Aylesford Gathering to celebrate the Year of St Paul

The conclusion of The Year of Saint Paul was celebrated in Southwark with a gathering at Aylesford Priory where Archbishop Kevin welcomed the bishops, priests, deacons and people from every corner of his diocese. The theme for the day was 'Proclaim the Good News' (Mark 16:15). The open-air shrine was filled to capacity - happily, the  threatened storms did not materialise. The gathering of over 3,000 people expressed the ethnic and cultural diversity that enriches our diocese, as did the vibrant liturgies, which included African and Latin chants, hymns both traditional and modern and Bidding Prayers in English, Spanish, Ghanaian, Polish and Amharic (Ethiopian).

Archbishop Kevin presided and preached at the noon Mass, at the end of which he gave the Apostolic Blessing. In his homily, he spoke of Paul's conversion: 'His faith, his conversion was not the result of a long process of reflection and discernment at the end of which he concluded that Jesus was the Messiah. No, his conversion was the result of the direct action and and intervention of God.' 'Then as today, the important issue is the choice, the initiative of God  and we should all draw strength from that when we're discouraged or tempted to give up on things.' He reminded us 'God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. His choices are not our choices and that is crucial for understanding the mystery of our faith which Paul explored so deeply. Personal choice which is so central in our culture is an entirely secondary consideration within the providence of God.'

The full text of Archbishop Kevin's homily

At 3:30 pm, the Archbishop presided at a moving Celebration of the Word of God. Father John O'Toole gave the homily and students from Saint Paul's Academy led a reflection on how to live out the teaching of Jesus (summarised in the Beatitudes) in the spirit of Saint Paul. All who are involved in proclaiming the Good News were invited to give thanks and to dedicate themselves anew to the ministry of the Word: parents, carers, grandparents, godparents and sponsors; catechists and teachers; readers and cantors; bishops, priests and deacons; religious brothers and sisters; all who are ministers of the Word as beloved sons and daughters of God. Each group was represented by the lighting of a candle.

The full text of Father John O'Toole's homily

The Missionaries of Saint Paul arranged that the Sacrament of Reconciliation was available throughout the day with other priests, including the Carmelites, assisting them.

First page of photos - The Mass

Second page of photos - Celebration of the Word of God and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Third page of photos taken before, between and after the liturgies

More photos added to each page 03-06-09

The Church and 'flu: guidance

The World Health Organisation has declared a pandemic (a worldwide epidemic) of H1N1 influenza, often called 'swine ‘flu'. This is a new form of human flu and is circulating widely in some parts of the world, including parts of the UK. As members of the Church it is right that we take every reasonable care of each other's well being. At the present time, for example, we should all take those precaution which help avoid spreading the influenza ('flu) virus.

The Liturgy Office of England and Wales has issued the following guidelines which are available on its site:

The Church and 'flu

Resources in printer-friendly format:

 

CEC publishes 'Becoming More Like Christ'

Archbishop Kevin with the Area Bishops, the Vicar General and
staff of the Christian Education Centre

On Monday, 15th June 2009, at the Christian Education Centre, Archbishop Kevin was presented with a copy of the new diocesan sacramental guidelines 'Becoming More Like Christ'.

The occasion was the annual report of the CEC to the Archbishop's Council.

The Archbishop had asked that the guidelines on the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation should be revised and 'Becoming More Like Christ'  is the fruit of consultation with parents, catechists, clergy and teachers.

The Archbishop stressed the importance of this work: 'The celebration of the sacraments and preparation for them lie at the very heart of the life of the Church.'

Report and more photos of the day

 

Blessed Sacrament Procession at Lesnes Abbey

Bishop Patrick presided at the Procession and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament among the ruins of Lesnes Abbey on the Feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday, 14th June 2009.

The annual event is attended especially by the people of the Bexley and Greenwich deaneries and the fine weather helped to encourage a large congregation. 

The Abbey, in the parish of St Benet, Abbey Wood, was founded in 1178 by Richard de Lucy, who, in 1170, had been complicit with Henry II in the murder of St Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. He built the abbey within the boundaries of his Manor in reparation and, having assumed the religious habit, ended his days there and was buried in the Chapter House. It was a foundation of the Augustinian Canons.

Bishop Patrick was presented with a plaque celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the foundation of the Knights of St Columba, which reads 'Knights of St Columba - 90 years of Serving God by Serving others'. He is pictured above with Diego Gomes the Grand Knight of Woolwich Council (118).

