Friday, May 30, 2008

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us


It is already Friday. Much of my time is currently being taken up by marking GCSE Modern Languages speaking tests. On average each test takes about 10-12 minutes and a typical allocation, per language is 275 candidates. The work of the candidates I am currently examining is proving to be a very relaxing and enjoyable exercise. The majority of the 170 odd candidates, which I have so far managed to mark, had been well trained to cope with the demands of the exam. As part of the test many candidates talk about their favourite celebrities. I am glad to say that I have learned a lot about people of whom I have never heard, but sad to say that I have learned nothing new about the people of whom I have heard!
This evening, Mass will be offered at Batley's St. Mary of the Angels for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Why not attend - with a view to starting the first of the next series of First Friday Masses, starting next Friday -6th. June?

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Mass for St. Bede at Bewerley Grange


This evening we had Mass at Bewerley Grange to celebrate the Feast of St. Bede. A good crowd of people, including Canon O'Hara, the local Parish Priest, braved the foggy weather for the Missa Cantata. In his sermon Father Parfitt spoke about the life of the Venerable Bede and made reference to the role of the life of monks exemplified by the life of St. Bede the Benedictine and the Cistercians of Fountains.

Monday, May 26, 2008

A quiet day





Holidays are finally here and I have spent some of the day snoozing, some of the day reading and looking at photographs by Robert Doisneau (my favourite photographer) and I managed to mark 25 GCSE German speaking tests. I had a quick conversation with the LMS General Manager, Mr. Medlin about recent initiatives and then retrained myself in creating textboxes and other basic functions, using Windows Office 2007. At the same time I discovered how to use Office to create blog posts which will, I hope, save me a lot of time. Grandparents are very useful things! The reason I was able to do all this was down to them taking the younger children out for the day.

A trip out




Following Mass on Sunday afternoon, the eight of us took the short drive to Kirkstall Abbey where, following my recent e-mail to the authorities to ask for details about the procedure for organizing a Mass there, I was able to take a few pictures to help me visualize what we could do.

I am still waiting to hear from the authorities at Kirkstall.

Mass of Corpus Christi





Following our votive Mass of Corpus Christi on Thursday we had a traditional Mass for the Feast of Corpus Christi today at one of our latest venues, Our Lady of Lourdes, Cardigan Road, Leeds. This was a Low Mass, with singing, followed by an indoor procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. It was very nice to hear the comments of the parishioners not used to hearing the old Mass. One Italian lady was very visibly moved by the whole experience and thanked God for giving her the opportunity to attend that one and look forward to the next one there on the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul. Another Lady, who had never experienced the old Rite was equally impressed and said she would go to the next Mass. We are grateful to the Parish Priest, Rev. Peter Kravos, for allowing us the use of the church and arranging for his very kind sacristan to open up for us in his absence having left for the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. Today's celebrant, Father Tim Wiley, will be joining the pilgrimage to Lourdes on Monday, returning on Friday to celebrate a Low Mass for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Mary of the Angels, Cross Bank Road, Batley at 7.30p.m. In his sermon today, Fr. Tim drew heavily on the teachings of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, to reiterate the value of devotion to the Blessed Eucharist.
Due to the kindness of the Parish Priest it is now almost certain that Our Lady of Lourdes, Cardigan Road, will soon become a regular venue for the Traditional Rite of Mass. Watch this space!
On a sad note, please pray for the repose of the soul of Mgr. George Bradley, former parish priest of that area of Leeds, who recently died. Mgr. Bradley, an old St. Bede's boy from Bradford, once offered Vespers and Benediction at my old school Cardinal Hinsley Grammar School, Tong, Bradford and was spoken of very highly by the Headmaster, Walter Earnshaw. I never had the fortune to meet Mgr. Bradley in person but I always read his contributions to the Catholic Voice and the Catholic Post about local Catholic buildings with great interest and enthusiasm.




