Summer Mass Cancelations

Fr Grynowski has informed me that there will be no Friday evening Mass at West Heath on:
- 27th July 2012
- 3rd August 2012
- 24th August 2012

New Latin Mass Venue - Oldbury

After the loss of the Latin Mass at West Bromwich, Fr Chris Handforth will kindly continue to offer the traditional Latin Mass at one of his own Parish Churches. Please make the effort to attend these Masses; the response will predict the continuation, and perhaps regularity, of these Masses.

Saturday 14th July 2012 at 10am (followed by Benediction)

Regular: 2nd Saturday of each month

St Francis Xavier Church

Simpson Street
Oldbury
Sandwell
B69 4AL

Oldbury is very close to the previous location of West Bromwich and has a major bus station, as well as being easily accessible from major road links; M5 Junction 2 and A457 from Birmingham.

West Heath Annual High Mass: Monday 9th July 2012

Fr George Grynowski will be offering Solemn High Mass for the great Feast of St John Fisher & St Thomas More; the Patron of his West Heath parish. Please make every effort to support this event!

St John Fisher RC Church
West Heath, Birmingham
Monday, 9th July 2010 at 7pm
(followed by refreshments)

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 5-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

 

Advice on the New Rite in Latin

Fr Paul Chavasse says the most recent Latin Mass
in St Chad's Cathedral (May 2008)

Here in the Birmingham area there is nowhere to hear the New Rite Mass sung in Latin. The closest is St Chad's Cathedral (above) which has a professional choir singing the ordinary in Greek and Latin. Any faithful wanting to take their worship further are therefore obliged to attend the Extraordinary Solemn Form at the Birmingham Oratory on a Sunday, or one of the Low Masses at Winson Green or West Heath.

It may therefore be of interest to see what the 'New Rite' Fortescue would say on the subject, no doubt based on curial proclamations and Pontifical practice:

Cardinal Foley celebrated the modern liturgy in Latin
at the Birmingham Oratory  (May 2009)

Reproduced from Mgr Peter J. Elliott's Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year

380. Mass celebrated [in Latin] should be part of the normal schedule for Sundays and Solemnities in all cathedrals and major churches. One Sunday Mass in Latin is obligatory in all basilicas.

...[It] may be appropriate to chant the Gospel in Latin at a Solemn Mass, provided the people have access to a translation of the text.

Parish Latin Low Mass: Possible
without "extensive musical resources"

381. In light of maintaining those musical settings of the Mass that may not seem appropriate in the modern Rite, solemn sung celebrations of the preconcilar rite should take place from time to time in cathedrals and churches where ther are extensive musical resources.

Unfortunately our Cathedral here in Birmingham does not go beyond the bare minimum, and despite its "extensive musical resources" they have never offered a Sung 'preconciliar' Mass, to my knowledge, since the reform of the liturgy. I happen to agree with all the sentiments expressed in the above text, besides the insinuation that the Latin Low Mass is superfluous.

May God bless our Archdiocese and country with an enriched, lively Faith, and a corresponding devotion to the beauty of the our Catholic worship.

Latest Mass Schedule for St Patick's

Here are the the times for Low Mass at St Patrick's at Winson Green over the next fortnight, courtesy of Fr Talbot, celebrant:

Monday 2nd July 2012: 8am
Tuesday 3rd July 2012: 8am
Wednesday 4th July 2012: 9am

Monday 9th July 2012: 8am
Tuesday 10th July 2012: 8am
Wednesday 11th July 2012: 9am

Mass Venue Cancellation

Please note that Monthly Masses at St Michael's, West Bromwich are suspended. If there is any positive development in this regard I will post it here.

St Patrick's Church Masses

Mon 11th June 8 am; Tues 12th June 8 am; Wed 13th June 9 am; Sat 16th June 11 am; Wed 20th June 9 am

St Patrick, Dudley Rd, Winson Green, Birmingham B18 7QN
Parking Northbrook Street over railway bridge

Dudley Road Masses

Please note over the next few days (Mon & Tues BH: 8am and Weds 9am) there will be Low Masses at St Patrick's, Winson Green.

There will also be a Mass at 11am on Saturday June 9th.

(Parking Northbrook Street over railway bridge)

Extraordinary Form Mass for Primary School Children

Melanie Bullivant has the following report:

On Thursday 24th May 2012, Fr. George Grynowski celebrated Mass according to the usus antiquior for the Junior school children of St. John Fisher Primary School, West Heath, Birmingham.

