2010 News

Farewell Father Roger Greenacre, Beaulieu

Father Roger Greenacre (picture right, above, with Bishop Geoffrey Rowell) is leaving his ministry as Chaplain of St. Michael's Church, Beaulieu, to take rooms in his retirement at the old Charter House School in London.

St. Michael's, Beaulieu celebrates Father Roger's ministry with a special Evensong service followed by a Garden Party on Friday, 23rd July at 6 p.m. -- all are welcome to attend.

Children and Families join in Worship

On Sunday, 27th June, the Children of Saint Paul's with their parents and other members of the congregation joined in songs of worship and praise with the Choir of St. Joseph's Church. This took place during a special Children's Service organised by the parent volunteers of our Sunday School.

Young people from St Paul's took parts in a scripted reading of the Gospel parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). From left to right the youngest and oldest brothers, the father, Jesus, the servant. Pandora Godfrey (not pictured) also did a marvellous job as narrator for the Gospel story.

St Joseph's & St Paul's worship together

 

The Filipino congregation of St. Joseph's (Charismatic Episcopal Church) has been worshipping at Saint Paul's for 2 1/2 years now. On Sunday, 27th June their church's worship choir, pictured above, joined the Sunday morning congregation at Saint Paul's (10:30 a.m.) for a special children's service. The service opened with "worship and praise": gospel hymns and choruses sung in succession and this will be accompanied by Father Fernando (above left) and the spirit dancers from the St. Joseph's Church congregation. The St. Joseph's worship choir also sang during the administration of Holy Communion.

Canon Giles Williams: New Chaplain in Cannes

The Anglican Chaplaincy of Holy Trinity Church, Cannes, is pleased to announce the appointment of the Canon Giles Williams (pictured here with his wife Christine in 2004). Canon Williams comes to Cannes from Woking in the Diocese of Guildford where he served as Vicar of St. John's, Woking and Rural Dean of Woking.

Archdeacon will formally institute Canon Williams as the new Chaplain of Cannes on Saturday, 26 June at 11 a.m. Please let Father Walter know if you would like to attend and if you can offer or would require a ride to the service. "Anglicans together on the Côte d'Azur."

France Ametis celebrates her 90th Birthday

Our beloved "Sacristan Emeritus", Mme France Ametis celebrated her 90th birthday on Tuesday, 11th May when the above photo was taken. France has lived in Saint Paul's House since her marriage to Maurice Ametis in June 1944.

Council reminds Chaplaincy to use the Envelopes!

At its monthly meeting on 10th May, the Chaplaincy Council voted to encourage the members of the Chaplaincy community to be diligent in the use of the Sunday stewardship envelopes. The Chaplaincy of Saint Paul's depends on the regular, weekly donations from our members. The annual budget is based on estimations of our faithful generosity. In planning summer holidays, the members of our community are asked to remember that the operating costs of the chaplaincy never take a vacation. Let's all strive to offer our weekly donations, using the stewardship envelopes, even when we are away!

Our Treasurer, Mr. Damien Wan, invites those who find the envelope system cumbersome and inefficient to consider placing a standing order at the bank so that donations to support the work & ministry of St. Paul's are deposited automatically in the Chaplaincy's bank account. For more information contact Damien at 06.80.86.87.76

The African Children's Choir in Concert at Saint Paul's

The African Children's Choir delighted us with a wonderful visit on Tuesday evening, 4th May, that included a hot turkey meal prepared and served by chaplaincy volunteers. Click here to watch a short video of the "Thank You Song" the choir sang for their supper. Click on the pictures (above & below) for information about "Music for Life" and the African Children's Choir.



Click here to watch a short video of the African Children's Choir in performance at Saint Paul's Church on Tuesday, 4th May 2010

Archdeaconry Synod in Brittany

The annual meeting for the Anglican churches in France (Archdeaconry Synod) took place this week in St-Jacut-sur-la-mer in Britanny (near Dinard). The churches in France were very well represented with more than 80 delegates in attendance. It was particularly encouraging to find most of the delegates displaying enthusiasm and heartfelt support for the mission and ministry of the Diocese in Europe.

Our diocesan bishop, the Right Reverend Geoffrey Rowell was on hand for Synod and is seen in the photo, above, addressing the assembled delegates at the closing Eucharist which took place in the Roman Catholic parish church in St-Jacut.

