A REMINDER TO MEMBERS OF THE REDBRIDGE AND HAVERING ORDINARIATE EXPLORATORY GROUP

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON MONDAY 17th DECEMBER AT ST. AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH, RUSH GREEN.

MASS 7.30 P.M. FOLLOWEDS BY SEASONAL REFRESHMENTS.

IT IS HOPED THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE DATES FOR MEETINGS IN 2012 BY THEN

ADVENT 3

PRAYER FOR ADVENT 3

Stir up thy power, O Lord,
and with great might come among us;
and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost,
be honour and glory, world without end. Amen

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

QUITE A WEEK

On Thursday I went to New Rush Hall School for their theatrical production “A Christmas Cowell”. It was quite brilliant and very funny; a shame that after all the hard work by staff and pupils there was only one performance.It was written by one of the staff who also took a leading role.

New Rush Hall is a special school for young people aged 5 to 16 years who have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. Pupils attending the school have a Statement of Special Education Needs which outlines their behavioural, emotional and social needs as well as any learning difficulties.

Friday and some of the other Governors were entertained to lunch prepared by the pupils. . They have to devise the menu and cost it, send out invitations then do the purchasing prior to cooking it. We enjoyed home made Leek and Potato Soup, a buffet main course with turkey, smoked salmon, honeyed chicken salad, delicious finger sandwiches, and mixed salads. Then on to profiteroles, fresh fruit, mince pies, coffee or tea. After lunch we enjoyed a cabaret by a very talented magician who was one of the children who had prepared lunch and who had taken part in the previous day’s production.. The average age of those who prepared the meal was 13 – quite brilliant.

Today it was the Birthday Party for two of our Grandchildren in St Augustine’s Church Hall. They had a splendid time with their friends and to make the event special Father Christmas (Father Martin) came at the end and gave every child a present. Some very tired and happy children went home and some even more tired grandparents and parents, then tidied up before they went home totally exhausted.

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

 

 

To the Virgin Immaculate

O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon me thine eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech thee to extend to me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of danger for my soul. And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate my heart to thee for ever, my only desire being to love thy divine Son Jesus. Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved. Amen

Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian,

O pure and immaculate and likewise blessed Virgin, who art the sinless Mother of thy Son, the mighty Lord of the universe, thou who art inviolate and altogether holy, the hope of the hopeless and sinful, we sing thy praises. We bless thee, as full of every grace, thou who didst bear the God-Man: we all bow low before thee; we invoke thee and implore thine aid. Rescue us, O holy and inviolate Virgin, from every necessity that presses upon us and from all the temptations of the devil. Be our intercessor and advocate at the hour of death and judgement; deliver us from the fire that is not extinguished and from the outer darkness; make us worthy of the glory of thy Son, O dearest and most clement Virgin Mother. Thou indeed art our only hope, most sure and sacred in God's sight, to whom be honor and glory, majesty and dominion, for ever and ever, world without end. Amen.

St. Nicholas’ Day

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of having 60+ children aged around 6 from the local primary school visit St. Augustine’s Church. I talked for a little about St. Nicholas, we made a Christingle, put together a crib, burnt some incense, had a walk round the church and sang “Away in a Manger”. It was a delightful time with some really delightful children.

Then it was over to Barkingside for H. L. Hawes Ltd annual Pre-Christmas Drinks. Hawes, an old established, well known and respected local firm of Funeral Directors holds this event every year for clergy and others and a very pleasant evening it is. When we leave every one is given a Christmas Hamper and a year's calendar.

VALIDITY?

In an article on the Catholic Herald Blog, by Father Alexander Lucie-Smith, he accuses some Anglican priests of practising deception when he writes: “Moreover the persons attempting to celebrate Mass are not recognised as priests by the Roman Catholic Church. In short, the visitor from France or Italy may see what looks like the Mass, but what is in fact not the Mass. Now, a question: they would clearly be deceived in thinking that what is going on before them is a Roman Catholic Mass. But is this because they have deceived themselves, or is it because the vicar has deceived them? Does the vicar tell them that they are in an Anglican church? Or does he leave them to assume that the church is, somehow or another, “Catholic”?

Over the years many “Roman” Catholics have worshipped where I have been the Vicar. I have never deceived them and have tried to make it very clear that we are part of the Church of England, practising the Catholic faith. We are not “Roman” Catholics but “Anglo” Catholics pointing out that whilst we are not under the jurisdiction of the Holy Father we pray for him as well as the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Archbishop of Canterbury etc. We had one family, from Italy, who whilst temporally living in the UK, regularly came to Mass. Their Italian priest, in charge of one of the leading churches in Rome, was well aware of the fact that we were an Anglican Church. He asked me to prepare one of the children for their First Confession and First Communion, which was to be made at their home church, which I willing did. In another instance an RC came to Mass, fully aware we were Anglicans, eventually deciding to go back to a local RC Church. She stayed just a few weeks before returning as she felt so unwelcome with little or no fellowship in the RC Church.

Fr. Lucie-Smith also comments: “the persons attempting to celebrate Mass are not recognised as priests by the Roman Catholic Church.” To which my answer is: am I that bothered? As far I am concerned my ordination is perfectly valid and the fact that Rome doesn’t recognise it is sad. It is one of the reasons that I am still debating the Ordinariate. As I have said many times on the Blog, it is a very generous offer from the Holy Father and one which I fully support and would like eventually to be able to take up but the question I have to resolve is, am I willing to deny that everything I have done previously is invalid and consequently of little or no value……..something I can’t believe……that the Sacraments I have celebrated, including the Blessed Sacrament, Penance, Ministry to the Sick and Dying etc. are totally valueless. If I accept the arguments advocated by Fr. Lucie-Smith that must be the case.

ADVENT 2

COLLECT

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you, and the Holy Spirit be honour and glory, now and for ever. AMEN

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN