[Canon 500D, ISO 100, 1/1000 @ f/5, 40mm, tripod]

During St Andrew’s Cathedral School’s term-time, their choir and congregation joins for Morning Prayer on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8:00 AM, and Evening Prayer each Thursday at 5:30 PM, the latter of which I’ve somehow managed to attend fairly regularly over the past few years (alas, I rarely awaken in time for Morning Prayer, though.) While we’re fairly cosy at EP (myself and three chums from there take turns each week to shout each-other a cuppa in the QVB afterwards), all the same I reckon it’d be fairly nice if you too would come along.

Hence this screed. Combining (amongst other things) rather fine liturgy, pretty sound exposition and utterly sublime music all in the one place for free, I dare say St Andrew’s Cathedral Evening Prayer could be just the ticket to a nice Thursday Evening (or perhaps even longer.)

For this holy week, I did the usual thing I always do every year, Staycation! Spend the whole day watching TV and surf the net. They say you should avoid these pleasures.. but.. I really got nothing to do

I actually haven’t tried the Bisita Iglesia thing… but I’m hoping I could try that someday.. I think it’s much ok if you’ll do that with someone, with your family or friends.. and that’s my problem.

So last friday, after eating my breakfast, I found out that I ran out of drugs… medicines, I mean.  And I’m not that sure if there’s an open drugstore out there.  But I still went outside to buy my pills, and I also decided to go to church na rin, since magkalapit na sila. (biglang nagtagalog. Nosebleed haha)

So I went in this place, St. Andrew’s Cathedral.  I prayed solemnly, thanked God for all the blessings, asked for his forgiveness, and tell Him all of my wishes.  It’s really a nice feeling whenever you’re inside the church.  It’s really different.. I really enjoyed my time with God.

Have a blessed holy week!

23rd of May 2010 {Solemnity of Pentecost}

13th of June 2010 {External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart}

15th of August 2010 {Solemnity of the Assumption}

3rd of October 2010 {External Solmenity of the Most Holy Rosary}

So far, these are the fixed dates for the celebration of the Extraordinary Form. Other dates may be added to this list, specially during the solemn seasons of Lent {with Passiontide} and Advent.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at +639162290128.
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
Miguel Ramirez y Madarang
In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas

JALEVILLE SUBDIVISION LOCATION MAP
• Jaleville Subdivision is on the same avenue {Quirino Avenue} as ST. PAUL’s COLLEGE of PARAÑAQUE, ST. ANDREW’s SCHOOL, ANDREW’s CATHEDRAL, and BAMBOO ORGAN CHURCH.

• Coming from the NORTH, it’s on the RIGHT. Coming from the SOUTH, it’s on the LEFT

• The subdivision has TWO BIG BLACK GATES with a big stone marker in the middle with the words “JALEVILLE” vertically placed on it.

Source: Traditional Roman Catholic Philippines

Buxus sempervirens or Boxwood is used extensively at St Ann's Academy in Victoria.

Common Box or Boxwood has been with us for a very long time, in fact its first recorded use was during the Egyptian era around 4000 BC where they had clipped hedges of it. Ever since that time it has reappeared throughout history. On a side note it was used by the Romans for their gardens, and believe it or not, they had special slaves called Toparius (creators of topia or landscapes) who maintained their specially clipped bushes. Here in Victoria Boxwood is mostly used for edging and to give a more formal feeling to a garden design.

A wonderfully round Variegated Box is incorporated into the Heather Garden at Glendale Gardens.

Speaking of topiary, the craze really got going in renaissance Italy. In their warmer climate they used Cypress which proved not hardy enough for northern Europe, box became the obvious choice being evergreen and being finely textured which is needed for creating topiary forms. This is how Common Box became so associated with English and particularly French gardens. Levens Hall in Cumbria and Chateau de Villandry are two famous examples. More recently a Boxwood (look-a-like) was on display in the movie ‘Edward Scissorhands’ in which Edward created fantastic forms with his ‘scissorhands’ and became a celebrity.

This remarkable Boxwood specimen is found at St Andrew's Cathedral along View St. in downtown Victoria.

Boxwood is slow growing with finely textured foliage but in its native habit it can grow into a large shrub or small tree of 10ft with a width of 4 to 6ft.  Because of its slow growth, it should be planted for a couple of years before being clipped for the first time. Cutting back will encourage a more bushy, dense growth. Hedges and topiary, when mature, are usually cut twice a year, It is done once around May and then later near the end of August or early September.

A more typical use of Buxus sempervirens is as a hedge.

