The future's bright, the future's...lacy...

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY



29 November 2010


Extraordinary Form Mass Returns to St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne

On Saturday 20 November 2010 a High Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite was celebrated in the Cathedral Church of St Mary, Newcastle for only the second time since the liturgical changes following the Second Vatican Council. The Mass was organised by the local branch of the Latin Mass Society (who arranged a previous celebration in 2008). The cathedral dean, Fr Peter Leighton, and his curate, Fr Chris Warren, were very helpful in making the necessary arrangements, and Fr Warren was present in choir on the day.


The celebrant was Fr Shaun Swales, the deacon was Fr David Phillips and the sub-deacon was Fr Michael Brown. The choir was that of St George’s Anglican Church, Cullercoats under their director, Shaun Turnbull, and the organist was Peter Lock. The choir sang Victoria's Missa O Quam Gloriosum, Missa de Angelis (Angus Dei I &II), Viadana's Exsultate Justi in Domino and Franck's Panis Angelicus. The organist played Muffat's Toccata at the Offertory and J. S. Bach's Piece d'Orgue as the Recessional.


The Proper of the Mass was sung by the newly-named Schola Sancti Baedae from Jarrow under their director Dr Michael Dunn. The serving team was led by LMS joint diocesan representative, David O'Neill, as MC with Aidan McGregor as thurifer, Martin McGregor and Frank Walker as acolytes and Keith McAllister as crucifer.

There was a congregation of about 150 with representation from across the diocese.

David O’Neill, LMS Representative, said: “This was a wonderful achievement and it is very encouraging to see the ancient form of the Mass return to the mother church of the diocese. We plan to organise more celebrations and hope our Ordinary, Bishop Seamus Cunningham, will be able to join us in choir”.


For pictures please click here.