This Sunday morning our 10 am service was Mattins. It was also the 50th anniversary of Father Roger becoming a Deacon, quite an achievement! Father Stephen conducted the service and Father Roger preached. The Choir and Congregation sang the Venite (chant by J Turle), and the Benedictus, (chant by S Wesley) and Psalm 66. The Choir also sang the Te Deum in the setting in B Flat by CV Stanford . The Anthem was 'O for a closer walk with God' also by CV Stanford.
In his sermon, Father Roger, who produced an hour glass to ensure his sermon did not run over time, rather than speaking on the readings for today, he told us something of being a deacon and a priest. Starting in the Diocese of Portsmouth on Hayling Island, via the Dioceses of Guildford and St Asaph to mention but two, to his happy association with us at St Mary our Lady. It has been a long and fruitful ministry which we are delighted to be celebrating with Roger and Christina. Following the service we enjoyed a piece of cake and a glass of 'Fizz' and were able to present Father Roger and Christina with tokens of our appreciation, Many Congratulations to them both!