Monday 31 October 2016

A thought for all Saint's Day.

Last year I posted this reflection for All Saint's Day. A number of people told me at the time that they appreciated it, so I thought it worth linking to it again.

Just a reminder of the Masses over these next important Days.

All Saints - Holy Day of Obligation
Mon 31 7.00pm    Mass OLOL
Tue 1     9.00am    Mass OLOL
              10.30am  Mass St Charles School

All Souls
Wed 2   9.00am     Mass OLOL
             10.30am    Mass St Charles' Church/Hall
             7.00pm      Mass OLOL

Thursday 27 October 2016

Wednesday 26 October 2016

New document on burial and cremation

Pope Francis has approved a new instruction on burial and cremation. You can read the full text here.

Among the main points are:

  • In memory of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord, the mystery that illumines the Christian meaning of death, burial is above all the most fitting way to express faith and hope in the resurrection of the body.
  • In circumstances when cremation is chosen because of sanitary, economic or social considerations, this choice must never violate the explicitly-stated or the reasonably inferable wishes of the deceased faithful. The Church raises no doctrinal objections to this practice, since cremation of the deceased’s body does not affect his or her soul, nor does it prevent God, in his omnipotence, from raising up the deceased body to new life. 
  • When, for legitimate motives, cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is, in a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority.
  • ... the conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence is not permitted.
  • ...it is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewellery or other objects. 

Saturday 22 October 2016

World Mission Sunday


World Mission Sunday falls on the penultimate Sunday in October. Donations are collected at Mass and they go, in their entirety, to support churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. World Mission Sunday is our chance to show love and solidarity to our brothers and sisters overseas who share our faith. In offering our prayers, we join with missionaries everywhere in communion and compassion to support them in spreading the Good News, and by giving a donation we respond to Christ's call to feed the hungry and clothe the naked.
Missio is responsible for coordinating World Mission Sunday and provides new, young or poor dioceses with the essential support they need on their journey to becoming self-sufficient.
Missio works through local bishops, churches and missionary congregations to ensure that resources are distributed equitably and justly – on the basis of need. The money goes directly from England and Wales to the bishops in the mission territories - local church directly helping local church!
The short film below demonstrates the importance of World Mission Sunday, please watch it and share it with friends who are also passionate about their faith.
Thirty-eight years ago today, the papacy of St John Paul II was inaugurated. In his homily, the new Pope said this:
Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power. Help the Pope and all those who wish to serve Christ and with Christ's power to serve the human person and the whole of mankind. Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of States, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development. Do not be afraid. Christ knows "what is in man". He alone knows it.
So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility and trust, let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, yes, of eternal life.
Precisely today the whole Church is celebrating "World Mission Day"; that is, she is praying, meditating and acting in order that Christ's words of life may reach all people and be received by them as a message of hope, salvation, and total liberation.

Newsletter for 22/23 October - Sunday 30(C)

Click here to read the latest newsletter/

Saturday 15 October 2016

This weekend's readings...

...speak of prayer. Throughout the week, as I have reflected on them, I have constantly thought of a hymn which was familiar and precious to me in my Anglican days. It is actually by a 18/19th century Scot, James Montgomery, a member of the Moravian community. You might like to reflect on it as we think about prayer this weekend.

Lord, teach us how to pray aright,
with reverence and with fear;
though dust and ashes in thy sight,
we may, we must draw near. 

We perish if we cease from prayer,
O grant us power to pray!
And when to meet thee we prepare,
Lord, meet us by the way. 

God of all grace, we bring to thee
a broken, contrite heart;
give, what thine eye delights to see,
truth in the inward part.

Faith in the only sacrifice
that can for sin atone;
to build our hopes, to fix our eyes,
on Christ, on Christ alone; 

Patience to watch and wait and weep,
though mercy long delay;
courage our fainting souls to keep,
and trust thee though thou slay*. 

Give these, and then thy will be done;
thus strengthened with all might,
we through thy Spirit and thy Son,
shall pray, and pray aright.

* The challenging words at the end of the penultimate verse are based on a great cry of trust from the thirteenth chapter of the book Job.

Thursday 13 October 2016

Sunday 9 October 2016

Music night in the crypt.

Music in the Crypt on Friday 14th October at 19:30.
Folk group Tangent will be performing. Fine music and vocals.
Please bring your own beverages.

Advance notice of a further Music night on Friday 28th October.

Thursday 6 October 2016