BRADFORD Cathedral Centenary celebrations will start with a glorious Choral Eucharist sung with the Full Foundation of the Cathedral Choir on Epiphany Sunday, January 6 2019 at 10.15am.

With the service, Una Barry, of Ilkley, will sing Psalm 100: Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord for operatic soprano and organ, specially composed for the occasion by the English composer and organist Colin Mawby, well remembered for his many years as the Master of Music of Westminster Cathedral as well as Choral Director at Radio-Telefís Éireann (RTÉ).

He was awarded Knighthood of the Order of St Gregory by Pope Benedict in 2006 for his enormous contribution to the life of Catholic church music. Colin is planning to be there to hear the first performance of his new piece. The piece has been privately funded by Jane Clarke, a friend of Una’s, a resident of Ilkley and the senior marketing management for Morrison’s Bradford-based supermarket.

Jane wanted to do something in memory of her dear grandmother and with this now happening, she will be bringing her family down from Cumbria to the service. The service will be followed by celebratory refreshments.

The Very Reverend Jerry Lepine Dean of Bradford said: “On Tuesday 25th November 1919, King George V decreed that the parish church of St Peter Bradford was to become one of England’s parish cathedrals, as the new Diocese of Bradford was formed out of the ancient see of Ripon. Today we are still the newest diocese in the Church of England, now the Diocese of Leeds, which includes three cathedrals at Bradford, Ripon and Wakefield.

“This new year we shall be celebrating the Centenary with a programme emphasising faith, heritage, music, the arts and partnership. We begin our Centenary journey, appropriately on the Fest of the Epiphany, Sunday 6th January. Our Diocescan Bishop, Bishop Nick Baines, will preach and give an afternoon seminar, and we shall launch an unusual exhibition which has the journey motif at the heart of it and continue through to the centenary of the King’s announcement in November. It promises to be a really exciting time.

“It is perhaps worth reflecting on the last century. It has been a traumatic time in Europe. Bradford has changed hugely and faced new challenges as well. The Christian church is in a very different place than in 1919. Ponder the social, economic and lifestyle changes. It leaves you breathless.

“As Christians we are called to make our witness to God and serve our community, just as previous generations have done. Let us pray that the year will not only be a great celebration for this deeply loved cathedral but also a time for spiritual renewal. I encourage you to make the most of this special year’s events and invite others along to join with us.”