A truly special Father'sDay celebration attracted a very large congregation to Saint Paul's Church on Sunday 19th June. The children in the Sunday Club took on much of the leadership of the service: welcoming all who came in the door, doing the readings, leading the prayers, taking up the collection and distributing a special Father's Day gift to all the the dads in the church.

The main attraction for the service was the baptism of 2 baby girls, Olga (right) 9 months old, and Léa, 7 months old. Léa's mother Amy was herself baptised at Saint Paul's more than a few years ago! And about 80 family and friends were on hand to celebrate Léa's Christening. Olga's family has lived in Monaco for several years, and a number of family and friends came out as well to support her on the day of her Baptism.

The children in the Sunday Club lead special prayers for Father's Day, asking God to bless the fathers present and fathers everywhere. The children prayed "For fathers who have given us life and love ..."


At the close of the service, the community at Saint Paul's took time to honour Anne Casey and her daughterPhilippa, both of whom celebrate their birthdays in the coming week. Anne begins her 98th year on Wednesday (22 June), and her daughter Philippa, who is, of couse, much younger, celebrates hers on Friday (24 June)! The choir, which sang a magnificent motet during Communion, completed the Father's Day celebration by singing the Blessing of Aaron for Anne, Philippa, babies Olga & Léa, and also for all of the fathers present for Father's Day at Saint Paul's!

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