Ash Sunday: Chaplain grounded in Rennes

The cloud of volcanic ash that has closed airports across Europe played havoc on the travel plans of many of the Archdeaconry Synod Delegates when they left for home at the close of Synod on Saturday, 17th April. Our own lay delegates Dani Carew and Valerie Haxton (right & left above) had arranged return transportation in two stages, TGV to Paris then Air France to Nice. They managed to complete the first leg of their journey only to discover that the airports were closed and all flights cancelled. Thinking quickly, they made their way to the Gare de Lyons and managed to find space on the TGV to Nice, though the only seating available for the 7 hour journey was on the stairwell between levels on the train! Still, they arrived a dozen hours after leaving Brittany, safe and sound in Nice and Monaco.

As for me (Father Walter) and Menton delegate Valerie Aucoutourier (centre above), we had other travel arrangements and a very different experience. Arriving at the airport in Rennes at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday for the cancelled return flight to Nice, we were first in line at the Air France ticket counter and managed to pick up the last two seats on the next direct flight to Nice, scheduled for Monday afternoon, 19th April. Told the trains were full (if running at all) we opted to stay on in Rennes and wait for the Monday flight. At this writing, it is uncertain as to whether the airports and flights will be operating again on Monday, in which case we hope to find seats on one of two TGVs that go directly from Rennes to Marseilles each day ... and then squeeze onto a local train to make our way home ... and so, for us, the adventure continues. Please pray for "travelling mercies" for us on Monday! Fortunately, I have had the comfort of knowing that our Lay Readers Mary de Vachon and Frank Megginson(Frank & Sara's holiday flight to the US was cancelled on Friday!) were on hand to lead worship at Saint Paul's on Sunday morning (18th April).

Easter Sunday 2010 at Saint Pauls

The Children pictured here made their First Communion on Easter Sunday and received certificates to mark the completion of the Early Communion Preparation Programme.


The Easter Sunday Sanctuary, full of beautiful flowers for Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday Procession & Choir

The Children processed around the church on Palm Sunday to cries of, "Hosanna, Jesus is our King!" Many of the children are part of this year's Early Communion Class and will receive Holy Communion for the first time on Easter Sunday.

The centrepiece of the Palm Sunday service was the singing of the Lukas Passion attributed to J.S. Bach. Derek Fletcher (left) sang the major role of the Evangelist, Kristof  Kielbasiewicz sang the role of Christ and Gottfried Kappen, Organist and Choir Director at Saint Paul's, sang the role of Pontius Pilate.

Saint Paul's 90+ Club

Saint Paul's has a quite a wonderful group of role models when it comes to aging gracefully in Monaco. Pictured above, left to right:

Monica Saville-Sneath, long time resident of Monaco, former member of the Chaplaincy Council. She enjoys life today under the watchful eye of her daughter Jenny, other caregivers and her many friends.

Doris Perrottet, another long time resident of Monaco, overlooks the Port and Palace from her rooftop garden on Blvd de Belgique. Her live-in care giver Aurore organises regular visits to the Metropolitan Shopping Centre and other activities including the occasional afternoon tea with the Anglican chaplain.

Lady Florence Packer has lived a dazzling life on three continents. Widow of Australian press magnate Sir Frank Packer, Lady Florence remains as active as age and health allow with regular bridge parties, charity diners and other engagements.

Not pictured here,  Oswald "Ossie" Shanks who divides his time between his wife's family home in Hyères and his apartment in Monte-Carlo.

Soon to join the club, our Sacristan Emeritus, France Ametis who turns 90 on 11th May and Ayoe Karonias who reaches the same age later this year. Are there any other 90+ club members in our community not mentioned here? Please let the chaplain know at chaplain@stpaulsmonaco.com

Swami Purnatmananda visits Saint Paul's

On Monday evening, 15 March 2010, Swami Purnatmananda offered a short introduction to Hinduism and his own life long commitment to helping the needy in India and around the world. A companion and follower of Mahatma Ghandi in the 1940s, "Swamiji" became involved with the poor when conflict between Muslims and Hindus in India erupted in 1946 leaving thousands homeless and destitute. In the face of such suffering, Swamiji felt compelled to leave the contemplative life of the Hindu monk, and he set out to bring active assistance to the suffering -- a mission he has continued to the present day.

Topics covered in the Swami's presentation ranged from the similarities in the basic beliefs of Christians and Hindis to the complexity of the Hindu principle of Karma. In common with Christians, Hindus believe in only one God, however they understand God as manifest in numerous forms or deities, "Water is still water whether we find it in the ocean, the lake, the porcelain cup or the spoon." Krishna and Christ are terms with a common Indo-European etymology and the Lord Krishna for Hindus is one of many manifestations of God incarnate who  comes into the world, at important junctures throughout history, taking human form to show humanity the way through particularly difficult times.