Saturday, May 24, 2008

+++Prayers, please, for Mrs. Rita Richards

Mrs. Richards is the wife of Professor Bernard Richards, former MC at Broughton and MC of the Salford Diocese. A stalwart of English Martyrs' Parish in South Manchester Mrs. Richards has suffered a serious stroke and is in need of our prayers. Please pray for Rita's husband, Bernard, and the rest of their large family. Father Parfitt's Mass at Pateley Bridge on Tuesday's Feast of St. Bede will be offered for her.

All in the life of a rep.....



Today was an early start for me in order to travel to Birmingham for the Mass and LMS Reps and Committee meeting at St. Chad's Cathedral. Starting at 11.00a.m. the meeting continued until 12.55, when we adjourned for Low Mass in the Cathedral. Father Paul Chavasse of the Oratory spoke of his joy at offering the old Mass there again, after an interval of 26 years. The congregation heard Father preach about St. Chad, whose remains are encased in the Cathedral, and how at the time of the Reformation these same remains were secreted away from Lichfield Cathedral to recusant safehouses, coming eventually to rest in the Catholic Cathedral down the road in Birmingham hundreds of years later.

Lunch followed Mass where the usual networking took place. I was able to answer the questions a young Rep asked me about this blog and what was involved in setting it up. I was able to chat with another Rep who told me most eloquently of her memories of her late uncle Clifford Howell SJ. I spoke with the Cardiff Rep about the stress involved with the cancellation of the Mass at the Cathedral last week. On reflection I really do wonder what the Cathedral Dean thought he hoped to achieve.

The meeting resumed directly after lunch and continued until about 3.15p.m. The entire meeting had an extraordinary (pardon the pun) and positive feel to it. Having not attended such a meeting since well before the promulgation of Summorum Pontificum, the change of mood was, for me, palpable. God bless the Pope!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Talking of things medieval


Having blogged about Kirkstall last night it was a pleasant surprise to receive a telephone call today from Father Parfitt to relay an invitation to us from the good people of Markenfield Hall. The Mass is scheduled for the Feast of Saint Henry, 15th. July at 7.00p.m. If you have not attended Mass here before you will be most welcome and totally enchanted with the beautiful surroundings , especially on a summer night. The Hall is steeped in history and is closely linked with the rising of the North and is still surrounded with its moat. The hall is an Ecclesiastical Peculiar and as such is not under the local Anglican Bishop's jurisdiction, but is a sort of parish in its own right.

Follow the story


I recently referred to the possibilty of Mass at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds. A couple of evenings ago I e-mailed Leeds Council's Kirkstall Abbey e-address to request details of the procedure for such an event. I will keep you updated and at the same time show how much work can go into organizing a single Mass. I hope that everything will run smoothly, but if it doesn't, I shall at least be able to share my frustration!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Votive Mass of Corpus Christi

One of our Masses today was an evening votive Mass of Corpus Christi. This was a Low Mass and was followed with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the church and Benediction. It was, as somebody commented afterwards, 50 minutes of heaven. It was also nice to see one of the new sisters from the convent in attendance. A reminder that Sunday is officially Corpus Christi in England and Wales and that there will be Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes, Cardigan Road, Leeds at 3.00p.m. Mass will be followed by a procession and Benediction.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Mass at Churwell

This evening saw a first for us, as Mass was offered at the Church of St. Brigid, Churwell, Leeds, by Father Richard Aladics, the Parish Priest. Half the congregation were members and the other half were local parishioners. The Mass of the day (for the first Sunday after Pentecost) without Gloria or Credo, was Low Mass, with sung Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. The end of the Mass saw the singing of Sweet Heart of Jesus. Our profound thanks to Father Aladics and we hope it isn't too long before we are back there again.

Parents and teachers beware of poorly eyes!

