Internationally known Presbyterian minister, the Rev. William McMillan, will be a featured participant in the Second Annual Festival of Flowers at St. Mary's Cathedral this fall.
Rev. McMillan, a native of Northern Ireland, has received numerous awards for his floral arrangements and has also been recognized by Queen Elizabeth for his charitable work.
Doug Benbow, chair of the festival committee and director of liturgy at the Cathedral, told Catholic San Francisco the event is an opportunity to showcase the Cathedral to the wider community.
"We get people who have not ever visited the Cathedral," he said. "It's really a wonderful open house."
The Oct. 3 - 5 festival will feature floral presentations by many Bay Area designers and arrangers, a festival Mass for the solemnity of St. Francis, an organ concert, an awards ceremony and an invitation - only gala. For the complete schedule and more information, visit www.cathedralflowers.org.
"Wherever he goes, 'Rev. Mac' makes friends," said Benbow, "and it is those friends who have requested, begged, cajoled and bullied Mac into coming to San Francisco and participating in this year's flower festival. He is a frequent presenter at the annual Bouquet to Art, the largest fundraiser for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco."
"We are excited about his planned creation, which will be installed in the Cathedral for this year's festival," Benbow added.
