My Patch??

The Latin Mass Society has been served by diocesan representatives who have always represented the lay faithful as best they can in their aspirations for the Traditional Latin Mass. When it was suggested that I take up the vacant post in Birmingham, there were already several diocesan reps serving in different parts of the Archdiocese (Oxford, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, etc). I knew that I wanted to be based in Birmingham city, and the original title was "Birmingham City and Environs" which I thought sounded a little vague. In actual fact, there are no clear cut boundaries to the work I do, but to give a better idea of my mailing list (sent from head office), I help represent people from all over the West Midlands. To date, the metropolitan county of the West Midlands includes:

Birmingham
Coventry
Dudley
Halesowen
Sandwell (West Bromwich, Warley)
Solihull
Stourbridge
Sutton Coldfield
Walsall
Wolverhampton

So its a big area, encompassing three cities (Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton) and is the most heavily populated conurbation in the UK outside London.

Now, I live in Smethwick, which is basically the centre of the "Birmingham & Black Country" and where I thought I would have the best presence. However, I would not exclude any part of the West Midlands in my remit. I just thought "LMS West Midlands" sounds less precise, and doesn't acknowledge the fact that our diocese is centred on Birmingham, where the Cathedral is, and indeed the Birmingham Oratory with the highest activity of Extraordinary Masses in the region. Besides, other LMS reps in the future might consider themselves better placed to represent Coventry, for example, which seems rather distant for me!

It was brought to my attention that Wolverhampton does not like to consider itself part of the Black Country. I appreciate this, having worked there and learnt a lot of its history connected with the large church of St Peter's. Having gained city status in 2000, St Peter's is almost like their (Anglican) Cathedral, whose benefactor Lady Wulfrana helped build the original monastery there in 994. However, modern usage seems to place the whole of the western part of the West Midlands under the umbrella of the Black Country, a term thought to be derived from the black smog of the industrial revolution, and the numerous coalfields in the region (some of which fall under Wolverhampton).

It is a great challenge to me to get to know this area, having only lived here for eight years. I have yet to fully understand, let alone master, the ancient English dialect spoken here (probably the last such example of early Chaucer's English)! But I am certainly enjoying it so far and welcome any further suggestions of where to have masses. So far the extra masses outside the Oratory are being requested by either clergy or other parishioners, and therefore I do not see my role as leading a 'pressure group,' but rather helping network like-minded Catholics who can work together to glorify God.

Assumption High Mass

Above: Entrance Processional taken by Oliver Hayes of the Oratory Choir

The High Mass this morning for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was very well attended. There were probably about 100 people in the congregation, which is a similar number to the High Mass on a Sunday (Ordinary Form). Palestina's Assumpta Est Maria was sung by the Oratory Choir to great effect. Everyone joined in with Credo III. I served as second Acolyte, but we seemed to be a bit short on servers and so sadly we had no torch bearers. Fr Guy Nichols was Celebrant and Preacher, Fr Anton Guziel was Deacon, and Fr Paul Chavasse was Subdeacon. There was another Oratorian and visiting Deacon in choir.

The fixed date of this feast on August 15th follows an ancient tradition which is also followed in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches - the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. Dormition means 'falling asleep' and Tradition tells us that Our Lady fell asleep and was then taken, body and soul, into heaven. Orthodox Christians believe this in a different sense to Catholics, in that they hold to the legend that Our Lady died a natural death, although she was made aware of this by the Archangel Gabriel three days in advance. Then the Apostles, who were scattered throughout the world, were miraculously all together to be present for her death. She was then buried in Gethsemane, and Thomas, appearing three days late, asked to see the tomb. Upon arriving, her body was gone with only a sweet fragrance in its place. Then an apparition informed them that Christ had taken her body into heaven, but not to be united to her soul (presumably until judgement day).

Catholics have slightly different beliefs, along similar lines to the Prophet Elijah, and perhaps even Moses. We believe that our Lady did not die in the proper sense, and was taken body and soul into heaven. This is why in the Christian Church there are no relics or tomb or burial place marked for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Pius XII declared the Assumption to be Catholic Dogma in 1950, but left open the question as to whether she had died an earthly death beforehand.

The Feast gives us a special vision of how our own lives are transformed by God's Grace, and the promise of resurrection of the Last Day:

No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day... I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world.