Boxwood is a very versatile shrub that tolerates very low light to full sun and continues to look healthy and bushy. It is very adaptable to most soils and can withstand a fair amount of drought, but prefers rich well drained soil. It is one of the few plants which will tolerate a more alkaline location. Common Box is rated at at zone 6 (-10f to 0 . or to -18c). In cool weather it often takes on an attractive bronzy coloring which disappears when warm weather returns.

These Boxwood are used as a decorative feature outside a restaurant in Victoria.

Buxus sempervirens is the most common box and has numerous cultivars such as ‘Elegantissima’ which has leaves edged in cream. Another popular form is ‘Suffruticosa’ that is slower growing and is most suitable used for parterres and small hedges. There is one other species worth mentioning. Buxus microphylla which is exactly the same as Common Box is smaller in all ways and generally needs no clipping. Several forms of it are popular in rock gardens or for very short edging. ‘Compacta’ and ‘Green Pillow’ are the most popular for rock gardens and for very low edging. A variety known as var. koreana is particularly popular with bonsai enthusiasts who choose it for its narrower leaves and loose spreading habit. It is also the most hardy.

Buxus sempervirens 'Elegantissima' will make a slow growing and attractive edging.

Care must be taken in placement of Common Box near roadways which may be given a salt treatment  during cold periods. Buxus sempervirens is very easily damaged from too much salt and unsightly damage and even death of the plant can occur.

This is an example of extreme salt damage to a Boxwood hedge next to a parking lot in Victoria.

More about Boxing the Buxus:

The Wiki page is always a good place to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buxus_sempervirens

How to grow and maintain a Box hedge: http://www.boxtrees.com/hedging.html

Historic St Andrew’s Cathedral: http://www.standrewscathedral.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=65

Until we meet again later….

A quite special place...

The first ‘town’ proper was concentrated around the harbour and cathedral areas, and extended as far inland as the present line of North and South Castle Street. Greater prosperity, a rising population and the growing importance of St Andrews as an ecclesiastical, academic and trading centre all contributed to the town’s expansion during the middle ages. Development took place along four parallel main streets – South Street, Market Street, North Street and Swallowgait (now known as The Scores), and a city wall was built, with strategically-located ‘ports’ (gates) controlling the movement of goods and people. The West Port at the end of South Street is Scotland’s best surviving example of a fortified gate.

The original medieval street layout has been retained to this day, contributing immensely to the character of St Andrews. Over the last few centuries, residential developments have stretched the town’s boundaries to the south and west but the historic core remains much as it would have looked four-hundred years ago. Today’s residents guard the town’s past jealously, and they are proud to call themselves St Andreans.

Be sure to ask about guided walks and tours, to provide you with a local expert’s insight into the town’s history and to point out features that you might have missed on your own.

St Andrews Cathedral

The remains of St Andrews Cathedral are impressive enough, but they can only hint at the vast grandeur of what was once the largest cathedral in Scotland. A ticket to the cathedral’s museum offers the chance to view a collection of medieval sculptures from the site and also includes entry to St Rule’s Tower. A climb to the top of this prominent structure rewards visitors with magnificent vistas of St Andrews and the surrounding Fife countryside.

St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Castle sits close by, by turns a fortress, palace and prison. It too is largely ruined, battered from 400 years of wars and sieges, but remains a fascinating visit. Children will love the visitor’s centre, with its beautifully illustrated history of those who lived – and died – in the castle. The Castle’s infamous “bottle dungeon” and the underground mine and countermine are some of very few remaining examples of medieval siege techniques, but may not be suitable for the faint-hearted!

St Andrews Museum

Another “castle” – this one in Kinburn Park – is home to St Andrews Museum, which offers a child-friendly A-Z exhibition exploring St Andrews’ heritage.  It also hosts a regular programme of temporary exhibitions, as well as regular music recitals.

Museum of the University of St Andrews

The newest museum on the St Andrews scene, the Museum of the University of St Andrews offers four galleries about the long history of St Andrews University, notable alumni, its contributions to art and science, and a glimpse into a the everyday life of St Andrews University students during various eras. A trip upstairs to enjoy panoramic views of the West Sands is also well worthwhile.

St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum

For further glimpses of days gone by, don’t miss the museum operated by St Andrews Preservation Trust: housed in a charming 17th Century house in North Street, it displays recreations of old St Andrews shops and buildings and also boasts a lovely sheltered garden.

British Golf Museum

No golf lover should miss visiting the British Golf Museum, situated just a long putt away from the 18th Green of the Old Course. Featuring a detailed history of the development of the game and the equipment, a footage archive, and substantial quantities of golfing memorabilia, children will most enjoy the final room, which features interactive displays and the chance to try putting with different clubs and balls from down the ages.

