Solemnity of the Epiphany
We begin this evening the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Live-streamed Masses: Vigil Mass 6pm this evening, Masses tomorrow at 10am and 6pm. God bless and take care Fr Ashley
Continue readingChurch is closing
It is with a very heavy heart I have made the decision to close the church. The soaring numbers of Covid19 cases in this area has led me to believe we must protect our parishioners and do everything we can to prevent the continuing spread. So, after this evening’s 6.00
Continue readingNew Year’s Day – World Day of Prayer for Peace
Tomorrow is the World Day of Prayer for Peace and here are details of the Holy Father’s message for this: Pope World Day of Peace message: no peace without a “culture of care” – Vatican News. The complete text of the Holy Father’s message is available HERE. Please pray especially
Continue readingFather George Webster SSC
Some of you may remember Father George Webster SSC who was for some years Parish Priest of St Patrick’s, Chislehurst. He was retired and living in a community of his congregation and we heard the news earlier today that he died peacefully yesterday. Fr George was good at supporting events
Continue readingChildermas – Feast of the Holy Innocents
Today is the feast of the Holy Innocents – traditionally called ‘Childermas’ in England. As I write this I am watching the great film epic ‘Jesus of Nazareth’; Herod is chillingly played by the great Peter Ustinov, and the slaughter of the boys is depicted vividly. This feast day speaks
Continue readingMusic at Christmas
A huge thank you to our three choirs who have returned to making music for us to listen to during Mass. For safety reasons they are limited to singing from the balcony and they have to carefully choose what they sing so the congregation doesn’t instinctively join in with them
Continue readingFourth Sunday of Advent: Sea Sunday
The fourth candle of Advent is called the ‘Angel Candle’ and symbolizes peace. This name comes from the fact that the angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace (Luke 2:14). This week we are reminded that Jesus came to bring peace to our hearts and to our world! Today
Continue reading‘O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High…’
Today in the calendar we begin the final countdown to Christmas, a week before Christmas Eve. Advent changes gear and becomes much more focussed on the coming of Christ, so no more saints’ days for now. The days of this period from today are also linked to special songs or
Continue readingThe short book of Zephaniah
Our first reading at Mass today is a rare extract from the short book of Zephaniah (3:1-2, 9-13 – it’s a pity verses 3 – 8 are missed out in the lectionary as they contain searing condemnation of the rulers of the kingdom), who probably dates from the 7th century
Continue readingGaudete Sunday, 2020
Traditionally the third Sunday of Advent is a day when we lift briefly the purple austerity of the season – so ordinarily the organ is allowed and flowers, and we wear rose pink vestments. It’s known as ‘Gaudete Sunday’, from the entrance antiphon, ‘Rejoice in the Lord…’ from Philippians.
Continue reading