John 6:44, 51-52

Assumption

Solemn High Mass for the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturday August 15th at 11am

The Traditional, non-transferred feast of the Assumption will be celebrated this Saturday at the Birmingham Oratory with full solemnity, despite not being a Holy Day of Obligation. Please come and share this wonderful Marian feast!

Mass of Ages Report: August 2009

News from the Dioceses
(Birmingham & Black Country)
Mass of Ages Magazine
August 2009

There is now a regular Low Mass on Saturday mornings at 9.30am in the Birmingham Oratory (Chapel of St Philip Neri). The Oratory fathers have kindly printed a booklet for use at the Low Mass along with Mass sheets for each Sunday.

I was pleased to organise a High Mass for St John Fisher Church in West Heath, Birmingham of July 9th. This church was built for the liturgy of 1962, having been erected in 1962-64. The parish Priest, Fr George Grynowski was Deacon and was excited to be introducing his parishioners to the riches of the Extraordinary Form on the patronal festival of Ss John Fisher & Thomas More. Fr Philip Cleeveley, was celebrant, and Fr Anton Guziel was Subdeacon.

I am grateful to the Neri Singers who provided Gregorian Chant, and to all the servers. I hope this is the start of more such events across the region.

St Mary of the Snows

Today in the old calender is the feast of the Dedication of St Mary Major. I particularly enjoyed visiting this basilica, which is the oldest basilica dedicated to our Lady. It has a shrine where St Jerome is buried, and contains a relic of the nativity crib.

According to tradition, the outline of the church was physically laid out on the ground of the noble's property by Liberius himself under a miraculous but predicted snowfall that took place on the night August 4-5 352. The legendary Miracle of the Snow was depicted by Masaccio and Masolino about 1423 in a triptych commissioned by a member of the Colonna family for the Basilica, now conserved in the Museo di Capodimonte, Naples. In it the miracle is witnessed by a crowd of holy men and women and observed from above by Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Snows, local Roman Catholics commemorate the miracle on each anniversary by dropping white rose petals from the dome during the feast mass.

(from wikipedia!) What a beautiful legend. The photos I took in November 2007 on our trip to Rome.

Cancellation

Regrettably I am going to have to cancel the High Mass originally scheduled for Wednesday October 7th at West Heath parish. I had not realised it, but this date coincides with the 40 hours devotion at the Oratory, which would make things too difficult. I will endeavour to find an alternative day for a suitable High Mass feast very soon...

Instead there will be a Low Mass at 7pm on this feast of the Most Holy Rosary at a side altar of St John Fisher, West Heath - celebrated by Fr George Grynowski (parish priest)

LMS Chairman visits Newman's Rooms

It was my pleasure to accompany Dr Joseph Shaw for a guided tour around the Oratory House yesterday. We even found a Latin altar card to display on Newman's private altar. I have enjoyed exploring these rooms in recent weeks, which are real treasure troves, as I helped with the photography for the Newman Cause site. Please do visit, as well as the 3-part feature on the New Liturgical Movement.

Pilgrimage to Harvington Hall

Sunday August 2nd
with St Michael & the Holy Angel's Parish,
West Bromwich

11:30 Meet in Parish Hall departing before noon by coach
12:45 Packed lunch on arrival (bring your own)
13:30 Tour of the hall
15:00 Low Mass (EF) at St. Mary’s Church
17:00 Departing back to West Bromwich.

Cost is adults £14:00 includes coach, entrance and tour of the Hall. Children £11.50 except those on parents lap free. Contact Patrick Fahey for more information and to reserve a place: 07941 129065.Directions to St Michaels

West Heath High Mass

The Mass last night at the parish church of St John Fisher was a great success. There were well in excess of 100 people in the congregation, and we all received a warm welcome from the many parishioners who celebrated the occasion.

The intention was for Joe Brookstone, who celebrated his birthday this day (I cannot say how old he is, but needless to say he would recall the splendour of the Tridentine Liturgy in his youth!)

Fr George advertised the Mass to his parishioners in their newletter last Sunday with the following:

Thursday, 9 July, is the feast day of Ss John Fisher and Thomas More in the Extraordinary Form or Traditional Rite calendar. Pope Benedict authorized more extensive use of the old rite of Latin Mass a couple of years ago, according to the Missal published in 1962. This was the missal first used in our church when it opened in 1964 and for which it was designed. Some parishioners have asked for a celebration of the Extraordinary Form Mass, and the Latin Mass Society has helped plan a Solemn High Mass for Thursday evening. Please come along for what promises to be wonderfully inspiring music and liturgy. If you have never attended such a Mass, now is the time to experience it. Please remember that Holy Communion is received under the form of bread alone, on the tongue and, if physically capable, kneeling at the altar rails. There are likely to be number of visitors from round Birmingham, so it would be good to show hospitality with a light buffet. Volunteers please sign up at the Piety Stall.

