Day with Mary at Birmingham Oratory

As you may no doubt be aware, the Birmingham Oratory is converting St Philip's Chapel into a Shrine for Bd John Henry Newman, and therefore the regular Saturday morning Low Mass has been postponed until at least August.

However, tomorrow morning Saturday July 17th at 11am there will be a Sung Mass in the Extraordinary Form in the main Oratory church with High Mass ceremony.

It is part of a day of prayer from 10am - 5.15pm organized by the Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix Movement, which is founded and guided by the Franciscans of the Immaculate (friars and sisters), inspired by the spirituality of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe.

The “Day” will be led by the Franciscan Friars from St Joseph's in Stoke, and is based on the message of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917. She requested: "Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and to pray for them." The Day will include Mass, Scripture, Rosary, Meditation on the Passion, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, Processions of the Blessed Sacrament and of Our Lady, Act of Consecration, Theological Instructions, and the opportunity to enrol in the Brown Scapular and the Miraculous Medal.

Interestingly, today is the optional feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, and in the old calendar it is the Feast of St Simon Stock whom our lady appeared to in 1251 with the devotion of the Brown Scapular.

South Birmingham High Mass 2010

For the second year running, Rev Fr George Grynowski invited the Latin Mass Society to offer a High Mass in the Extraordinary Form in his Parish Church of St John Fisher, West Heath, for the Patronal Feast of Ss John Fisher & Thomas More. But several features were distinctly different this year from last, and deserve mentioning.

Yesterday it was not our chaplain Fr Philip Cleevely who offered the Mass. You see, last year Fr George was acting in the role of Deacon, one in which he had become well versed in his days as a 'permanent' Deacon with a different profession. But after last year, Fr George attended the LMS Priest's Training Conference at London Colney, and learnt how to be Celebrant. So this year he offered the Mass, and was assisted by (not Oratorians this time, but) Rev Frs Christopher Miller of Kings Heath and Jan Nowotnik of Northfield. Therefore it was a High Mass using Parish Priests all from the same deanery, who were happy to celebrate the occasion in fraternal joviality!

Fr George also used a new red High Mass set of vestments which he had acquired from Luzar Vestments, in the Gothic style. I was MC for the first time after much study following my training with the Society of St Tarcisius. Obviously I made lots of mistakes, but have clarified in my mind the role a great deal. Here's to the next attempt!

Music was kindly provided by Mr Oliver Hayes who is a regular choir member of the Birmingham Oratory, who doubled as an organist. Together with a good friend of mine they sung Plainchant Propers with Missa de Angelis Ordinary and Credo III (giving the opportunity for the congregation, and the ministers in the Sanctuary, to join in with full gusto!)

Fr Jan gave a sermon about the bravery of these holy English Martyrs, who died by holding true to their Faith in the face of much opposition. We must also derive this same bravery through Grace, so that in our own circumstances we can bear witness to the Faith and answer any questions that are put to us, in a society that is hostile to objective Truth and Religion. Fr Jan is in a good position to say this, since he has been in the Press in the run-up to the Beatification of Newman, which will be presided over by our Holy Father just down the road from the very Church we were in.

The other difference from last year was unfortunate. Before, I had only made about 25 Mass booklets - so this year I wasn't going to be caught out, printing another 75! But whereas there were over 100 people last year, yesterday there were 53. A respectable number for a Friday night nonetheless, and everyone in attendance, mostly local parishioners, seemed to have good words to say, naturally!

The Mass was followed by the opening and blessing of a new lawn and flower garden adjacent to the Church, complete with permanent Altar. It is dedicated to the first Parish Priests at West Heath; Frs Cyril Barlow & Philip Smith - the former of whom would have said the Traditional Mass in the first years of the Church when the New Mass was being concocted. An outdoor buffet was had and enjoyed by all present. On Monday Fr George will inter the ashes of a parishioner who had wanted to be laid to rest on holy ground.

