The cathedral choir is once again setting out as a roving musical ambassador for Ireland - this time to the splendid setting of Westminster Abbey. This will now be the fourth year for such a summer tour. In 1993 the choir sang two days in Westminster Abbey, two days in Canterbury and a Sunday (the first ever Anglican cathedral choir to do so) in Westminster's Roman Catholic cathedral. In 1994 they gave their services to the small rural cathedrals of the Church of Ireland in the south and west which have small or no musical resources. In 1995 a memorable week was spent in Durham.
The Westminster Abbey authorities were so impressed in 1993 that they suggested a return visit. This year the residency is for a complete week, from 5-11 August. Recognising the importance of the occasion the Department of External Affairs has given the choir a substantial subvention towards the costs involved. As a part of their own fund-raising for the event the choir held its annual gala summer concert in the cathedral on Saturday 13 July. More than 250 people attended the event. A programme of music from the fifteenth to the twentieth centuries was given to an appreciative audience and the concert was well reviewed by the critics.
The number of visitors appears to be reaching an all-time high. Visitors to Christ Church must travel on foot due to our island site which precludes bus parking. Despite this our highest record ever was achieved on Saturday 13 July when some 1500 visitors came through our doors, Good news in many ways, yet also carrying dangers: the wear and tear on the fabric becomes more noticable each year as feet take their toll on the cathedral's uniquely tiled floor.
During our own choir's Westminster residence, followed by their annual holiday, we welcome this year choirs from England and from Switzerland to sing with us. They will include the choir of the English Church in Geneva, the Laus Deo Choir, the Bristol Graduate Singers and the choir of Wallingford parish church. On two Sundays this year, sadly, services will be said with hymns: Sunday 28 July, Sunday 18 August. Zefiro, a small group of present and past members of the cathedral choir, will sing at both the Eucharist and at Evensong on Sunday 1 September.
Pioneered in the city parishes by Castleknock, the cathedral is soon to join this increasingly less-exclusive club. Throughout the world churches have joined the business world by going on-web with local information. The cathedral's information, in addition to giving up to the minute details of services and events, will be very broadly based. People in any part of the world will be able to discover details about the archives, the choir, the Friends, and very many other areas. A plan of the cathedral will also be given in such as way as to enable a visitor in a distant land to make a guided tour of the building! The work involved is that of Mr Stuart Kinsella - whom we congratulate on being commenced in Trinity College with his BA (Mod) degree - along with the advice of Dr David Reynolds (of Dublin City University and a member of the cathedral congregation) and Mr Dáithí O Maoilchille (a member of the cathedral board).
As the climax of a weekend conference C-O-R-E- plan a service in the cathedral on Monday evening, 12 August. This will be the the first occasion for the group to use the cathedral's facilities.
The Revd Val (Valentine) Rogers and his wife are friends of the dean, first met in 1994 when Val welcomed him to Melbourne. Now they are taking a sabbatical year in Dublin and Val will be assisting m the Christ Church Cathedral grouped parishes and in the cathedral. Val's origins are Dublin based and his family still live here. He commences his ministry in the group at the beginning of September and will be welcomed to the cathedral at Evensong on Sunday 8 September.
The cathedral had a larger than usual attendance for the ordination of two deacons on Sunday 23 June: Darren McFarland for the curacy of Greystones, and Harry Lew for the non-stipendary ministry where he will at present assist in Whitechurch. Northern accents prevailed in Darren's party, showing his Limavady origins. Along with his family and friends the residents of Brabazon House turned out in force to be with Harry who is manager of the Brabazon complex. It was good have present among the robed clergy a large number of the newly ordained deacons from other dioceses.
The British Historical Association, holding its annual meeting in Dublin this year, was welcomed to the cathedral on Wednesday 11 July. Dr Kenneth Milne is a member and the group was shown around by Mr Stuart Kinsella.
The Cathedral Bellringers had an unusual task to perform at midnight on Saturday 13 July. Following the premiere of the Walt Disney film The Hunchback of Notre Dame the ringers rang twelve strokes on the great tenor bell followed by a short ring on the "heavy eight". Gardai, local hotels and residents had been pre-warned not to expect an invasion from Mars.
Sarah Alice the infant daughter of Michael and Helen Roden was baptised during Evensong on Sunday 14 July. The service that afternoon had been sung by the choir on Mowmouth School, Wales.
