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 readingA 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 readingThe 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 readingToday 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 readingOur 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 readingTraditionally 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 readingTo reduce the pressure for places at Masses on Christmas Day, it has been announced that the obligation to attend Mass on Christmas Day itself has been extended to cover the Octave of Christmas. This means that to fulfil this obligation parishioners are able to attend any Mass up to
Continue readingTo reduce the pressure for places at Masses on Christmas Day, it has been announced that the obligation to attend Mass on Christmas Day itself has been extended to cover the Octave of Christmas. This means that to fulfil this obligation parishioners are able to attend any Mass up to
Continue readingToday’s gospel, the account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand from Matthew 15, reflects the important Advent theme of the Banquet of God’s kingdom, also in our first reading today from Isaiah 25. Banquets and large meals, normally a feature of Advent and Christmas, are something we can only
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