| FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS |
The archbishop has appointed three members of the diocesan clergy to be canons of Christ Church. The Revd Paul Colton, rector of Castleknock, was a priest vicar, registrar and chapter clerk from 1990-5 and now returns as 10th canon. The Revd John Clarke, rector of Wicklow and Killiskey, will join as 11th canon. The 12th canon is to be the Revd David Moynan, rector of Kilternan.
In the 1870 restoration of the cathedral the tower clock lost its face and became invisible. Many years later its fine eighteenth century mechanism fell into disuse and so lost its voice as well. In the late 1960s an electro-hydraulic system was installed which rang the bells according to directions from an electric clock. Its mechanism, too, failed. Now, in 1997, led by the enthusiasm of Mr Leslie Taylor, the tower ringing master, and the financial, and with the financial help of the Friends, the ancient clock and original ringing mechanism have been restored. Though still faceless, its delicate chime and sonorous hour-strike now ring across the city. The work of restoration of the ancient mechanism was undertaken by County Laois horologist, Mr Julian Cosby who has left us with a clock and chimes of which we may be justly proud.
The Board's Finance Committee is to discuss the introduction of a free-will envelope system such as is in use in most churches of the dioceses. Time was when there was but a tiny weekly congregation which was outnumbered by visitors. That, happily, is a thing of the past with regulars now in excess of visitor numbers. Many have expressed an interest in subscribing regularly to the cathedral's finances and not just when they are present for a service. There will be further details in January.
The name of the Beirut hostage, 1987-1991, will be familiar to many. Terry was a lay chaplain and secretary to Archbishop Runcie when he got caught up in middle eastern problems. His autobiography Taken on Trust will be familiar to many. Fewer will know that he is a Church of England Lay Reader and in that capacity will preach at the Sung Eucharist at 11 a.m. on Sunday 7 December. The cathedral choir will be joined by the Warrington Male Voice Choir so the sound should be both full and glorious that morning.
The choir's first CD is hoped to be on sale in December when it should be a good Christmas gift for the musical. It will be the final disk in the Priory Records music of Charles Villiers Stanford (the first two by Durham cathedral). By the time these notes appear in print Priory will have recorded their second CD - Great Irish Cathedral Music - which will include both well-known and lesser-known compositions written either for Irish cathedrals or by Irish composers both past and present.
An Post is to feature two cathedrals in their 1997 special Christmas stamps. The Patrick Pollen Virgin and Child window (in the Mothers' Union chapel) with Saint Luke painting a portrait of both will represent Christ Church. It is expected to be in the 28p series. The 52p stamp is to be a nativity window from Saint Canice's cathedral, Kilkenny. Watch this space.
The lunch time charity carol service has become a feature of the week before Christmas. Previous beneficiaries have included Barnardo's, Saint Vincent de Paul and the Meath Street crèche. This year, not surprisingly in view of the dean's health, the recipient will be the Mater Hospital Cardiac Surgical Foundation. The bells will ring out and the choir will sing out on Thursday 18 December from 1.15 - 1.50 p.m. and all are welcome to join. The readers will include senior surgeons of, and members of the board of, the Cardiac Surgical Foundation. The total collection received at the service and all donations received for it by post will be given to this very special charity.
This, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, the cathedral's gift to the dioceses, will be held on Monday 22 December at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast live on RTÉ FM3. Full details are in the display box above. Members of the Friends and of the regular Sunday congregation are again reminded that they may seek tickets in a reserved area of the nave. Numbers each year are increasing to such an extent that there is a near-capacity congregation.
At 12 midnight the ringers and choristers will proclaim the first Eucharist of Christmas. The celebrant will be the archbishop with the precentor as preacher. At 11 a.m. on Christmas morning the roles will be reserved: Canon Bartlett will be celebrant and the archbishop will give his traditional message to the city and dioceses.
For many years the great tenor bell has rung twelve strokes at midnight before being joined by the rest of the bells. This year, see above, the restored clock will chime and strike before the ringers begin. Our thanks to all our ringers who so loyally ring in our services on both Sundays and weekdays through the year.
Material for January must arrive with the cathedral secretary by 12 December.