I only printed 30 mass booklets in the short time I had! These were well received nonetheless. The occasion was a great sign of how unified the Church can be, with a friendly parish who were pleased to welcome fellow Catholics from around the diocese. Our thanks go especially to Fr George who came up with the idea, the Neri Singers for their rendition of Missa de Angelis, MC Karl Dearn, and all the servers and parishioners who took part and fed us afterwards! We look forward to the next opportunity to share such a lovely evening with the West Heath crowd!

Ss John Fisher & Thomas More

For use this Thursday!
(best viewed full screen - click square button on right side of bar)
SsJohnFisher

High Mass This Thursday!

Don't forget about the High Mass this Thursday, 9th July, at St John Fisher Church in West Heath at 7pm. The Church is located on Cofton Rd / Alvechurch Road, just off the A441 Redditch Road before it meets junction 2 of the M42, in the south of Birmingham. Map here.

For a post about this church, see my other blog.

National Events

Here is a reminder of two important upcoming events:

1) LMS Training Conference for Priests at London Colney, Herts (Monday 24 - Friday 29 August 2009)

The conference is being organised with the encouragement of the Archdiocese of Westminster. There will be groups for beginners as well as ones specialising in Missa Cantata and High Mass. See my previous post for more details.

2) Confirmations in the Traditional Latin Rite at St James's Church, Spanish Place, London W1 on Saturday 7th November at 11am

Enrolments are currently being taken. Bishop George Stack (left), auxiliary bishop in Westminster, will administer the Confirmations. This is the sixth consecutive year the LMS has organised the ceremony. Parents who require Traditional Confirmation for their children in November should contact the LMS office for full details of how to register (020 7404 7284 thelatinmasssociety@snmail.co.uk)

AGM and Pontifical High Mass

Yesterday we had the important occasion of the Annual General Meeting for all members of the Latin Mass Society of England & Wales. It was lovely to see so many friendly faces, and to be introduced to some of the other Reps from around the country.

Fr Martin Edwards (right) gave an inspiring talk at the AGM. He has been a member from the early days, and first attended an AGM in 1982 (the year I was born!!). His talk which was essentially about the theological virtue of Hope in the context of the Holy Father's recent encyclical Spe Salvi facti sumus: "In Hope we are saved". (Romans 8:24)

The present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads towards a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey.

Spe Salvi Paragraph 1 (Pope Benedict XVI)

He reflected on the many years of patient perseverance on the part of traditionalists in this country, where the Latin Mass Society had an important effect internationally. From the early days in the late 60s and early 70s, with the support of Cardinal Heenan; to more recent difficulties securing the annual Mass at Westminster Cathedral; to last year's triumphant Pontifical Mass with Cardinal Castrillon de Hoyos! The culmination of staunch fidelity to the hierarchy amidst certain ridicule has led to a situation now of vindication for those "holy, stubborn and sidelined Catholic laity and priests" following Summorum Pontificum. What a relief! But there is clearly still much work to do.

Dr Joseph Shaw, the new Chairman, assured members that the great things we have seen in the last two years will continue in earnest. There are now two Priests Training Conferences per year, in Catholic institutions, with the latest in London Colney having the full support and encouragement of the Archdiocese of Westminster.

Furthermore, Dr Shaw has acknowledged that formation and catechesis are at the forefront of a Catholic renewal which the LMS should contribute towards. From my point of view, a rigerous and wholly orthodox Catholic education is the best thing I could want for my children, especially in the context of the extraordinary form of the Latin Rite which we choose to nourish them with. We believe, as traditionalists, that this is the best and safest way to instil in them the faith of our fathers. The crisis which we see in our Church has unfolded to be one of poor catechesis, and so what must have started as a visible change in worship has been exposed to have it's roots in deficient modernist philosophy corrupting Catholic thought. I, for my part, am thrilled by Dr Shaw's emphasis of this aspect, which includes the encouragement of Gregorian Chant and serving workshops and other initiatives to further what has been preserved all these years.

