Latest news with #Psalm23
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Packed audience treated to powerful work
The Southern Youth Choir and Chamber Orchestra are directed by John Buchanan in a performance of The Armed Man to a capacity audience at St Paul's Cathedral in Dunedin yesterday. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN Southern Youth Choir The Armed Man St Paul's Cathedral Sunday, May 25 St Paul's Cathedral was a sellout yesterday afternoon for a performance by Southern Youth Choir (director John Buchanan) of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. The Armed Man is an anti-war work composed in 2000 by Karl Jenkins, using liturgical Latin Mass text, prose and poetry from other religions, assembled by librettist Guy Wilson. The event began with the SYC Chamber Choir, conducted by Noah McBirney-Warner in Geistliches Leid (Brahms) and a beautiful setting of Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd (Rutter), with oboe obligato and counter-melodies (Callum Fotheringham) and organ (David Burchell). The Southern Youth Choir, currently with 60 members, organ and chamber orchestra (including three percussionists) then presented an absolutely outstanding 70-minute performance, full of dynamic contrast and emotion, expressing war, horror and loss, ending with a prayer for a peaceful future. As the final words faded to silence, the entire audience sprang to a standing ovation until the very last performer had left the stage. So deserved. Choir members taking solos were soprano Rosie Auchinvole, alto Tessa Campbell, tenor Teddy Finney Waters and bass Ewen Clarke-Wallace. The opening Mass simulated a marching army with drum beat, then a gradual orchestral build-up assembled the choir, singing 15th century text The Armed Man. Style and pace matched the beginning of war; Adhaan, a Muslim call to prayer, Kyrie, Sanctus, Hymn Before Action, with text by Rudyard Kipling ("Lord grant us strength to die"). The climax came with Charge — a long drawn-out chorus of screaming and wailing depicting the worst action of war, followed by silence and Last Post (Ralph Miller). So effective. An excerpt from the poem Angry Flames, about the horrors of Hiroshima, Torches, Agnus Dei, Benedictus and lines by Tennyson's Better is Peace completed the work. Text in the programme enabled full understanding of each section in this epic, never-to-be-forgotten performance. Review by Elizabeth Bouman
Herald Malaysia
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Malaysia
Musical production highlights faith amid life's uncertainties
A compelling new musical production, Good Shepherd: Dance with Me on Shifting Sands, scheduled to be held from May 16 to 18 at Loyola Hall, Church of St Francis Xavier, invites audiences to reflect on the enduring presence of faith amid the turmoil of today's world. May 02, 2025 PETALING JAYA: A compelling new musical production, Good Shepherd: Dance with Me on Shifting Sands, scheduled to be held from May 16 to 18 at Loyola Hall, Church of St Francis Xavier, invites audiences to reflect on the enduring presence of faith amid the turmoil of today's world. Inspired by the familiar image of the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23, the performance draws audiences into a poignant exploration of what it means to walk with Christ in a world marked by instability and change. Through music, movement, and storytelling, the production tackles key themes central to the human experience: marginalisation, care for creation, intergenerational relationships, and the anchoring role of faith. The title Shifting Sands serves as a metaphor for the challenges faced in contemporary life — from war and displacement to environmental destruction. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, the musical portrays the Good Shepherd as a constant presence, walking beside individuals in both suffering and celebration. Performed by a multigenerational cast of 18 children and teens, 15 adults, and eight musicians and singers — ranging in age from 8 to 87 — the production captures the diversity and unity of the community. The ensemble brings to life stories of refugees, the displaced, and those struggling to find hope, while highlighting the urgent call to care for the Earth and build bridges across generations. 'This is not just a performance, but a shared experience,' said the production's organisers. 'It's a call to reflect on how we can each navigate the shifting sands of our lives with faith, love, and resilience.' The musical encourages viewers to not only watch, but to move, breathe, and listen — embracing the invitation to 'dance' with the Good Shepherd, and to find rhythm in the midst of life's unpredictability. Good Shepherd: Dance with Me on Shifting Sands promises to be an inspiring experience, inviting all to rediscover the steady guidance of the Divine Shepherd and the transformative power of faith in community.
