Honour of serving God

What return shall I make to You for this grace? For it is not given every man to forsake all things, to renounce the world, and undertake the religious life. Is it anything great that I should serve You Whom every creature is bound to serve?

It should not seem much to me; instead it should appear great and wonderful that You condescend to receive into Your service one who is so poor and unworthy. It is a great honour, a great glory to serve You and to despise all things for Your sake. They who give themselves gladly to Your most holy service will possess great grace. They who cast aside all carnal delights for Your love will find the most sweet consolation of the Holy Ghost.

Imitation of Christ III Ch 10

Ave Maris Stella

Ave Maris Stella




Hail thou star of ocean
Portal of the sky,
Ever virgin Mother,
Of the Lord Most High.

O! by Gabriel's Ave,
Uttered long ago,
Eva's name reversing,
Established peace below.

Break the captives' fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.



Show thyself a Mother,
Offer Him our sighs,
Who for us incarnate
Did not thee despise.

Virgin of all virgins
To thy shelter take us,
Gentlest of the gentle
Chaste and gentle make us.

Still, as on we journey,
Help our weak endeavor,
Till with thee and Jesus
We rejoice forever.


Through the highest heaven,
To the almighty Three
Father, Son, and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.


-- Posted From Wend's iPod Touch WiFi (4.5Mb/s)
Virgin Media Broadband

West Heath High Mass

We had a lovely evening yesterday at the accommodation of the kind parishioners of St John Fisher Parish in South Birmingham. The Church is actually situated at the beginning of Cofton Rd. At the other end is, you guessed it, Cofton Park; where Pope Benedict will beatify Newman on September 19th. So there is certainly an air of excitement, and Fr Jan Nowotnik who was subdeacon last night, is Deputy Local Liturgy Organiser for the Papal Visit. Bodes well, doesn't it?

Go to my LMS Blog for more info on the occasion.

EF 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