There appears to be a new fad amongst the kids at the school where I work. Taking advantage of the recent good weather some have taken to rubbing "Vicks" menthol chest rub into their eyes and then approaching the school nurse or their teacher to try get out of school, complaining of hay fever or "conjuntdivvies". After the way my year 9 GCSE group behaved this morning, just three days before the listening exam, I'm wondering if a pot of Vicks might be just what the doctor ordered for me tomorrow just before period 5!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Mass for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Mass will be offered to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday May 30th. at 7.30p.m. at the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, Cross Bank Road , Batley. Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offences and negligence, have mercy on us.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Regular York Masses


A reminder to those living in the York area; Mass is offered each first and third Sunday of the month at English Martyrs Church, Dalton Terrace at 6.00p.m. The regular celebrant is Father William Hudson of the Institute of Christ the King.

Now available: More favourite choral works, CD

This compilation is sung by the traditional Latin Mass Choir of St. Dominic's Priory Church in Newcastle. The CD is available from Mr. Jack Harvey, Flat 3, 6a Osborne Villas, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 1JU for £5.99 (inc P&P). Please make cheques payable to St.Dominic's Latin Mass Group.

Communion plate at Papal Mass


On this the anniversary of the birth of Pope John Paul II, His Holiness Pope Benedict offered Mass in Genoa at the Piazza della Vittoria for the Feast of the Blessed Trinity. Genoa is the birthplace of Pope Benedict XV. The musical setting of the Mass was the Missa de Angelis. What I found particularly interesting was not only the prominence of the crucifix on the altar before the Holy Father but also the use of the Communion Plate. Every recipient received the Blessed Sacrament on the tongue and bowed before receiving. Let us hope that these practices spread. I know of three churches in this diocese where the crucifix is situated on the altar before the priest during celebrations of the ordinary Rite of Mass and very refreshing it is to see it.

Another new venue.


Our Lady of Lourdes, Cardigan Road, Leeds.


A couple of months ago we had Mass at this church which has within its parish boundary the beautiful remains of Kirkstall Abbey (see inset picture). Following the Mass permission was sought from and readily given by the Parish Priest, Father Peter Kravos, to make this church a regular venue for the traditional Mass. Thanks to Father for this. This will start in September and details will be published on this blog nearer the time. Before then there are to be two further Masses at this church. The first Mass will be next Sunday, May 25th at 3.00p.m. The second Mass will be on the Feast of Saints Peter And Paul, June 29th. at 3.00p.m. Again I would ask members and supporters to attend these Masses thereby showing support for this initiative and the Mass of ages. In the past it has occured to me to organize a Mass at Kirkstall Abbey and a visit to the new Visitors' Centre rekindled this desire, so watch this space! The Sanctuary of this magnificent ruin is covered and could easily be used to facilitate a Mass. As all Cistercian Houses were dedicated to Our Blessed Lady it would be most fitting for this Mass to be in honour of Her. I shall make the necessary enquiries.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Masses from around the world



Having just looked at the New Liturgical Movement's excellent blogsite I saw some very encouraging pictures of recent celebrations of the traditional Mass. The first picture is at Saint Charles Borromeo's Seminary, Wynnewood PA, America. The second picture is taken before a Solemn High Mass at Washington D.C.'s Georgetown University.
I wonder how long it will be before we have a public Mass in the Extraordinary Form at an English Seminary?

Urgent announcement

From the LMS website.

The Pontifical High Mass in the Traditional Latin Rite due to be offered in Cardiff Cathedral on Sunday 18th. May has been cancelled at the last moment. The LMS withdrew its involvement with this Mass after the Cathedral Dean insisted that a lady server be present in the Sanctuary during Mass. The LMS apologises to members and supporters for the disappointment and inconvenience caused. For those who might wish to register a polite protest the telephone number for the Cathedral Dean is 029 2023 1407. Email cardiff.met.cath@btinternet.com



Comment: I wonder if the Dean is another cleric who senses that the game is up. Who was it who said that even the world is not big enough to hide from the truth?

