Saint Benedict, was an Italian monk, writer, and theologian, born in Nursia (modern day Norcia) in Umbria on 2 March 480. He was sent to Rome to study, but was disappointed by academic life within a large city and escaped to Enfide (modern day Affile), in the Simbruini mountains, some 65km east of Rome. Here Benedict met a monk who’s isolated monastery was situated on a mountainside above the village, and who invited Benedict to take the monk's habit and become a hermit, which Benedict did, for three years. During these three years of solitude, broken only by occasional communications with the outside world, Benedict grew in mind and character, in knowledge of himself and of his fellow man, while at the same time becoming not only known to, but respected by, those around him. He went on to found 12 monasteries in the vicinity of neighbouring town, Subiaco, before moving south-east to Monte Cassino. At Monte Cassino he produced his life’s greatest work, the Rule of St Benedict, which consisted of a set of rules for his monks to follow. The Rule is said to possess a unique spirit of balance, moderation and reasonableness, which was why most religious communities founded in the Middle Ages chose to adopt it. To this day, the Rule of St Benedict remains the most common and influential Rule used by monastic order, some 1500 years after its writing. Benedict died of a fever at Monte Cassino on 21 March 547. He was named patron protector of Europe by Pope Paul VI in 1964 and in 1980 Pope John Paul II declared him to be co-patron of Europe, together with Saints Cyril and Methodius. Here in Spain, on the island of Tenerife, Benedict is regarded as the patron saint of fields & farmers and an annual romeria is held in his honour. The picture of St Benedict above is part of a depiction in the Benedetto Portinari Triptych, by Hans Memling - Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12211505
Every summer the Church of England celebrates the ordination of new deacons and priests, as traditionally the majority of ordinations take place at the end of June, during Petertide, the feast day marking the martyrdom of Saint Peter, on 29th June. Their first ordination is to the diaconate, and then, usually, a year later they will be ordained priest.This year Fr Louis is celebrating 20 years a priest and Mthr Doreen 10 years, We asked our other clergy how many years since they were priested. Philip has clocked up 7 years, Sheila 27, Mark 30, but the longest serving, clocking up 32% of the total score, is Hilary with 44 years! They have 138 years of priestly experience between them! At the Eucharist on Sunday 7th July, Fr Louis will give thanks to God for his 20 years as a priest and for the ministry shared with his brother and sister priests, and pray for the years to come. Cake and cava will be shared after the service. This year also marks 30 years since the first women were ordained in the Church of England. The ordination took place on 12th March 1994 at Bristol Cathedral. The very first of the first was Angela Berners-Wilson, thanks to her surname beginning with the letter B. She will be here in Spain visiting Fr Hilary in September. This group of 32 pioneering women became the first female priests in the Church of England’s centuries-long history.Read more about the joys and challenges faced by women in those early years, on the Diocese's website here.
Over the past 10 years the use of cash has slowly diminished, to a point where, today, twice the value and volume of payments are made by card/contactless methods than with cash. This has clearly had an impact on the way people donate to their church, making the traditional collection plate somewhat outdated. And today St George’s has caught up. We have installed a contactless card reader near to the church’s entrance, to be available to visitors and regular members of the congregation alike. For a church like St George’s that has a lot of visitors, this is an ideal way for people to donate who do not have regular giving set up. Contactless giving enables people to give in church in the same way they would in everyday life - using their card. It is not obligatory and we will continue to use the plate for those who wish to give in cash.We give thanks for everyone who gives to support the work of St George’s and we ask that this new device will be a blessing to us all. The picture shows the Chaplain, Father Louis, blessing the card reader during the holy eucharist this morning.
23 March 8.00 PM. Pergolesi´s Stabat Mater Doloroso. Lourdes San Miguel, Soprano, Clarice Williams, Contralto. Sabastian Robles, piano. 13 April 8.00 PM. Astrea Quintet. Piano quintet. English Music by Vaughan Williams and other British Composers. 4 May 8.00 PM. La Zarzuela a Través del Tiempo. Un Viaje Musical por las Épocas del Género. Elena Ramos, Soprano. Tania Moya, Piano. 15 June 8.00 PM. Jitterbug Jazz Trio. 5 October 8.00 PM. Opera Saints and Sinners. Arias and duets. Lourdes San Miguel, Soprano. Clarice Williams, Contralto. Details to follow
