Sunday 29 June 2014

Archbishop Malcolm receives the Pallium from Pope Francis


Archbishop Malcolm is in Rome this weekend to receive the Pallium from Pope Francis. All metropolitan Archbishops receive it on the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul after they are appointed. The Pallium is a white woollen band worn round the shoulders. It is laid on the tomb of St Peter beneath the great basilica overnight, and so symbolises the union of the new Archbishop with St Peter and his successors. The wool reminds us of the responsibility of the pastors of the Lord's flock to feed his sheep and his lambs. There is a reflection on the symbolism of the Pallium here.

Click here for a video of the Mass. I have set it so that it should start with Archbishop Malcolm approaching Pope Francis. (If it doesn't start in the right place on your device, scroll to 20 minutes, and you will be about right)

Pray for Archbishop Malcolm in his new responsibilities in Liverpool, and pray that the Lord may soon send us a new Bishop of Nottingham.


Thursday 26 June 2014

A musical meditation on the Sacred Heart

If you love traditional Catholic hymns, you might enjoy this meditation for Friday's feast by Monsignor Philip Whitmore, Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome, and a notable musical historian.

Monsignor Whitmore has often read the English language announcements at Papal audiences, and has been at Pope Francis's side translating when the Holy Father met the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Feast of the Sacred Heart falls at the very end of June, the month of the Sacred Heart, this year. Here is an interesting article about devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus sent to me by a parishioner.

“The heart” is the inner-most life of any man, woman, or child.
“The heart of Jesus” is His inner life, which was always radiated truth, goodness, and beauty.
“The Sacred Heart of Jesus” is both His heart of flesh, but also His mercy and love—both as a man and as God.
Such love surpasses human understanding.  Such love led God to become man and face the agonizing death of the Cross—this love demonstrates God’s desire for our redemption and our love.

Vacancy at the Briars

This advertisement for a vacancy at the Briars came in after the newsletter was completed.

Ss Peter & Paul Newsletter - 28/29 June

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Sunday 22 June 2014

Corpus Christi - First Holy Communion


A beautiful summer's day, the lovely feast of Corpus Christi, twenty-two children receiving Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time.
Thanks be to God!

Click on the picture to seek bigger version.

Saturday 21 June 2014

And the winner....

... of the most prestigious football tournament (in Ashby) is:
Ashby Youth for Christ.

Thanks to all who worked so hard to make the tournament so successful.

Forget the World Cup!

The Ashby Inter-Church Football Tournament takes place this Saturday afternoon at Ivanhoe College. People from the different Christian Communities in Ashby are mingling, enjoying the glorious sunshine, home-made cakes, and the football. The OLOL team scored two goals while Fr Colin was watching, and were apprehensive when he had to leave  for Confessions and the evening Mass!
Watch this space for results.

Thursday 19 June 2014

Preparing for Corpus Christi

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord, and pray for our children receiving Holy Communion for the first time, you might like to take a look at this video about the Mass. It is by an American youth evangelist and is hard-hitting, almost shocking in places. It is, however, totally true to the teaching of the Lord and his Church about the Eucharist. I hope it may challenge us to a fresh understanding of our Catholic faith in this Sacrament, which the Second Vatican Council tells us is 'the source and summit of the Christian life'.

Corpus Christi Newsletter - 21/22 June

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Please pray for our young people receiving Holy Communion for the first time this weekend.

Wednesday 18 June 2014

Forty Hours Devotion Continues

Our neighbours at Holy Cross, Whitwick, had ten hours of Eucharistic Adoration today as part of the Loughborough Deanery Forty Hours Devotion. I was glad to spend some time in prayer there this morning on my way to a meeting at Mount St Bernard.
On Friday, the prayer moves on to St Mary's, Ashby Road, Loughborough. Please visit and pray for a while if you can.

Sunday 15 June 2014

The best time you will spend on earth

Please remember the Forty Hours of Adoration across the Loughborough Deanery this week. Here is a reminder of the programme:

We start at Ashby on Monday. Please make every effort to come and adore the Lord sometime during the day or early evening, and then try to drop into one of the other Churches later in the week.

Remember these beautiful words of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta:
"The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
is the best time you will spend on earth.
Each moment that you spend with Jesus
will deepen your union with Him
and make your soul everlastingly
more glorious and beautiful in Heaven,
and will help bring about everlasting peace on earth."

Homily for the most Holy Trinity

Deacon Andrew's moving homily can be read here.

Thursday 12 June 2014

Finance update

Last weekend, parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes were given this financial statement.

