CHARITABLE SUPPORT
It is incumbent upon Christian people to be given to hospitality and charitable works. Etymologically (big word!) speaking the word charity derives from the Greek meaning “love.” Put simply, we express our love of God in loving our neighbour in word and deed. Below are a number of charities that St Paul’s Church supports. The Church Council is always happy to receive other suggestions for consideration. There is a great deal of need in the world.
1. Caritas was set up in 2009 by Secours Catholiques. Its aim is to help families get back on their feet. It has assisted over 100 families to date helping with education, and employment.
In 2022 St Paul’s made donations of €23007 that were earmarked for needs in the Ukraine.
2. El Sistema was set up in 2016. It works with children and the young in immigrant refugee camps particularly in Greece, but now in 60 countries worldwide. It provides free musical education both choral and instrumental. Their Orchestras have appeared at the Proms in England and at the Edinburgh Festival. They are attempting to create a record for the biggest orchestra in world aiming at 12,000 players. It is recognised by UNICEF recognised and in 2022 St Paul’s donated €3060
3. The Emmaus charity was set up in France in the 1950’s and its main aims are to provide social support and housing for families. It has 30,000 helpers in 296 local groups throughout France and attempts to provide information on employment opportunities via 52 centres. It accepts unwanted items for resale in periodic sale days to raise funds and is a worldwide.
In 2022 St Paul’s donated €3257
4. The Fourneau Economique is based in Nice and part of Sainte Famille de Nice, a Catholic organisation). Its aim is simple – to feed those without means.
Donations from St Paul’s in 2022 came to €4014. We support this at Harvest Festival with both money and produce.
5. The Soupe de Nuit was set up in Monaco 22 years ago. It covers the areas from Nice to Menton giving out food, clothing, blankets and sleeping bags to those in extremis. It is supported by Secours Catholiques, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, Emmaus, Restos du Coeur and Médecins du Monde and is mainly run by volunteers.
We were able to provide €3257 in 2022.
6. Other Donations 2022 were made to the following organisations.
The Princesse Charlene Fund € 500.00
Ukraine direct support €2720.00
Expenses for shipments to Ukraine €161.79
Hymnal Technology for St Michael’s in Beaulieu €2294.22
The Royal British Legion € 775.80
Chances for Children € 654.00
More information about these charities can be accessed through their websites.
DIARY DATES
Sunday September 17th at 10.30 am the violinist Katie Geelan playing in Church and 45 minute sets on Monday 18th at 3.00 pm, Tuesday 19th at 6.00 pm and Wednesday 20th at 5.30 pm
Sunday 24th September Former Scottish and Barbarians Rugby International Jim Hamilton will be speaking at the start of the Church service about the Doddie Weir MND Research Foundation.
Sunday 15th October 10.30 am is Harvest Festival Sunday.
Sunday 29th October Lord Chartres, former Bishop of London and solemn ring bearer of the Queen’s ring and sceptre at the coronation of King Charles, is our guest preacher at 10.30 am.
Friday 10th November. In the morning the Chaplain will be leading a service of Remembrance at the British School, Monaco.
Saturday 11th November. In the evening, Lt Colonel Johnny Fenn will be speaking at the Chaplain’s residence about his trek this year, east to west over the Himalayas in support of Ghurkha charities. Numbers are limited so please contact the Chaplain if you wish to attend.
Remembrance Sunday 12th November
8.00 am Holy Communion 1662 Book of Common Prayer
10.30 am Remembrance Service. NB This will NOT be a service of Holy Communion.
c.11.45 am. An Act of Remembrance at the Churchill memorial avenue de Grande Bretagne
4.00 pm Sung Evensong for Remembrance 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
FROM THE CHAPLAIN’S BOOKSHELF
One of the most insightful books I have ever read on prayer has the rather unusual title, “Basil in Blunderland.” It is a gem! The book is based on the game of hide and seek and there is an awful lot to find. Using such titles as “The Larder,” “The Stairs,” “The Kitchen” and “Under the Piano,” Basil Hume, former Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, explores the essence of Christian spirituality and the experience of prayer that puts us beyond grasping God, and yet not putting him beyond our reach. I have bought many copies of this book as gifts for committed Christians as well as others who want to know more about the strange people of faith, that is the Church.
