News & Events
Archbishop Bernard Longley takes part in SVP Carol Service at St Chad's Cathedral
Archbishop Bernard Longley (pictured right with Westminster CC President and SVP Board Member Siobhan Garibaldi) took part in the St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Carol Service in the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, on Saturday, 12 December, his first public engagement in the Cathedral since he was Installed as the Ninth Archbishop of Birmingham, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
This essence of the vital work of the SVP was captured in the opening prayer said by Archbishop Bernard Longley: “Heavenly Father on this night we remember that Your Son Jesus Christ was born in a stable because there was no room at the inn. While we celebrate His birthday in our homes this Christmas, we remember the homeless, the sick, the poor the helpless, the hungry, all who are lonely or afraid, those who are sick and those who mourn. Give us understanding of their need, show us what we can do to help, and make us generous in our love and gifts because of his love for us all.
“We pray for peace and goodwill among all peoples, those who seek sanctuary and those who are imprisoned, and for Your blessings for all those who are involved in the work of the SVP and those that the SVP seeks to serve. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen”
Three well known Christmas songs included in the carol service were beautifully sung: “God’s Angel Gabriel” in Polish, by Kamila Urban; “Mary’s Boy Child” by Jim Fagan-King; and “O Holy Night” by Dawn Manion.
Popular carols, “Little Donkey”, “Away in a manager” and Silent Night” were sung by a delightful children’s choir, only formed a few days before from pupils at four Birmingham, RC Primary Schools: St Francis, Handsworth; St Paul’s, Kings Norton; St Bernard’s, Moseley; and St Thomas More, Sheldon, who also gave a wonderful rendition of “Moonbeams” written by a former pupil, only nine years old at the time.
Frank O’Loughlin, SVP Vice- President Birmingham Central Council, spoke briefly about the work of the SVP in the Archdiocese of Birmingham during which he emphasised: “There are many people in need these days, but it’s not always obvious who they are.”
Siobhan Garibaldi, thanked everyone who had taken part, some at very short notice. She had a particular word of thanks, for Archbishop Bernard Longley, a friend, who was an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Westminster, until he moved to Birmingham on 2 December.
Before he gave the final blessing, the new Archbishop of Birmingham warmly thanked the staff and pupils of the four Catholic primary schools for giving up their Saturday afternoon so close to Christmas in order to take part in the SVP Carol Service.
Everyone in the congregation, which included parents, family and friends of the school children taking part, joined in singing the great Christmas carol “O Come all ye Faithful” to end a memorable St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Carol Service in St Chad’s Cathedral.
Text and Photos from Peter Jennings, Press Secretary to the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, and the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
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