The Christmas Celebration - a memento

I have just received some wonderful photographs by Gill Shaw of the Cathedral Christmas Celebration - our Carol Service - held on Thursday 21 December. This is one of our most popular events, and always a sell-out. The Cathedral seating is re-arranged, so that the choir and orchestra are in the centre of the nave.

This is when we are most proud of the choir; it is a beautiful and moving occasion combining music and readings for the Christmas season.

This most formal of events also provides many delightful informal moments. Here, our beloved Clergy House sisters examine the programme, and wonder if a Portuguese translation is provided ..

The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Sainz Munoz, chats patiently while his secretary, Mgr Vincent Brady desperately searches for his seat ..

While our friends from the Royal Hospital in Chelsea (home of the Chelsea Pensioners) arrived early and bagged their places..

Here Bishop Hopes, auxiliary in Westminster, greets the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Alexander Nicoll, one of many important guests on this evening.