℣.Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini	Our Help is in the name of the Lord
℟.Qui fecit caelum et terram	Who made heaven and earth
℣.Dominus vobiscum	The Lord be with you
℟.Et cum spiritu tuo	And with your spirit
Oremus	Let us pray
Oramus pietatem tuam, omnipotens Deus, ut hunc hortum, quem aeriis et pluviae temperamento nutrire dignatus es, bene+dictionis tuae imbre perfundas, et flores terrae tuae usque at maturitatem perducas. Tribue quoque populo tuo de tuis muneribus tibi semper gratias agere; ut a fertilitate terrae esurientium animas bonis omnibus affluentibus repleas, et egenus et pauper laudent nomen gloriae tuae. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.	We appeal to thy graciousness, O almighty God, that thou wouldst shower thy blessing+ upon this garden, which thou hast nurtured with favourable weather, and mayest bring these flowers of the earth to maturity. Grant also to thy people a sense of constant gratitude for thy gifts, so that the hungry may find rich nourishment in the fruits of the earth, and the needy and the poor may praise thy wondrous name. Through Christ our Lord.
℟.Amen.	Amen.
The garden is sprinkled with holy water.

Reminder: High Mass this Friday

St John Fisher RC Church
West Heath, Birmingham
Friday, 9th July 2010 at 7pm
(followed by Buffet and blessing of new Garden)

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 normal Parish Church, with all ministers being parish priests from the Deanery. This is the 3-year anniversary of Summorum Pontificum, and the Holy Father's wish for the faithful to benefit from the full riches of this Mass. It will be a time of reflection and what better way to show our support for the Pope than by attending this Mass!

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

SsJohnFisher

Birmingham Oratory...

... Long time supporter of Pope Benedict's liturgical style, will be personally visited by Pope Benedict himself on Sept 19th. Time to clear away all the cobwebs...

LMS AGM

As the Chairman has reported, the LMS AGM 2010 had much to offer: a summary of the last year, when things have improved
In terms of Masses and finances. Also a direction for the future; a membership drive and new website, the chairman wants to visit more of the far-flung areas of the districts, to find everyone's opinion.

I was elected as officer for the LMS committee, where I will seek to overthrow Jo Shaw and become emperor of the world Una Voce Federation!!

The Pontifical Mass in Westminster Cathedral was also impressive, with Polyphony as opposed to last year.

The day for us ended with a garden Party at London Oratory. I have no photos of this splendid Church due to the phones battery expiring.


Pray for the Birmingham Oratory, who are having a fundraising drive after the announcement this week of the Pope himself coming to our Church and being the first to pray in a newly converted Newman Shrine, with his 2nd class relics, hair, blood stained material etc. It will be nice to see the only thing recovered from his remains, a tassel of the Good Cardinal's Hat. Legend has it the Hats which hang above the Cardinal's grave stones in Westminster Cathedral, when fell down, would signify the Cardinal's soul had been released from Purgatory, into Heaven. In Newman's case, he faithfully wanted to return, dust to dust... ashes to ashes... And his hat never required hanging, leaving only a tassal of its remains in his grave, as if it went with him in a symbolic way, body and soul to Heaven: now interceding for us to God Father Son & Holy Ghost.

Sunday within the Octave of the Most Sacred Heart

...rather than 3rd Sunday after Pentecost as I printed for this morning's 9:30 am Mass at the Birmingham Oratory! At least there was something good to read I guess! God bless everyone and may our hearts be like His!

Sacred Heart

June is traditionally the month of the Sacred Heart, something I never learnt in 4 years at a Catholic School. Also traditionally there are special First Fridays of every month, which we celebrate at St John Fisher Church in West Heath, with a Low Mass celebrated by the PP Fr George Grynowski at 7pm.

One reader asked whether there are pictures and a report from last Friday's Mass. Well, unlike usually when we have about 20 people present and myself serving, this time we had no server and only 9 people. However, the Mass is the same sacrifice however many attend it, because with the noble and traditional ad orientem direction of prayer, we are reminded that we are taking part before the throne of God, in the company of all the Angels and Saints.