Fox News
26-04-2025
- General
- Fox News
Pope Francis' funeral schedule, what to expect from the Novendiali, a 9-day period of prayer, mourning
Pope Francis' funeral will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local Rome time (4:00 a.m. ET) and more than 200,000 people are expected to attend the deceased Vicar of Christ's services. Thousands of mourners have taken to the Vatican this week to pay their final respects to Pope Francis following his death on Monday. The funeral Mass will be held on the parvis of St. Peter's Basilica, and His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the Catholic rites and blessings. Mass will begin with an Entrance Antiphon, typically sung or recited by clergy and mourners. Then, the congregation will acknowledge their sins with the Penitential Act followed by the Collect, or opening prayer. Cardinal Battista will then extend the First Reading, a reading from the Acts of the Apostles, to the congregation of worshipers. The Responsorial Psalm "The Lord is my Shepherd," or "Psalm 23," is to be sung. The Second Reading, a reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians, typically recited by an instituted lector at a pope's funeral, will be heard among parishioners. The Acclamation and the Gospel will follow. Cardinal Battista will give the Homily, a reflection, which includes prayer for Pope Francis, the faithful departed and the congregation. The dean of the Roman Catholic Church's College of Cardinals will consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ and invite the faithful to receive Holy Communion following the Communion Rite, or the Our Father prayer. Requiem Aeternam, a chant often heard among funeral-goers, is to be recited during Communion, followed by a prayer. Cardinal Battista will offer a final Commendation and Farewell including the Prayer of the Church in Rome and the Prayer of Eastern Churches. The funeral liturgy "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" will be sung or chanted by the congregation, and Mass will conclude with the Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Francis will be buried in a wooden casket at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a place he often visited with flowers during his 12-year papacy. The Novendiali, an ancient and customary nine-day period of prayer, remembrance and mourning, will begin on the day of Pope Francis' funeral on the parvis of St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis' Holy Mass led by His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will commence the nine Masses in memory of the deceased pontiff. While the Masses are open to public audiences, they are specifically held for employees and faithful of Vatican City. The schedule is as follows, according to the Vatican:
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Death penalty opponents read from Bible that belonged to executed inmate
Outside the gates of South Carolina's Broad River Correction Institution on Friday, March 7, 2025, anti-death penalty activist Hillary Taylor read a yellow highlighted passage from a well-worn Bible given to her by Brad Sigmon ahead of his execution by firing squad. 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me,' she recited to the roughly 40 protesters gathered around her. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA — Outside the gates of South Carolina's Broad River Correction Institution, anti-death penalty activist Hillary Taylor read a yellow highlighted passage from a well-worn Bible. 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me,' she recited from Psalm 23 to the roughly 40 protesters gathered around her. Inside the facility, 67-year-old Brad Sigmon had been executed by firing squad. The Bible she read from had been his. He gave it to her days earlier on her final visit to the prison. Also in the crowd was Randy Gardner, of Taylorsville, Utah. Before Sigmon's death, Gardner's brother, Ronnie Lee Gardner, had been the last person executed by a firing squad on June 18, 2010. 'This is going to change that,' Gardner said. Gardner said his brother had not allowed his family to be present for his execution. 'He knew how bad it was going to be,' Gardner said. In South Carolina, the family of the condemned can't attend an execution. Gardner said it took weeks for him to be able to look at his brother's autopsy photos. But when he finally did, it drove him to activism. He has traveled the country ever since speaking out against the death penalty. After his brother's death, Gardner said he had nightmares about other family members being killed and a doctor later diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder. 'That's what I don't want other people to feel,' he said. Like the rest of the protesters, Erin Tyler, of Columbia, came out to show support for Sigmon and his family. She did not know Sigmon personally but a friend of hers did, prompting her to attend. 'He made a horrible mistake, but he's still human,' Tyler said.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Big dreams becoming reality: Newton Christian School's expansion reaches significant milestone
