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As we close our Festival week, I want to thank everyone who contibuted in any way to such a spectacular success. One need only read the moving comments recorded in the Visitors' Book to see what an impression was made on some of the many who came.
Starting with the website - a work-of-art in itself, which, to date, has received thousands of hits, thank-you Liz for your skill and the many hours put in, and on through every aspect of generous effort and creativity. Richard Dennis has masterminded something truly memorable. Our flower arrangers have outdone themselves in inventiveness, catching and imparting the import of the individual pieces of sculpture, and bringing it all together as a unified whole. The preparatory work was enormous, the fashioning of the displays, the cleaning and preparation of the Church and friary [thank-you Kay], the welcoming and accompanying of visitors; the provision and serving of refreshments. We are indebted to Anthony and Jane Derbyshire for coming to our aid with the very generous offer to travel to North Wales to collect the sculptures and deliver them safely. The Festival liturgies were gently supportive of the themes running through; starting with a contemplative celebration of the Transitus, the whole Parish involvement with the Solemnity Mass for St. Francis' Day, Bro. Brian's inspiring homily, and the Sung Vespers on Sunday evening - thank-you all who made this possible. The Concert on Saturday evening by Gli Amici della Musica was a sell-out and we were royally entertained by a wide selection of music and arias. Typical of these good friends, they offered their services free of charge. To all who contributed to the refreshments [thank-you Charlotte] many thanks. Our brothers Michael, Fergus and John were equally unstinting in their supportive work. Crucial to the success of the Festival was indeed the generosity of Fr. Rory, SJ in readily agreeing to let us display some of his inspirational works of art. We must specially thank Deirdre, not just for negotiating the loan of the sculptures, but for the many hours of preparatory work, the creating of literature hand-outs, and of course, to Jack who has virtually "lived" the Festival for the past months, for ensuring the gentle coming together of everything, both within the friary and for such a welcoming aspect of the friary grounds. Jack, please convey our thanks to your many helpers - especially those ensuring the Festival received maximum coverage. We even merited a mention on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday morning. I received a card from Bro. Roger, who came back specially to see the Festival, and who asks me to pass on his "congratulations to all concerned, it was much, very much appreciated". One excerpt from the many e-mails I received offered this appreciation - "everything, from the impressive web-site on to the portraying of the sculptures in their floral settings, speaks not only of an inspiring parish - but also a happy one!" - a sentiment I can readily agree with. To each and to all - sincere thanks. Many and sincere thanks and our appreciation must go to Fr. Rory for making all this possible. It was to our sorrow that you could not be with us, but you will be long and fondly remembered through the sculptures that spoke to us in much more than words. "pace e bene" Austin, ofm |