Changing times ...

The Hectic Pace -

On Nov. 17, the Vestry of St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church on LeMarchant Road sought permission from the diocese to accept an offer from Long Harbour Holdings to purchase the church and the property at 150 LeMarchant Rd. and to start a building fund for the construction of a new church. The present church has been at the location since 1956 - the congregation's fourth church in 120 years.

It will be several years before the major move,but their mission will probably take them to the rapidly growing area of Kenmount Road.

Family fun at Bridie's

It's Shawn Silver's annual Christmas Ceili, being held this year at Bridie Molloy's on George Street on Dec. 13, 4-6 p.m. It's Irish dance, song and (this year) introducing their incredible new band Talamh an Eisc (Gaelic for The Land of the Fish) ... or Newfoundland. The talented young members of the new group: Duncan Cameron, Matthew Byrne and Aaron Collis. For further information: shawn@idance.ca or 690-2101 for tickets.

Honorees

The Gower Community Band's annual concert was "wiped out by last Sunday's storm." It's been rescheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the D.F. Cook Recital Hall at Memorial University's School of Music. During the evening they will be honouring three young composers in the band who will share a $1,000 prize, including Jessica C. Blenis, Michael Brambleand Kimberly Codner.

Annual Christmas event

Hallelujah! It's time again for the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra's performances of Handel's "Messiah."

It'll be at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist tonight and Saturday at 8 and will travel to Eastport Sunday for a performance at Holy Cross Church at 3 p.m.

Among the soloists: Newfoundlanders - soprano Meredith Hall and baritone Calvin Powell. Also, Irish-born counter-tenor David Trudgen. The 90-member Philharmonic Choir and orchestra is conducted by Marc David.

For tickets, call 722-4441. Tickets are not available at the door.

Food drive

The need seems to be greater this year than usual. The Food Sharing Network is having a food drive Saturday at the Re-Max Centre on Bonaventure Avenue, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For additional info: 726-8300.

Travellin' man

Popular musician Curtis Andrews is back in town and announced Mopaya will be at The Ship tonight. They'll play three sets.

Father Nangle

The name may not be familiar to many, but Father Thomas Nangle was chaplain to the Newfoundland Regiment during the First World War. It was he who helped to ensure that Newfoundlanders killed in the conflict had proper resting places. He was also instrumental in the planning and erection of the National War Memorial in St. John's, as well as the five caribou memorials on the battlefields where the regiment fought. Retired deputy police chief Gary Browne, has co-authored, with Darrin McGrath, a new book called "Soldier Priest: In the Killing Fields of Europe," to tell Nangle's story. Browne will be signing copies of the book Sunday at The Basilica from 1-4 p.m.

The Hectic Pace returns Jan. 15. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Happy New Year!