Ephesians 4:7-16; Psalm 121(122):1-5; Luke 13:1-9
We have a diversion from the normal ebb and flow of our liturgical week, as today the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre are celebrating their chapter Mass at mid-day in St Gregorys.
Dear Knights, Dames, guests, and parishioners,
A very warm welcome to you here today at St Gregory the Great, Cheltenham for the Chapter Meeting and Annual Mass of the Western Section of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
St. Gregory’s Church was designed by the famous architect, Charles Hansom. Building work commenced in the spring of 1854 and opened for worship in May 1857. The tower and spire were completed 1876, when the present nave, connecting the two existing parts of the building, was built. The church was consecrated in 1877. There are many beautiful stained-glass windows, the earliest of which were crafted by the John Hardman Studios of Warley, Worcestershire. The window behind the High Altar shows Our Lady being crowned in heaven by the Blessed Trinity following her Assumption. There are two roundels at the bottom of the window which show, on the left, the Annunciation, and on the right, the Nativity. The beautiful statue of Our Lady was carved by an artist in Munich.
We ask you to pray for us all in the Order as we dedicate ourselves to supporting the humanitarian aid, education, and pastoral care of Christians, God’s people, in the land of Our Saviour’s birth, death and resurrection.
Rev. Fr. David Mills KHS