve set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world (repeat)
Saviour, Saviour Saviour, Saviour
You set us free, You set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei: - Mass of Peace

Communion: - Love is His word, love is His way

Recessional: - Mine eyes have seen the glory

Confirmation 2007 - Saturday 28th April

Regular readers of this blog will notice a gap since choirboy last penned his missive. He was taken a short break with some of the younger choirboy fanily and had the chance to attend St Augustine's in St Austell and enjoy their liturgy whilst at the same time picking up whatever tips he could. They say that a week is a long in politics, well it is certainly a long time in the life of Holy Trinity. Choirboy was only missing one Sunday and Father Stephen has decided to leave - well not quite, the bishop has invited him to leave. We are all slightly shell shocked at this news but wish him well (more later).

Our Sunday liturgy for the 4 th Sunday of Easter was brought forward to the Saturday evening for the confirmation of five of our young people. In a ceremony conducted by Bishop Christopher, the usual Saturday night Holy Trinity crowd got a taste of Sunday mornings in the musical sense - perhaps it confirmed to many parishioners why they go to mass on a Saturday evening ! Musically in addition to the guitars of choirboy and Jimmy, plus a guest appearance by a visiting Peter (guitar), we had Jess' flute and Maz brought her tenor and soprano sax in addition to her clarinet - the combination proved successful and by the tiime we sang 'Walk in the light' the Church was rocking literally - fantastic sound from the musicians and great singing from the choir. A big thank you to you all.

We had a varied liturgy with the theme of the Holy Spirit, including a reflection written by choirboy for the confirmation of his eldest.

Entrance: - We are one in the Spirit

Kyrie: - Kyrie Elieson (Newquay Mass II)

Gloria: - Gloria !

Alleluia: - Folk Allelulia

Confirmation: - Come Holy Ghost

Offertory: - Take our bread, we ask you

Sanctus: - Gathering Mass

Mem Accl: -
Lord by Your cross and resurrection, You’ve set us free, You’ve set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world (repeat)
Saviour, Saviour Saviour, Saviour
You set us free, You set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world

Amen: - A-men, we lift our hearts and voices

Sign of Peace: - Peace be with you, peace be with you always (x3)

Agnus Dei: - Burntwood Mass

Communion: - I will be with you

Thanksgiving: - I can feel you moving in me (A testimonial to the power of the Spirit).

Recession: - Walk in the Light

2 nd Sunday of Easter

Carravaggio's 'Doubting Thomas' illustrates the main theme of our gospel on this first sunday after Easter known as the 2 nd Sunday of Easter. Despite the minor wobble to morale, the choir was in fine voice and a particularly joyous music liturgy was celebrated by all. Unfortunately Frank's brief stint in the choir appears to be at an end as the demands of his job mean that he cannot attend on Sundays so we will have to make do without his contribution on the 12 string guitar. Jimmy nearly missed the start of mass and then almost dropped his guitar but our liturgy passed off uneventfully apart from some fiddling by choirboy minor (female) and not with her violin - apologies for anyone who was distracted !


Entry: - We come tell our story

Gloria: - Gloria

Gospel Acclamation: - Alleluia No1 verse 2

Credo/I believe

Offertory: - Take our bread

Sanctus:- Celtic Liturgy – Holy Holy

Mem Accl: -
Lord by Your cross and resurrection, You’ve set us free, You’ve set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world (repeat)
Saviour, Saviour Saviour, Saviour
You set us free, You set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei: - Mass of Peace

Communion: - The Lord’s my shepherd

Recessional: - Lord of the dance

Christ is risen - Happy Easter

Our Easter celebrations started with the vigil service and its emphasis on light and concluded on Sunday morning with an altogether musically different but complimentary celebration. Our vigil service was mostly led on the organ with plenty of unaccompanied singing, whereas our morning service was heavily guitar and woodwind based. Fortunately we were blessed with large numbers in the choir at both masses and a very large congregation on sunday morning which helped lift the celebrations. Choirboy's morning was, however, somewhat spoilt when someone told him that the music was 'a bloody mess' and that it sounded like a 'bazaar'. I wish I could report that this was not upsetting but it was and continues to be a bit of a running sore for choirboy who together with all of the musicians and members of the choir works hard to try and produce a liturgy that is both fit for purpose and spiritually uplifting. That said most weeks, choirboy is flattered and grateful for the thanks of parishioners and visitors alike - he will reflect on this incident and try and grow from it !

