Difficult week - Laus Deo semper

I returned to my home from London last week from the annual Requiem and Joint Rep/Committee Meeting at 11.25 p.m. I had left the Cathedral at 3.35 p.m. I enjoyed a scenic view of Lincoln Cathedral by spotlight and experienced how long it takes to locate and fit a new (working) electrically powered locomotive, met one of our semi-retired occasional celebrants at Wakefield, prepared a Power point presentation on Bloom's taxonomy in delivering modern languages in Key Stage 3 and then read three quarters of the latest copy of the Oldie magazine. At 44 I thought I might be a bit young to enjoy this publication but was reassured to read that a twenty-six year old woman is similarly engrossed. Its articles remind me of the very decent texts the Joint Matriculation Board used to offer in the Ordinary Level English Language Comprehension tests in the nineteen seventies and eighties.

The LMS meeting in London was also a bit of a let down as they had to find alternative accommodation at the last minute, which sadly curtailed the length of the meeting and reduced the time to share opinion etc. The fact that the Victoria line was also not running at all, made it even more of a bind.

On Sunday, returning from Castleford, I was delayed by fog and an accident on the M62, making us ten minutes late for the Mass at St. Augustine's in Leeds. Fr. Wiley was kind enough to wait for us.

Yesterday ( Saturday) I set off to Mass in Halifax and soon after the exhaust pipe came loose and started to scrape against the carriage way, so I had to turn back. I got up early to repair it on Sunday and spent ages faffing about until I can take it to the garage on Monday, and so we could get to Mass in Castleford.

As we passed the old Cardinal Hinsley Grammar School near Tong we again heard the dreaded clunk. More road side repairs and back home again. More messing about in fading light with old dry cleaners' twisted coathangers so as to be able to drive to the garage about a quarter of a mile away tomorrow after school.

I did manage to refrain from using any expletives (at least in English - although a couple of German and Polish words did spring to mind).

The planned teachers' strike scheduled for Wednesday puts me in an awkward position. I don't want to strike about this issue of pensions. I don't want to pay more to get less and be forced to work longer to do it. A strike at this point for me does seem to be jumping the gun. Negotiations are still under way and there is room for manoeuvre. I can also use the time to go into an empty of children school (as some of my junior colleagues have told me they will) and do those things I need to get done before Christmas to deal with admin and resources, as opposed to the teaching. Less than three weeks to the Christmas holidays and still a great deal to do.

My father is also gravely ill, please pray for him as he awaits an operation to remove a cancer infested left lung and please remember too to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory in the last days of this month of November and early days of new season of Advent.

Laus Deo semper!

And so to London...

On Saturday I shall be in London for the annual LMS Pontifical Requiem at Westminster Cathedral and for a joint meeting of the Committee and Representatives. The agenda is as dull as such things usually are but the opportunity to meet with like-minded reps and to socially share experiences and ideas about who we are, where we are and where we are going is something to which I look forward from time to time. This year is no exception.

I look forward to the discussion about the new magazine - I have received an unusual amount of comments about this and likewise the application the Pope's clarification of Summorum Pontificum in May will also be another interesting point of discussion.

Having attended this Mass on many previous occasions I am always moved most by the placing of a wreath on the tomb of a former great Bishop of Leeds - Cardinal Heenan.

This year (5th. Nov) marks the 40th. anniversary of the famous "Christie Indult" obtained by Heenan, to allow limited episcopal permission for the Mass to continue in the Rite celebrated before the Council.

Heenan and one of his successors in Leeds, Bishop Gordon Wheeler, who never refused permission for the "Tridentine Mass", are two greats of the Traditional movement in this country. I always feel proud on this occasion to represent our diocese.

No Mass at Halifax on Saturday

As Monsignor Smith will be away on Saturday and it has proved impossible to find a substitute celebrant I am sorry to report that there will be no Vigil Mass at St. Mary's, Halifax.

There are however 3 Masses on Sunday:

3.00p.m. St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road, Castleford.
4.00p.m. Holy Spirit, Bath Road, Heckmondwike .
5.00p.m. St. Augustine's, Harehills Road, Leeds.

Many thanks to Fr. John Newman of St. Joseph's, Pakington Street, Bradford who welcomed us on Sunday for our Requiem for the war dead in the beautiful chapel of our Lady of Bradford, where the sacristan informed me that the Novus ordo Mass is offered daily ad orientem.
The statue is from St. Mary's church in Bradford ( now sadly closed down) and looks far better in its new home than it did when it was in the now defunct church.

