Sunday, October 14, 2012

Change at St Joseph's, Gateshead for October only

With the Feast of Christ the King (in the old calendar) falling as usual on the last Sunday of October, it has been agreed that the monthly Missa Cantata will be transferred from the usual 3rd Sunday to Sunday 28th October at the usual time of 12noon. This, of course, applies only for October.

Faure's Requiem for the Feast of All Souls

Friday 2nd November 2012 will be celebrated as the Feast of All Souls at St Mary's Church, Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne with the EF Solemn Requiem Mass.  A first for many, many years will be the Ordinary sung to Gabriel Faure's 'Missa pro Defunctis' in its proper liturgical setting.

The joint choirs of Jesmond Choral Group and The Priory Singers will come together under their joint director, John Scott, to present this wonderful experience.

The Mass begins at 7.30pm and refreshments will be available after Mass.

Friday, October 12, 2012

St Wilfrid, Bishop of Hexham

Tonight we celebrated Solemn High Mass in the EF at St Mary's Church, Hencotes, Hexham, Northumberland on the feast of St Wilfrid early Bishop of Hexham.  He is reputed to have built a church here on the site of the present Hexham Abbey, directly across the road from St Mary's.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Brown (LMS Northern Chaplain) with Fr David Phillips as deacon and Andrew Bunce (transitional deacon) as sub deacon. The altar team came from across the diocese with MC (myself) from St Joseph's in Gateshead, Leo Darroch (thurifer) from Consett, Frank Walker (acolyte) from Morpeth and Ryan (our newest recruit) from Forest Hall.  Fr Christopher Warren (parish priest) and retired priest Fr John Campbell were in choir.  The music was plainchant from our own Schola Sancti Baedae.

This was the first celebration of the EF in Hexham since Vatican II and it was encouraging to have some 40 (mainly from the parish) in the congregation.

Our thanks go to all involved especially Fr Warren for his kind invitation and his wish to have at least an annual Mass in his church.

Our next special Mass will be a Solemn Requiem Mass on 2nd November, the Feast of All Souls.  On that occasion the Ordinary of the Mass will be Faure's Requiem.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

High Mass in Hexham

Just a reminder that Solemn High Mass will be celebrated in St Mary's Church, Hencotes, Hexham on Friday 12th October at 7.30pm - the Feast of St Wilfrid. We had hoped to use the 13th Century Abbey (formerly occupied by Augustinian canons) but this proved impossible.  We are very grateful to Fr Chris Warren the PP for his extremely warm response to our request. The celebrant will be Fr Michael Brown (LMS Northern Chaplain) with Fr David Phillips as deacon & Rev Andrew Bunce (transitional deacon) as sub deacon.

This will be the first celebration of the EF Mass in Hexham since Vatican II and we look forward to welcoming a large congregation. Please be there.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

LMS appoints new National Chaplain

The LMS is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mgr Gordon Read, Chancellor of Brentwood Diocese, as its new National Chaplain, following the recent departure, for two years of study at the Angelicum in Rome, of Fr Andrew Southwell.  He will take up his appointment with immediate effect.

Mgr Read is parish priest of St Mary Immaculate and the Holy Archangels, Kelvedon, Essex, and has been a long time supporter of the work of the Society.  He is widely held in high regard by many Catholics of all persuasions.

In addition to his responsibilities as parish priest, he is rural dean of Colchester, Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of Brentwood Diocese, a member of the Bishop's College of Consultors, a governor of St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Lexden, Vice-Chair of Governors, St Benedict's College, Colchester, and Trustee of the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland.  A frequent contributor of articles to canon law journals, his advice on canonical matters is widely sought.

Commenting on the new appointment, LMS Chairman Dr Joseph Shaw said:
"We are delighted that Mgr Read has agreed to be our National Chaplain.  He is a very long-standing friend of the Society, and a priest regarded with great affection and respect in both the Society and his diocese.  His expertise, practical experience, and wisdom will be a great assistance to us in our ever-expanding work."