麻豆社

The Church of St Cross
The Rev Reg Sweet is Master of St Cross in Winchester and describes how the hospital of St Cross was founded to support poor men, who became the Brothers of St Cross. The brothers are not monks but they follow a monastic lifestyle -- attending matins daily in the church.聽
Every Monday the brothers are called to a pay parade by the ringing of a bell. They have to collect one pound from one of the trustees. The brothers have done this since the alms houses first opened -- and have never missed a week.

The handing out of the dole
Sean meets Catherine Secker, the porter at St Cross, to request the wayfarer's dole -- a horn of beer and a morsel of bread. It's given to any visitor or pilgrim who requests it. 聽This monastic tradition was given to all travellers to send them on their way, which continues even today -- as long as you ask!

Hope at Christmas
We meet one man whose Christian faith is helping him face an uncertain future with positivity this Christmas. The Rev Andrew Gardiner shares his moving story of how, despite being seriously ill with cancer and giving up leading his church, he has been able to find a new way to share his faith through song writing.

The Winchester Christmas Market
The Dean reminds us of the real meaning of Christmas in front of the nativity scene at the Christmas market in Cathedral Close in Winchester.

A Songs of Praise presenter from bygone days
Former Songs of Praise presenter Debbie Thrower recalls her time on the programme and reveals her favourite memory when the hymn words were first put up at the bottom of the television screen.