Mothering Sunday at Saint Paul's

The Children at Church on Mothering Sunday offered praise, prayers and blessings for all of our mothers during Sunday's Mothering Sunday Communion service. The service was shortened to make room for the Annual General Meeting that followed in the Library. A congregation of 80 celebrated Mothering Sunday at Saint Paul's with most of the adults staying on for the annual meeting.

 

Groote Family Monaco Gathering

Wilfred & Harriet Groote (pronounced growt) are pictured here -- front row left -- with their Monaco family celebrating the arrival of granddaughter Celine and her fiancé Lee from San Francisco -- Lee and Celine are standing, 2nd and 3rd from the left.

The young couple are in Monaco to do some on-site planning for their upcoming wedding scheduled for September 2010 at Saint Paul's Church.

Wilfred & Harriet have lived in Monaco for many years. They are proudly Monégasque (Prince Ranier III honoured them with Monaco citizenship); and they have always been faithful members of Saint Paul's, supporters of the arts, and active in the local community.

Website make-over

In February 2010, the Saint Paul's website underwent a complete makeover (click on the image for a larger copy.)

Church Roof Damaged in Windstorm

A neighbour with a view overlooking the west end of the church building stopped damage caused by recent high winds in Monaco. Tiles knocked off of the upper roof crashed down on the church's lower roof (over the Baptistery) punching a hole in the tile roofing.

Pancake Supper at Saint Paul's

Liesbeth Tinker, pictured here, and her team of volunteers welcomed a hungry group of Mardi Gras revellers on Shrove Tuesday (16 Feb) this year. Tasty fillings were plentiful for the pancakes, ranging from the savoury to the sweet and a splendid time was had by one and all. the success of the evening was particularly measured in the generosity of donations received for the Bishop's Annual Lenten Appeal (this year for Christians in Myanmar.)

With hearts and tummies full, members of our chaplaincy community headed out to prepare for the dawn of this year's holy season of Lent, many attending Ash Wednesday services at Saint Paul's and determined to make the best of this time of preparation for the Great Feast of the Resurrection -- more than 40 days hence -- Easter Sunday.

 

Young people in the Joint Youth Group (St Paul's & Monaco Christian Fellowship) raised 5,000 Euro for Haiti through skating and skiing marathons in January.

The newly formed "Chamber Music Association" offered its first concert at Saint Paul's on Tuesday, 2nd February (Candlemas) to the delight of the more than 100 in attendance.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
18th to 25th January 2010

The Annual Ecumenical Service under the Big Top (International Circus Festival) Monday 18th January.

Father Patrick Kappel, Service Organiser

Christmas Children 2009

The Nativity Play Cast 2009

Christmas Eve Children's Christingle 2009

Ecumenical Kermesse

Large crowds enjoy the 40th edition of the Annual Charity Kermesse on 5th December 2009.

Monaco's biggest and best charity bazaar took place on Saturday 5th December 2009 under the Big Tent (Chapiteau - Éspace Fontvielle). The ANNUAL ECUMENICAL KERMESSE celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and was the fruit of much planning and organisation under the leadership of Jane "Widgi" D'Amico, President, and her capable team of hard working volunteers. Indeed, more than 100 volunteers from several Monaco Christian communities (churches and charities) prepare and staff the annual charity Kermesse and their efforts bear the fruit of approximately 90,000 € raised for charity annually. Click here or on the photo above for more images from this year's Kermesse.

Tibetan Buddhists visit Saint Paul's

A group of 5 Tibetan Buddhist monks visited the Principality over the weekend (27-29 November) to offer a series of workshops on Buddhist philosophy and teaching. Geshe Lobsang Jamphel (pictured above, right) lead the workshops and simultaneous translation was offered from Tibetan into English and French. Saturday's workshop, which took place at the Fusion Restaurant (above Stars'n'Bars), focused on the mental discipline required for spiritual and moral living, and Sunday's late afternoon workshop at Saint Paul's Library was open for Questions & Answers on anything to do with Buddhist traditions -- the Sunday workshop lasted for 4 hours!

The monks joined the congregation gathered for Sunday Worship at Saint Paul's (10:30 Service) and offered a blessing with chants and mantras for the community here, and they received the Choral Blessing, sung by the Saint Paul's Choir, in return. This was easily the high-point of their time in Monaco, and the congregation and the Buddhist visitors rejoiced in our shared humanity and devotion to the life of faith.