St Andrews Aquarium

The St Andrews Aquarium is appropriately situated overlooking the West Sands.  Here, seals, piranhas, seahorses, lion fish and many other species will vie for your attention, and children may be particularly interested in the twice daily seal feeding frolics.

I was pleased with this one. The cathedral peering out from behind the autumn leaves is St Andrew’s, the Roman Catholic Cathedral which is on the banks of the River Clyde.

St. Andrews Cathedral

The texture in this is amazing.

This must once have been a stunning building.

I may even get the camera up there one day...

Ok, it’s a bad reference to those Privilege insurance adverts, I know, but St Andrews is fairly posh! And it’s up in Scotland too so, if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, taking a trip there sort of feels like you’re visiting a totally different country. I think St Andrews is a really great place to take a short break. It’s one of the most picturesque towns in Fife and its ancient architecture and attractive beach make it a great spot for a short summer holiday that doesn’t have to cost much at all.

For starters, its broad, lush golf courses make the town look beautifully green, which – even if you don’t play golf – is a charming asset for any town to have. And since it’s such a world renowned golfing location, there’s often the chance that you’ll get to bump into a famous golf playing celebs, like Samuel L Jackson and Hugh Grant, who tend to stay in famous places like The Old Course Hotel.

The University is gorgeous too. Of course, it’s famous for most people because Prince William went there but if you take a walk down The Scores, you’ll get to appreciate its lovely buildings in person. I’d also suggest a wander into St Salvator’s Quad – if the gates are open. This college was originally founded in 1450 and its medieval buildings are really something. Understandably, its chapel is supposed to be a popular place for alumni to get married.

Two other unmissable attractions in St Andrews are the Cathedral and the Castle, both of which are some of Scotland’s most spectacular ruins. It does cost to get inside these but their majestic environs can be fully appreciated from the outside too, and they make stunning pictures on a clear day.

But by far my favourite part of St Andrews is the West Sands, its largest and most famous sandy beach. If, like me, you’re a fan of the 1980s film Chariots of Fire, you’ll want to run down the beach in emulation of the film’s opening scene – and, I’m almost embarrassed to admit, that’s what I do every time I visit. It’s great fun though, especially when the sun’s shining. Expect plenty of kite flyers and loads of dogs to add to the atmosphere!

If you don’t manage to nab one of its cheaper B&B’s, St Andrews can be a little pricey for accommodation. So, if you’re travelling there by car, it might be advisable to stay somewhere a little further away from the town centre – maybe in Leuchars or St Michaels. And if you’re travelling by train, rest assured the route is easy: National Express services go straight to Leuchars from London, through Edinburgh, and St Andrews is a very short bus ride from there.

Join us at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, for the 2nd Australia Day Convention. This year we’ll hear 6 talks from Phillip Jensen on Colossians. 10am – 5pm. Register online at australiadayconvention.com or ring 9265 1661.

In response, the Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral wrote his thoughts on the matter:

His [Mark Driscoll] address to us in the Cathedral was more that of a prophetic preacher than an expositor of the Bible. He spoke as a Christian friend about the problems he sees we have. As such, it is important that we weigh what he says (1 Corinthians 14:29).

There were three mistakes that the Dean said could be made concerning such a message and messenger: “The first mistake is that of reactionary defensiveness….The second mistake is to become a sycophantic follower….The third error is to do nothing.”

The Dean said that….

Mark Driscoll’s challenge to us is timely and helpful. But his criticisms may be more helpful than his solutions. The gulf in church life between a denominational church in Sydney and an independent church in Seattle is quite enormous. Our theological perspective on church and ministry is also quite different.

What I’ve learned in my missions classes and dealing with international students is that Christians around the world should share the same principles, but because of the culture, the principles are applied in very different ways many times.

Despite the cultural difference and in closing, the Dean said, “But it will be an irrelevance to his message – for his challenge to us was to get moving, to take initiative, not to wait around to be told what to do next.”

Read the whole article.

“Given the anti-intellectual stance of most modern evangelicals, I don’t think it’s the organist’s fault that parishioners of St Andrew’s are having trouble thinking.” Anthony Hooper, Oatley.

“Music at St Andrew’s is an easy target and has been since the takeover of the Anglican Church in the Sydney diocese by those modern-day Puritans, the Jensens. They will not rest until every vestige of what makes the Angloican Church Anglican is replaced by a dumbed-down, one-size-fits-all, mindless, soulless and Godless “worship facility” devoted to the delivery of a sermon.” Greg Oehm, Robertson.