Fr George writes:

I said a few words about how appropriate it was to celebrate the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart the day after Corpus Christi, making the close link between the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacred Heart and frequent communion of reparation.

This First Friday of June 2010 was dedicated to the reader's deceased grandmother on her anniversary.

Requiescat in Pace

Downside Abbey Priest's Training

The LMS office has just issued this press release.

10 June 2010

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 Downside Abbey, Somerset.

The Latin Mass Society of England and Wales (LMS) is organising a residential training conference for priests wishing to learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at Downside Abbey, one of England’s most prestigious monasteries.

The conference will run from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 August 2010 and will feature Traditional liturgies in Downside’s beautiful 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 tuition in Low Mass, Missa Cantata and Missa Solemnis and there will be streams for beginners and more advanced students. Tuition will also be given in the other sacraments and in Latin.

There will be opening and closing High Masses, daily Mass, Offices and Rosary. There will also be a closing Conference dinner with guest speaker.

The subsidised fee to participants is only £115.00 which includes all accommodation, meals and training materials. There are limited places and priests are asked to register as soon as possible.

Further details and registration forms can be obtained from the LMS office (Tel: 020 7404 7284, e mail: info@latin-mass-society.org) or from the conference organiser, Mr Paul Waddington (Tel: 01757 638027, e mail: paul@gooleboathouse.co.uk).

Running alongside the training for priests, the Society of St Tarcisius (the LMS’s newly-formed sodality for Traditional altar servers) will organise a residential training course for servers and MCs. Further details can be obtained as above.

Paul Waddington said, “This is the sixth training conference the LMS has organised and we are delighted to be going to Downside Abbey. The Pontifical Commission ‘Ecclesia Dei’ has recently praised our work which makes us more determined than ever to provide training to every priest in England and Wales who seeks to learn the Usus Antiquior.”

Latin Mass Society, 11-13 Macklin Street, London WC2B 5NH
Tel: 020 7404 7284
E mail: info@latin-mass-society.org
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) info@latin-mass-society.org

St Tarcisius Guild

Today I attened the inaugeral event of a new Sodality of Servers dedicated to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. I think of it as a 'Trad Guild of St Stephen'!

It has been entitled 'the Society of St Tarcisius', whose patron died in defence of the Blessed Sacrament.


I imagine the danger of such a training event like today, would be of reducing the Mass into a choreography of movers in the Sanctuary. But today was firmly grounded in prayer, taking place before the Blessed Sacrament in two different chapels. The day began with prayer, recessed with prayer, and ended with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A grace-filled day was had by all 30 of us!


My thanks to Blackfriars, where it was based, and also Br Lawrence Lew OP for acting as Priest, and teaching us the intricacies of swinging (or rather moving) the thurible in the Dominican Rite. Also to Fr Armand de Mallery FSSP, with providing us with prayer, benediction, training and good conversation, in a most fatherly way. Finally to Mr David Forster, for organising and teaching at this bold endeavour. I await with joyful hope the coming of our next event!

Mass of Ages Report: May 2010

News from the Dioceses
(Birmingham & Black Country)

Mass of Ages Magazine

May 2010

Sadly a Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral has been declined by the Dean, on the grounds that there is no parish-level demand, and that the Oratory (in the same Deanery) has more than enough provision. However, although the Oratory is excellent in its provision of the Latin Mass, it goes no further than offering the Extraordinary Form as 1/9th of total Parish services. It raises the question of how much provision of the Latin Mass there needs to be? From the Dean, perhaps it is suggested to have at least an occasional Mass in each Deanery. Although I have trebled the number since Summorum Pontificum, it still only represents a third of my Deaneries being covered.

I have written to the new Archbishop Bernard Longley to raise these points and to humbly ask that he expose his new territory to what he did for Westminster; A Pontifical High Mass, which would be the major event in the UK since Cardinal Castrillon de Hoyos’ 2007 visit.

