Dear Friends,
It is our pleasure today to baptise Jorja Mae Tizzard and to welcome her family and friends to S. Michael’s.
Next Sunday, S. Luke’s Day, we shall take part in the celebration of 150 years of the Parish of S. Luke’s, Manchester Street.
An entry in Bishop Harper’s register records that
“On Tuesday, S. Luke’s Day, the 18th of October, 1859, after Divine service in the Church of S. Michael and All Angels, Christchurch, the Bishop, accompanied by several of the clergy and the Minister and churchwardens of the Parochial District of Christchurch, laid the foundation stone of the Church of S. Luke on the Church Reserve adjoining Manchester Street to the north of the River Avon.”
That was the beginning of the new Parish.
The people of S. Luke’s will be here with us next Sunday morning. After the Sung Mass we shall have a quick morning tea, and then as many as are able will process to S. Luke’s along the same way as they did in 1859. There, at noon, we shall have a very brief commemoration of that occasion. After that, lunch will be available for those who have ordered it, and the rest of us will return to S. Michael’s and go home. I hope a goodly number can join the procession on foot, and we shall ensure that those who can’t do the walk will be driven to S. Luke’s and then back here.
In the evening at 6:00 pm the Bishop will preside at the Sesquicentennial Mass at S. Luke’s, and dedicate their new porch and memorial garden. We are all invited to join them. There will be Evensong and Benediction at S. Michael’s at 7:00 pm as usual.
Last week we brought back to S. Michael’s a quantity of building stone, which we had been storing offsite. This came from part of the block which was demolished when we rebuilt the School. While the Halswell stone is valuable, and will eventually be used in the landscaping of the site, there are two pallets of Oamaru stone which we will not use, and so this is available for any of you to take away. If you wish to take some, please tell me or Judy at the Parish Office.
This morning you will have another opportunity to contribute to the CWS Tsunami Appeal through a retiring collection.
Schools throughout the country return for the fourth term tomorrow. We pray for teachers and other staff and pupils at this time.
May God bless you all.
Fr Peter Williams
