AGAP’s autumn programme included a special programme for young people and brought about some exciting collaborations with other Catholic agencies and with people of other Christian traditions. It also allowed us to engage with current topical issues such as the End of Life Assistance Bill being considered by the Scottish Parliament and the UK Papal Visit as well as addressing social issues of alcohol abuse and concern for life at all stages. The events incorporated a programme which encouraged prayer and reflection and concluded with the third annual Mass for the Artistic Community.
Pure Dead Dangerous
Pure Dead Dangerous: "Rachel and Anna" performed by Roisin Loughran and Nicky Collum
“Pure Dead Dangerous” was a collaboration with the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office and had the support of non-denominational charities Care Not Killing and Care Scotland. The play, written and directed by Stephen Callaghan and performed by AGAP Theatre, sought to raise awareness of the issues surrounding the End of Life Assistance Bill being presented by MSP Margo MacDonald to the Scottish Parliament. It consisted of a number of short scenes: monologues and dialogues, through which a narrative thread unfolds a series of potential scenarios that could happen if the Bill were to be approved. Each performance was accompanied by a post-performance seminar with John Deighan, Parliamentary Officer for the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which allowed people to ask questions about the consequences of the End of Life Assistance Bill.
Pure Dead Dangerous: "Julie's Mum" performed by Brenda Scott
The play was well received at all four venues: University of Glasgow Catholic Chaplaincy; Turnbull High School, Bishopbriggs; St Mungo’s, Townhead; and St Michael’s, Parkhead. Due to requests to take the play further afield, a film version using the original cast was made shortly afterwards by Smallvideo and is available on DVD.
The Living Rosary
A series of weekly AGAP drama workshops with young people encouraged them to look at the origins of one of Catholicism’s most popular methods of prayer and rediscover its potential for raising our hearts and minds to God. The project involved S1 pupils at Notre Dame High School and a group of S2/S3 pupils at Turnbull High School and resulted in a performance-based service led by the children themselves at St Michael’s Parish Church, Parkhead – where AGAP is based.
Through the project, the young people learned about the origins of the rosary, prayed together and each group thought about a particular set of mysteries: Notre Dame pupils focussed on the Joyful mysteries from the Annunciation to the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple, whilst Turnbull High pupils turned their minds to the Sorrowful Mysteries from Christ’s Agony in the Garden to his Crucifixion and Death. Each mystery involved the dramatisation of an associated scripture passage from the Bible through mime and an improvised scene, devised by the pupils themselves, which highlighted a modern-day parallel with the issues addressed by the scripture. This also allowed the young people to lead an adult congregation/audience in prayers for intentions that are important to them.
From the Cradle to the Grave
Cradle to the Grave
Audiences across the Archdiocese went on a musical journey through the various stages of life, inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘seven ages of man’ in a show cleverly devised by Joe Murray. The programme provided just the right mixture of humour and pathos to carry the audience from the cradle to the grave with songs from an eclectic range of musical genres from medieval ballads to jazz and American blues, and also raised awareness of some very important social issues along the way.
Cradle to the Grave
Accompanied by some stunning visual imagery with carefully selected emotive background slides, the band consisted of Joe Murray (Vocals, banjo, keyboard), David Murray (Vocals, Guitar), Karen McCabe (vocals, guitar), and John Reilly (fiddle, violin) and they were joined by bass guitarist Joe Wharburton of The Healys.
As well as entertaining audiences at St Gregory’s – Wyndford, St Ninian’s – Knightswood, St Andrew’s – Bearsden, and St Helen’s – Langside, the concerts also raised over £500 for the Suzy Fund, bringing relief to AIDs orphans in Ethiopia.