Mass in Birmingham Cathedral


On Saturday I have to travel to Birmingham Cathedral for Low Mass, to be offered by one of the oratorians, and for a meeting of the Diocesan Representatives with the LMS Committee. This meeting is an annual event and is usually held in London. It will make a nice change not having to go as far and to have the bonus of hearing Mass in a beautiful Pugin Cathedral.

Reminder

We have two evening Masses this week. On Wednesday we are at St. Brigid's, Elland Road, Churwell at 7.30p.m. and on Thursday at St. Mary of the Angels, Cross Bank Road, Batley, again at 7.30p.m. This will be a votive Mass of Corpus Christi.

From this week's Catholic Herald with updated comment.


Cardinal seeks Sunday Latin Mass in every parish.

Parishes should have Sunday Masses in the Extraordinary Form, the Vatican Cardinal in charge of implementing the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum has said.

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, head of the Ecclesia Dei Commission, said in an interview with the Italian magazine Jesus that the 1962 version of the Roman Rite should be celebrated on every Sabbath day.

Discussing the difficulties that have arisen or might arise with the re-institution of the traditional Latin Mass the cardinal said that the shortage of priests should not pose a problem to the use of the older form of the Rite.

He said; "If in a diocese priests are lacking and only three or four faithful request the ordinary Rite, it's a matter of common sense to think that it is difficult to satisfy this request.

"However, since it is the Pope's intention....to grant this treasure for the good of the Church, in a place where there are no priests the best option would be to offer a celebration according to the Extraordinary Form in one of the parish Sunday Masses.

"It would be a Mass for everyone, and everyone, including younger generations, would benefit from the riches of the extraordinary rite, for example, those moments of contemplation that have disappeared in the Novus Ordo."

He also confirmed that he foresees at least one Sunday Mass in the Extraordinary form per parish in the future even if there isn't the "consistent and stable" group described in article five of the Motu Proprio, demanding the traditional Latin Mass.

A number of traditionalists who welcomed the Pope's liberalization of the 1962 rite last year have complained that their requests for Extraordinary Form Masses are obstructed by their bishops, or held on weekdays or on Sundays at unusual times. So the Cardinal's comments re likely to be welcomed by traditionalists.

Last week Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos said that the Extraordinary Form should be available to all, but did not specify whether this included Sunday Masses. In the Jesus magazine interview the Cardinal also clarified what was meant by a "stable group", the definition of which has been a sticking point for bishops, who have said that demand is too low for there to be provision for the older form of Mass.

He said; "This is a matter of common sense; why create problems if the people who ask for the Rite come from different parishes? If they get together and request a Mass, they become a stable group even if they did not know each other before. Also the number (of the group) is a question of goodwill. In some parishes, especially in the countryside, on weekdays the people who come to the ordinary Mass are three or four and the same occurs in not a few religious houses. Why, if those same people request the old Mass, would it be pastorally necessary to refuse it?".....


Comment: Well said Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos! Rome knows that the traditional Mass and those who attend it are not going to go away. Since the implementation of the Pope's motu proprio the Mass has sprouted up again all over the world in a way that even a few years ago would have been considered impossible. The architects of the chaos caused by the poor implementation of the Council's Documents are now understandably filled with angst and all of a sudden have become aware that their work is doomed. Many are the battles they have won but given the promise of Christ that He would be with His church until the end of time they cannot win the war. Indeed this new freshness in the church - shows all the ageing liberals to be living in the past. Tacky liturgy and poor catechises peddled as the "spirit of the Council" are now being scrutinized by Rome. If I were given to schadenfreude I would be delighting in all of this but looking at the havoc these people have wrought over the last four decades it makes me feel quite sick. When Rome speaks there always seems to be a plethora of experts to reinterpret what the Pope is really saying. Why should they change the habit of a lifetime? Thinking of the things which some retired clerics like Basil Loftus write in the Catholic Times and the Tablet, I sometimes wonder which church he is a member of. In these exciting times of renaissance in the Church I think he wonders which church he is in too. He might well feel the same way as many elderly priests did in the mid 1960s and 70s, when they saw all that they held to be true being systematically eliminated. It hurt, but in obedience most went with the flow. The rest, they say, is history. Basil doesn't seem too keen on obedience, citing some demented old aunt who pettily ridiculed the rule of the Eucharistic fast of the time. But at the same time as criticizing such pious rubrics he also very slyly undermines the Church's Teaching on a lot of other things too. Fortunately his pieces are generally so inaccessible that there is seldom any real feedback to his notes in the Catholic Times. Ignore him and he might go away has always been my counsel!
I shall be requesting a votive Mass for the propagation of the Faith!