Pastoral Letter for the Feast of Corpus Christi

Andrea del Sarto
The Last Supper (detail) 1520-1525
Convent of San Salvi, Florence

Archbishop Kevin has written a Pastoral Letter to be read in our churches on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Sunday, 14th June 2009.

In the course of the letter he reminds us:
'Sometimes we may be tempted to give up on the high ideals that the life of Christ puts before us. It is in the nature of Christian life that there will be struggle and, at times, we will fall short. But the blood of Christ brings both forgiveness and a new start. We need constantly to resort to the source of life, which is Christ, and to believe that we will be empowered to live a new life.'

He also makes an appeal, at the start of The Year of the Priesthood,
for us to do all that we can to encourage vocations for 'without the priesthood, there can be no Eucharist'. He adds: 'A priest is a bearer of life - eternal life'.

He concludes by inviting the diocese to join him at the celebration of the Eucharist at Aylesford on 27th June to mark the end of The Year of Saint Paul.

Read the full text of Archbishop Kevin's Pastoral Letter

 

Pope Benedict XVI has announced a Year of the Priesthood to run
from 19th June 2009 until 19th June 2010. He said that this special year is intended 'to encourage priests in striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends'.

The occasion is the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, the Curé (Parish Priest) of Ars, renowned for his holiness and deep concern for the spirituality of his parishioners. He is the Patron Saint of Parish Priests, but the Holy Father is expected to name him as Patron Saint of all the priests of the world during the course of the year.

The Holy Father will open the Year at Vespers, in the presence of the relics of St John Vianney, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, has written to priests throughout the world (over 400,000) expressing the hope that 'this year may be an occasion for a period of intense appreciation of the priestly identity, of the theology of the Catholic priesthood, and of the extraordinary meaning of the vocation and mission of priests within the Church and in society'.

He describes the Year as '... a year of prayer by priests, with priests and for priests ...', and 'an opportunity to develop the communion and friendship between priests and the communities entrusted to their care'.

The full text of Cardinal Hummes letter

Spiritual and pastoral initiatives relating to The Year of the Priesthood will be reported on this site as the Year unfolds.

 

Saint Anselm remembered at Mass in his Cathedral

The parish of St Justus and St Anselm, Paddock Wood and Pembury, travelled to Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday, 13th June 2009, to celebrate the 900th Anniversary of the death of Saint Anselm who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 until his death in 1109.

Fr Liam Gallagher, the Parish Priest, who celebrated the tenth anniversary of his ordination the same weekend, lead the gathering which celebrated Mass in the Cathedral crypt and visited St Anselm's Chapel where the saint is interred.
 

 

Southwark has two new Permanent Deacons

Congratulations to Deacon John Simon Lawson, who was ordained on 12th June 2009, and to Deacon Peter Rennie, who was ordained on 13th June 2009. Please remember them and their wives, Elizabeth and Ruth, in your prayers as they begin their ministry in our diocese.

 

Study Day on the new English translation of the Mass

Mgr Richard Moth introduces Fr John O'Toole to Mgr Bruce Harbert

The International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) has been working for several years on a new translation of the Order of the Mass which is more faithful to the original Latin text. Its task has not been an easy one as the translation had to be accepted by all of the eleven Bishops' Conferences whose countries use English in the liturgy. The first phase - the Ordinary of the Mass - has been completed and has received their acceptance and the approval of the Vatican's Congregation for the Sacraments. We can look forward to adopting the new translation in our celebration of Mass perhaps as early as next year.

Southwark Liturgy Commission, with Mgr Richard Moth as its Chairman, invited Mgr Bruce Harbert, the Executive Director of ICEL Secretariat, to introduce the new translation at a study day on Saturday, 6th June 2009. Fr John O'Toole welcomed participants to the Christian Education Centre where the day was held.

More about ICEL from its web site

More photos of the Study Day

Merville II with the clergy of the South-West area

About sixty priests and deacons, mainly from the South-West area of our diocese, gathered with Archbishop Kevin at Merville in France from Monday, 1st June until Friday, 5th June 2009 for a week of prayer and reflection on their pastoral ministry.

Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, former Master General of the Dominicans, led a Day of Recollection and Fr Paddy Sweeny, a priest with responsibility for the welfare of clergy in the Dublin diocese, led sessions on the practical and personal issues facing the clergy today.

Mgr Gerry Ewing and the Ongoing Formation of Priests team have organised, at the Archbishop's request, three such weeks during 2009. The first, mainly for clergy from the South-East area, was held in February and was valued by all  participants. The final week will be held in October, mainly for the clergy of the Kent area.

These meetings provide a welcome opportunity for the Southwark clergy to express their unity with each other and with their Archbishop  - and to enjoy each other's company.