A new monthly Mass has been established at St Michaels in West Bromwich, which attracted 60 people on Ash Wednesday and 30 people on St Patrick’s Day. With encouragement, the parish have unearthed old altar cards and missals which are being put back into circulation. Funerals continue to be offered, including a sung Requiem for the father of an FSSP seminarian from Birmingham which took place at the Oratory with Fr Armand de Malleray as celebrant. Requiescat in Pace.

Coming up this quarter are 3 High Masses: At the Oratory for untransferred Ascension Thursday and Corpus Christi, and at St John Fisher in West Heath for its Patronal feast day.

Traditional Sacraments

Since Summorum Pontificum there has been an exponential increase in those attending the Traditional Latin Mass. In Birmingham, what used to be 20 dedicated faithful per week has now become 100, and in total with all masses around the region, 530 per month.


Other sacraments are also being celebrated with much less problem. At the Oratory there has even been a Solemn High Nuptial Mass, and also
Baptisms as well as the reception of a convert, all using the 1962 books. Although confirmations only take place in London at present, this Sunday, Margaret Mary Jordan received her first holy communion at the 9.30am Latin Mass (pictured). This sort of thing just wasn't happening a few years ago.

It was a wonderful occasion and Fr Guy Nicholls preached an outstanding homily based on our Lord's words in the Gospel; modicum et videbitis me (a little while, and you shall see me) relating it to faith in the real presence as demonstated in Emmaeus.

Margaret is home educated with her 4 siblings and is just approaching 8 years old. Their family is very new to the EF Mass, travelling all the way from Staffordshire, but the kids are thriving on it! Indeed, it was Margaret's own decision to receive communion at this point, after tuition from her mother and the support of Fr Guy. It was also great to see them at the 5th St Catherine's Trust Family Retreat just after Easter, also sponsored by the LMS.

Mass Dates May - August 2010

Friday 7th May at 7pm

Low Mass (Sacred Heart) St John Fisher West Heath

Thursday 13th May at 8pm

High Mass (Ascension) Birmingham Oratory

Wednesday 19th May at 6pm

Low Mass (St Dunstan) St Michaels West Bromwich

Monday - Friday 24th-28th May at 8:30am

Low Masses (St Philip's Chapel, Octave of Pentecost) Birmingham Oratory

Thursday 3rd June at 8pm

High Mass (Corpus Christi) Birmingham Oratory

Friday 4th June at 7pm

Low Mass (Sacred Heart) St John Fisher West Heath

Wednesday 15th June at 6pm

St Michaels, West Bromwich

Friday 2nd July at 7pm

Low Mass (Visitation of the BVM) St John Fisher, West Heath

Friday 9th July at 7pm

High Mass (Ss John Fisher & Thomas More) St John Fisher, West Heath

Wednesday 21st July at 6pm

Low Mass (St Lawrence of Brindisi) St Michaels, West Bromwich

Friday 6th August at 7pm

Low Mass (Transfiguration of OLJC) St John Fisher

SCHEDULE ABOVE IS BASED ON THE ESTABLISHED 1ST FRIDAY AND 3RD WEDNESDAY LOW MASSES

WEEKLY LOW MASSES CONTINUE AT THE BIRMINGHAM ORATORY AT 9:30AM ON SATURDAY (ST PHILIP’S CHAPEL) AND SUNDAY

Michael Bourke

Michael Bourke, a long time supporter of the Latin Mass, died recently at the age of 79. In accordance with his wishes, his family arranged a Latin Requiem Mass with absolutions and burial Rites in accord with the traditional Rituale Romanum. This took place at his daughter's parish of St George & St Teresa in Dorridge with the kind permission of Mgr McHugh.

13th March 1931 - 26th March 2010
Requiescat In Pace

Dominus Vobiscum!

Resurrexit Sicut Dixit! Allelúia!

Easter Vigil

It was a four-hour masterpiece in Catholic Tradition. St William of York, served by the FSSP and featuring an actual subdeacon. It was a glorious celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. Even the kids came, with some staying awake till 3am.
Joseph Shaw has photos on his blog.