Requiems for our war dead

One of my paternal great-grandfathers fell near Ypres many years ago in 1916 0r 1917. He left a widow and four or five little children, one of which was my grandmother. I've visited the grave at the Tyne Cote cemetery many times and I never fail to be deeply moved by what I experience there. The new Tyne Cote Memorial Centre with links to Leeds City Council , opened by Her Majesty the Queen, is very simply simple and reminds me of my visits to Dachau and Buchenwald Concentration Camps.

This weekend there are Requiem Masses at:

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

Bradford - ST. JOSEPH'S (and NOT St, Peter's) Pakington Street, Manchester Road ( near Lidl Supermarket) at the slightly later time of 3.30p.m. Missa Cantata.

Catleford - St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road at 3.00p.m.

Please remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory this month.

Masses this Sunday and a word about next week

Sunday

Missa cantata, Sacred Heart, Broughton Hall near Skipton, 11.30 a.m.

Low Mass, St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road, Castleford, 3.00 p.m.

Holy Mass, Holy Spirit, Bath Road, Heckmondwike, 4.00 p.m.

Due to essential building maintenance at St. Peter's next week the Mass has been transferred to St. Joseph's, Pakington Street and will be at the slightly later time of 3.30p.m. This will be the annual Requiem for the war dead. It will be a Missa cantata and offered in the chapel of Our Lady of Bradford. Many thanks to Fr. Newman for so readily welcoming us again.

Apologies to Fr. Abberton. I only learned about his Mass on the feast of All souls after the event. I am doubly annoyed because I was unable to attend any Mass on that day. Mass at Holy Spirit at 4.00 p.m. tomorrow.

All Saints & All Souls

For Masses this weekend please see the previous post.

For the Feast of All Saints on Tuesday;

Monday, 31st. October, 7.30 p.m. Vigil Mass, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds.
Tuesday, 1st. November, 11.30 a.m. Sacred Heart, Broughton Hall, near Skipton.

For All Souls on Wednesday, 2nd. November 11.30 a.m. Sacred Heart, Broughton Hall, near Skipton. (and not at the usual 9.30 a.m.)

Today I attended a co-ordination meeting with Fr. Wiley, the Co-ordinator for the Extraordinary Form in Leeds, after Mass to discuss future provision.
One discussion issue was the poor attendance at some of the Masses we already have and how we can best use and if necessary re-direct the resources at our disposal. Two priests have recently put themselves forward, one to learn the Mass and the other to offer the Mass regularly. Our next meeting in the Spring will see decisions being made. As we have no evening Mass on All Saints Fr. Wiley readily agreed to offering a Vigil Mass on Monday at 7.30 p.m.

Many thanks to Fr. Parfitt for Tuesday's Mass at Bewerley. An hitherto grey day again brightened as the schola sang the Mass for the feast of St. John of Beverley. Another great Yorkshire Saint is St. Robert of Newminster who was born in Gargrave - which is part of Fr. Parfitt's own parish today. Masses at Broughton on Tuesday and Wednesday at 11.30 a.m.

Please remember the November Indulgence for the Holy Souls. A great act of charity.

Masses this weekend - CHRIST THE KING

Masses for the Feast of Christ the King this weekend are as follows:

Saturday 4.00p.m. Notre Dame Chapel, Leeds University Chaplaincy, St. Mark's Avenue, Leeds.

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

Sunday 3.00p.m. St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road, Castleford.

Half term

This week our school was given an inspection. It has been a tiring week. It has been a tiring first half term back. It is now half term. My German lesson, on expressing opinions, to a year 7 class was deemed outstanding by a severe looking inspector. I realised my confidence had finally been restored when I heard this after having worried about it before my 3 month recuperation came to its gradual conclusion a month ago.

Next week is a rest planned and I am looking forward to hearing a sung Mass again at Bewerley Grange Chapel, at Pateley Bridge on Tuesday 25th. October at 11.30 a.m.

Our celebrant will be Fr. Parfitt and the schola will sing.

For this Sunday- Pentecost XX;

Saturday 6.00p.m. (Vigil) St. Mary's, Gibbett Street, Halifax.

Sunday 3.00p.m. Missa cantata, St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road, Castleford.

So now you know...

