On Sunday 30th March 2025, the St Francis Choir and friends gathered to celebrate for ‘Laetare’ Sunday, and the 30th anniversary of the renewal of the choir under the direction of Mr Bernard Kirkpatrick.

 

On this page are some photos from the event, and an occasional address from Bernard. The history of the choir and its previous directors, is found here.

 

Address to the Parish and Choir of St. Francis Paddington by Mr Bernard Kirkpatrick

‘Laetare’ Sunday 30th March, 2025

Dear Reverend Fathers, Parishioners past & present, Visitors & Friends,

It is an honour for me to be invited here today, back to St. Francis of Assisi Church Paddington to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the re-founding of St. Francis Choir.

This parish has a very special place in my heart as I spent nearly 12 years here as Director of Music from 1995 until early 2006. Some of you know the story of my appointment in 1995. At that time, I was a young Assistant Organist at St. Mary’s Cathedral. One day, I received a phone call from the then Parish Priest, Fr. Geoffrey Plant, inviting me to dinner to discuss the possibility of coming to St. Francis to take up a position directing the choir. Sr. Margaret Beirne had been the choir mistress for a number of years but had just left to do doctoral studies overseas. Over an Italian meal, and after several bottles of fine red wine, Geoffrey had convinced me to take on the position, and I happily accepted. My acceptance did however come with a number of caveats! I would be responsible for the music in the parish and would have full oversight without interference or coercion from liturgy committees or clergy!

On arriving for the first choir rehearsal on a Wednesday evening, a good number of the choir turned up, not quite knowing what to expect. The sentiment was mutual; however, I had faith that in this parish, we could achieve something truly outstanding and special, that would add to the liturgical life and worship of St. Francis Parish.

I made a number of immediate decisions. Firstly, the choir would remain a mixed group of male and female voices and would be a robed choir, befitting its ministry of liturgical service. I set about begging and borrowing robes from various churches. Eventually, a number of generous seamstresses came forward and an entire set of cassocks were made, and a set of surplices purchased from a vestment maker.

 

Secondly, the choir would take a more prominent part in the liturgy and would be re-positioned into the sanctuary of the church, since there was plenty of space, and the ambulatory provided a convenient place where the choir could be seated when not singing.

Thirdly, the repertoire of the choir would reflect the full range of sacred music from the Catholic treasury of sacred music, as well as from other Christian traditions. Over time, the repertoire expanded to include regular singing of Gregorian chants, renaissance polyphony, romantic and 20th century works. In addition, St. Francis became one of the only churches in Syndey which would from time to time feature large musical settings of Masses with full orchestra.

Gradually, over time, the number of singers grew (drawn by the quality of music and the constantly improving performance standards) until the choir was almost forty voices at its peak. Instrumental players were always keen to come and support our orchestral Masses, and the finest players from the Sydney Symphony, Australian Chamber Orchestra and other professional ensembles would be ringing to get the dates booked into their diaries well in advance!

I remember initiating other special occasions for the choir to sing, such as the Annual Tenebrae Liturgy with 2nd Rite of Reconciliation; the church became noticed by other performing groups

and it became a venue for hosting international choirs such as the Voces Sacre group from the UK, Christ College Oxford, the Finnish Choir ‘Kampin Laulu’, local Choirs ‘Innominata’ and ‘Bella Cappella’. The world-renowned Brandenburg Orchestra and Choir started it’s first series of “Noel Noel” in this church and indeed had to schedule two performances just in this location due to its popularity.

St. Francis Choir also became well known locally and nationally! On a number of occasions, we were invited to sing for important liturgies such as the Rededication of Australia to Our Lady, Help of Christians and other Masses and Ordinations at St. Mary’s Cathedral Sydney when the cathedral choir was unavailable!

For me, the experience of being at St. Francis expanded my social group, where I met many wonderful people and made life long and continuing friendships. It also gave me the opportunity of developing my musical leadership skills in directing singers and professional instrumentalists. I also found my time here under the care of the Franciscan friars to be one of deepening and strengthening my own personal faith.

This parish should be proud also of the opportunities which it has afforded many other young Sydney musicians in developing their talents. Some of these young musicians have gone on to further pursuits locally and internationally. Here I am thinking of James Dixon (Organ Scholar) who now lives and directs music and choirs in London; Michael Butterfield who went on to take a position as Organ Scholar at Westminster Cathedral, London, and James Goldrick, now directing choirs at the Madeleine Cathedral in Salt Lake City Utah. For myself, it was a stepping stone into taking positions as Director of Music in the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in 2004 and as Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta in 2006.

In the years I spent here in this parish, I would not have been able to build up the music ministry without the support of many parishioners and the clergy. I acknowledge the support of the following people who placed their trust and confidence in me, especially my first Parish Priest, Fr. Geoffrey Plant, Fr. Nick Lucas, Fr. Peter McGrath, Fr. Brian, Fr. Hugh, Fr. Mario, Fr. Pax, Fr. Mel, and Sr. Margaret Beirne. Amongst the musicians whose commitment and service were truly outstanding were my first organist, Christine Moriarty, and subsequent organist Edward Theodore. But my greatest thanks would go to Sharon Johnson, who for many years took on the role of choir administrator and librarian, and without whose support and dedication I doubt the choir and music would have flourished as it did!

Today, I also acknowledge the current Director of Music, Mr. Noel Debien, who took on the role of Director after my departure and has faithfully continued to build on the foundations of previous choir directors.

St. Francis Parish, and the Choir in particular, has demonstrated what can be achieve in a parish through beautiful music and liturgy. It truly has been a model of outstanding musical ministry for the church in Australia and continues to be a “gem” in the liturgical life of this city.

I wish the Parish and music every success as it continues its important role into the future.

Ad multos annos!

Bernard Kirkpatrick

Director of Music 1995-2006