The Blessed Trinity.


At Mass today, the Feast of the Blessed Trinity, Father David Smith, Parish Priest of St. Marie's, Halifax, longtime friend and celebrant of the Society spoke, unsurprisingly, of the Mystery which is the Blessed Trinity.
Father's brother, much to the chagrin of their mother, liked to take household gadgets to bits but was unable to put them back together again. Father likened this to the impossibility of trying to work out what Almighty God, Three in One, is really like. Our only true conclusion can, he said, be that God is Love and that Triangle of Love was revealed to us at Pentecost when the Holy Ghost descended in tongues of fire.
Following Mass I asked Father if he would be willing to make the the third Saturday evening of each month a regular extraordinary Rite Mass. He agreed immediately.
God willing, from September, this arrangement will become a permanent feature of our Mass Schedule.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

RIP ; Father Paddy Nolan OMI

After picking up a copy of our Diocesan newspaper, the Catholic Post, on a quick visit to Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the Cathedral in Leeds on Wednesday afternoon, I read with great sadness of the death of Father Paddy Nolan O.M.I.
Father Nolan was a regular celebrant (and confessor) at the former Indult Masses at Killingbeck Cemetery Chapel in Leeds. Father offered Mass regularly for us, often aided by walking sticks, following an accident in his sacristy which broke his hip. Father Nolan told my predecessor, Gerry Lyons, and me that he would publicly offer Mass for us whenever we wanted. On one occasion he was celebrant at one of about only five "sanctioned" Masses on Holy Thursday in the whole country. I am sure that anybody who knew him found him to be a very gentle and kind priest from an Order which has been very good to Latin Mass Society in this Diocese over recent years.
I shall be having Mass offered for the repose of his soul on behalf of the Society in this Diocese.
Father Patrick Joseph Nolan O.M.I.
born March 6th. 1926 Westmeath, Eire
died May 7th. 2008 Leeds
May he rest in peace.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

From this week's Catholic Herald

Pope wants Tridentine Masses in every parish, says Vatican official

The Pope wants the Latin Mass to be available in parishes "even if it is not specifically asked for, or requested", according to a senior Vatican official.
Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, said priests should make the extraordinary form available so that "everyone may have access to this treasure of the ancient liturgy of the Church".
In the latest sign that Pope Benedict XVI wants to make the Mass more widely available, the Cardinal made the comments in a Latin Mass DVD put together by the traditionalist group the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in cooperation with Catholic television station EWTN.
The Cardinal added that the Pope wants the old rite to become normal in Parishes, so that "young communities can also become familiar with this Rite" The Ecclesia Dei Commission is tasked with the implementation of Pope Benedict's Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum on the 1962 Latin Mass.
It has been claimed that priests may not celebrate a traditional Mass publicly in their parish unless they have first received a petition from a "stable group". Some bishops have tried to limit the public celebrations of the Tridentine Mass by imposing a minimum number of people in such a group.
But Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos's announcement suggests that priests should use the 1962 Missale Romanum without such requests. Copies of the instructional video on the 1962 Latin Mass will be available to any priest or seminarian who orders it....

