Our Lady of the Rosary

Traditionally October is one of the two months dedicated to Our Lady (along with May) and this one has a specific emphasis on the rosary. This is one of the few prayers that people from a secular or different religious background know that we pray although they don't always seem to know why or have a true understanding of what it even is. Some see the rosary as simply a thing, just a little string of beads which can be plain and plastic or ornate and made of precious metals and adorned with semi-precious stones. On one level that is, of course, correct; physically the rosary is just a little string of beads. But is that all there is to it? Is it simply an ornament of our faith, something we aimlessly carry around in our pocket or wear as jewellery?

Fra Angelico's Annunciation

What makes the rosary so appealing to us as Catholics is that there is so much beauty and depth in it that you can pray it for years and only partially enter into it. Each day we are given five different mysteries to contemplate, five different episodes from the life of our Lord and our Lady which open up to us the magnitude of God's love for us, what he has done for each of us and how he wants us to respond to him. Even though we have heard those passages from Scripture time and time again we get very little opportunity in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives to really let their message sink in, to take a few minutes to ponder what they mean (and what they mean for us as individuals; what is God asking of me today?) and in the rosary we are invited to do just that. In between our home and work life this may be the one time we get to really open ourselves up to God in this way and it is certainly never wasted.

And of course the real beauty in the rosary comes from whom we are praying with; the Blessed Virgin herself. At the annunciation she gave her soul-felt "yes!" which she meant not only then but continues to live on, her whole life and prayers are poured out in the service of God, she says "yes!" to him again and again as she, with motherly care, intercedes for us here on earth. And why would we not want her help? Who knew Jesus better than his mother? Who better is there to lead us into a greater understanding of who Christ is than the woman who carried him in her womb, who nursed him and watched him grow, followed him with the deepest humility and devotion, and stood by as he was nailed to the cross to reconcile us to the Father? And even though we may say 53 Hail Mary's in each rosary she takes no praise or glory for herself but offers our prayers to God.

If it were not a Sunday today would be the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. But even so, why not say one today yourself? And why not make the effort to make this October a special month of prayer with our Lady? There is a rosary being said at St. John's at 6pm this evening or there are the regular times on Fridays (after 10am Mass) and Saturdays (before 10am Mass).

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

Singing the Night away

The Pleasure Singers

Last Thursday we were regaled with song by two fabulous choirs; The Pleasure Singers and the Rowland Singers. Although dark and damp and dreary outside with the typically British weather the atmosphere in the Church was fantastic! They raised over £300 and in the end all of the proceeds went to Aila's Fund.

Francesco De Antonis

Today is the 90th birthday of the great and good Francesco De Antonis

We wish Francesco many happy returns of the day.

The 10am Mass of Our Lady of Walsingham is offered for Francesco and afterwards we are invited to coffee and birthday cake in the hall.

Preparation for the Sacraments

The children preparing for the sacraments of reconciliation and First Holy Communion began their preparation yesterday.
At a packed 11am Mass they received their Missals. We pondered the gospel. Brothers argue about all sorts of things, not least who is the greatest! In Our Lord Jesus Christ we find our true greatness, our greatness is found in Him and in the grace of the sacraments. The beautiful truths of the life of grace will become more deeply rooted in the lives of these children. Please pray for the 36 children in the parish preparing for the sacraments.
After Mass parents, children, catechists and clergy had lunch together. It was a lovely beginning.

Youth Cafe

Youth Cafe begins again tonight. It's the Feast of St Matthew so we are taking the opportunity to look at Scripture and St Matthew's Gospel especially. Weclome back all, and a warm welcome to all newcomers. 

Meeting Christ in the Eucharist

Today at the 9am and 11am we saw, once again, the children who received Holy Communion for the first time earlier in the summer for their 'Going Forth' Mass. It was really wonderful to see them all there, dressed up in their little white dresses and smart suits, receiving Our Lord in the Eucharist so reverently and then to have Fr. Richard give each of them a certificate reminding them of this day as well as a book written by Pope Benedict XVI in which he reflects on his memories of receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

As adults we can easily forget the initial excitement and anticipation of receiving the Eucharist for the first time, as time goes by we accept it as a regular part of our lives as Catholics and, sometimes, fall into the trap of taking it for granted. But when we see these children going forward each year it is not only an invitation for them to enter more deeply into a relationship with Jesus but also for us, an opportunity for us to reflect on what this gift of God, his very Body and Blood, is and what it means that he is prepared to come and meet us in this way and not only be with us but be one with us and we one with him.

Here's a lovely little excerpt from the book Pope Benedict wrote. Perhaps we all might find it helpful when we struggle to see the Eucharist through the eyes of a child and the eyes of faith.

"Some of you have already made your First Holy Communion, and others are preparing for it. The day of my First Holy Communion was one of the most beautiful days of my life. It is the same for you, isn’t it? And why is that? It’s not only because of our nice clothes or the gifts we receive, nor even because of the parties! It is above all because, that day, we receive Jesus Christ for the first time! When I receive Communion, Jesus comes to live in me. I should welcome him with love and listen closely to him. In the depths of my heart, I can tell him, for example: “Jesus, I know that you love me. Give me your love so that I can love you in return and love others with your love. I give you all my joys, my troubles and my future.” Do not hesitate, dear children, to speak of Jesus to others. He is a treasure whom you should share generously. Throughout the history of the Church, the love of Jesus has filled countless Christians, and even young people like yourselves, with courage and strength. In this way, Saint Kizito, a Ugandan boy, was put to death because he wanted to live according to the baptism which he had just received. Kizito prayed. He realized that God is not only important, but that he is everything."

And finally the finished Church!

Sorry it has taken so long to get these pictures uploaded and you have all now seen the result of the eight weeks labour whilst the Church was closed, but here they are nonetheless!