This weekend we are being reminded of the importance of getting Gift Aid right:
Gift Aid — Important Message As stated in the hand-out at OLOL last week, if you do not pay enough tax to cover your gift aided donations, it is vital that the Church stops claiming tax on them. If this may be the case, please let Marie Allen (Ashby) or Cyril Auty (Measham) know as soon as possible. The next claim for tax back, goes in soon after the end of June, so we need to know as soon as possible. Conversely, if you do pay enough tax, please sign a Gift Aid Declaration if you have not done so yet. Again, please see Marie or Cyril. Fr Colin will pass on messages to them if necessary.
And finally, if you are a taxpayer and don't yet gift aid your giving, you can download the the gift aid form here. The download also includes a letter from Bishop Malcolm, and a standing order form if you decide to give in this way. We can give you the parish bank account details or fill them in for you. Just return the completed form(s) to Marie Allen at Ashby, Cyril Auty at Measham, or to Fr Colin.

I don't like talking about parish finances, but it is important to do this from time to time. It will probably be a year before the next update!

Most Holy Trinity Newsletter - 14/15 June

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Tuesday 10 June 2014

A different experience of the Mass

Thank you for being so understanding while the new carpet was being laid and we had our weekday Masses in the Sacred Heart Chapel. I have had some interesting, and generally positive, feedback from those who experienced the different environment. It was, I think, the first time I had celebrated Mass facing the same direction as the people in my sixteen years of priesthood. I thought it would be very strange, but it felt more comfortable than I expected.
A parishioner who was there last week sent me this link. Some of what this American priest says rings true to my own experience of last week. I have no plans to change the usual way we celebrate Mass. However, I am glad that what happened through necessity seems to have been a source of grace for a number of people, including your priest.

Thursday 5 June 2014

Pentecost Newsletter - 7/8 June

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Pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire us as individuals and as a community this weekend. You might like to listen to the traditional Sequence, to aid your prayer.


Holy Spirit, Lord of light,
From Thy clear celestial height
Thy pure beaming radiance give.

Come, Thou Father of the poor,
Come with treasures which endure,
Come, Thou Light of all that live.

Thou, of all consolers best,
Thou, the soul’s delightful Guest,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.

Thou in toil art comfort sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Solace in the midst of woe.

Light immortal, Light divine,
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill.

If Thou take Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.

Heal our wounds; our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away.

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore,
In Thy sevenfold gifts descend:

Give them comfort when they die,
Give them life with Thee on high;
Give them joys that never end.

Tuesday 3 June 2014

CAFOD event in Derby

“The hidden emergency in the Central African Republic...
... CAFOD and British Muslim Aid Agencies working together to respond”.
Talk by Catherine Mahony, CAFOD Emergency Coordinator
Tuesday 17th June, 7pm for 7.15 pm start
St George’s Parish Centre, Derby DE23 8SZ

Since December 2013, the Central African Republic has witnessed increasing violence that has killed tens of thousands of people, leaving over 600,000 people homeless inside the country, and 350,000 more fleeing into neighbouring countries. An average 74% of households in Bossangoa, in the north-west of the country, have had their homes destroyed  and  stocks of seeds and agricultural tools lost as a result of looting or fires. CAFOD, Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid and the Muslim Charities Forum have launched a joint mission in the country to help the 2.5 million people – over half of the population – who are directly affected by the crisis and the over a third of the population who are in urgent need of food.

Bishop's Certificate in Catechesis

It was good to have Julia Palmer speaking to us at at the 10am Mass on Sunday about this, and it is good to report that we already have some takers for the course to be held in Shepshed starting in September. This is strongly recommended for all who prepare people for Holy Communion and Confirmation,  and those involved in RCIA and Children's Liturgy of the Word. More details and application form here - please print, complete and return form to Fr Colin.

From Deacon Andrew

As some of you may be aware, recently one of my brothers and my two sisters were diagnosed with cancer – all within the same week.
My sister Liz who lives in New Zealand, has already had surgery but has been told she now needs further surgery. My sister Mary’s cancer is more advanced than first thought and she is facing surgery followed by more treatment. My brother Paul has been told his cancer is inoperable and he is now under the care of the palliative care team in Birmingham. He has been told his prognosis is only weeks to months. Along with all this, my Mom remains very frail and is living with dementia.
People have asked me if all this has tested my faith. People have also asked me how I am managing to cope with all this.
The answer to the first question is – no.
The answer to the second question is – prayer.
Our greatest prayer is the Mass.
My work at the hospice gives me the great privilege of seeing firsthand the power of the Sacraments.
Two Sundays ago I was still reeling from the terrible news, when, during Mass I was given a truly wonderful blessing.
At Holy Communion, as I held the chalice, I looked down at the precious blood – and was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of God’s peace and pure unconditional love. It was then that I heard Jesus clearly say “the days ahead will be very difficult; but do not be afraid, you do not face them alone.....I am with you.”
People have been very kind and supportive, and promised to keep me and my family in their prayers – for which I am very grateful and I would ask you please to continue.
In turn I pray that we, as a community, continue to grow in faith and love for the wonderful and precious gift of God in the Eucharist.
“Let Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament speak to your heart.” St John Paul II