Submitted by Val Hiscock on
The congregation included members of the university, the Sisters and residents of Nazareth House, representatives of the various chaplaincies of the university, the Fellows and Scholars of Newman Hall and members of the Commandery of Wales. The guest of honour was the Vice Chancellor of the University. The Newman Hall Schola, under the direction of Tomas Watkin, led the singing. Captain Sir Norman Lloyd-Edwards KCVO, KCLJ, read one of the lessons on behalf of the Commandery. The homilist was the Very Rev’d David Canon Hathaway SChLJ.
The collection taken during the service was divided between Llamau, a local charity supporting young homeless people, and the Commandery of Wales elective student bursary fund. The Very Rev’d Canon Peter Collins, Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St David, officiated and gave the blessing. For members of the Commandery of Wales it was most poignant that this was the last occasion when our Chaplain, Fr John Owen SChLJ, was with us. Fr John died two days later at Nazareth House having been anointed by the Commandery Executive Chaplain, the Very Rev’d Dr Sebastian Jones Cong Orat , and receiving the Apostolic Pardon.