Susan Boyd...to warble for the Pope @ Mass! Angelic choir back-up...

Pope gives Susan Boyd thumbs up!

The Vatican has not only sung the praises of celebrated vocalist - Susan Boyd - but humbled her greatly with an invite to participate in a mass in September backed by a choir 800 strong.

Boyle gushed to the media this past week that singing for Pope Benedict XVI was definitely "her greatest dream come true."

Boyd, who rose to prominence (and lofty musical realms) after a brief stint on an English talent show, is slated for three performances at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow..

The much-anticipated concert date is going forward (amidst flights of Angels, no doubt) on Thursday September 16th.

The open air Mass which will be attended by the Pope during a brief visit to Scotland.

The Mass is scheduled to commence at precisely 5.15 p.m. that afteroon.

In the pre-Mass programme Ms. Boyle will sing the inspirational hymn "How great thou art" - in addition to her well-known signature song "I dreamed a dream".

At the end of the Mass, the popular vocalist - who now boasts thousands of fans around the globe - will perform what amounts to a farewell song to Pope Benedict as he exits the park to travel on to Glasgow Airport where he'll board a jet to continue a four-day touch-down on British soil.

"To be able to sing for the Pope is a great honour and something I've always dreamed of - it's indescribable. I think the 16th of September will stand out in my memory as something I've always wanted to do, I've always wanted to sing for his Holiness and I can't really put into words my happiness, that this wish has come true at last."

Break a leg, Susan!

Pope to attend open-air Mass in Glasgow!

http://www.julainayrs.com

All Saints' Church...announces new Rector at Beverly Hills house of prayer!

Who knows!

(I may be featured in this choir photo)

The Vestry has announced that the Reverend Canon Stephen Huber (National Cathedral in Washington) has accepted the unanimous call to be the 7th Rector of All Saints' Church in Beverly Hills.


A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to realize a dream to sing in a choir, when I attended service at All Saints'.

During that time frame, Carol Anderson was in service to the Episcopal Church in the role that Huber has stepped into.

The Reverend grew up in a large Catholic family in Ohio and attended Catholic schools from first grade all the way through graduate school at Loyola University in New Orleans.

The dedicated Church-goer spent ten years teaching theology and working in development at private schools before transitioning into inspiring full-time development work as an A.I.D.S. fundraiser for such organizations as the Fenway Community Health Center (Boston) and the Human Rights Campaign Fund in Washington (D.C.).

Huber attended seminary at Yale University and obtained his Master of Divinity (!) in 1998.

For a short duration Steve filled the role of Development & Communications Director at Yale's Berkley Divinity School.

There were many other career developments under the auspices of the fold in the years that followed.

But, it was a post at the Washington National Cathedral (to build a Cathedral Congregation) that was probably the most challenging and rewarding for the Priest.

Using his impressive leadership skills, Huber proceeded to focus on education, pastoral care, stewardship, communications, and hospitality ministries for the congregation which now numbers 700.

Church officials describe Huber as a "spirit-filled" preacher and loving pastor with an open heart and wonderful manner who is  ready to lead All Saints' Church in the work of the Kingdom of God.

In an essay he wrote in respect to his calling, Rev. Huber eloquently wrote:

"I understand my primary vocation as inviting people into a new or deepened relationship with Jesus Christ."

"All Saints' Church is a model to the whole Church of an intellectually coherent expansive Christian faith that is unabashedly grounded in discipleship of Jesus Christ. I find that enormously exciting."

In accepting the post he closed an open letter to the parish by quoting mystic Meister Eckhart:

"If the only prayer you say in your whole life is thank you, that would suffice."

Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Yayoi Kusama...whimsical sculpture delights joggers! Beverly Hills!

Indoor Art installation with signature polka-dots

A whimsical piece of sculpture by artist - Yayoi Kusama - is taking joggers and strollers alike by surprise on the park trail just beyond the flats in Beverly Hills.

Entitled - "Hymn of Life, Tulips" - the bold sprightly-colored three-dimensional work in-the-round instantaneously delights when it reaches out from the distance as you happen upon it.

The eye-catching "Hymn" is crafted in fiberglass, ceramic tile, and steel.

In my mind's eye, Kusama's work is much more appealing that the "Man without a head" down a-ways at another intersection street.

And, is much more aesthetically-pleasing than the dismal "Drummer", by sculptor Barry Flannigan (Beverly Drive & Santa Monica Boulevards).

At last, someone with taste has taken charge of acquisitions in the tony enclave - the end result being - that a significant contribution to the cultural experience in the park for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.

"Hymn" is the first public outdoor sculpture in the United States by the renowned Japanese artist.

Although polka-dots have become her trademark, the artist often experiments with other mediums as well.

Her collages and soft sculptures are stand-outs, in particular!

A recipient of the "Order of the Rising Sun", Yayoi labels herself an "obsessive" artist.

Fortunately; otherwise, "Tulips" may not have seen the light of day in the well-manicured gardens of Beverly Hills.

Moment of Regeneration

Hymn of Life, Tulips