Entry: - Christ the Lord is risen today

Gloria: - Gloria

Gospel Acclamation: - Come and worship, royal priesthood. Come and praise him holy nation. Worship Jesus, our redeemer. He is risen King of glory

Offertory: - All that I am

Sanctus:- Newquay mass (ii)

Mem Accl: -
Lord by Your cross and resurrection, You’ve set us free, You’ve set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world (repeat)
Saviour, Saviour Saviour, Saviour
You set us free, You set us free. You are the saviour of the world. You are the saviour of the world

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei: - Burntwood Mass

Communion: - Amazing Grace

Recessional: - Come and worship, royal priesthood. Come and praise him holy nation. Worship Jesus, our redeemer. He is risen King of glory.

This is the day

Holy Thursday

Our Easter Tridium celebration started with our Holy Thursday service which included the ceremony of washing of feet which included two of choirboy's youngest. We managed to include some new music - something old (Missa de Angelis, Tantum Ergo) and something new (Bread of life, God to enfold you). Our musical celebrations were led by three six strings guitars, one twelve string, flute, recorder, clarinet and of course organ.


Entry: - O Jesus Christ, remember

Kyrie: - Kyrie Elieson

Gloria: - Missa de Angelis

Washing of feet:- Ave Verum Corpus/Pie Jesu

Offertory: - This is my body

Sanctus:- Newquay Mass (ii)

Mem Accl: -
When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Jesus my Lord
Until You come in glory, we proclaim Your death, Jesus my Lord. Jesus my Lord, Jesus my Lord, Jesus my Lord, Jesus my Lord.

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei: - Burntwood Mass

Communion: - Bread of Life

Transfer of Eucharist: - God to enfold you
Tantum Ergo

Palm Sunday

Sunday's liturgy was greatly enhanced by children from the parish enacting a scene that illuminated the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. With great skill the children kept the congregation smiling and interested in their tale of a 'wobbly' donkey. And so a packed Holy Trinity was able to celebrate Palm Sunday in great style and set the scene for the coming week with the forthcoming Tridium and dénouement of the Resurrection. Today choirboy performed a first for him - singing the psalm whilst playing the organ. No small feat as he is not really an organist (or a singer I imagine many of you saying at this moment -are there actually many of you ?). Once again we were blessed on the guitar front with three guitarists in addition to a flautist and recorder player and of course the wonderful Mary on the organ - fantastic sound !

Entry: - Ride on

Responsorial Psalm: - My God, My God, why have You forsaken me

Cantor: 1. All who see me deride me
They curl their lips, they toss their heads,
“He trusted in the Lord, let him save him;
let him release him if this is his friend” (R.)

Cantor: 2. Many dogs have surrounded me
a band of the wicked beset me
They tear holes in my hands and my feet
I can count every one of my bones. (R.)

Cantor: 3. They divide my clothing among them.
They cast lots for my robe.
O Lord, do not leave me alone,
My strength, make haste to help me! (R.)

Cantor: 4. I will tell of your name to my brethren
and praise you where they are assembled
“You who fear the Lord give him praise;
all sons of Jacob, give him glory.
Revere him, Israel’s sons”

My God, My God, why have You forsaken me
My God, My God, why have You….. for - saken me

Offertory: - Take our bread

Sanctus:- Holy, holy, holy. Holy, holy, holy, God of all power, God of all might.
Holy, holy, holy. Holy, holy, holy. Heaven and earth are full of Your glory,
Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest Forever Amen, forever Amen.