Going for Broke on Jesus: The Bob Park Story
Cast with Bob and Anne Park
Based upon the biographical book by Bob Park, the play is a story of hope and redemption through faith in the healing power of Jesus Christ. The play was written and directed by Stephen Callaghan and performed by AGAP theatre. Performed by a cast of just five actors who took on multiple roles, the action followed the descent of the eponymous character, Bob Park, into a life of alcoholism and gambling which threatened the breakdown of his family life and career. A chance encounter with the Salvation Army resulted in a transformation which led to many years of charity work in Romania with his wife Anne, helping rebuild and save lives.
Greg Bonnar and Hannah Charles as Bob and Anne Park in a scene from the play.
Each performance was accompanied by a post-show concert with Bob Park, himself, during which he sang tracks from his own CD, Bob Park Sings Country Gospel. The play was well received by audiences at St Margaret’s – Clydebank, St Margaret Mary’s – Castlemilk, St Paul’s, Whiteinch, and Our Lady of Consolation, Govanhill.
The Annual Schools Art Competition: Heart Speaks Unto Heart
Junior Award Winner by Iain McComish,S3, St Aloysius' College
The Annual Schools Art Competition was re-launched in the 2010 Arts in Autumn programme. Previously a part of Lentfest, AGAP decided to relocate the competition to a time which would not conflict with exams undertaken by senior school pupils. The results were indeed encouraging!
The competition took the theme of the UK Papal Visit, Heart Speaks Unto Heart, and encouraged young people in secondary schools across the Archdiocese to come up with their own interpretation of this theme, choosing to create an artwork with the title “the heart to heart” or “the servant’s heart”. Entries were judged by renowned sacred artist, Tommy Canning and he presented the prizes alongside Bailie Catherine McMaster of Glasgow City Council and Mgr Peter Canon Smith, who represent the Archbishop, after the Annual Mass for the Artistic Community.
Senior Winner by Hannah Harkins, S6, Our Lady's High School, Cumbernauld
The Senior Award for Excellence in the Expression of Faith Through Art went to Hannah Harkins, S6, Our Lady’s HS, Cumbernauld. The Junior Award for Excellence in the Expression of Faith Through Art went to Iain McComish, S3, St Aloysius College, Glasgow. In addition to the annual shield, they each received an iPod Shuffle, a DVD of the Art of Tommy Canning, a signed print by the artist for their school, watercolour painting materials and a certificate.
The Best Group Entry was by Leah Hester and Laura Houston, S3 from St Margaret Mary’s Secondary, Castlemilk. Highly Commended Senior entries were by Stacy Hourigan, S6; Sarah Gunn, S6; and Emma McInally S6 – all from Our Lady’s HS, Cumbernauld. Junior Highly Commended entries were by Aamna Ashiq, S2 and Rebecca Halpin, S2 – both from St Ninian’s HS, Giffnock – Elizabeth Carmichael, S2 and Gabrielle Nicole Slater, S3 – both from St Aloysius College, Glasgow.
The Annual Mass for the Artistic Community
Hundreds of people gathered at St Michael’s Parish Church – home of AGAP – for the celebration of Holy Mass, to pray for all those working in or studying the arts and to give thanks for the talents of those who contribute to the cultural life of the Archdiocese.
Mgr Peter Canon Smith, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, represented Archbishop Mario Conti at the Mass. He was joined by concelebrants Rev Peter Granger-Banyard SJ, an accomplished poet, and clergy from St Michael’s, Rev Francis Kennedy and Rev Francis O’Rourke.
The music for the celebration was organised by Mgr Gerry Fitzpatrick, and was beautifully led by the St Mungo Singers. It involved St Paul’s Choir (Shettleston), the St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir, St Maria Goretti (Ruchazie) Choir, St Joseph’s (Tollcross) Choir; instrumentalists, Theresa Irving, Clare O’Neill, and John Allen on Clarsach, violin and Whistle and cantors.
The Church also housed an exhibition of entries from the Annual Schools Art Competition. The congregation were invited into the hall after Mass where there was a further exhibition of artwork by the “Art for the Terrified” beginner’s class and the presentation of prizes for the Annual Schools Art Competition.