CHRISTMAS 2012

Yesterday at noon I celebrated a Vigil Mass at the Ilford Hospital Chapel which included the Blessing of the Crib and the Angelus. I was pleasantly surprised by the numbers who came to support this Mass some of whom I have not seen previously and bearing in mind that many who normally come to Mass on a Thursday will be attending their own churches for Midnight Mass etc.

It was then home and lunch, and then of to St. Augustine’s, Rush Green,  for the packed Christingle Service at 4.30 at which I played the organ. Home afterwards for a few hours then back for the a wonderful Midnight Mass at which I preached and concelebrated. After Mass and a very welcome sherry and mince pie home to bed for a few hours then back again for the Mass of the Day. The weather was quite shocking, thunder, lightning and teaming rain plus partly flooded roads which sadly prevented some from being able to get to church.

After Mass to our daughter and son-in-laws for a splendid Christmas Dinner followed by enjoying watching our grandchildren open their presents. All together a great Christmas and it’s not over yet. Tomorrow our daughter and family will come to us and on Friday our son, our daughter-in-law and our other two grandchildren will be coming. On Saturday we have a Carol/Christmas Music Concert at the Chapel.

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS

 

 

 

May all readers of this blog have a very Happy Christmas

 

 

 

 

THE HOSPITAL CHAPEL OF ST. MARY AND ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY

 

CHRISTMAS EVE

12 noon Angelus, Vigil Mass, Blessing of Crib and Preparation for Christmas.

Confessions  from 11.30 a.m.

Thursday

St. John the Evangelist

12.35 p.m. MASS

ADVENT 4 Hail Mary, full of Grace

Of all women you are the most blessed and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Pope Paul VI–now declared Venerable

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI advanced the sainthood cause of Pope Paul VI by recognizing the Italian pope as having lived the Christian virtues in a heroic way.

During a meeting Dec. 20 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, the pope signed the decree approving the heroic virtues of Pope Paul VI, making him "venerable." Before Pope Paul can be beatified, the Vatican must recognize that a miracle has occurred through his intercession.

Born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897 in the northern Italian province of Brescia, Pope Paul VI is probably best remembered for seeing the Second Vatican Council through to its end and helping implement its far-reaching reforms.

Amid the strains and pressures following Vatican II, he received the nickname the "Hamlet pope," for his reportedly anguished decision-making and his evident suffering over problems of the church. However, he was also remembered as a strong leader who decisively guided the church through a time of crisis.

Pope Paul was the first modern pontiff to start visiting local churches around the globe, making nine major trips abroad.

Prior to his election, he spent more than 30 years helping to run the Vatican's diplomatic machinery at the Secretariat of State, but his diplomatic skills never overshadowed his priestly love of serving those in need.

He worked on behalf of prisoners and the politically persecuted during World War II, pleaded for peace to world leaders, appealed for the lives of condemned terrorists and kidnapped politicians, and donated the papal tiara to raise money for the poor.

He was elected pope in 1963 and died at age 80 in 1978. The Rome Diocese officially opened his sainthood cause in 1993.

THE SEE OF WHITBY

I was very sad today when I heard the news that Father Philip North has withdrawn his acceptance of becoming the new Bishop of Whitby but will remain at his present parish of Old St. Pancras where he is Team Rector..

This is a great loss not only to the people of the See of Whitby but to Anglo-Catholics generally.

Fr. North said in a statement issued on the Diocese of London website: “It was a great honour to be chosen for this role and I had been very much looking forward to taking up the position.

“However, in the light of the recent vote in the General Synod and having listened to the views of people in the archdeaconry of Cleveland, I have concluded that it is not possible for me, at this difficult time for our Church, to be a focus for unity.

“I have therefore decided that it is better to step aside at this stage.

“I have reached this decision after a time of deep reflection and feel sure that it is for the best. I now look forward to refocusing my energies on the pastoral needs of my parish.”

Bishop of London the Rt Rev Richard Chartres said: “I can understand the reasons for Philip’s decision. He is a gifted and energetic priest and I am glad that he remains in this diocese to continue his outstanding work in Camden Town.”

TRADEGY IN CONNECTICUT

The awful events at Newton Sandy Hook Elementary School has shocked people around the world. 28 are dead of which 20 were very young children. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that the American gun laws have a lot to answer for both in this tragic event and several others in the last few years. I was impressed by one father who lost a child. In a moving statement he said that we must pray for the victims and their families who are mourning their loss but we should also pray for the perpetrator and his family as well. That father illustrated how the Light of Christ can shine through such dreadful circumstances.

Rest grant unto them O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

May they Rest in Peace and rise in glory.