Comment: It seems that the Pope is keen not only to preserve the the extraordinary form of the Roman Mass but to promote its use as well. On the DVD Cardinal Castrillon, who will be visiting this country next month, said that the Pope hoped to foster a "spiritual and theological richness"

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Happy Birthday!


Pentecost is the birthday of the Church and we celebrated this today at Batley, St. Mary of the Angels with a Missa cantata - a good number of parishioners joined the congregation and Father Wiley preached about the working of the Holy Spirit breathing life into the Church and the symbolism associated with this. The end of Mass saw the singing of Come, Holy Ghost.

Please note...

Father Abberton will be giving a lecture in the Netherlands next Saturday (May 17th.) and so there will be no Mass at Holy Spirit, Heckmondwike on that day.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

A very special occasion.


For those people who have not yet heard, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, is visiting England on Saturday 14th. May to address the Annual General Meeting of the Latin Mass Society and to be the celebrant at a Pontifical High Mass in Westminster Cathedral at 2.00p.m. I know that my colleagues in London have been working flat out to prepare for this momentous occasion. The LMS chairman, Mr. Julian Chadwick, has rightly requested that the Cathedral be full to show our support and appreciation for his Eminence's gracious acceptance of the Society's invitation.

Advance notice (3)


There will be a votive Mass of Corpus Christi at St. Mary of the Angels, Cross Bank Road, Batley on Thursday 22nd. May at 7.30p.m. This beautiful church is the home of the Batley Torchlight procession which had well over 1200 in attendance on the first Monday of October 2007 and was attended by our bishop, Arthur Roche and auxillary bishop of Westminster, Alan Hopes. This church is where one of our regular first Friday Masses is offered at 7.30p.m. (the other being at Sacred Heart, Broughton, at 9.30a.m.) Incidently on Friday 2nd May, the feast of St. Joseph the worker, my 9 year old son Josef served his first Low Mass on his own. Other than being very eager to carry the book to the Gospel side, he did very well - if I say so myself!

Advance notice (2)


Mass will be offered in a new venue for us, at the church of St. Brigid, Elland Road, Churwell, Leeds, on Wednesday 21st. May at 7.30p.m. by Father Richard Aladics (of the Friends with Christ blog). Please do all you can to attend this Mass to show demand for this venerable Rite of Mass which was freed up by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in his motu proprio Summorum Pontificum last July.

Advance notice (1)


Mass will be offered once again by Father Parfitt at the beautiful medieval Bewerley Grange chapel to celebrate the Feast of St. Bede, on Tuesday May 27th. at 7.00p.m. It is hoped that this will be Missa cantata. Bewerley was built by the monks of nearby Fountains Abbey and the east wall of the chapel bears the initials of Abbot Huby. In its long history the chapel was also a domestic dwelling, a workshop and a schoolroom before reverting to a place of worship in the 1960s. We have had several Masses here over recent years and are grateful to the local vicar for allowing us use of the chapel.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Welcome!


Welcome to this blog on which you will find the times of Masses, other events and issues of interest to traditional Catholics in the Diocese of Leeds. The LMS in this diocese is under the patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham and St. Nicholas Owen and the Blessed English Martyrs. Please bear with me as I learn the ins and outs of blogging I hope to post a new blog at least weekly to begin with.
REGULAR MASSES IN LEEDS DIOCESE

Every 1st. Sunday of the Month - Broughton Hall, near Skipton, 11.30a.m. Missa cantata.
- Holy Spirit, Bath Road, Heckmondwike. 2.30p.m.
Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - Broughton Hall, near Skipton, 9.30a.m. Low Mass
Every First Friday of the Month - St. Mary of the Angels, Cross Bank Road, Batley, 7.30p.m.
Each 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturday of the month - Holy Spirit, Bath Road, Heckmondwike, 11.30a.m. Low Mass.

CONFESSIONS


First Fridays - St. Mary of the Angels, Cross Bank Road, Batley, 7.00p.m.