More photos of the gathering at Merville

A report of the gathering from Fr William Agley added to the photos page 16-06-09

A further report from Margaret Philpot added 22-06-09

 

Archbishop Kevin conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation
during Mass at St George's Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday,
31st May 2009.

More photos taken after the Mass

Aylesford celebration for married couples

On Saturday, 30th May 2009, Archbishop Kevin welcomed 256 married couples from the diocese to Aylesford Priory. They were all celebrating special anniversaries of their weddings this year and came with their families and friends to express their gratitude to God at a Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.

In his homily, Archbishop Kevin said 'The institution of marriage is precious: it's sanctioned by the teaching of Christ and by centuries of Christian tradition, and it is given such a special place in life and in the life of the Church for a reason. Marriage and family life is the basic unit of human society.' He committed to them 'a special task in bearing witness to the values of Christian marriage.'

Archbishop Kevin with Mr and Mrs Cheesbrough from the Isle of Sheppey, who were married in Sunbury, Middlesex, 67 years ago.

Read Archbishop Kevin's homily at the Mass

Short report and more photos

 

JPIC Annual Spring Assembly at Aylesford

Meanwhile - also at Aylesford on Saturday, 30th May - the annual Spring Assembly of the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation was taking place in the New Barn. This year the theme was 'The Church's Social Teaching in these troubled times'. Dr Patrick Riordan SJ from Heythrop College was the guest speaker. Archbishop Kevin visited the Assembly during a break in discussions.

Archbishop Kevin with Dr Patrick Riordan SJ and Fr Michael Scanlon, Chairman of the diocesan JPIC Commission

Short Report and more photos of the Assembly

Southwark Vocation Handbook praised in Rome

His Excellency Monsignor Mauro Piacenza (left) wrote recently to convey the compliments of the Congregation for the Clergy, of which he is Secretary, for our new diocesan Handbook for Parish Vocation Teams.

The Congregation writes that the Handbook 'appears to have struck a healthy balance between the centrality of the universal vocation to holiness by virtue of our baptism and the indispensable vocations to priesthood and the consecrated life by which the Church worships God, proclaims the Gospel, and witnesses to the work of Grace in her members.'

It particularly commends the handbook as a useful means of promoting Eucharistic Adoration and prayer for priests during the forthcoming Year of Priesthood: 'Indeed, the volume might serve as a useful resource within the apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration, fostering an awareness of the responsibility of every member of Christ's faithful to pray for and encourage vocations to the priesthood, and to faithfully understand its nature and place within the Church, particularly in view of the Year of the Priesthood recently announced by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI'.
 

Bishop Patrick presided over the launch of the Handbook on 28th March 2009 at the Church of the Holy Ghost, Balham and copies have been sent to every parish in the diocese.

Archbishop Kevin celebrates with priest jubilarians

At Saint George's Cathedral on Tuesday, 26th May 2009, Archbishop Kevin presided at Mass for 21 of our priests who are celebrating jubilees of their ordinations this year. Between them, they have devoted 785 years to the priestly ministry.

Bishop Paul, who also celebrates the Silver Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood this year, gave the homily.

After the Mass, Archbishop Kevin hosted a lunch for the jubilarians and their guests at Archbishop's House.

We congratulate our priest jubilarians and remember them in our grateful prayers.

More photos and list of priests who celebrate jubilees of their ordinations this year

This is National Family Week 2009

Bishop John, who is the Chairman of the Bishops' Conference Committee on Marriage and Family Life, has welcomed the launch of the first National Family Week (25th - 31st May) to celebrate family life. For the past three years the Catholic community has been doing just that: Celebrating Family: Blessed, Broken, Living Love.

In a message to promote the week, Bishop John writes: 'Families are at the very heart of both life and love. As such they are also very close to the heart of God. That’s certainly something to celebrate!'

To focus on the blessings of family life Home is a Holy Place is offering a number of resources which can be downloaded from the Catholic Church in England and Wales Web Site. Please click on the logo on the right to view the resource page.

Archbishop Kevin will offer Mass in Celebration of Marriage at Aylesford on Saturday, 30th May 2009, with couples from our diocese who are celebrating significant anniversaries of their marriages this year. Their families are warmly invited to attend.

Pope Benedict XVI: Bring the Gospel to the Internet

In his message on the occasion of the 43rd World Day of Communications, 24th May 2009, the Holy Father has encouraged young people especially to use the digital world to bring the 'Good News' to their contemporaries. He writes:

Archbishop Vincent installed at Westminster

Archbishop Vincent Nichols was installed as the eleventh Archbishop of Westminster on Thursday, 21st May 2009 in Westminster Cathedral.