Amen: - Amen, Amen, Amen
We will sing of Your love forever. We will sing Your praise forever Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen

Agnus Dei: - Burntwood Mass
Lamb of God, You take away – the sin of all the world, have mercy on us, Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away – the sin of all the world, have mercy on us all.
Lamb of God, You take away - the sin of all the world, grant us peace.

Communion: - The Servant King

Recessional:- You shall go out with joy

Czech it out - 5th Sunday in Lent

It was a day of many welcomes. Welcome to Frank, who is from the Czech Republic. He is working in Newquay for the next few months andfortunately for us is a guitar player. Unfortunately he has no guitar with him, so has had to make do with choirboy's 12 string. He does, however, play bass and as choirboy has just acquired a natty bass guitar (pink) we may persuade him to play that ! Welcome back too to Maz, who has been doing winter survival training in Oberammergau - it's in Bavaria and one would normally expect snow at this time of the year but alas there was none. Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Play which is enacted in the streets of the town every 10 years and has been done so since 1634. It was last performed in 2000, so not long to go till next time ! Finally we welcomed back Father David Mead to Holy Trinity - he was witness to a rather bizarre occurrence before mass when choirboy was asked if he was a convert as he seemed to choose mostly protestant hymns. Father Stephen was off on Deanery business so it was left to Deacon Brian to expound on the VII Commandment - 'thou shall not steal'

Our music liturgy today included a new number by choirboy - 'Lord I know that You love me'

Entry: - Praise my soul the King of heaven

Kyrie: - Kyrie Elieson (Newquay Mass (ii))

Gospel Acclamation : - Praise to You, O Christ (V4)

Offertory: - In bread we bring You, Lord

Sanctus:- Newquay Mass (ii)

Amen: - Amen - We will sing.

Agnus Dei: - Burntwood Mass

Communion: - Lord I know that You love me

Lord I know that You love me and I’ll always try to be
Worthy of Your boundless love - I’ll keep on praying to You my Lord
For I know, You’ll always show that You love me

Recessional:- Here I am Lord

The morning after the night before - debauchery !

Our 4th Sunday in Lent was the morning after the Parish dinner and dance. Surprisingly the Church was at regulation fullness but alas as the dinner coincided with St Patrick's night there was at least one musician struggling. Fortunately it wasn't choirboy and as he looked at the shadow of a guitarist standing next to him, he relected on the wisdom of being on the wagon during Lent. Still at least he was there, his green shirt matching his somewhat green complexion. The previous evening Jimmy, Mary and choirboy had 'entertained' revellers at the parish dance with a mixture of traditional Irish pub songs and some newer Christie Moore numbers. It was just a shame that rehearsals were somewhat limited - a fact that was a consequence of the handbagging that persuaded this motley group to perform at all ! Still, it was a great idea and hopefully next year, it will be a bit more structured.

Back to Sunday, the theme of the sermon being debauchery or at least the 6th and 9th comandments. Choirboy can let parishioners now that Father Stephen was only warming up with his 20 minute homily at 0830 mass and that by the 1030 mass, fully warming to his theme he had managed to extend the homily by afull 5 minutes (it's a long story why choirboy heard the homily twice and fortunately it wasn't by order or religious necessity). Unfortunately although our music liturgy reflected the occasion, it made no reference to mothering sunday - humble apologies to all mothers.

Entry: - My God accept my heart this day

Kyrie: - Kyrie Elieson (Newquay mass)

Gospel Acclamation : - Praise to You, O Christ (V3)

Offertory: - Blessed be God

Sanctus:- Newquay mass (ii)

Amen: - Amen - We will sing.

Agnus Dei: - Burntwood Mass

Communion: - Bless the Lord my soul
Be still and know that I am God
Recessional:- I am a new creation

3 rd Sunday in Lent

Some people have been saying this to choirboy for a long time about his music ! Nevertheless music did not feature in the numerous references to this commandment during Father Stephen's sermon. However, we were once again reminded of the professional, personal and public responsibilities that were are obliged to follow whilst at the same time being reminded of the redeeming power of God's love through the sacrament of reconciliation.