Event: Sacred Circle Dance Weekend

Date: 04/11/2011

Venue:

The Briery Retreat Centre, 38 Victoria Avenue, Ilkley, LS29 9BW briery@btconnect.com

Contact: The Administrator

...

Led by Sylvia Williment. Friday 6pm until Sunday after lunch.

Source: forthcoming events section of the Diocesan website.

Busy weekend

This afternoon we have our first retreat in years - please see previous post. We then have four Sunday Masses.

Saturday - Sacred Heart, Broughton Hall, Skipton Low Mass for the feast of St. Teresa, 9.30 a.m.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Harrogate Rd. Leeds, Sung Mass -St. Teresa, c. 3.00 p.m.

St. Mary's, Gibbet Street, Halifax (Vigil) Pentecost XVII

Sunday St. Joseph's, Pontefract Rd. Castleford, 3.00 p.m.

Holy Spirit, Bath Road, Pontefract, 4.00p.m.

St. Augustine's, Harehills Road, Leeds, 5.00p.m.

Please give your support to any of our initiatives. It's always nice to see new faces.

REMINDER

On Saturday we have our October afternoon of recollection from 1.30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Harrogate Road, Leeds. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, a talk on the Rosary and Benediction. After a break there will be a talk on the spirituality of the Mass followed by a Missa Cantata for the Feast of St. Teresa.

It would be lovely to see good numbers attending - so please do something extra for Our Lord and Our Lady in this month traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary.

We hope to finish at around 4.00 p.m.

Thanks to Revv. Abberton, Hall and Wiley for making this possible.

Pentecost XVII

Masses this weekend:

Saturday (Vigil Mass) St. Mary's, Gibbet Street, Halifax. 6.00 p.m.

Sunday (Missa cantata) St. Peter's, Leeds Road, Bradford. 3.00 p.m.

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

PLEASE REMEMBER OUR AFTERNOON OF RECOLLECTION NEXT SATURDAY - see previous post.

Afternoon of prayer and recollection for October

Last year I was inspired by a day of recollection at St. Joseph's in Gateshead, organised by my friend Mr. David O'Neill, the LMS rep for Hexham and Newcastle. This was given by a Priest of the FSSP and was followed by a solemn Mass.

On October 15th we are to have our own Afternoon of Recollection. There will be a sung Mass for the feast of St. Teresa, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary and an opportunity for confession.

There will be two spiritual talks;

Fr. John Abberton will speak about the Holy Rosary and Fr. Michael Hall will speak about the spirituality of the EF Mass.

Both these men are powerful speakers.

Please use this opportunity to put yourself out to do something extra in this special month dedicated to the Holy Rosary.

We will start at 1.30 p.m. and finish at about 4.30 p.m.

The venue will be the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds.

Thanks to Father Wiley the Parish Priest, who is the diocesan co-ordinator for the EF Rite of Mass whose help and support has been invaluable in this initiative.

By the way - Mr. O'Neill has arranged another High Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle on Saturday 5th. November at 10.00 a.m. if you are in the area.

Feasts of the Holy Rosary and St. Bridget

Holy Mass for the Feast of the Holy Rosary at Sacred Heart, Broughton Hall near Skipton on Friday 7th. October at 9.30 a.m.

Also on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. for the Feast of St. Bridget.

Updated schedule

Unfortunately we have decided to suspend all Masses at Batley during the week and Wednesday saw the last Mass there. This means that there are no EF Masses there now.

The third Saturday Mass at Batley has been superseded by two Sunday Masses at Heckmondwike, Holy Spirit in Bath Road. These are at 4.00p.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month. I shall ask Mr. Grady of the Diocesan Catholic Post to publish the new schedule in the next edition of the paper.

Masses this weekend:

Saturday (Vigil Mass) St. Mary's, Gibbet Street, Halifax, 6.00 p.m.

Sunday Missa cantata, Sacred Heart, Broughton Hall near Skipton, 11.30 a.m.

Low Mass, St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road, Castleford, 3.00 p.m.

Holy Mass, Holy Spirit, Bath Road, Heckmondwike, 4.00 p.m.

Looking ahead

Saturday 15th. October, 1.30 - 4.30 p.m. An afternoon of prayer and reflection on the spirituality of the Extraordinary Form of Mass and the Rosary. Missa Cantata, Rosary, Benediction and opportunity for confession.

