The Gallowgate Festival Week begins on Saturday 3rd of August and finishes with a Ceilidh on Friday
9th of August. Please do support, where you can, this important week-long event in the life of this place. The programme is printed elsewhere in the magazine. Do please tell your relations and friends.
I, Fr Jack and Fr Gary in the preaching of the Gospel and celebrating of the Sacraments and in pastoral ministry are trying our best to rebuild community in the Gallowgate. The Clergy cannot do it on their own. All of us are involved and we all must put our shoulder to the wheel. We have been given fantastic opportunity in our refurbished Hall facilities to move this whole congregation forward.
The hall is well re-named the John Comper Hall, because as a priest of incredible vision, Fr John Comper founded St Margaret’s and this fulfilled his particularly energetic charged vocation. He was a giant of a man in terms of inspiration and we are fortunate to live on in this place which was founded and nurtured by his preaching and faithful celebration of the sacraments.
A local neighbour came to me the other day and in conversation asked me who John Comper was, and I took advantage to explain. The hall signage and granite cross will be floodlit in the winter. His name will be emblazoned on the granite. It is our job to enlighten others and it is opportunity to communicate the faith.
When you reflect on Church life in Aberdeen City Centre there is not much spark about. However, we are, I hope, bucking the trend in terms of footprint and presence. Let’s grasp the opportunities that are presented to us. When Fr John Comper started the mission in the Gallowgate in the 1860’s he didn’t have many people around him, so then, let’s just get on with it!
The sermon that I preached on the Sunday of the Hall re-dedication is printed elsewhere in the magazine for your perusal. It is quite interesting to note the Kalendar for September. I have transferred several different commemorations and feasts to be celebrated on the Sundays, that should offer quite interesting variety in our liturgical worship. My thanks to Fr Jack for rewriting, in English, a version of the music of a Gaelic Mass for St Peter (An Aifreann Naomh Peadar). In this accompaniment, he has very cleverly harmonised the Sanctuary gong with the melody of the Sanctus!
The Church garden is looking great. Many visitors do come to look and many tarry awhile. It is much appreciated and is recognised as a quiet place of reflection in the City Centre. I have also often encountered people eating their lunch there!
At long last it feels as if summer has come. Pray for good weather on the 3rd of August!
See you in Church,
Kindest Regards,
As Aye,
Fr Emsley
