Fr Tim

Weekly messages from Fr Tim.   When Fr Tim is away Fr Maurice's message will be added to this section.

THE CONCLAVE:

On Wednesday the Cardinal electors will begin the process of electing the next Pope and our prayers go with them. I cannot recall, during my lifetime, such an overwhelming wave of goodwill towards the Catholic community as we have experienced with the death of Pope Francis. His legacy is a call to all of us to accompany one another on life’s pilgrimage. He highlighted many aspects of the Second Vatican Council which we have not fully implemented and by focusing on the synodal process has provided us with a template for action. The shape of the Church in this country is rapidly changing and all of us are going to have to adjust to new models of co-operation and shared ministry. The Lord promised he would always be with us and all the evidence in our two parishes and in our family of parishes suggests that there is a huge amount of energy and openness to explore how best we can journey together as pilgrims in and of hope. To begin with, may I suggest that we all find a few quiet moments in each of the coming days to pray for the Cardinals in Conclave until they have elected the next Bishop of Rome, our new Pope, the successor of St Peter. In particular, may I ask parents to spend just a couple of minutes praying with their children each evening for this intention, just using your own words and inviting the children to do the same? Rather as we did when Covid prevented us from coming together, and we all tried to pray for a short time at 7pm each evening, I hope this will enable us to experience a sense of our unity with the praying Church across the world and indeed with the whole of humanity.

UPDATES ON HEALTH ETC:

Fr Andrew has recovered from his infection and will be away this weekend for a Marriage Encounter Meeting in Coventry. Fr Philip Jones was discharged from hospital on Wednesday with a care package. I managed to visit my sister in London on Thursday. She is waiting for the results of a series of tests, but she is in good spirits and is being well looked after. Please keep all those struggling with health problems in your prayers, and please pray for the repose of the soul of Jim Joyce, who died last weekend. We assure his wife Pat and the family of our prayers too. And finally, lest we forget, this week marks the eighteenth year since Madeleine McCann went missing. We assure her family of our continuing prayers and a Mass will be offered for their intentions.

CARLETON HOUSE GOLDEN JUBILEE:

We congratulate Carleton House on the fifty years of service to Christian education: The School is marking the occasion with an Anniversary Mass this week. 

THANK YOU FOR HOLY WEEK AND EASTER:

Once again, I thank all of you who participated in the Holy Week and Easter ceremonies. We owe a special debt of gratitude to the army of people in both parishes who ensure that everything is prepared for each of the services and that our churches are resplendent for Easter itself. In spite of the spate of illness in the community, I found myself quietly at peace this year. Also, it was gracious of Fr Maurice O’Mahony to volunteer his assistance.

PopeFrancisBEPOPE FRANCIS

The attention of the world has been on Rome this week, after the news of the death of Pope Francis broke on Monday morning. I am sure the Funeral will be a moving occasion on Saturday morning and our prayers will be united with the whole Church and with all men and women of good-will this weekend.

The nine days of mourning conclude on Tuesday, so we will have special Masses in each parish on that day: the usual NOON MASS at ST MARY’S, and a 7.00PM MASS at BISHOP ETON.

The Archdiocese has arranged a Book of Remembrance, so please note the details of the online link. There is also the option of signing a Book of Remembrance at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

In my weekly recorded message, I spoke of my great admiration for Pope Francis. I think you all know that from the beginning of his pontificate I have been touched by the profound simplicity of his proclamation of the Gospel, not just in what he has written and his openness and willingness to listen, but also in the many practical gestures of loving concern for those in need: a living demonstration of the story of the Good Samaritan. May he rest in peace.

FR TIM - THE HEALTH BULLETIN

Last weekend Fr Andrew succumbed to a urinary tract infection, but the antibiotics are gradually restoring him to health. Nevertheless, we are ensuring that he has time to recover and Fr Maurice O’Mahony has graciously offered to come up from London and help us with all our present commitments. Fr Philip Jones remains in hospital and is struggling with some serious infections: it is unlikely that he will be able to return to the monastery until after Easter and he will certainly need a substantial care package when he does return.

On a happier note, Nick Young (St Mary’s organist and choir master) continues to make remarkable progress after his massive operation. We continue to pray for those who are struggling with health issues, including my sister in London: may the Lord fill you all with the peace and joy of Easter. And one further vote of thanks to the many medics who over the years have responded so graciously to my calls for advice and support.

THE SACRED TRIDUUM AND EASTER

By the time you read this message, we will be completing the ceremonies of the Sacred Triduum and celebrating our Easter Masses. I remain immensely grateful to all of you who work tirelessly to ensure that these celebrations are prepared for and carried out with such dignity and reverence, culminating in both churches always looking resplendent for Easter itself. I will not itemise all the groups involved: you know who you are: a great big THANK YOU!

AN EASTER BLESSING

Once again, it is a joy for me to join Fr Andrew and all the members of the Redemptorist Community in wishing you and your families every blessing this Easter. This is the Feast on which everything depends: accordingly, we focus on the Easter Candle and reflect that Christ is indeed THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD and that our common vocation is to bring that light into the darkness of our troubled world.

THE RETURN OF BRO MICHAEL DUXBURY:

Bro Michael has rejoined the Bishop Eton community this weekend. We welcome him with open arms, and he will be an enormous help both in the house and the parish.

COMMUNION UNDER BOTH KINDS:

In view of the health issues which have persisted, I think understandably, I have been cautious about the proposal to reintroduce Communion under both kinds. Intriguingly there seems to be a real difference of opinion on the matter between St Mary’s and Bishop Eton. I am being encouraged to reintroduce the practice at St Mary’s, but when I broached the subject a Bishop Eton, I was met by a strong lobby of opinion that this was not the right time. I have talked the matter through with Fr Andrew and we are happy for intinction (dipping the Host in the Precious Blood) to begin at St Mary’s after Easter. You will know that this has been the custom for the clergy ever since Covid. Should you wish to have the same option at Bishop Eton, please let me know. I appreciate that it is right that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in the Eucharist as fully as possible. Perhaps this is also the moment to remind you of what the old Penny Catechism taught: namely, that we received Christ in Holy Communion, “whole and entire, under either kind alone”. The New Catechism quotes the Council of Trent: “The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ.”

COPING WITH A SPATE OF ILLNESS:

I think I badly needed the above experience because we do seem to be weighed down by a spell of illness and deaths, affecting not only the Redemptorist community but our staff as well. It reminds me of the challenge we faced when Covid hit the community early in 2021. Please pray especially for Cheryle Smith who has been laid low by a particularly virulent infection, and Fr Philip Jones, who was possibly discharged from hospital too soon. As I write, we are waiting for the doctor to visit him again. Meanwhile, Fr Jim Casey is today attending his brother, Gerard’s funeral in Glasgow. Fr Richard Reid, our Provincial, has kindly come up and transported him north for the occasion.