The Twelfth Day of Christmas – A Month of Carol Singing for the Cathedral Choir

Posted on January 5, 2024 by mediaccr

During the month of December, the Choir of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral was busy singing carols at the cathedral as well as across Cork.

On Saturday, 2nd December members of the choir travelled to St Peter’s Church in Bandon to sing Handel’s Messiah. The soloists were mostly the teenage Junior Lay Vicars Choral and St Peter’s Church was well attended for the occasion.

On Saturday 9th and Saturday 16th December, the choir performed their annual Christmas Concerts. The concerts were sold out on both occasions and everyone enjoyed the hospitality provided by choir parents who baked biscuits and served hot drinks during the interval. There was also a raffle at both concerts, prizes for which were also provided by choir parents, to raise funds for the annual choir trip in April.

On Tuesday, 19th December, the Junior Lay Vicars Choral and the Adult Lay Vicars Choral sang Carols at The Elysian. On Wednesday, the choir had their Christmas meal at the Flying Enterprise, in preparation for the Christmas weekend.

In the lead up to Christmas Day, there was the usual Choral Evensong on Friday, a Service of Nine Lesson and Carols on Saturday, Choral Eucharist and another Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, and the Festive Choral Eucharist for Christmas Day on Monday.

Well done to everyone at the Cathedral for a busy but fabulous Christmas weekend, and special thanks to the Director of Music, Peter Stobart, Assistant Director of Music, Matthew Breen, choir parents, and all members of the choir.

Concert Photos: Eoin Murphy

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The Eleventh Day of Christmas – Nativity Display in Carrigaline Union of Parishes

Posted on January 4, 2024 by mediaccr

On Friday, 15th December, Saturday, 16th December and Sunday, 17th December, Carrigaline Union of Parishes had their Nativity Display in the parish hall. People started visiting the display after the Community Carol Service on Friday night, and the display was also open to visitors from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday and after the Morning Service on Sunday.

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The Tenth Day of Christmas – Carols by Candlelight at Cloyne Cathedral

Posted on January 3, 2024 by mediaccr

On Sunday, 17th December, Cloyne Cathedral held its Carols by Candlelight service.

The Dean of Cloyne, the Very Rev. Susan Green, writes:

The Carols by Candlelight service in St Colman’s Cathedral was an amazing service. It was a traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols and the beautifully decorated Cathedral was lit by candlelight. Most of the congregation had brought their own candles too and their soft glow lit up the beautiful surroundings.

Many thanks to the Clerks Choral for singing under the direction of Colin Nichols, who together with Matthew Breen, Assistant Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, took all the rehearsals, and to Ian Sexton for playing the organ. Our thanks also to all the clergy who robed, and to everyone who read. Much praise to all who so lovingly prepared the Cathedral for us, and to everyone for coming.

Photographs: Andrea Gunn

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The Ninth Day of Christmas – Bandon Grammar School Service of Carols and Readings

Posted on January 2, 2024 by mediaccr

The students and staff of Bandon Grammar School gathered together at St Peter’s Church, Bandon for their annual Service of Carols and Readings for Advent and Christmas.

The service was led by the School Chaplain, the Rev. Anne Skuse and the school choir was directed by Ms Power, accompanied by Mr Colin Nichols, organist at St Peter’s Church. In her address the Rev. Skuse spoke about darkness and its many forms in the world today, but of how ‘holy incarnation happens over and over again when we open our hearts to God’s love and light, which is his gift to us at Christmas’.  

During the service food hampers were presented by Transition Year students to representatives of Bandon Family Resource Services. The principal, Ms Niamh McShane, together with representatives from the Bandon Family Resource Centre thanked the students and their families for their generous donations.

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The Eighth Day of Christmas – CDYC Christmas shopping trip

Posted on January 1, 2024 by mediaccr

On the 9th December, Cork Diocesan Youth Council held their annual Christmas shopping trip. They started at the Marina Market in Cork for brunch and continued their day out in Mahon Point Shopping Centre for some Christmas shopping. They ended their day out with a visit to the cinema where they saw the film “Journey to Bethlehem.”

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