Archbishop Kevin, Archbishop Emeritus Michael, Bishops John, Patrick and Paul and Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Howard were among the fifty bishops who concelebrated at the Mass. A number of the priests and religious of our diocese had also been invited to concelebrate and joined over 2,000 people in Westminster Cathedral to witness the Installation.

Archbishop Kevin with Archbishop Peter Smith of Cardiff in the sacristy before the Mass

Archbishop Vincent Nichols gives his blessing in the Lady Chapel after Mass

View the coverage of the Installation Mass on BBC iPlayer

Report and photos on the Catholic Church in England and Wales Web Site

Read the report on the Westminster Web Site -with links to the Order of Service and the text of Archbishop Vincent's homily

Listen to Archbishop Vincent's Homily on the Westminster Web Site

A page of photos taken before and after the Mass

Archbishop Kevin welcomes our new Catholics

On Saturday, 16th May 2009, Archbishop Kevin invited our new Catholics to join him for Mass at St George's Cathedral. Most of them will have been baptised or received into the Church during the Easter Vigil and will previously have visited the Cathedral for the Rite of Election.

A personal report and some more photos 

 

Congratulations to Monsignor Gerry Ewing

The Holy Father has appointed Fr Gerry Ewing as a Chaplain to His Holiness with the title Monsignor. Archbishop Kevin made the announcement at lunch during the meeting of the Council of Priests held at St Peter's Residence, Meadow Road, Vauxhall on Wednesday, 13th May 2009.

Monsignor Gerry is Parish Priest of St Thomas a Becket, Wandsworth and Director of the Ongoing Formation of Priests.

A few more photos of the occasion

Deacons and their wives on retreat at Merville

Our Permanent Deacons go on retreat at least every other year. They have the opportunity to make their retreat either at Aylesford in September or at the Maison Diocesaine d'Acceuil at Merville in France in May, when their wives are also invited.

The Merville retreat was held from Friday 8th until Sunday 10th May 2009 and was led by Fr Peter Burrows. Eight deacons and seven wives attended.

A few more photos taken during the retreat

Bexleyheath celebrates golden jubilee of church

Archbishop Kevin was welcomed by Father Michael Jones, Parish Priest of St John Vianney, Bexleyheath and the parishioners to celebrate Mass on the golden jubilee of the opening of their church by Bishop Cyril Cowderoy on 8th May 1959 (the birthday of St John Vianney).

In his homily, Archbishop Kevin expressed his joy at being with them for this occasion and reminded the people that 'It is important to remember that we are part of the communion of the Universal Church, the worldwide Catholic Church. And next year that will be expressed when I, together with all the other Bishops of England and Wales, go to Rome for our five-yearly visit to pray at the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and to meet the successor of St Peter, Pope Benedict XVI.'

Brief parish history and more photos of the occasion

Saint John Vianney and 'The Year of the Priest'

2009 is the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, the Curé (Parish Priest) of Ars. He will be the Patron of a special year for priests. The Holy Father has declared that 'The Year of the Priest' will open on 19th June, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, when he will lead Vespers in the presence of a relic of St John Vianney and will continue until 19th June 2010, when there will be a world meeting of priests in St Peter's Square.

During the year the Holy Father will officially proclaim St John Vianney as 'patron saint of all the priests of the world'.

German visitors learn about pastoral care of migrants

Archbishop Kevin, Canon James Cronin and the group from Erfurt

On Friday, 8th May 2009, four deacons from the Seminary at Erfurt in Germany, together with their Rector Mgr Wolfgang Ipolt, visited St George's Cathedral to learn about initiatives for the pastoral care of migrants in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. They were welcomed by Canon James Cronin, the Cathedral Dean and Co-ordinator of Black and Ethnic Minority Chaplains in our diocese, who gave them a tour of the Cathedral. Archbishop Kevin welcomed them to the diocese and spent some time with them.

They had the opportunity of meeting some of the Ethnic Chaplains and joined in the celebration of Mass before lunch. In the afternoon Canon James had organised a visit to the Southwark's Anglican Cathedral where they met the Sub-dean, Rev Andrew Nunn, and heard about the pastoral care of migrants in the Anglican Church. After tea, they attended Choral Evensong.

The four deacons will be ordained to the priesthood on Pentecost Sunday, 30th May, in their home dioceses. The translator was Christiana Edel.

