Society of Saint Gregory summer school

More than 70 people from throughout Britain and beyond attended the Society of Saint Gregory's Summer School of liturgy and music at Sneaton Castle, Whitby. 'What kind of community are we welcoming people into?' Taking the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) as a standard, Caroline Dollard, of the Ampleforth Pastoral Team, explored with the participants how becoming the Body of Christ requires a commitment to both community and mission. Other keynote speakers were her husband, Kit, and Andy Raine, a founder member of the Northumbria Community, who spoke of the motivational gifts we all have but often neglect to use. The week's liturgies contained a cosmopolitan selection of music, ranging from Asian hymns and African songs to Gregorian chant, as well as several pieces by members of the Society's own composers' group, all directed by Martin Barry, Choirmaster at Salford Cathedral. Practical workshops included instruction in English chant with Father Peter Allan CR of Mirfield, sessions for instrumentalists and cantors, and liturgical dance. For the less musically-inclined there were seminars on catechesis and on CAFOD's livesimply campaign, of which the Society is a corporate member and supporter. The week was crowned by a joyful and inspiring Mass held in Sneaton's beautiful chapel. Next year's summer school will take place at Worth Abbey in Sussex from 28 July to 1 August. More details will appear shortly on the Society's website, www.ssg.org.uk, where you can also find out more about the Society and its work to promote good music and liturgy in the Catholic Church. Forthcoming events for the Society are a day at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 20 October, and the AGM and Monsignor Crichton Memorial Lecture at St Thomas More Church Coventry on Saturday 10 November. Members of the Society will also be at the Towards Advent Festival of Catholic Culture at Westminster Cathedral Hall on Saturday 3 November.