Can it really be as I write that Ash Wednesday is only nine days away! Our Prayer Bear Campaign continues to move forward. Only last week 54 were delivered to the Princess Grace Foundation for Sick Children. They have found their way to the Irish Library near the Palace and further afield in Spain, France, Germany, Itlay, England and the United States. Perhaps we should have a competition for the furthest travelled bear? The Mother Superior even has one on her desk at the convent of Our Lady of Laghet.
The Centenary of our consecration was marked with Sung Evensong during which an anthem specifically commissioned for the day was sung for the first time. A presentation was made to Errol Girdlestone acknowledging the great gift and talent he brings to the liturgy and worship at St Paul’s. A presentation was also made to Alison Bearn representing the Chaplaincy family. Grateful thanks must be recorded for the generosity of Simon and Patricia Groom who funded not only the gifts but the entire reception as well. A big thank you to Freddie Bearn, Nina Halgarth, Helen Henry, Vanessa Ilsley and Nikki Johnson in their managing the post service bar. That takes some doing!
The first of our fund raising Sunday Pot lunches was a great success and enjoyed by everyone present. It was a sell-out, raised nearly 3000 euros and as the occasion came to a conclusion, the Chaplain managed to draw in two passing visitors from Leicestershire to join in with the hospitality of the Church. And of course our very own centenary stamp is now available in the post offices around the Principality. More awaits us as we move through the year. There are so many blessings that we receive from God.
Ash Wednesday and the period of Lent that follows is an ideal opportunity to reflect upon that, deepen our faith and commitment and finding yet more ways in which we can be true to the Gospel, our baptismal promises and serve the Principality as a witnessing community to the Resurrection of Jesus.
Centenary Evensong
A congregation of some 90 people attended a service of Evensong on Wednesday 19th February to mark the Consecration of St Paul’s Church on that exact day in 1925. M. Beffre, the Minister of the Interior represented the Government, along with Eric Blair, the Honorary British Consul and M. Jean d’Haussonville the French Ambassador to Monaco…
Pot Luck Lunch
On February 23rd, straight after the morning service, 37 members and friends of the congregation, plus three standing room only, partook of a delicious lunch of home-made lasagne, in the first of Pot Luck Lunch in aid of our Centenary Appeal fund. The lunch, prepared by Alison and Helen Henry was a delicious home-made lasagne, accompanied by a varied selection of salads provided by other members of the church, and a gorgeous array of desserts also from church members and friends...
Ecumenical Service
This unique service took place on Monday the 20th of January in the big tent at Fontvieille. Many more people attended this year than in previous years, despite the most awful weather conditions…
St Vincent de Paul Donation – Prayer Bears
The Chaplain was very pleased to present the Society of St Vincent de Paul with a cheque for two thousand euros (photograph). The money was raised via sponsorship of Centenary Prayer Bears. The Society was immensely grateful for the difference this will make in their work with the homeless and vulnerable along the Riviera…
Bears to Africa with Mission En France
Mission En France is a humanitarian charity which in 2023 dedicated 99.19% of its funds to humanitarian efforts in the field. This is possible thanks to the support received from the Government of the Principality of Monaco and the support of its private patrons…
Trafalgar Night
In the spirit of Trafalgar and with the gusto only worthy of His Majesty’s Royal Navy, the St Paul’s community gathered on the 31st of January 2025 for a rollicking evening of maritime merriment. With sails unfurled and cannons (metaphorically) blazing, four plucky teams took to the stage, each determined to emerge victorious—battling not just against each other but the capricious gusts of fate…
Music Matters – By Errol Girdlestone
As Lent approaches
As Lent approaches, the St. Paul’s congregation will be singing the Missa in Tempore Alligatum on Sunday 2nd March for the last time until Easter. Instead we will be confining ourselves to the more sober setting by John Merbecke c.1510 – c. 1585.
