A MOMENTOUS MEETING:

I don’t think the significance of the State Visit of King Charles to the Vatican this week can be overestimated. In the midst of all the negative and fake news that we have to put up with, this was something to give thanks to God for and rejoice over. One period of history that is surely etched on everyone’s mind is that it is almost 500 years since King Henry VIII broke with Rome and established the Church of England. My ecumenical credentials were nurtured from an early age. I was aware that my mother had converted to Catholicism before marrying my father, but I am proud of the fact that she had chosen to be baptised in the Anglican Church ten years prior to that as an eighteen-year-old. I am also grateful to the De la Salle Brothers, who taught me for ten years, for encouraging me, even as a youngster, to seek ways of building ecumenical bridges.

Then came the Second Vatican Council, which concluded, just as Andrew and I were beginning our studies for the priesthood. The Decree on Ecumenism called for a new attitude of reconciliation and for dialogue at every level. You know how much the weekly meeting of ministers from the local churches means to me and I can only encourage you all to play your part whenever the opportunity arises so that we can give common witness to our faith in Christ and his redeeming presence in our world.

 PRAYERS PLEASE:

I have just received the news that Ted Bouvier has died. We pray for the repose of his soul and for the family. We also ask you your prayers for David Randles, who faithfully played the organ for us over many years, and for his wife, Daphne, and the family: his funeral, which will be a wonderfully ecumenical celebration, is on Wednesday 29 October. This coming Wednesday we have the funeral of Anthony Stretch, another faithful parishioner, for whom we ask your prayers.

 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:

With a good number of special events over the past few weeks, culminating in the special celebrations last Thursday on the Feast of Saint Gerard Majella, I feel a great sense of mission accomplished. Once again, Andrew and I want to express our gratitude to you for the encouraging messages and gifts as we marked our diamond jubilees of becoming Redemptorists.

We were somewhat innocent youths of eighteen and nineteen respectively in 1965, but somehow we have stayed the course so far! It remains our desire to continue to exercise our priesthood in your service for as long as the Lord spares us.

With thanks to Bridie for the cake.

It was a sheer delight to be able to celebrate the day with the two Masses and, notably, with the Confirmation of seven of our young people in the evening. What a joyful evening it was in company with Archbishop Malcolm, who is enjoying his retirement but still actively exercising his priesthood without all the added responsibilities.

SAINT CARLO ACUTIS:

Leading from my thoughts on Holy Communion, it seems to me to be providential that this weekend we have been entrusted with a relic of the newly canonised, Carlo Acutis: a young man of our time whose devotion to the Mass was the hallmark of his sanctity. Sarah Moorhead and Elizabeth Parsons, now both working for the Archdiocese, secured the loan of the relic with a view to sharing with our young people at the Junior Justice and Peace meeting this Sunday.

Naturally, the relic will be available for veneration after each of the Masses. I hope to be able to find time to share with the young some thoughts about Carlo’s devotion because I do think certain aspects of his understanding need some clarification.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION:

We launch the programme for our children in Year 4 after the 10.00am Mass this Sunday. They will have their Treasure Hunt around the church and, of course, much of what they are searching for will lead them back to the Eucharist and how we fulfil Jesus’ command: “Do this in memory of me.” As you know I have set myself to try and emphasise the centrality of the Mass for all us as we continue to seek ways of cementing our relationships, firstly with Christ himself, but then with one another and the whole community, embracing the parish and the schools.

CONFIRMATION MASS:

There will be an extra Mass on Thursday evening at 7.00pm when Archbishop Malcolm will give the Sacrament of Confirmation to seven of our young people. Please pray for Francesca, Elise, Oliver, Daniel, Sophie and the two Annabelles and their families on this wonderful occasion for them.

THE FEAST OF ST GERARD MAJELLA C.Ss.R:

‘Icon of St Gerard Majella (2025). 21x15cm. Tempera and gold on board.

Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Bishop Eton, Liverpool.'

This Thursday we celebrate the Feast of one of our treasured Redemptorist saints. As the result of a miracle after his death he became the patron of mothers and babies. Our parish artist, who wrote the beautiful icon of The Virgin of Tenderness (in the Lady Chapel) has provided us with a painting of Gerard, depicting the miracle of the famous handkerchief and this we will place in the shrine of St Gerard to mark a year of St Gerard which we are now celebrating as we approach the 300th anniversary of his birth on 6 April 1726. At the Masses on Thursday, you will have an opportunity to reverence his relic if you wish and we will bless the mums and babies who come to the Noon Mass.

RCIA FINAL REMINDER:

Any adults wishing to know more about the Catholic faith with a view possibly to being baptised or, if already baptised in another tradition, to being received into the Church next Easter, please attend an initial meeting at St Mary’s presbytery this Monday evening at 6.30pm.

FIRST COMMUNION:

This is an invitation to the parents of our children in Year 4 at school and who wish to prepare them for their First Holy Communion next summer to come  to a preparatory meeting in the parish hall at 7.30pm this Monday evening (October 6th).

SPIRITUAL BOUQUET:

This leads me to apologise for not drawing your attention to the fact that Archbishop John, as well as suggesting a material collection for Archbishop Malcolm (thank you for your contributions to this last Sunday), more importantly requested that we gather a spiritual bouquet for him (e.g. the Holy Mass, rosaries, holy hours of adoration, times of prayer in school).

We can redeem the situation by gathering our promised prayers and presenting him with them when he comes to Confirm seven of our young people on the evening of the Feast of St Gerard Majella at 7.00pm on 16 October.

Please send any such prayer offerings to the parish office by Monday 13 October. Thank you.