Immaculate Heart of Mary church, Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds.

Reminders to follow!

Pentecost XV

Mass for the 15th Sunday of Pentecost will be a Missa Cantata at St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road, Castleford at 3.00p.m.

This weekend's Masses

Sun 18th September FOURTEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST II Cl G
Gl Cr Pr of the Holy Trinity.

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

Sunday St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road, Castleford. 3.oop.m. Low Mass.

No Masses at Leeds St. Augustine's, (annual holiday), Batley (now discontinued) or Heckmondwike (clerical retreat).

No Mass at York.

Preparations for an October afternoon retreat are now well underway...watch this space!

Pentecost XIII

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST II Cl G
Gl Cr Pr of the Holy Trinity

This weekend, Masses for the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost will be as follows:

Saturday (Vigil) 10th. September: St Mary's, Gibbet Street, Halifax - 6.00 p.m.

Sunday Missa cantata 11th. September: St. Peter's, Leeds Road, Laisterdyke, Bradford - 3.00 p.m.

Sunday Low Mass 11th. September: St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road, Castleford - 3.00 p.m.

Numbers were down last month at Bradford on account of the holidays - please do all you can to attend. One of our schola members has moved to Turin for a year so if you feel in fine voice please come and support our singers!

News from Hallam Diocese:

SHEFFIELD SUNG REQUIEM. Solemn Requiem Mass with Absolutions at the Catafalque, Friday 30 September 2011, at 7.30pm. Celebrant: Rev. Fr A Tomlinson, STL. St Theresa's Church, Prince of Wales Road, Sheffield. Music provided by the Eckington Singers inc. Faure Requiem and traditional motets. For more information, please contact0114 2332801 or email: failte.sheff@googlemail.com

Also

NEW SHEFFIELD VENUE for Mass. From Saturday, 10 September, because of the temporary closure of Sheffield cathedral for renovation work, the regular monthly monthly EF Mass will take place in the Cathedral Hall, Norfolk Row, SHEFFIELD S1 2JB. Masses start at 10am and take place on the second Saturday of the month.

Thanks to my colleague Mr. Fitzpatrick for this.

NB No Mass at York this week.

Holiday over. Restored to health. Deo gratias!

I am now ready to back to school on Monday, but with a staggered return for the next four weeks. The last three months have seen some hair-raising moments for me with administration of extreme unction in a most extreme moment, a dose of double pneumonia and two cracked ribs following a fall. My biggest fear was the onset of a fit a depression which I experienced after having acute kidney failure and blood poisoning about 9 years ago, brought on by a scratch I received in Rome. So far so good.

Apologies for a degree of laxity in posting and general activity over recent weeks as my recovery and building up my confidence has been my priority and I have been able to spend extended periods of silence before the Blessed Sacrament and literally passing the strains of life over to Him. A trip to Turin and other sites of pilgrimage in Europe held special significance for me over the last month. This said the chapel at Harrogate hospital,by no means a Catholic one, has an atmosphere which was incredibly conducive to prayer and a deeper understanding for God's will for us. The omnipresence of God is never stifling.

There is quite a bit of activity planned over the next few weeks, irons are in the fire for several projects for which I shall provide notice on this blog.

Masses this weekend

Sun 4 TWELTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST II Cl G

Gl Cr Pr of the Holy Trinity

Saturday 6.00 p.m. St. Mary's Halifax.

Sunday Missa Cantata 11.30 a.m. Sacred Heart Broughton Hall, near Skipton.

Sunday Low Mass, 3.00 p.m. St. Joseph's, Ponterfract Road, Castleford.

NB. No Mass at Heckmondwike - as Father is in Rome.

The Assumption - Masses

Holy Mass for the Feast of the Assumption was offered by Mgr. Smith tonight at St. Mary's in Halifax. Over forty people attended.

Masses tomorrow (Sunday), both at 3.00p.m. are at St. Peter's, Leeds Road, Laisterdyke, Bradford, this will be a Missa Cantata and at St. Joseph's, Pontefract Road, Castleford.

On Monday (sadly no longer a day of obligation) there will be Mass at Broughton Hall at 9.30 a.m. and in the evening at 7.30 p.m. at the Wakefield Chantry Chapel in Wakefield there will be a Missa Cantata. Due to health and safety regulations this is a ticket only event. Please let me know if you would like a ticket as I still have some left.

Happy feastday!