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Bessbrook woman Kathleen Moore has released a very special Christmas CD to raise funds for the restoration of SS Peter and Paul, in the village.
Singer Kathleen is joined in her Christmas CD by members of the church choir with youngest member Ellen Murphy aged ten singing “Away in a Manger”. Many of the well-known carols are included together with carols; A Starry Night, Come and Join the Celebration and of course as in the title of the CD – O Holy Night. Mr. Colm Murphy accompanist/organist also beautifully includes instrumentals: In the Bleak Mid-Winter and O’Carolan’s Concerto.
The 'O Holy Night' CD is released just one year since the first CD 'How Great Thou Art' both of which were recorded as a fundraiser to help raise funds for the restoration and renovation of her local church of SS Peter & Paul, Bessbrook.
For almost 150 years, the bell at the church of SS Peter & Paul has tolled across the picturesque village of Bessbrook in Co. Armagh, calling people to prayer and song.
On a dark November evening in 2021, that bell rang out once more with a new and special significance - a unique recording of Advent and Christmas music and song celebrating one and a half centuries of community and musical history.
Across each and every one of those years, the community has gathered to mark the joys and sorrows of life and to participate in the great seasonal celebrations that mark the turning of each year.
Time takes its toll on all but in the CD booklet you can meet some of the very few survivors of those 150 years - the original figures of the crib with the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Shepherds and the Kings (Three Wise Men) and, last but not least, (still standing with the aid of some inspirational ‘surgery’!), a couple of figures recalling the animals that breathed warmth into that first cold wintry stable in Bethlehem.
Time has also taken its toll on the church but help is on the way as its old walls still add their majestic acoustics to the voices of Kathleen Moore, members from the Choir of SS Peter & Paul and organist Colm Murphy for this fund-raising album in aid of the church’s much-needed restoration.
It is hoped that this collection will give listeners a sense of entering this old church - shown under a starry sky on the album cover - and that it may give a sense of joining a community and enjoying a timeless celebration of music to light the darkest nights of winter and bring hope for a New Year ahead.
Kathleen wishes to especially thank:
Very Rev. Aidan Dunne for granting permission to use the Church for recording;
Colm Murphy (Organist, vocalist and Pianist);
Choir Members: Ellen Murphy, Sinead Barry, Therese McGarvey, Aileen Kelly, Amanda McGuigan, Aoibh Murray, Monica Keenan, Ronan Sharkey and Andrew Moore:
A generous sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous;
Mr. Patrick Moan for providing the photographs;
Miss Mary Vint (Sacristan) for all her help;
Mr. Philip McGovern for composing the third verse of “A Starry Night”
Mr. Colum Sands for his professionalism, musical contribution and patience in the recording of this CD in the Church of SS Peter & Paul, Bessbrook.
This album is a follow-up to the very popular “How Great Thou Art” collection, released in December 2020.
Wishing everyone a Happy, Blessed and Healthy Christmas.
This unique collection, recorded and produced by Colum Sands, will be available worldwide in the next few days as a download, and as a CD online order on this link WWW.TRYTHEALTERNATIVE.NET
The CD can also be purchased (£10) in local outlets
Veritas, The Mall, Newry
The Model Newsagent, Bessbrook
P.M. McGinn Convenience Store Bessbrook
Dan Gregory Shop, Camlough Road, Bessbrook.
McCooeys Store, Camlough Road Bessbrook.
SS Peter & Paul’s Church Bessbrook
Church of the Good Shepherd Cloughreagh.
