Blog

Whether up to her elbows in soap suds in the cathedral kitchen, grubbing in the gardens or delivering this magazine, Patricia Gall is happily continuing the voluntary church work that has been a big part of her life. Patricia was born in Stratford, but her parents were farmers at nearby Cardiff. She helped on the farm from an early age, and started milking when she was 13. She had to bike five miles to the high school, “and when I left,... read more

The Cathedral Embroidery Group has spent many hours over recent weeks stitching away on a special project. Betty, Eunice, Kathi, Margaret, Mary and Pam who each have a passion for and expertise in embroidery, have applied fabric and thread to create a beautiful red stole Stoles are worn by clergy and reflect the colour for the liturgical season. A red stole is the liturgical colour used at ordination. I was one of six people ordained by our Bishops from within the... read more

Empowering girls and women in an African region is proving life changing, says an Anglican bishop with strong links to Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary. The Right Rev Given Gaula is the Bishop of Kondoa, situated in the north of Tanzania, a role he’s held for three years since completing theological study at St John’s College in Auckland. St Mary’s supported him and his family while they lived in New Zealand and during October he visited friends and supporters around... read more

For many years the Taranaki Cathedral's gardens – and the beds behind the Peace Hall as well – have been carefully tended by the volunteer Taranaki Cathedral Gardening Group. The leader, Sally Masson, said the long-established group meets from 9am on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. It is made up of people who love gardening and enjoy the cathedral grounds, in company with staff and visitors. “Do we need more members? Yes please!” said Sally. “Anybody is welcome... read more

In nearly every churchyard throughout the shires of England sits an old and venerable yew tree. More like Tolkien Ents than everyday conifers, these ancient trees have seen countless celebrations of births and marriage and witnessed many a sad and sombre funeral procession. Being linked with everlasting life the yew tree is heartening for the living in a place of mourning. Yew trees are typically dense low growing trees with an almost horizontal appearance. But way back in the 1780's someone... read more

The St Mary's group of the Association of Anglican Women is on the lookout for new members. Leader Lillie Sattler says there are at present about 25 members of varying ages, and the group would like to boost its ranks: “Many of us are getting elderly, and we would welcome some younger ones.” Membership of the family fellowship group is open to all. Its meetings are held from noon to 3pm on the fourth Thursday of the month, with members bringing... read more

Sunday 11th October 2015, 8am and 10am Mark 10:17-31 How do you feel as you listen to today’s gospel? It isn’t an easy one to listen to, when we ourselves are among the more wealthy on this earth. The suggestion seems a bit radical: sell what you have, give away the proceeds and follow Jesus. That can make us feel a bit nervous. What do we do with this story? Let’s start our reflection today, by walking alongside as the story... read more

I'd like to focus on the parable of the Lost Sheep – and, in particular, this very key section of the teaching : “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” Last week, I was watching my eight-year-old, Roxy, together with a friend, heading off to feed the chooks and ducks, who live relatively peaceably together... read more

The beautiful and historic St Mary Banner has been emerging from storage more and more often in recent times to take its place in procession The banner was created by the women at the Royal School of Needlework in London in 1907-08. It depicts the Virgin Mary in shades of blue, beautifully stitched in silk shading, on a cream damask background. She is surrounded by borders and ornamentation in laid and couched gold work and braid. The banner measures 160cm tall... read more

The wisdom that is dispensed by way of sermons preached in the cathedral is not lost for ever – people can pick up printed copies afterwards. A dozen or so copies of each sermon are kept in a holder in the back of the church. “This initiative started because sometimes people want to read afterwards what is said in the sermons,” says Dean Jamie Allen. “Sometimes people can't hear so well, and want a paper copy to take away and study.... read more