Holiday reflections

We have just returned from a very enjoyable rest in northern France. Mass last Sunday was offered by a priest of the Institute of Christ the King in the chapel of Our Lady of Fatima school at Chapelle d'Armentieres near Lille (pictured in the internet photo). This substantial chapel was filled to capacity with a lot of people (including us) standing at the back. What was instantly noticeable was the number of young and very young families. It was unusual to feel like a very old oldie at Mass and to hear little lots of little babies crying throughout the Mass as their older siblings were silent watching what was happening in the sanctuary. Also noticeable was the inevitable and seemingly unending stream of small children processing in and out with maman or papa for the customary visits to the toilet! Despite this activity the atmosphere was one of unity of purpose and absolute reverence. Another ICKSP priest heard confessions during Mass. At one point a little girl walked over to the priest for a little chat as he sat there and it was enchanting to watch her radiant little face as he was obviously telling her something very important sitting on the step of the box at his feet! The eldest server of a total of ten was about 15 and the youngest no older than 4 years old. The younger boys sat on the altar steps during the sermon. It was an occasion where the buzz expression of "community" fizzled away in my mind and there was a real sense of family. 

The ICKSP are to take charge of another church in northern England. As I reported earlier this year they are to become custodians of St Walburge's in Preston at the invitation of Bishop Campbell of Lancaster. The inaugural Mass of the Institute's tenure will take place in September and I shall post details later. It will be a solemn high Mass offered by Mgr Wach in the presence of Bishop Campbell. I hope that this church will also see standing room only in years to come.

Masses on Sunday in this diocese:

11.00 a.m. Sacred Heart chapel, Broughton Hall

3.00 p.m. St. Joseph's, Castleford

No Mass at Heckmondwike next week as Fr. Abberton will be in Lourdes.

Pentecost X

Masses this weekend:

Saturday - St Mary's Halifax at 6.00 p.m.
Sunday - Sacred Heart, Broughton at 11.00 a.m.
              St. Joseph's, Castleford at 3.00 p.m.
              Holy Spirit, Heckmondwike at 4.00 p.m.

Friday's Mass at Broughton for the Assumption saw a good attendance, a thought provoking sermon and was concluded with the litany of Loreto. Many thanks, as ever, to Fr. Parfitt for this. Reminder that Mass is offered each weekday in the old Rite at 9.30 a.m. and at 11.00 a.m. on Sundays.

Pentecost IX

Masses this weekend for the ninth Sunday after Pentecost:

Saturday St Mary's, Halifax 6.00 p.m.
Sunday   Sacred Heart, Broughton Hall, Skipton 11.00 a.m.
              St. Peter's, Laisterdyke, Bradford 3.00 p.m. (sung)
              St. Joseph's, Castleford 3.00 p.m.
             
Reminder also that this week sees the feast of the Assumption. Mass at Broughton Hall at 11.00 a.m.

Latest LMS video

The LMS has produced another excellent instructional video about the Mass and the direction the priest faces whilst offering the sacrifice.
Please copy, paste and follow this link : http://www.lmschairman.org/2014/08/video-on-mass-ad-orientem.html
I have tried to embed this video with little success and the children are all away. Sorry to do it the old fashioned way.

100 years

100 years

Requiescant in pace.

Pentecost VIII

Sunday Masses this weekend are as follows:

Saturday at St. Mary's, Gibbet Street, Halifax. 6.00 p.m.

Sunday at Broughton Hall, Skipton. 11.00 a.m. *
                Castleford, St. Joseph's. 3.00 p.m.
                Heckmondwike, Holy Spirit. 4.00 p.m.

* There is an event in the grounds at Broughton Hall which will not affect the Mass but may cause traffic to be heavier than usual so please allow yourself a little extra time for travelling.

Masses each day next week at Broughton Hall at 9.30 a.m.