The induction of the new priest

Father Christopher Smith became the tenth parish priest of St Alban Holborn- probably the most famous church associated with anglo-catholocism. The service was lavish with wonderful music and a great sermon from Bishop Wheatley. The reception afterwards was less than lavish- I always find the richer the church then the poorer the food.  But all the energies go into the feast of the service.   I tried to capture some of the drama and theatre of the Mass but only dared to record the entry of the Bishop into the main church.

The Opera 'Alban'

Our friend is Joanna Judge was a member of the chorus so we decided to give this a try.
St Alban's church in Holborn was a magnificent venue and the opera was superb. Although why they decided to make Alban a doctor rather than the take the soldier he really was- a mistake I think. One of the points about the story is that the soldier had not achieved much in his life except in his last days. This only runs till Saturday and is so good and moving it is a must see.

Father Howard Levett SSC his last mass

Father Howard has been the parish priest of this famous Anglo-catholic church for 15 years and has now gone to live and minister in Venice.

He has always been so friendly and kind- in the face of a rather stuffy congregation. He brought some humanity and fun to the formality of this shrine to Anglo-Catholicism.

He is especially kind and thoughtful to the sick and dying and he knew my late sister- so that makes him very special to me. The Mass was on the Feast if Peter and Paul- a very special day for priests everywhere and so very fitting that this was his last at Holborn