It was great to see Joyce and Gil, partially recovered from their ailments - we need their voices ! Musically we are marching towads Holy Week and I am trying not to use up too many of our Easter musical musings in Lent - we are preparing some new material, however. We had our second outing of choirboy's offertory hymn 'Lord we come to Your table'. Mrs choirboy assures me that it was well sung by the congregation - a copy should be on this site: -

www.myspace.com/holytrinitychoirboy

Entry: - Praise to the Holiest

Kyrie: - Kyrie Elieson

Gospel Acclamation : - Praise to You, O Christ, our saviour (V2)

Offertory: - Lord we come to Your table

Sanctus:- Newquay mass (ii)

Amen: - Amen - We will sing.

Agnus Dei: - Burntwood Mass

Communion: -
Lord I am not worthy to receive You, I’m not worthy
Lord I am not worthy, just say the word and I shall be healed (repeated)

Lay Your hands

Recessional:- Freely, freely

Honour Your Father and Mother

On the second Sunday in Lent, Father Stephen preached again on the commandments. Today was, yes you guessed, 'Honour thy Father and Mother'. It was as though he was speaking directly to choirboy's children. He had words for the 'adult children' once again in the sphere of our wider responsibilities to family and society and touched on the subject of subsidiarity. I have culled the following from wikipedia: -

The principle of subsidiarity holds that government should undertake only those initiatives which exceed the capacity of individuals or private groups acting independently. The principle is based upon the autonomy and dignity of the human individual, and holds that all other forms of society, from the family to the state and the international order, should be in the service of the human person. Subsidiarity assumes that these human persons are by their nature social beings, and emphasizes the importance of small and intermediate-sized communities or institutions, like the family, the church, and voluntary associations, as mediating structures which empower individual action and link the individual to society as a whole. "Positive subsidiarity", which is the ethical imperative for communal, institutional or governmental action to create the social conditions necessary to the full development of the individual, such as the right to work, decent housing, health care, etc., is another important aspect of the subsidiarity principle.
The principle of subsidiarity was developed in the encyclical Rerum Novarum of 1891 by Pope Leo XIII, as an attempt to articulate a middle course between the excesses of laissez-faire capitalism on the one hand and the various forms of totalitarianism, which subordinate the individual to the state, on the other. The principle was further developed in Pope Pius XI's encyclical Quadragesimo Anno of 1931, and Economic Justice for All by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Today's music liturgy presented by a much diminished choir (was it the rain?) reflected the gospel (transfiguration) and continued with the same mass settings as last week - we intend to use them until Holy Week.

Entry: - Love is His word, love is His way

Kyrie: - Newquay mass (ii)

Gospel Acclamation : - Praise to You, O Christ, our saviour

Offertory: - Blessed be God

Sanctus:- Newquay mass (ii)

Amen: - Amen - We will sing

Agnus Dei: - Burntwood Mass

Communion: - Living Lord

Recessional:- Shine Jesus shine

This promise is for you - The certainty of God's love

Tonight we start our lenten series of discussion and reflection, 'This promise is for you'. The theme of the first meeting is 'The certainty of God's love'.We will be using music to illustrate some of the themes.
The opening hymn is a choirboy composition and can be found at

www.myspace.com/holytrinitychoirboy

The second two hymns are by Graham Kendrick - his music is both beautiful and uplifting and choirboy's absolute favorite:-

http://www.grahamkendrick.co.uk/


Opening Hymn The truth we seek
(Jesus is the source of all hope and love – He is the Truth we seek)

In hope and love
The truth we seek
The truth we find in You (repeat)
In Jesus we shall find
The message of eternal life
In hope and love
The truth we seek
The truth we find in You (repeat)
Jesus…..
The truth we find You (repeat)

Prayer
Amazing Love (Acknowledging the enormity of God’s gift to us – His Son, Jesus)

Final Hymn
To You, O Lord I lift up my soul (The Psalmist praises God for the certainty of His love)