 

A Course in Jurisprudence

Gillis Centre, Edinburgh

Congratulations to Fr Peter Jenner (Southwark Metropolitan Tribunal) and Miss June Roberts (Interdiocesan Tribunal of Second Instance of Southwark) who successfully completed the Jurisprudential and Sentence Writing Course of the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The course took place at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh and lasted eight weeks, spread over two years.

The course is designed to increase familiarity with marriage and law jurisprudence to help judges or prospective judges become more familiar with the task of judging and sentence writing in marriage nullity cases.

The presentation of certificates took place on Thursday, May 7th 2009.

Preventing the spread of influenza

Concerns about the spread of influenza have been expressed by members of our local Catholic community. News that in Mexico churches have been closed on Sundays will inevitably raise questions about whether plans are being made by dioceses in our own country to combat the spread of the virus.

At present, thankfully, the symptoms are mild and the incidence of infection is not widespread. We are advised that, at the moment, the prudent course of action would be to take common-sense precautions not to spread the virus as indicated by the NHS: if you have 'flu symptoms, stay at home and contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647) - you can keep up-to-date by visiting the web sites linked below.

The Diocese of Lancaster has developed policies that may have to be followed should the situation become critical. In the event of an epidemic, such measures may need to be adopted nationally. Links to the Lancaster documents can be found on the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales web site.

Please read carefully the NHS pamphlet that is being distributed and take the precautions it suggests. Please click here for a .pdf copy of this pamphlet.

Up-to-date information from the following web sites:

NHS choices  -  Directgov

(Posted: 05-05-09)

Bishop Patrick pays tribute to migrant workers

Bishop Patrick with Southwark priests in Westminster Cathedral sacristy

On Monday, 4th May 2009, Mass was celebrated at Westminster Cathedral in support of London's migrant workers. It was organised by the dioceses that include the Greater London boroughs: Westminster, Southwark and Brentwood. This was the fourth annual Mass for migrant workers.

The Mass, in honour of St Joseph the Worker, was offered by Bishop Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood, Bishop Patrick Lynch, Auxiliary in Southwark and Bishop Bernard Longley, Auxiliary in Westminster, together with ethnic chaplains from the London area.

 

The Mass reflected the tremendous diversity of London's Catholic community, with people representing countries throughout the world. A number of civic dignitaries, including Mayors of London boroughs and Ambassadors from the European Union and other countries attended the Mass.

In his homily, Bishop Patrick affirmed the contribution that migrant workers have made to Britain especially in recent years. He said: 'You have contributed culturally and economically to the nation and you have  contributed spiritually and socially to the Church bringing with you your deep faith, your commitment to the family and your loyalty to the Church.'

Full text of Bishop Patrick's homily

Listen to Bishop Patrick's homily from the Westminster Diocese web site
 

The Cathedral piazza after the Mass

More photos taken before and after the Migrant Workers' Mass

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

The Vocations Sunday poster sent to parishes and schools

This Sunday, 3rd May 2009, we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The Holy Father has written a message for the day: the theme he has chosen is Faith in the divine initiative - the human response.

He calls for prayer: 'The exhortation of Jesus to his disciples: 'Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest' (Mt 9:38)  has a constant resonance in the Church. Pray! The urgent call of the Lord stresses that prayer for vocations should be continuous and trusting.'

A date for your diary: Saturday, 27th June 2009

Archbishop Kevin has written to parish priests from his convalescence expressing his hope that large numbers of people from every parish will attend the Diocesan Celebration at Aylesford to commemorate the Year of Saint Paul on Saturday, 27th June 2009.

He writes: 'The Celebration for the Year of the Eucharist at Aylesford in 2005 was a great success. Let us make this Day of Celebration for the Year of Saint Paul an opportunity to come together with myself, bishops, priests, deacons, religious and all our people as the People of God united by our celebration of the Eucharist. We will also listen to and learn from the Word of God as proclaimed by St. Paul. We will pray together for the needs of the diocese and the Universal Church. Let us embrace this opportunity to come together as a diocese, drinking from the fount of living water which is Jesus Christ.'

The theme for the day will be 'Proclaim the Good News'.

Download the poster for this celebration (.pdf)
 

And from the Archive ...

Aylesford, September 2005: over 7,000 people gathered
to celebrate the Year of the Eucharist

Read the report of the 2005 celebration from our News Archive

Our Lourdes Pilgrimage 2009 - a new website section

We have added a new section to our website to give news of our diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes from 21st until 28th August this year.

The section will be further developed, so  please return from time to time.

Please click on the logo above or the logo on the side-bar on the right
 

For news prior to this entry please visit the
News Archive
 

Elsewhere on this site