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On Sunday 18 September we held a service of Evensong in Commemoration for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in partnership with Houghton Regis Town Council. The service, which took place on the eve of the State Funeral, was an occasion for the town community to come together, reflect, pray, and to give thanks to God for Queen Elizabeth life and long reign. Prayers were also offered for repose of her soul and for King Charles III. During his address, the Parish Priest of Houghton Regis, invited the congregation to reflect on a passage from Queen Elizabeth’s 2002 Christmas broadcast and on what “taking the long view” can mean for us in the light of the second reading from the Book of Revelation (Rev 21:1-6). "I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God. Like others of you who draw inspiration from your own faith, I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel." (Queen Elizabeth II, Christmas message, 2002) Photos: Mr Myles Plüss Copyright: All Saints' PCC Houghton Regis
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We celebrated a Solemn Mass of Requiem for the repose of the soul of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday 11 September 2022. The Mass was the first occasion for our town of Houghton Regis to come together with our Mayor following the sad news of the Queen’s death on Thursday evening. At the service we commended Queen Elizabeth to God’s mercy and love, we gave thanks for her life and her long reign, and we prayed for the His Majesty King Charles III as he accedes to the throne. In the sermon the Parish Priest, Father Diego, invited the faithful to reflect on the meaning of “a life well lived” – the way in which King Charles paid tribute to the life and reign of his late Mother. This meaning, he said, can only be found in a life that is lived as a gift to and for others, a life of service. The Town Mayor signed a Book of Condolences which was opened on Saturday 10 September and that will remain available for people to sign until the day after the Queen’s funeral. The Mass ended with the singing of God save the King. Indeed, may God bless our new King and bless his reign with his wisdom. Photos: Mr Myles Plüss Copyright: All Saints' PCC Houghton Regis The Parish Priest and PCC of Houghton Regis have released new photographs of All Saints’ Parish Church to celebrate the next Heritage Open Day. The photographs show the 15th century ceiling of the Parish Church in unprecedented details. The ceiling features carved figures of saints and decorated bosses. Remnants of the original gilding applied to the figures and of the paint which probably covered the entire ceiling can be seen, giving visitors a glimpse of how striking and colourful the space must have looked in the Middle Ages. The identity of the figures was unknown for decades. Architects and historians visiting All Saints’ guessed these could have been angels (a typical, but rather different feature of medieval church rooves), monks (given the connection between All Saints’ and St Albans’ Abbey), or of saints. This last supposition now appears to be the correct one because, thanks to these new photographs, the figures can be clearly seen as men wearing crowns originally decorated with a cross – crowns represent heavenly reward from Jesus Christ. As Scripture says, “Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) Thus, the figures represent the saints in heaven watching over and shielding those who gather in prayer in the Parish Church. The easternmost portion of the ceiling marks the position of the Rood Screen (or Chancel Screen) in the Middle Ages, and it formed a “Canopy of Honour” above an image of the crucified Christ placed on top of the screen. Traces of gilding and colourful pigments can now be seen. Photos: Father Diego Galanzino Copyright: All Saints' PCC Houghton Regis |
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