A very special day. 24^th June. The birthday of John the Baptist.
The birthday of the Chapter of St. Laurence the Deacon. Our ONE-HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY. (Yes, John is a little older).

Our very grateful thanks to the Rector, Fr. Michael Melrose, of St. Giles, Reading, who made us so welcome for the two services on this joyful day.

In the morning Fr. Michael was the celebrant at High Mass, assisted by the Guild Warden, Fr. David Moore and our Chaplain, Fr. Charles Card-Reynolds. St. Giles’ choir, and organist Mr. Ian May, gave a beautiful rendering of Gounod’s Missa Brevis in G and Mozart’s anthem Ave Verum. Later, afternoon, we gathered together again for the Guild Office, Procession around the church to the hymn ‘Lift High The Cross’ and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Fr. Charles assisted by Fr. Michael gave the Benediction.

During the Mass Fr. David, the Warden, gave the address. He spoke of the sharing of our anniversary with the feast day of the birth of John the Baptist and pointed out that the first meeting of the Chapter of St. Laurence the Deacon occurred only two years after the inauguration of the Guild. Commenting on a brief history of this Chapter, included in the service booklet, Fr. David reminded us that we were not alone in going through difficult times, but urged us to continue with confidence in order to increase our Chapter membership and continue to forward the aims of the Guild. This we will do.

Amongst the total congregation of well over a hundred we were pleased to welcome Fr. Bernard Dagnall from St. Johns, Newbury, a past Chaplain of this Chapter; Fr. Keith Kinnaird from St. Andrews, Caversham; Councillors John Cairns from London, Ray Packham from Brighton, Clive Tillin from Reading; Hon. Councillors Malcolm Perkins from Portsmouth and Len Canterbury from Reading and many Guild members from the surrounding areas.

Such a wonderful, joyful, special day. Deo Gratias.