Although the Nine Lessons and Carols of Advent service has taken place at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Corner Brook for over 20 years, the November 27, 2022 service was special. The cathedral had continued to host an invited ecumenical choir observing COVID-19 protocols, but, this was the first time since 2019 that the cathedral could once again extend an open invitation to all of Corner Brook’s churches and choirs. Singers and readers represented the Anglican, Bahia, Roman Catholic, and United Church faith traditions, as well as the late Dr. Jennifer Matthews’ Bay of Islands Musical Arts Choir, once again making it a truly ecumenical event.
The Salvation Army Band, under the baton of Wendy Woodland, accompanied the Advent hymns, and the cathedral’s organist/choirmaster, Dr. Doreen Helen Klassen, accompanied the choral anthems. Hymns included “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” “Blessed Be the God of Israel,” and “People, Look East! The Time is Near,” while anthems ranged from Ruth Elaine Schram’s “Ev’ry Valley” to the well-loved “Song of Mary,” and an arrangement of a Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise.”
As in past years, food and cash donations were designated for the Corner Brook food bank.