I would commend it to your reading matter. The Chaplain.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
This has been relaunched at St Paul’s for boys and girls from 3+ upwards. Further details from sundayschool@stpaulsmonaco.com
HARVEST FESTIVAL
This year we will again be collecting for the Fourneau Economique in Nice. Dry goods such as pasta and tinned goods would be much appreciated. They can be brought to Church on Sunday morning at 10.30 am. If you wish to inquire about making a financial contribution please contact them on 04. 93.92.60.44 or fourneau.economique@gmail.com
JIM HAMILTON
I am delighted that the Jim Hamilton has made time in a very busy rugby world cup schedule to be with us at St Paul’s on Sunday the 24th of September. Jim was born on the 17th November 1982 and played 63 times for the Scotland national team ; he also represented the Barbarians. . He played for club sides Leicester Tigers 2003–2008, Edinburgh Rugby 2008–2010, Gloucester Rugby 2010–2013, Montpellier Herault Rugby 2013–2014 and Saracens F.C. 2014–2017.Jim was born and raised in Swindon, England and his Dad was a Scottish soldier. Jim is 6 feet 8 inches tall, so the Chaplain will require a pair of stilts for any photographs that are taken on the day!
LORD RICHARD CHARTRES
I am delighted that Lord Chartres accepted my invitation and will be preaching at St Paul’s on the 29th of October at 10.30 am. The following slice of his biography may be of interest.
Richard Chartres, Baron chartres GCVO, ChStJ, PC, FSA, FBS was born on the 11th July 1947 and is a retired bishop of the Church of England. He was area Bishop of Stepney from 1992 to 1995 and Bishop of London from 1995 to 2017. He was sworn of the Privy Council in the same year he became Bishop of London. He was also Gresham Professor of Divinity from 1987 to 1992. In October 2017. Bishop Chartres was made a life Peer, and now sits in the House of Lords as a crossbencher. Bishop Chartres is responsible for the Church of England’s relations with the Orthodox churches, representing the Church of England at the funeral of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow of the Russian Orthodox Church and the enthronement of his successor, Kirill I, in Moscow. A sermon definitely not to be missed !!!!! The Chaplain
LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHNNY FENN
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Fenn is a photographer and adventurer known to the Chaplain since 1994 when they served together as members of HM Forces South Atlantic. Johnny served 25 years in the army and 16 of those with the Brigade of Gurkhas. He grew up on a farm, went to school in Lincolnshire, played rugby for England u.19’s and represented the army and combined services in his chosen sport. He was Company Commander at Sandhurst. His photographic pedigree is illustrious. In 2023 he walked 1500 miles across Nepal and raised over £40,000 for the Gurkha Welfare Trust. He is also captain of the British Elephant Polo Team!!! A great friend and honourable man.
The Chaplain
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Remembrance Sunday 12th November. On the 23rd of April 1917 Lieutenant Octavius Leslie Bearn was Killed in Action just outside Guemappe leading his men of the 9th Battalion The Black Watch. At 10.30 am on Remembrance Sunday this year his long missing and only recently recovered regimental sword will be processed to the altar at St Paul’s by a member of King Charles III Honorary Bodyguard to the Highland Pipe tune, “Coming Home.” Children from the British School will present a posy of poppies to the Chaplain that will be placed alongside it. It is hope that their Serene Highnesses will be in attendance alongside other consular representatives, former members of the armed forces and others representing the multi national nature of the Principality.
DODDIE WEIR
My Name is Doddie! Doddie Weir was one of the most characterful Scottish rugby football players of recent years and was also a British Lion. In 2022, at the end of what was quite an heroic battle during which he seldom lost his sense of humour and love of life, he succumbed to the ravages of Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 52. The Doddie Weir Foundation was set up to help find a cure for MND. During the Rugy World Cup there will be a donation box at post communion refreshments for people to make a contribution; our Churchwarden Russell Crump has helpfully had another placed in “Slammers” for the same purpose. It is a cause very close to the Chaplain’s heart and he would be happy to share with anyone more information as to how they might support the aims and objects of the Foundation.