It was the second annual Extraordinary Form Mass with the children and was preceded by an assembly in school the day before, during which Fr. George gave the children a short talk about the history of the Mass and explained the differences between the Ordinary and Extraordinary forms.

Today’s Low Mass included three commentaries, which the children read before the Offertory, before the Canon and after Holy Communion.

The Regina Caeli was sung after Mass, following a request from one of the children in the assembly. The children completed a written reflection about the Mass when they returned to school. The many positive comments included, “I liked that it was spoken in Latin, how it should be all the time”; “It is silent and more peaceful” and “It was quiet which gave me more time to pray”. One third of the children in Year 5 said they preferred Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

Traditional Latin Confirmations

Bishop David McGough, auxiliary of Birmingham archdiocese for Staffordshire; confirmed six youngsters on Sunday 13th May according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Pontificale, at St Joseph's Church in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the last of the Catholic Rites of Initiation, usually following Baptism and First Holy Communion. It is traditionally administered by the local Bishop, and provision in the UK, using the Extraordinary Form, has been very sparse. It is usually only an annual ceremony in London organised by the Latin Mass Society.

The Bishop entered the sanctuary in simple procession, with cope, mitre and crozier, flanked by Deacons and Acolytes ready to take his pontificalia in veiled hands. As the Bishop sat in throne on the Epistle side of the sanctuary, the confirmands approached with their sponsors to receive the sacrament whilst knelt in prayer.

His Lordship, having imparted the Pontifical blessing, returned to the Sacristy to prepare for Mass.

After the ceremony the regular Sunday evening Mass, commemorating the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, was sung in its solemn form before His Lordship who sat in Choir. He preached on various issues at large today, and of particular significance to 'traditionalists', which were clearly heartfelt.

The parish church, recently having undergone urgent structural repairs, is under the care of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate; an order famed for their 'Day with Mary' outreach, and their regular use of the Old Roman Rite.

The evening culminated in a hearty supper prepared by regulars to the Franciscan's family days, which happen once per month. It was truly an honour to have such ceremony outside the Capital, and our particular thanks go to Fr Agnellus Murphy (parish priest) and His Lordship, who made the day possible.

St George

Next Monday, April 23rd 2012, there will be a Low Mass at 1830hrs at St John Fisher, West Heath.

Masses at St Patricks, Winson Green

Low Masses here are variable, which I will try to keep up to date on the calendar (see right sidebar). However, Fr Talbot has a website which he updates weekly which will show any Latin Masses being said.

Just head on over to http://www.anthonytalbot.com/masses.htm

One-off Mass Change

There will be no Mass at West Heath on Friday 9th March 2012; Fr George will instead say Mass on Thursday 8th March at 6:30pm for this one week only.

Ash Wednesday Low Mass

St Patricks, 106 Dudley Rd, Birmingham B18 7QN
Wednesday 22nd February 2012 at 9am

West Heath Mass Alteration

Friday, 13 January 2012
18:00 - 19:00
St John Fisher R C Church, 1 Cofton Road, West Heath, Birmingham B313QT

(one week only - Celebrant Fr Jan Nowotnik)

Mass times for this quarter

All locations are detailed on the right sidebar






From Sunday 27th November, weekly Sunday Mass at the Birmingham Oratory will change to High Mass at 10:30am.

Also every week:

Wednesday 12 noon in Halesowen*
Friday morning 8am in Winson Green, Birmingham*
Friday night 6:30pm in West Heath, South Birmingham
Saturday morning 9:00am at Birmingham Oratory
* variable; see http://www.anthonytalbot.com/masses.htm
Masses outside the ordinary:
Thursday 8th December 2011 (Immaculate Conception) Low Mass at 5:45pm Birmingham Oratory

-No Mass 9th December at West Heath-

Wednesday 21st December 2011 Low Mass at 6pm at St Michael & the Holy Angels, West Bromwich

Saturday 24th December 2011 (Night Christmas) Low Mass with hymns at 6:30pm at St John Fisher, West Heath

Sunday 25th December 2011 (Christmas) High Mass at 10:30am at Birmingham Oratory

Friday 6th January 2012 (Epiphany) High Mass at 7:30pm at Birmingham Oratory

- N.B. No West Heath Mass on Epiphany -

Mass Cancellation

There will be no Mass at West Heath on Friday 9th December 2011.

St Frideswide at West Bromwich

I gave Fr Chris a bit of a shock last night by announcing I'd set up the Missal for this obscure Birmingham (or rather Oxford) Saint rather than St Peter of Alacantara, which he'd prepared for!