Triduum

St William of York, Reading
Originally uploaded by Joseph Shaw1

I am currently experiencing the 1962 version of the Sacred Triduum, which is the culmination of Lent and the Dawn of Eastertide. It is always something which I have found deeply moving, and probably something I fully attended only at the age of 21, when my wife converted to Catholicism. There are not many Traditional Triduums taking place these days, although this year it seems the LMS are advertising more than ever, in at least eight locations around England and Wales. I think the closest one to the West Midlands is perhaps Reading, where we are at the moment.

I hope you have a blessed Easter, wherever you are. There will be a Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Easter Day at 9:30am in the Oratory as usual for a Sunday.

Photo is after the stripping of the altar, taken by Joseph Shaw who sang in choir.

LMS Pilgrimage, Wales

Annual LMS Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Wales, Cardigan UK, Sunday 23 May 2010

Sunday 23 May 2010 – Catholics from across Wales will gather at the National Shrine at the Church of Our Lady of the Taper, North Road, Cardigan, SA43 1LT at 2pm (Confessions) followed by a Sung Mass at 2.30pm followed by a break for refreshments and a Rosary Procession and Benediction.

Groups wishing to attend should contact the Rector of the Shrine, Father Jason Jones, on 01239 612615

Requiem Funerals

A few months ago Grant Roberts, LMS member, died and had his funeral easily and swiftly arranged at his parish of the Oratory using the 1962 Missal. R.I.P.

There have since been, in the last few weeks, a few more of the faithful departed who wanted their Requiem at a local church in the West Midlands in the Extraordinary Form. There is one tomorrow at the Oratory who has a beautiful conversion story.

Then just tonight I heard of the death of a long-time LMS member in Solihull who even assisted the diocesan LMS rep at one time.

I should make it clear that funerals can be easily arranged in the 1962 Latin Rite, at nearly any parish church (assuming the permission of the Pastor), sometimes even with sung Gregorian Chant: But as long as people's wishes are clear.

This doesn't just mean writing it in your will (which may be read way after the funeral) or even carrying an LMS 'in case of death' red wallet card. It means, like with organ donation; discuss your funeral wishes before death with your loved ones, even your parish priest. Explain to them what you want and why. It can be an emotional and trying time for everyone when a loved one is gone, without suddenly finding out that they won't understand the funeral! (although I can arrange translation booklets!)

I am always available for advise on 07967 729168

Matt

St Thomas, Claughton

On Sunday we found ourselves in this lovely church in the middle of Lancaster countryside, in the isolated hamlet of Claughton-on-Brock. It was apparent that this place was something special; there were numerous references to the penal times, and an extensive history can be found here. It is thought that the preservation of the Latin Mass in this country after the 1960s has a lot to do with our connection with history and the imperitive we seem to have to foster our traditions, perhaps a reason why under Cardinal Heenan we were granted the first Latin Mass 'indult' in 1971. Other countries mainly had to wait until 1984.

There is some excellent work going on in Lancaster for the reintroduction of the Traditional Latin Mass. See the website for more details. I was especially lucky to see their notice up in the parish church of Kendal, a practice which I must try doing here in Birmingham to raise awareness of Latin Masses happening. Curiousity can be a powerful thing.

Masses this week

This is just to confirm and remind you all about the upcoming Masses this week:

Wednesday March 17: St Patrick Low Mass - 6pm West Bromwich
Friday March 19: St Joseph Low Mass - 11am Birmingham Oratory
Saturday March 20: Requiem Mass (3rd day after Buriel) - 9:30am St Philip's Chapel, Birmingham Oratory

The Requiem on Saturday is for Sheila Jeanes who was an LMS member in Coventry who died two weeks ago at the age of 88. It seems there is sufficient stigma against the Latin Mass to prevent her wishes of a funeral in the Old Rite, so this Mass on Saturday will fulfill them as best as possible. Requiescat In Pace.