What many people were most interested in was the recent controversial resignation of members of the LMS committee including the Chairman Julian Chadwick. A full statement was read out which I would be happy to forward to anyone. It was agreed at the AGM to publically record our thanks for all their hard work over the years, and the fruitful ways in which they have promoted traditional Catholicism in these important times (despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding their departure). The secretary assured us that it was a dispute of internal management, which is about to be thoroughly reformed, rather than any disagreement in the policies or direction of the LMS.

The Pontifical High Mass from the faldstool (above left) was celebrated by Bishop John Arnold, auxiliary of Westminster. This was an important touch since it indicates a direct involvement and approval on the part of the Archdiocese, rather than the LMS having to rope in a Bishop from elsewhere! The Mass was sober and peaceful, with the sounds of the Westminster Choir filling the vast expanse of the beautiful Byzantine building. I couldn't help but notice a small group of tourists wander in and become absolutely transfixed by what was happening during the Canon of the Mass. A powerful sight indeed! The belltower was ringing out during the consecration to awesome effect! Bishop Arnold gave a thoughtful sermon on the Sacred Heart of Jesus (above right), and that through His mercy everything He asks us to do for His glory, will be empowered by His grace.

If anyone else felt like me, I dareday we left stengthened, enlivened and encouraged to continue with renewed vigour and purpose! We are not fighting to ghettoise some sort of elitist remnant, but rather share a pearl of great price with all we meet. This is a Mass for enrichment; for parishes, for priests, for men, women and children: to experience a piece of our Catholic heritage, and deepen our knowledge and understanding of the mystery of Faith.

Solemn High Mass for Ss John Fisher & Thomas More

St John Fisher RC Church
West Heath, Birmingham
Thursday, 9th July 2009 at 7pm
(followed by Buffet Dinner)

Fr George Grynowski would like to welcome everyone to a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Use of the Roman Rite at his Parish Church in West Heath, South Birmingham, for its Patronal feast (which differs in the old calender and therefore gives his parishioners the chance to celebrate it twice!) From the website:

Dominating the 45 bus terminus at West Heath, Birmingham is the Catholic Church of St. John Fisher. Even though it rises from below road level, the lofty octagonal building is impressive from every angle, even from the nearby Lickey Hills. The predominant feature is a large octagonal dome surmounted by a large bronze cross. This copper dome has now toned to a soft green tint, a pleasing contrast to the honey coloured brickwork. Over the main entrance the large statue of St. John Fisher offers a blessing to all who enter, pass by or are waiting for the bus!

Parish of St. John Fisher, West Heath was founded on 30th September 1956. The first parish priest, Fr. Philip Smith, celebrated Mass at Turves Green School and later at Archbishop Masterson School for Girls. Work on the new church building commenced on 5th March 1962 with Fr. Smith cutting the first sod. The foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Grimshaw on 25th June that year.The church was opened on 31st March 1964 and consecrated by Archbishop Dwyer on 22nd June 1972, the [new rite] feast of St. John Fisher.

I hope you will be able to attend and support this great celebration, but also important initiative: a Traditional Latin Mass in a Parish outside the Oratory! The fruits of Summorum Pontificum, and the Holy Father's wish for the faithful to benefit from the full riches of this Mass will, God willing, be more and more abundant as time goes by! In "not some, but all" Catholic Parishes! (to quote Cardinal Castrillon de Hoyos!)

Directions to St John Fisher, West Heath
1 Cofton Road,
West Heath
Birmingham
West Midlands
B31 3QT

Dedication of St Chad's

As I set about writing the Mass sheet for next sunday's Mass, I suddenly realise that in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, it is the Double of the First Class Feast (!) of the Dedication of St. Chad's Cathedral! There are some beautiful prayers in the common Mass for dedications, Terribilis. For example:

How wonderful are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. (Introit, Ps 83)

and I particularly like the Gospel, which appeals to a sinner (and avid tree-climber) like me!

But Zacheus standing, said to the Lord: "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him fourfold." Jesus said to him: "This day is salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost". (Luke 19)

For some of my posts on our Cathedral, see my Lacrimarum Valle blog. We pray particularly at this time for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our Church as a new Archbishop is selected for the Archdiocese.

High Mass coming...

Okay, there is lots going on at the Oratory at the moment. But I am working on trying to organise the first Mass outside the Oratory, in one of the Parish churches in the city of Birmingham. With so much interest from both priests and laity, I hope to make some concrete arrangements soon, so watch this space...