MUSIC MATTERS
Hidden mysteries within music
I have often been taken by surprise at the capacity of music to move, amuse, excite, thrill, make one feel sad etc. However, nothing has ever hit me quite as hard as the revelatory experience which occurred whilst conducting Bach’s St. Matthew Passion for the first time. It wasn’t as though the work was new to me, having sung it in the choir many times at St. Paul’s Cathedral (London!), and with the Monteverdi Choir, but I had never conducted it before. On this occasion we were in Monaco Cathedral, back in the late ‘90’s, and it was during the performance itself that the revelation hit me.
During the Passion narrative, after Christ is betrayed by Judas and taken away from the Garden of Gethsemane (an event portrayed with shocking clarity in a simple but profoundly effective recitative) the orchestra launches into a reflective duet for soprano and alto Mond und Licht, whose introduction is accompanied by two flutes, two oboes, and strings – but without cellos, double bass, or organ.
On the face of it this may not seem all that odd, but in the context of baroque music it is a most unusual occurrence. These are the very instruments which form part of what is known as the continuo department. Those who attend our annual Messiah will have noticed me plonking away on the keyboard, accompanied by the principal cello to my right, the double bass behind him, and the bassoon seated near the soloists. Between us we form the team which hopefully provides a rock-like foundation for the voices and all the other instruments. Indeed, in the old days before the art of conducting was invented – basically by the likes of Wagner during the 19th century – the musical direction was initiated by the continuo players, the keyboard frequently being played by the composer himself.
So Bach’s intention is clearly that everyone should relive the chilling shock of being suddenly deprived of leadership and foundation – as the disciples were in Gethsemane, and the shock felt by the whole of humanity thereafter.
Need I say more? The thing struck me so profoundly that I found myself drawn into the Passion narrative to the extent that I simply couldn’t bring myself to start the final chorus Wir setzen uns mit Tränen nieder. Finally the principal violin kicked me in the foot, presumably thinking that I had forgotten to turn the pages, and hissed “Get going Errol – everyone’s waiting!”
KATE GEELAN
The talented violinist Katie Geelan played in Church on Sunday the 17th of September and before the weekday services that follow and it was a delight to have her with us and to hear the wonderful sound that she created. Katie is an accomplished musician, performer and music educationalist with 30 years experience. She directs choirs who appear frequently on BBC TV and supports charities and events across the North West of England. She coaches both violin and piano. As a performer Katie (Fiddlestix) is able to provide music for a range of events. To date she has played music for her late Majesty the Queen, performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Bridgewater Hall and whilst resident violinist on the Granada Studios Tour performed at numerous celebrity corporate events. Katie is a ‘recommended supplier’ for many wedding venues and loves to enhance a party with her speciality burst of Irish music. We look forward to welcoming Katie back to St Paul’s again in the future
THE LANCASHIRE CULINARY TABLE
Eccles cakes are sugar-crusted pastries filled with a sweet and spicy mixture. They’re best eaten straight from the oven.
Ingredients.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup dried currants
• ¾ cup demerara sugar
• 2 tablespoons chopped candied mixed fruit peel.
• ¾ teaspoon mixed spice
• ½ (17.5 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 large white egg, beaten.
• ¼ cup white sugar for decoration
Instructions
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Sprinkle a baking sheet with water.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add currants, demerara sugar, fruit peel, and mixed spice. Stir until sugar is dissolved and fruit is well coated, then remove from the heat.
• Roll pastry on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Using a saucer as a guide, cut out eight 5-inch circles. Divide fruit mixture evenly among the circles. Moisten the pastry edges with water, pull over filling toward the centre, and pinch to seal. Invert filled cakes on the floured surface and gently to make a wider, flatter circle, being careful not to break the dough.
• Brush each cake with egg white, then sprinkle generously with white sugar. Make three parallel cuts across the top of each cake, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
AND FINALY…………..
The following piece was written by a nine old who visited St Paul’s with his Mother a couple of months ago. She asked if we would share it with the congregation. Several things sprang to mind as I read it.
1. How good it is that young people still express themselves in words.
2. The words of Robert Burns, “If only we could ourselves as others see us.”
3. Great oaks from acorns do grow!
4. The importance of saying hello!
The Chaplain.
I met a Priest
along a street.
Was greeted with a friendly smile.
“Hello!” I say
as I begin to pray.
He’s as sweet as a dove,
and full of love
and projects a calming vibe,
but what makes there so incredibly rare
are the people gathered like a local tribe.
By MOTU (aka Master of the Underground)
