People of God
- Composer: Alison Kennedy
- Lyrics: Heather Haines / John Daley IC
- Date: 1999
- Collection Ref. (Opus No.) C7-20
- Scriptural References: John 1:1-14 / Luke 2:1-30; Ephesians 3:14-19; Psalms 21.13, 33.2, 66.4, 149.5
- Dedication: Heather
This hymn is suitable for all occasions and sings of the basic message for all who call themselves Christian – be kind, be gentle, be strong. Its title wording can also be adapted to a particular group of people, as when sung at a celebration of mass in Rome by members of ‘Catholic Women Speak’ who were gathering to launch their second compilation book of articles, “Visions and Vocations”. It is a universal hymn with a universal message.
People of God - the People Story
The basic Christian message
Many “people” from our birth parish are remembered through this hymn - Hilda, Martin, Gwen being its first inspiration. The instrumental version was used as a meditation at the funeral of Gwen, a lovely lady of the parish who, along with her late husband, Maurice, founded that original parish of St Theresa’s in Birstall. There are so many good people to whom we could have dedicated this hymn, but it is actually dedicated to its lyricist.
Heather had known Alison as a young violinist and in later years as teacher, whom she supported from her position in a local musical instrument shop - mending, locating and even donating instruments, enabling Alison to introduce music to many youngsters who would not ordinarily have been able to afford the costs involved in learning to play a musical instrument. Heather also loved her involvement through Alison with church music and, when she later became terminally ill, spent her final day out of the house in church with Alison listening to her latest compositions. “People of God” was one of those pieces and Heather asked if she could complete Fr John’s draft wording - sharing her belief that, although she did not belong to any church, she could believe in a God who loved people enough to send them his only son.
She did complete the words on that final day out (31st December 1998) and the first singing of the finished hymn was by her friends in a crowded church at her funeral, just a month later.
Radio and CD
Over the years the hymn has been sung regularly at mass and there are several recordings of it being sung during various celebrations. It was also one of the hymns recorded at St Theresa's by people from the Churches of Birstall for an Easter Radio Leicester Songs of Praise programme in 1999. The original instrumental version was made available in 2004 on our "People of God" CD.
Rose for Mary
- Composer: Alison Kennedy
- Lyrics: John Daley IC
- Date: 2005
- Collection Ref. (Opus No.) C7-22
- Scriptural References: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20, John 19:25-27
- Dedication: Lourdes Pilgrims
A very simple hymn to Our Lady suitable for singing at Marian Devotions and Marian Feasts throughout the year. The accompaniment to the hymn is presented in two keys: the original key of C Major and a second set of arrangements in D Major for school use, which is considered more suited to the range of young voices and ability of beginner instrumentalists
Rose for Mary - the People Story
From Composition to Recording Studio
This hymn was composed within the week that recording was begun with Matthew and Rebecca for the “I Call you Friends” CD (and actually learnt by them on route to the recording studio). The melody had come following a rehearsal of some of the hymns to be recorded and Fr John wrote the words almost immediately the music was shared with him – recognising it as having been inspired by a recent visit to the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. The final word of each verse he heard as “Ave”, a link to Alison’s original inspiration and the many pilgrims who have visited Lourdes over the years.
CD Recording
The first recording of this hymn was in 2004, sung by Matthew and Rebecca for the
"I Call You Friends" CD released in 2005.
