Celebration of Common Sesquicentenary and Signing of Anglican-Roman Catholic Covenant Cathedral of St Stephen Friday 29 May 2009
A Covenant between the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba Preamble: On 29 th May 1982, His Holiness Pope John Paul II became the first pontiff to travel to Canterbury Cathedral where he met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie. On the second anniversary of this historical event Archbishops John Grindrod and Francis Rush signed a Common Declaration at St John s Cathedral in Brisbane, which highlighted the warm relationships that had existed between Anglican and Roman Catholic communities of the respective Dioceses of Brisbane over many years. In the following quarter of a century, relationships have continued to grow and ecumenical cooperation has been welcomed by both communities. The respective Dioceses now wish to renew their commitment to ecumenical cooperation by committing to a Covenant relationship. The territory under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is contained within the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. The warm relationships that have existed between the Anglican Assistant Bishop of Brisbane (Western Region) and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba find their expression by the inclusion of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba as a party to this Covenant. At this celebration of the 25 th Anniversary of the Common Declaration, we the Roman Catholic and Anglican Archbishops of Brisbane and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba joyfully execute this covenant of understanding. Rejoicing in the Holy Spirit who calls us to unity in Christ, and recognising our shared baptism, we commit ourselves to continue to work together to celebrate our common mission.
We will encourage our local communities to pray for one another celebrate an annual Ecumenical Service of Reconciliation which will focus on the restoration and growth of relationships between the Roman Catholic and Anglican Communions, to be held as near as possible to 4 November (Anglican Roman Catholic Reconciliation Day) and to be rotated around the three Cathedrals and the Anglican parishes in Toowoomba convene an annual gathering of the respective Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops to include a time of shared prayer/reflection, the discussion of issues of mutual interest and concern and the sharing of a meal together invite Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops to preach in each others Cathedrals/ churches on appropriate ecumenical occasions promote an annual Joint Clergy Day for the clergy of the three Dioceses to reflect on the pastoral, social or theological issues which we face together convene a yearly meeting of the Ecumenical Commissions and Bishops of the three Dioceses explore possibilities for cooperative use of church plant and resources explore possibilities for co-operation in theological education, priestly formation and lay education and training (including the sharing of visiting speakers and guests), both between ourselves and our other ecumenical partners explore possibilities for co-operation in the development and presentation of church music, art, drama and appropriate public lectures and events acknowledging the agreement which already exists between the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba regarding pastoral care in rural communities, continue to explore the possibilities of cooperative ministry whilst respecting the limitations imposed by our different disciplines in relation to sacramental administration conduct a review and celebrate a re-affirmation of the Covenant each three years. The Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall Archbishop of Brisbane The Most Reverend John A. Bathersby DD Archbishop of Brisbane The Most Reverend William M. Morris DD Bishop of Toowoomba
Gathering Anthem I Was Glad C. Hubert Parry Choir Welcome to Country Entrance Procession Processional Hymn I was glad when they said unto me, we will go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand in thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is at unity in itself. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and plenteousness within thy palaces. 1. Come, Holy Spirit, come! inflame our souls with love, transforming every heart and home with wisdom from above. O let us not despise the humble path Christ trod, but choose, to shame the worldly-wise, the foolishness of God. Introductory Rites Please stand Come, Holy Spirit, Come 3. Give us the tongues to speak, in every time and place, to rich and poor, to strong and weak, the word of love and grace. Enable us to hear the words that others bring, interpreting with open ear the special song they sing. 2. Come with the gift to heal the wounds of guilt and fear, and to oppression s face reveal the kingdom drawing near. Where chaos longs to reign, descend, O holy dove, and free us all to work again the miracles of love. 4. Come, Holy Spirit, dance within our hearts today, our earth-bound spirits to entrance, our mortal fears allay; and teach us to desire all other things above, that self-consuming holy fire, the perfect gift of love. Welcome Greeting Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. See how good and joyful it is to live together in unity. Fr Ken Howell Dean of the Cathedral Archbishop John Bathersby
Act of Penitence Archbishop Phillip Aspinall When we have brought discredit on the Gospel, Lord, forgive. Christ, have mercy When we have broken the unity of the Church, Lord, forgive. Christ, have mercy When we have failed in our love for others, Lord, forgive. Christ, have mercy May God who is both power and love, forgive us and free us from our sins, heal and strengthen us by the Holy Spirit, and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen. Collect Bishop William Morris Pour out upon us, O God, the power and wisdom of your Spirit, so that we, who have been baptised into Christ and made your children through faith, may know your Son's power to heal, and, being made one in him, may overcome all barriers that divide us; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Liturgy of the Word Please be seated Scripture Reading Acts 4:32-37 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 133 Cantor then all Behold how good and how lovely it is: when families live together in unity. It is fragrant as oil upon the head, that runs down over the beard: fragrant as oil upon the beard of Aaron, that ran down over the collar of his robe. It is like a dew of Hermon: like the dew that falls upon the hill of Zion. For there the Lord has commanded his blessing: which is life for evermore.