In truth, I had set the Missal up for the latter, having glanced briefly at my LMS wall calendar on the way out the house, with all the General Calendar dates. I then happened to check 1 min before Mass started, in the LMS Ordo on my iPhone, and noticed a special local Feast. I automatically thought this took precedence, although in actual fact they're both 3rd Class Feasts for October 19. So I rushed up to the Missal on the Altar and made some amendments to the markers! (And thanked God St Frideswide wasn't a Martyr or I'd have to change the white vestments to red!)

All quite funny really; If I'd been prepared I could have asked Fr Chris which of the two Feasts he'd prefer to observe. In any event, he took it in good humour and even suggested in his humility that he didn't have enough oil in his lamp, in allusion to the day's Gospel Parable Jesus taught about the ten virgins awaiting Christ the Bridegroom!



It was St Frideswide, herself like a wise virgin with extra oil in her lamp, who founded a convent in the 8th Century. I am unsure whether her Feast remains in the new Calendar (historical doubt and all that). Of particular interest is the idea that her 'double monastery' was the foundation of Oxford University. It therefore seems preposterous that women were ever forbidden from following an education there. It seems gloriously romantic to me that it was the institutional Church which preserved and founded rigorous academic and scientific study. Take note Mr Dawkins!


From the St Andrew's Daily Missal:

"St. Frideswide - or Fritheswith - was born about 665 near Oxford, the daughter of noble parents. She founded a convent at the gates of Oxford - where Christ Church now stands. Aelfgar, prince of Mercia, was determined to marry her for her beauty and her inheritance, but she fled to the forests to avoid his attentions. When she returned to Oxford, Aelfgar beseiged the city, but just at the point of victory he was struck blind.

"For many years afterwards, she presided as Abbess of a double monastery of both monks and nuns. Some say that the origins of the University of Oxford lie in the school she established there. She was well known in her lifetime for effecting miraculous cures, and a well at Binsey - where she latterly retired as a hermitess - became known as a place of healing. She died at Binsey on 19th October 735, and was buried in her monastery."

More Photos can be found at my Flickr page.

Oratory Mass Changes

The Oratory Fathers, are reduced to 2 active priests (Fr Gregory is no longer able to say Public Masses owing to his mature age; Fr Dermot and Fr Guy are away) leaving Fr Anton (PP and director of Music), and Fr Paul. Therefore there has been an alteration in the Parish Mass schedule, decided by the Fathers and ratified by the Provost Fr Ignatius, and the Archdiocese.

This happens to benefit those who attend the Traditional Form since it's numbers have grown to the point it cannot be cancelled, and so therefore it's being combined with previous Novus Ordo time slots.

From immediate effect the Saturday morning Latin Low Mass will be at the slightly earlier time of 9am AT THE HIGH ALTAR (with English readings) followed by exposition and Benediction at 10.45am.

Commencing the First Sunday in Advent, the Sunday Morning EF Latin Mass will be IN THE SOLEMN FORM at 10.30am. There will only be High Masses using the revised Missal of 1969 for extra Feasts (except those transferred in the New Calendar, when as is customary, an EF Solemn High Mass is celebrated on the Traditional un-transferred date at 7:30pm weekdays and 11am Saturday, eg Epiphany, Corpus Christi, etc.)

Holy Souls (November 2nd) will have an EF High Mass at 7:30pm

Please support this opportunity, the first weekly Solemn High Mass in the Archdiocese. Similar endeavours are happening with the Franciscans in Stoke, but the Oratory will of course feature the professional polyphonic choir, which under Fr Anton's direction will probably not have must Plainchant!

We are working on deciding an appropriate translation to use in the Mass sheets. I suggest perhaps the Knox translation which is easier for the congregation to read than the Shakespearean English used in the Douay Rheims. What do you think? How about the RSV or NRSV?

Remaining Masses for 2011

NOTE EDITED TIMES BELOW:


Signing off, here are the confirmed (*and TBC) Masses outside the ordinary schedule on the sidebar of the main blogsite:

Wednesday 19th October 2011: Low Mass 6pm (St Michael's, West Bromwich)

Tuesday 1st November 2011: Low Mass 5:45pm (All Saints at Birmingham Oratory)


Wednesday 2nd November 2011:High Mass 7:30pm (All Souls at Birmingham Oratory)

Wednesday 16 November 2011: Low Mass 6pm (St Michael's West Bromwich)

Wednesday 21 December 2011: Low Mass 6pm (St Michael's, West Bromwich)


Sunday 25th December 2011: High Mass 10:30am* (CHRISTMAS MORNING MASS)

*= To be confirmed