February 19 - HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL : Music lovers were privileged to participate in a rich banquet of classical music during the free Millennium Concert conducted in the New Parish Hall of the Holy Family Cathedral on Saturday, February 19, 2000.

The most awesome - and highly unusual, one might add -- sight by far, was that of the classy grand concert piano that occupied pride of place, its highly polished, richly toned woodwork lighting up its simple surroundings.

The new Vatican Chargé D'Affaires, The Rev. Monsignor Giuseppe De Andrea, and our beloved Bishop, Msgr. Francis Micallef, graced the front row, along with a handful of distinguished Kuwaiti guests. The overwhelmingly Western audience was held spellbound, for the next 75 minutes, by superb performances from six artistes, with a generous contribution by no other than Kuwait's renowned concert pianist duo, the gracious Cezary Owerkowicz and his charming wife Anna Owerkowicz.

Those who missed the performance were unlucky, for such an event, grouping a panel of accomplished performers, giving unstintingly of their time and indisputable talents, might just come along after the next 999 years or so... The wintry air outside sent concert lovers scurrying inside to the warmth of the music hall, where a cascade of mellifluous music, beginning sharp at 8.00 pm, transported listeners to another world, to a higher plane of existence, where the spirit literally soars among the clouds.

Cezary Owerkowicz at the piano and Witold Wnuk at the cello, opened with flair, Schubert's 'Ave Maria'. They were followed by Jan Wisniowski - violin and Anna Owerkowicz -- piano, who gave a sparkling performance of Kreisler's 'Sicilianne'.

Then came the technically challenging 'piano four-hands recital' everyone had been waiting for, by Anna and Cezary Owerkowicz, who rendered stylishly, Waltz by A. Khachaturian, followed by Two Hungarian Dances by Brahms. It is always a special treat to listen to such a performance by this hugely talented husband and wife team. Their rapt concentration and the ecstasy on their countenances lent that extra touch of class to the recital.

Next in the super line-up were Hans Loeper - violin and Cezary Owerkowicz - piano, exponents of Handel's 'Sonata in F Major No 3, Part I' and Mozart's 'Sonata in C Major', followed by Dvorak's 'Sonatina in G Major'.

The grand finale to an evening of beauty and artistry was provided by the very youthful and modest Razmik Bebejian, barely out of his teens, who gave a striking solo piano recital of Beethoven's 'Sonata in C Minor, 'Pathetique (Part I)', and Khachaturian's 'Toccata', which earned him prolonged applause from the enthusiastic audience.

The only complaint about the evening, was, perhaps, that it flitted by on gossamer wings so soon! Artistry of a rather different sort awaited concert-goers outside the hall, where they waded into a treat of pastries provided by the ladies.

But of course, all good things must come to an end...

-- By K. C. D.

February 16 - HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL : Christians from virtually every denomination of the Church in Kuwait attended the Christian Unity Prayer Service conducted at the Catholic Church at 7.30 pm.

A rare event indeed; and tremendously edifying. The spirit prevailing in the Church was neither Catholic nor Anglican, Marthomite nor Orthodox, but Christian, in the truest sense of the word, as members of the inter-denominational congregation praised and worshipped the Lord under one roof.

The opening hymn was sung by the C.S.I. Church choir, while the Opening Prayer and Welcome were conducted by Catholic Church Bishop Francis Micallef.

The First Reading (Isiah 60: 1-6) was done by Mrs. Rachael Tomy of the Universal Orthodox Church and the responsorial Psalm 42 that followed was rendered by the Indian Orthodox Church choir.

The Second Reading (Ephesians 1: 3-14) was rendered by Dr. Raymond Traynor of the Catholic Church. The Hymn "Hallelujah" that followed was sung by the Marthoma Church choir.

Then came the Third Reading, Gospel (Mathew 12: 46-50) by Reverend Boaz of the C.S.I Tamil Church.

The Reverend Steven Wright of the Anglican Church then delivered a moving homily, in which he briefly touched on and acknowledged differences within the Church, which one hopes will some day be swept away and buried forever by the power and glory of our common Christian faith.

The Catholic Church choir then sang a hymn and it was followed by Intercessions by the Rev. Samuel P.J. of the Marthoma Church.

The Lord's Prayer "Our Father" was then rendered by all present, and the concluding prayer was said by the Rev. Monsignor Giuseppe De Andrea - Acting Ambassador of the Vatican.

The benediction was given by Bishop Micallef, and the service concluded on a thematic note - a rousing hymn, entitled very fittingly, "Bind Us Together", sung by All (Cathedral Choir Leading).

-- By K. C. D.