Gospel Acclamation Please stand Celtic Alleluia Gospel John 3:7-15 Homily Please be seated Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall Hymn Tell Out My Soul Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice; Tender to me the promise of his word; In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name! Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done; His mercy sure, from age to age the same; His holy name the Lord, the mighty One. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might! Powers and dominions lay their glory by; Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight, The hungry fed, the humble lifted high. Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word! Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord to children s children and for evermore! Timothy Dudley-Smith 1926-
to the Word An Act of Thanksgiving Creator God, you are the hope of the world and the joy of the nations. In wisdom and love you have brought forth the wonders of creation and fashioned us in your own image. Blessed be God for ever. Ever-living God, you have caused the light of your glory to shine forth in the face of Jesus Christ and through the preaching of the gospel you have called into being one holy, catholic and apostolic Church throughout the world. Blessed be God for ever. God of all ages, from the very beginning, Christians in this State have worked together for the good of all its citizens. During the past 150 years you have blessed Queensland through the ministry and witness of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane and of the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Brisbane and Toowoomba. Blessed be God for ever. Therefore with the Church of all the ages, with apostles, evangelists and martyrs and with all the angels in heaven we give you thanks and praise. Blessed be God for ever. Choir Anthem How beautiful upon the Mountains Stainer Choir How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52: 7
An Act of Commitment An Anglican says: All who belong to the Anglican Church, I invite you to stand and say with me: Our brothers and sisters of the Roman Catholic Church, we thank God for you. In the name of Christ, we the members of the Anglican Church commit ourselves to pray for unity, to share our life with you, and to work towards fulfilling Christ s prayer that his followers might all be one. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we look forward to the years ahead in a common life of worship and mission, and of ministry and service. Please be seated A Roman Catholic says: All who belong to the Roman Catholic Church, I invite you to stand say with me: Our brothers and sisters of the Anglican Church, we thank God for you. In the name of Christ, we the members of the Roman Catholic Church commit ourselves to pray for unity, to share our life with you, and to work towards fulfilling Christ s prayer that his followers might all be one. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we look forward to the years ahead in a common life of worship and mission, and of ministry and service.
Prayers for Our Common Mission Please stand Choir first time and then all We pray for your holy Church as we commit ourselves in covenant to the way of your Gospel: fill us with all truth and in all truth with all peace. We pray for our journey to unity: give us grace to overcome the great danger we are in by our divisions. Take away all prejudice and pride and whatever may hinder true harmony. We pray for the spread of your Gospel: send out your light and truth through the messengers of your word. Help us to promote the Gospel message by the witness of our lives. We pray for ourselves: direct, sanctify and govern our hearts and minds in the ways of your love and the works of your commands. We give thanks for the work of the Spirit manifested in the story of our journey to this day. We are grateful for all who have laboured to achieve the signing of this covenant.
The Lord s Prayer United by our Baptism, formed by God s love and gathered by the Spirit, we are confident to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen Signing of the Covenant Please be seated Dean: Acknowledging those things that still separate us, but recognising that what unites is far greater than what divides, we, the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba come together to enter into a covenant relationship that we hope will help to build that unity which Christ desires for all his Church. Copies of the Covenant are brought to the table. The Bishops move to the table to sign the Covenant. The Bishops then move to the front of the altar to distribute copies of the Covenant to Representatives of the three dioceses. Hymn Let all the World text: George Herbert, Choir music: Ralph Vaughan-Williams Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King! The heav ns are not too high, His praise may thither fly; The earth is not too low, His praises there may grow. Let all the world in every corner sing! Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King! The Church with psalms must shout; No door can keep them out; But, above all, the heart must bear the longest part. Let all the world in every corner sing! Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King!
Presentation of Candles Three candles are lit from the paschal Candle. The Dean of St Stephen s presents one candle to Archbishop Aspinall and the Dean of St John s presents candles to Archbishop Bathersby and Bishop Morris. Bishops These candles have been lit from the paschal candle to symbolise that all unity is found in Christ. They have been kindled from the one flame as a sign of our unity in the light of Christ. We will take these candles to our places of worship as a continuing reminder of our commitment to unity. Sign of Peace My brothers and sisters, Christ has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross. We meet in his name and share his peace. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Please stand (We offer one another the Greeting of Peace) Sending Forth Blessing & Dismissal Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil. Amen Strengthen the faint hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; give honour to all; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Recessional Procession
Recessional Hymn Father, Lord of all Creation Father, Lord of all creation, ground of being, life and love; height and depth beyond description only life in you can prove: you are moral life s dependence: though, speech, sight are ours by grace; yours is every hour s existence, sovereign Lord of time and space. Jesus Christ, the Man for Others, we, your people, make our prayer: let us love as sisters, brothers, all whose burdens we can share. Where your name binds us together you, Lord Christ, will surely be; where no selfishness can sever there your love we all may see. Holy Spirit, rushing, burning, wind and flame of Pentecost, fill our hearts afresh with yearning to regain what we have lost. May your love unite our action, nevermore to speak alone God, in us abolish faction, and through us your love make known. David Stewart Cross 1928-89 Choirs: St. John s Cathedral Choir and St. Stephen s Cathedral Choir Conductors: Bruce Addison and Ralph Morton Organist: Rupert Jeffcoat Cantor: Cassandra Seidemann Acknowledgements: Come, Holy Spirit, Come Words 1992 Kevin Mayhew. Used with permission from Thirty New Hymns Psalm 33 Frost, Emerton & McIntosh, 1995, The Liturgical Psalter Celtic Alleluia 1985, Fintan O Carroll & Christopher Walker. Published by OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Tell Out My Soul Text 1962, renewal by Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Music Oxford University Press. Let my prayer rise before you as incense Word of Life Licence No 361 We now welcome you to join us for light refreshments at the Francis Rush Centre [to the left of the Cathedral]