Initially a boy chorister, and then organist at St. George’s Chapel Windsor, Merbecke became a significant English choral composer and theological writer who lived through dangerous times. Having been convicted of heresy he was sentenced to be burnt at the stake, only to receive a last-minute pardon, thanks to the intervention of the then Bishop of Winchester, Stephen Gardiner, who declared Merbecke to be “but a musitian”. The spelling doesn’t do much to mitigate the apparent disdain in which we in the profession are held, but I suppose, given the context, we should all be grateful to be alive!
In 1550 Merbecke published his Booke of Common Praier Noted which was intended to provide musical uniformity in the use of the Prayer Book. Despite the multitude of changes in the lIturgy since then, Merbecke’s setting provides an anchor point for congregational singing during the service of Holy Communion to this day. The style is a cross between Gregorian chant and semi-rhythmical melodies which are easy to latch onto, providing a context free of period associations – neither ancient nor modern, ie timeless.
Crossword N°8 – by Patricia Cerrone
One of the most confusing things about some cryptic clues is that they tend to mislead the solver because of lack of punctuation. Often the “usual” way of reading the sentence is not conducive to finding the answer. Therefore, sometimes you need to experiment a little with the words as they are presented.
For example, look at 2 DOWN, Glare to upset person making a will (7). The everyday reading of this statement would lead you to think that the person is bothered by a strong light or reflection while writing out his final wishes – rather a lot to convey in a single-word answer. So try putting in some commas and, being alerted by the word “upset” (which could well indicate an anagram), consider Glare to, upset, person making a will. Now you have the first seven letters of the clue to be anagrammed, plus a definition. You’ll find that N° 13 ACROSS is constructed in a similar way.
NB. Watch out for an ant in this puzzle – often used as a synonym for “worker”.
ACROSS
1. Ancient deities or Scottish football heroes? (6,4)
6. Cold boy getting dressed (4)
9. Mary’s prayer when visiting Elizabeth (10) [AV Luke 1]
10. Founder was adamant to dismiss worker (4)
12. Indigenous people first to emerge in America (4)
13. Sad to miss opening sermon highlighting worship (9)
15. Possibly endears fiancé, finally, to romantic music (8)
16. Loose mountainside facing North provides cover (6)
18. Can be counted on to say prayers (6)
20. Advent hymn appeals to French President (8)
23. Allows mob to spin fine yarn (9)
24. Pick out first signs of crocuses under loose leaves (4)
26. Spiritual teacher taken in by Montagu Ruskin (4)
27. Big, rough-coated dogs make one shudder nervously (10)
28. “They that sow in tears shall ………. in joy” (4) [AV Psalm CXXVI]
29. Golden-haired idol of fertility in Norse mythology (7,3)
DOWN
1. Temporary accommodation initially constructed by a politician (4)
2. Glare to upset person making a will (7)
3. Little peculiarity exposed by troubled Synod’s icy air (12)
4. Ruling dynasty established by the “Malizia” in 1297 (8)
5. Cathedral dignity welcoming company of aspiring priest (6)
7. Old instrument captivating Doctor of Divinity – one not liking new technology (7)
8. Overwhelmingly enjoying some freedom in Antly (10)
11. Chaps travelling to meet Mr Capone with burden of Easter emblem (7,5)
14. Stargazer good with awfully rare tools (10)
17. Begged cheeky fellow to act older (8)
19. American uncle performs solo in Biblical city (7)
21. First of unmanned planes touches down on high ground (7)
22. Dance jacket (6)
25. Representatives of United States Chess Federation (4)
Answers to crossword N° 7
ACROSS – 1. CONGREGATION 9. ORIGAMI 10. SWALLOW 11. ASPS 12. DORIC 13. WARY 16. CANTORS 17. GOLD PAN 18. THANKED 21. ANIMISM 23. OBED 24. SPICE 25. UPON 28. INDUCTS 29. DIOCESE 30. ADVENT CAROLS
DOWN – 1. CRISPIN 2. NOAH 3. RUINOUS 4. GOSLING 5. TOAD 6. OIL LAMP 7. ROMAN CATHOLIC 8. AWAY IN A MANGER 14. BOOKS 15. PLAIN 19. AMENDED 20. DEPOSIT 21. ARCADIA 22. IMPRESS 26. ACRE 27 POLO
