Seeking a new Damian Lundy song for St Cassian’s 50th anniversary
As part of the celebrations to mark their 50th anniversary, St. Cassian’s Centre, Kintbury, are planning a unique way to honour one of the centre’s founders, Br. Damian Lundy.
Br Damian Lundy
Lasallians across the District are being invited to combine their creative and musical talents with the words of the late Br. Damian, to create a new song that will celebrate the wonderful legacy that he has helped inspire.
Damian is remembered with fondness for many things as friends and family cherish his kindness and fun, while young people continue to experience his legacy through retreats. For many more people, he is associated with songs/hymns - from The Spirit lives to set us free (Walk in the Light) to Laudato Si.
As part of the 50th anniversary, Lasallians are being given the chance to honour his memory by creating a new song from Damian’s own words, as St Cassian’s Director, Emma Biggins explained.
"We've taken the lyrics from three different pieces from Damian Lundy's files that don't have accompanying music and are looking for contributors to bring life to these words. This isn't a competition, but a community project where we want as many people as possible to take part. It could be the first time you set words to music, or it could be your profession. You might do this alone, or work with friends and community to create something, just as Damian did."
This is one of several events planned to mark the Centre's golden jubilee. Brother Armin Luistro FSC, the Superior General of the De La Salle Brothers, will be taking part in a youth retreat for all the UK Lasallian schools in October of this year, as well as young people from across the District.
The closing date for submission is July 24th, 2024, and the lyrics are as follows:
A HYMN BY DAMIAN LUNDY
(NO DATE, BASED ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1)
Refrain
Blest be the God and Father
of Jesus Christ our Lord,
a gentle God of comfort
known in his saving Word.
1. The Son of God proclaimed among us
was never 'Yes" and "No".
In Jesus the Father spoke to us:
the word he spoke was "YES"
2. The promises God made in the past
have been fulfilled in Christ.
In Jesus our God he says "Yes" to us,
accepts us as his own.
3. And that is why we make our Amen
through Jesus Christ our Lord:
in Him we say our "Yes" to God,
accept his saving Word.
4. For we are chosen, sealed by our God,
anointed as his own:
the Spirit poured into our hearts
is God's affirming love.
________________________________________
INITIATION SONG
(NOVEMBER 1987)
In the word of our God we find new hope,
To the praying of Christ we join our prayer,
By the Spirit of love our lives are healed,
In the house of God we come to share.
In the water of life we know God's power,
In the sign of the cross God's love is shown,
In the bread and wine Christ gives himself
To the ones he chose to be his own.
And the Easter flame is our sign of joy,
The good news of our God, our Easter song,
And the gift of faith, our call to share
Now the oil of Christ has made us strong.
All the people of God give thanks today
To the Father who saves, to Christ his Son,
To the Holy Spirit in whom we know
The restoring love which makes us one.
________________________________________
ANNUNCIATION
(NO DATE)
1. That quiet girl whose eyes are lowered
Listens intently for a sign.
The only sign's the listening,
The half-closed eyes... "Whose baby? Mine?"
2. "No, his!" No - his! The holy one
Whose word has found an ear in you!
So listen - and let his power be
The life within your body now.
3. Yield to his love? That power must be
An awesome, penetrating rain.
And in her heart the quiet girl knows
Her Lord, and trembles at the pain;
4. And in her eye a tear is formed.
Her lips to shape an answer part:
"Your child and mine? Then let it be."
A shadow falls across her heart.
5. Quietly the messenger retires,
Letting the comfort soothe the fear;
Bows to his Lord within the girl,
Starts at the smile behind the tear.