Corpus Christi

Once again a glorious High Mass for the traditional feast of Corpus Christi. Fr Guy Nicholls was celebrant, Fr Anton Guziel was Deacon, and Fr Philip Cleeveley was Subdeacon. It was followed by a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around church followed by Pangua Lingua Gloriosa and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Here are some choice photos of the memorable occasion, and a further inspiration to love and adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament which he gave the world on that Blessed Thursday before His death.

The next High Mass will be for the feast of Ss Peter & Paul on Monday June 29th at 8pm.

Can be found on my Flickr page

Colney Priests Application Form

Following on from the recent press release, here is a direct link for information and application for any priests wishing to learn how to say the traditional (extraordinary form of) Mass.
http://www.almanor.plus.com/

Annual General Meeting and High Mass

A Pontifical High Mass at Westminster Cathedral will be on
Saturday June 20th at 2pm
celebrant: Bishop John Arnold (Auxiliary in Westminster)

This will be preceded by the AGM at 11am in the RHS Conference Centre (Greycoat Street SW1P 2QD) which I hope to report on. The speaker will be Fr Martin Edwards. This is a particularly important AGM because the integrity of the LMS has been called into question after a chain of events over the past year that culminated in the resignation of the previous Chairman, Julian Chadwick, and a few other prominent members.

I do not think this is a major problem for the society, and feel its focus is more determined than ever. The new interim Chairman, Dr Joseph Shaw, puts forth an excellent vision for the Society, and included young families and traditional Catholic education in his priorities. He writes an interesting editorial in the latest edition of Mass of Ages;

"... [a challenge] which we face as Catholics and Traditionalists [is] secularism, the ideology of the day, which is gnawing away at all the Christian and moral assumptions of the state and public discourse...

Our liturgical concerns are intimately connected with the problem which [Archbishop Vincent Nichols] has so eloquently identified. This is because the Mass which we promote is acknowledged even by its critics to make present to the faithful the mysterium tremendum, the mystery of the Faith... [which] focuses our attention on the spiritual nature of spiritual realities, the very realities which Archbishop Nichols' opponents want to deny...
If the spiritual is not emphasised in the liturgy, then where will the Catholic faithful go to find it?

However, some members (especially older more experienced ones) seem to feel this is the worst thing to ever befall the Society. Some are gearing up for a split from the society to go it alone. This would be a great shame because traditionalists, as a sad minority group in the Church, need to display unity of purpose and geographical links in order to best proceed and succeed.

London Colney Priest Training Conference

2 June 2009

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY

For Immediate Release

LMS Residential Training Conference for Priests Wishing to Learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney, St Albans, Herts

The Latin Mass Society of England and Wales (LMS), in association with the Archdiocese of Westminster, is organising a residential training conference for priests wishing to learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney, Herts, the premier conference centre of the Archdiocese of Westminster.

The conference will run from Monday 24 August to Friday 28 August 2009 and will feature Traditional liturgies in London Colney’s magnificent Ninian Comper-designed chapel together with a Gregorian Chant schola and polyphonic choir.

Expert tuition in the celebration of Mass in the Usus Antiquior will be provided on a small group basis. There will be guest lecturers and all participants will receive 1962 Missals.

As well as daily Sung Mass, devotions will include Lauds, Benediction and Rosary.

The subsidised fee to participants is only £115.00 which includes full board and accommodation. Places are limited and priests are urged to register as soon as possible.

Further details and registration forms can be obtained from the LMS office (Tel: 020 7404 7284)

Mark Johnson, lead organiser, said, “We are extremely pleased to have the backing of the Archdiocese of Westminster and Archbishop Vincent Nichols. This conference – our first at London Colney – builds on the success of our two previous conferences at Merton College, Oxford. I hope the laity will tell their priests about this wonderful opportunity to learn the Usus Antiquior in a welcoming and recollected environment.”

Latin Mass Society, 11-13 Macklin Street, London WC2B 5NH
Tel: 020 7404 7284
E mail: thelatinmasssociety@snmail.co.uk
Website: latin-mass-society.org

. . . . ENDS . . . .

For further information, please contact John Medlin, General Manager, or James Murphy, LMS Office Manager, on (T) 020 7404 7284;
(F) 020 7831 5585; (E mail) thelatinmasssociety@snmail.co.uk

More information and application form

Image: Flickr