The Polish Catholic Mission in England and Wales is 130 years old this year and to celebrate this Anniversary a Christmas carol service has been organised at Westminster Cathedral.
There will be two choirs singing:
The Ave Verum choir from South Norwood and Balham conducted by Jurek Pockert and accompanied by the Cathedral Organist.
And the Fiołki choir, being the choir of the Mazury Dance Company, a part of the Polish YMCA in London.
They will be conducted by Jadzia Słomka and accompanied by musicians of the “ Kapela, Estrada Regionalna ‘Równica’ Im. Renaty Ciszewskiej” from Poland.
Fifteen favourite Polish carols will be sung in this free hour-long service:
- Triumfy Króla Niebieskiego
- Gdy się Chrystus Rodzi
- Coś Się Dzieje!
- Niemowlątko Na Słomie
- Przybieżeli Do Betlejem
- Oj Maluśki Maluśki
- Dzisiaj w Betlejem
- Lulajże Jezuniu
- Wśród Nocnej Ciszy
- Bracia Parzcie w Jeno
- Cicha Noc
- Mędrcy Świata, Monarchowie
- Kołysanka Marii Panny
- W Żłobie Leży
- Bóg Się Rodzi, Moc Truchleje
There will be two readings:
- the first being the traditional Christmas reading Luke 2: 1-14,
- the second will be an extract from the Homily of His Holiness John Paul II during Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1978 , his first such Christmas Eve homily as Pope.
Here are two of many salient quotes from His Homily:
“Let us think of those who are lonely, old, or sick; of the homeless, those suffering from hunger“
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour” (Lk 2:14). Touched by the fact of the birth of Jesus, we must hear this cry from Heaven. That cry must reach all the ends of the earth, all men must hear it anew. A Son is given to us. Christ is born to us. Amen.”
To conclude the service there will be a retiring collection for The Passage, a charity which supports the homeless and based close to Westminster Cathedral.
Be welcomed into the true spirit of Christmas by beautiful Polish Carols at the magnificent Westminster Cathedral. Enjoy the enchanting melodies that will surely warm your heart and stay with you throughout Christmas.
British Poles are a media patron of the concert.
WHEN: Saturday, 7th December 2024 at 2pm
WHERE: Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Street London SW1P 1LT
TICKETS: free, but you need to reserve a spot here