Feb. 25—When the Newton Christian School opens its latest expansion this year, students and teachers will begin and end each day surrounded by the Word of God. Inscribed on the walls of the two new classrooms and other additions are messages of love and positivity — and several Bible verses, including a lengthy verse from Psalm 23 — handwritten by kids, parents and school staff. Since the expansion is still under construction these messages are as clear as day. Principal Nicole Van Wyk said these blessings will eventually be painted over and covered by classroom furnishings, but she hopes their impact can still be felt by the seventh- and eighth-grade students who will likely be moving into the space by next school year. It is a big step forward in the school's Dream Big project. Apart from the larger classrooms and pre-K classrooms, the Dream Big initiative includes the addition of a gymnasium, music and art rooms, a larger library, a resource room, secured entries, a private pull-through drive, maintenance funds and technology updates. It is a big undertaking that is years in the making. Michael Lauterbach, president of the Newton Christian School Board, said the big dream is to attach both buildings: the original building and the new preschool and middle school building. In the middle would be a gym surrounded by other classrooms. Lauterbach said the vision is a large complex. Funding for the expansion was possible through stakeholder donations. "We've had a couple big donors. Then of course we have two fundraisers every year that bring in about $50,000 a piece," Lauterbach said. "This year, this last one was dedicated to funding this. We've had some funding for this all along the way, but we just had a big push and were able to do it." The school dedicated approximately $350,000 for this portion of the expansion. Van Wyk said rather that raising millions of dollars all at once, the school has added new additions as the years go on. The build-as-you-grow approach has worked well for the Newton-based private school. When fully constructed the Newton Christian School could then reorganize its classrooms and grades into more fitting placements. Van Wyk said that will come in time. For now, a classroom is a classroom. Located in the same facility as the preschool classes, the new seventh and eighth grade rooms designate a separate learning space for the "upperclassmen" in Newton Christian School. But students from all classes still get to interact with each other at lunch and recess. Van Wyk assured that culture is not going away. In fact, in some ways, it is also being expanded. Van Wyk said the seventh- and eighth-grade students become "prayer buddies" with kindergartners and interact with their younger peers once a week. It is an activity the school wants to open up for fifth- and sixth-grade students when the middle schoolers relocate. Which means the school could then open the activity up to preschool students. "Since (the seventh- and eighth-grade students) would move here, they would become prayer buddies with the preschoolers," Van Wyk said. Newton Christian School takes great care in ensuring students and staff feel like one big family. Lauterbach said the seventh graders, for instance, are not just developing friendships with those a grade above or below them. They are forming bonds with students of all grades. "Usually your friends are only in your grades, but here kindergartners become friends with fifth graders," Lauterbach said, noting his own daughter who has since graduated still keeps in contact with her friends from Newton Christian School. "...It's unique to see an eighth grader care for the kindergartners." Kate Van Manen, a board member who works advancement and marketing for Newton Christian School, said it instills a level of responsibility for eighth graders, too. They look out for the little ones, and school leaders are confident that will carry on when buddying up with the preschoolers. Van Wyk said there was some initial hesitation to move the seventh- and eighth-grade students from the old building to the new building. But it came from the most unlikely of people: the students themselves. When confronted with the idea of switching buildings, they had questions of their own they wanted answered. "I was like, 'Hey, these are going to be your new classes.' Right away they were like, 'Well, are we still going to do recess together? Are we still going to have lunch together? Are we still going to have chapel together?' It wasn't like, 'Hey! We want to get away because we're the big kids on campus!'" Van Wyk said. Family dynamics are just as important to the students as they are for teachers and parents. Van Wyk hopes the expansion is not seen as a way to separate the older kids from the younger kids. Instead, the hope is that it brings in the preschool to the greater Newton Christian School. It is anticipated the new expansion for seventh- and eighth-grade students to be ready by spring. Van Wyk said contractors are ready to paint the walls soon. It is uncertain whether current students will be able to move in before the end of the school year. Either way, next year the middleschoolers will be in new rooms. It was a community effort to get this far in the project, but the dream is not over just yet; Van Wyk said community members are stepping up to make it a reality. "They're also the ones that are helping move stuff over and help clear out the warehouse so we can start this project," Van Wyk said. "...Our own staff and our board are pouring back into the school, so they're also coming to our fundraisers and donating back. You don't see that everywhere."
