Over 120 parish choir members from Sligo, Roscommon and Leitrim parishes participated in Advent and Christmas music workshops organised by the Elphin diocese’s Pastoral Development Office in Strokestown. The workshops took place in St. John’s Church, Carraroe, Co. Sligo and St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon on November 10th and 12th respectively and were led by Fr. Turlough Baxter (Carrick-on-Shannon) and Mr. Derek Mahady (Rooskey, Co. Roscommon).

Participants expressed appreciation for the range of hymns, antiphons, carols and psalms that were presented and for Fr. Turlough’s input on the spirituality of these liturgical seasons and Derek’s insights with regard to the singing of the chosen pieces.

This is the Elphin diocese’s fourth year to organise workshops for parish choirs and Church musicians. Past presenters include Mr. John O’Keeffe, Director of Liturgical Music, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Fr. Liam Lawton (Carlow) and Fr. Turlough and Derek.

At the end of the workshops Ms Hazel Shannon, Frenchpark, was thanked for her work in getting such a programme up and running in the diocese and for creating a diocesan database of parish choir contacts that is used to communicate the availability of such workshops.

The workshops also incorporated the launch of the Elphin diocese’s 2008 Advent Scripture Sharing Group Resource Booklet entitled “Discerning and Responding to God’s Presence In Our Lives”.

Derek Mahady (Roosky), Fr. Turlough Baxter (Carrick-on-Shannon), Canon Peader Lavin (Knockcroghery), William Cunningham Knockcroghery and Michael Ward (Kilbegnet) following the Elphin diocese’s Advent & Christmas workshop for choirs in St. Patrick’s Church Knockcroghery on Wednesday Nov. 12th. The workshop was presented by Derek and Fr. Turlough.

Fr. Turlough Baxter (Carrick-on-Shannon) leading parish choir members from counties Sligo, Leitrim and North Roscommonat the Elphin diocese’s Advent & Christmas workshop for choirs which was held in St. John’s Church Carraroe on Monday November 10th . The workshop was presented by Fr. Turlough and Derek Mahady (Rooskey, Co. Roscommon).

Choir members from Aughrim, Knockcroghery, Rarhara and Kilbegnet parishes who participated in the Elphin diocese’s Advent & Christmas workshop for parish choirs in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery on Wednesday November 12th.

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