CMA UK Midlands/ Worcs 2011

Catholic Medical Association Meeting Thurs 20 Oct ‘11

‘Induced Abortion: Its effect on Mental Health’

Speakers: Drs Pravin Thevasathan (CMA Worcs Branch Secretary, Cons Psychiatrist LD) & Greg Gardner (Birmingham GP and protestant ethicist for Midlands Ethics Group)

Chair: Dr Tony Cole
Venue: Newman House Catholic Chaplaincy, 29 Harrisons Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham

19:30: Mass
20:10: Meeting Followed By Discussion & Light Buffet

To assist with catering, would those wishing to attend please notify (email) John Kelly (kellyj1931@googlemail.com) by 12 Oct.

There is no charge for Buffet

Return of Friday Meat Abstinence

I am not eating meat today, by order of the Bishops Conference of England & Wales.

Today the Bishops are reviving this ancient custom and obligation of Abstince from Meat every Friday, in commemoration of 'Good Friday' the day Our Lord was crucified.

After 26 years of 'optional' acts of charity, this requirement is returned, to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Pope Benedict's visit to the UK.

Abstinence, or 'self denial,' are little acts of penance and sacrifice which are to be offered up by us people in union with Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Partaking in this is, and always has been, an essential part of Christianity. Even in the times of ancient Israel, sacrifice, especially when done communally, was offered to appease God's wrath. In the New Testament it is more indicative of ultimate love & life giving sacrifice, in imitation of the God-man. The Bishops particularly feel, by witnessing this in common, it will help Christ shine through into our society.

In the Western Church, fasting, which is going without food for a similar reason as abstinence, was relaxed. The strict Lenten fasting seemed to change its significance during the rationing of food in the Wars of 20th Century Europe, and was therefore all but abolished by Rome.

A cursory glance at current practice in the Eastern Church, reveals that not eating meat is the very least we can do. During Lent they abstain from Meat, fish, alcohol and dairy products. Sometimes really zealous Christians will only eat nuts for example.

In the Western Church the requirement is only to fast on 2 days a year (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which commemorate either end of Jesus' 40 days in the desert).

The change today in UK Catholic Law just put into context the continued and prevailing English tradition of Fish & Chips on a Friday!

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West Heath Martyrs High Mass 2011

Once again this year, for the third time, Fr George Grynowski invited the Latin Mass Society to his Parish of St John Fisher in West Heath, South Birmingham. The Feast of Ss John Fisher & Thomas More fell on a Saturday this year, which would have otherwise meant a larger turnout. However, today coincided with the Franciscans of the Immaculate second visit to the Birmingham Oratory for their Day with Mary (As well as enjoying a packed congregation, they also benefit from the FI specialty of Sung Mass in the Usus Antiquor).

The Neri Singers sang sang Missa O Quam Gloriosum by Victoria for the mass ordinary, Credo III De Angelis, Exultate Justi by Viadana at the offertory, O Quam Gloriosum by Victoria at communion, and settings of the Gradual and Alleluia to faux bourdons by Ignaz Mitterer. The Organist Mr Oliver Hayes, played the Hymn Rex Gloriose for the chorale prelude before the Introit, and the Bach Little Fugue in G Minor as the voluntary, as well as improvisations on the chant and the polyphony.

Fr George, the Parish Priest, was for the second time Celebrant; with Frs Christopher Miller & Jan Nowotnik as Deacon & Subdeacon respectively. All these three Priests reside in the South Birmingham Deanery, which is fortuitous for Fr George.

In total only about 40-50 people were in attendence, but we know we were also accompanied by the Choir of Heavenly Angels, almost tangible with Victoria's rendition of the Sanctus.

An incense filled Byzantine-style church was as ever grateful for such a beautiful expression of Latin Catholic Worship, beginning with the quiet prayers at the foot of the altar, Judica Me (Ps 42), so the silent and reverent flectamus genua of the Last Gospel according to St John (1:14)... It is a liturgy resplendent in its noble simplicity and reverent decorum. Thanks be to God!

For more Photos see my Flickr Set


The next Sung Mass will be for St Pius X to honour the Modern Feast Day of Pope St Gregory the Great on Saturday 3rd September 2011 at 11am in St Michael's West Bromwich, followed by sung Benediction and refreshments.


There will be NO 7 pm Mass next Friday 15th July 2011 at West Heath; A Low Mass will instead be offered at 6 pm next WEDNESDAY 13th July 2011.

Oratory & Maryvale join forces for Liturgical Music

We've been interested in the Birmingham Oratory for some years, so it takes us great pleasure to announce the new Blessed John Henry Newman Institute for Liturgical Studies. Apparently it will get us all singing together, so I'm all for it!

Fr Guy Nicholls CO is director to the project. For more go to : http://www.oratorymusic.org.uk/

Latin Mass Society Calendar 2012

Latin Mass Society of England & Wales

For the Promotion of the Traditional Latin Rite

Calendar 2012

Plans are well underway for the next LMS Calendar, showcasting some of the big events of 2010-11 as well as illustrating the good work the LMS is helping achieve. It is always a very popular product and sells out fast.

This year we are introducing a new A3 spiral bound format which will give more room for the excellent photos we are in the process of choosing from. If you have any photographs of Latin Masses that you've attended in England & Wales over the last 12 months, please email them to the LMS head office immediately for inclusion in the calendar.

Guild of St Clare Needle work in Birmingham!

The Guild of St Clare was started by Lucy Shaw in Oxford last year. It now has branches in London and Birmingham, and my wife has run two sessions, one of which Lucy joined. They meet in local lady's houses.

The eventual aim is to help make and restore sacred vestments for use at the Traditional Latin Mass.

2nd Guild of St Claire meeting

Next Thursday, there is the 2nd guild of st claire meeting. We will be meeting in a private home of one of our group in edgbaston

We will be starting at 7.30 with the rosary, then a intro by Lucy shaw, followed by the craft, which will be to begin our bunting! I have got hold of the tape to attach the bunting to but please try to bring- 1-2 meters if a fabric you like for your bunting, I will bring spare you can purchase off me if you don't get the chance to buy some. Sharp fabric scissors. A piece of cardboard for the triangle template.

Looking forward to seeing you all
Comment any questions
Wendy

Use the 2nd Confiteor!

Dr The Hon Joseph Shaw draws our attention to a letter of instruction regarding the traditional Mass and whether to implement novelties, like girl altar servers (in this case) as well as communion in the hand etc.


But whatever its context, Ecclesia Dei (the Vatican branch) quotes the above section of their recent Instruction. If I'm reading it right, it says "...from 1962 onwards" which I interpret to include also the removal of the second Confiteor, as well as other things.

St Joseph's, Burslem

The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate took over this poor parish church a couple of years ago, and now offer a sung Latin Mass (EF) every Sunday at 6pm.

On the first Sunday of the month there is a family after preceding it at 2pm with lots of refreshments and activities for the whole family (today three age groups).




I would heartily recommend any Catholic Family to make the trip to Staffordshire once per month. This afternoon we had Adoration and Benediction with the Novena to the Holy Ghost for Pentecost.

V./ Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary,
R./ Bless up and keep us.

For Pentecost Sunday it will be a Solemn High Mass.

'In' vocations 2011

St Mary's College, Oscott, North Birmingham
17-19 June 2011



I sent an email a while back, asking if they'd like my services to offer a Latin Mass. Unfortunately they probably didn't get it, because I didn't receive a reply. But it looks like a 'Yoof' gateway thing into the Catholic Faith and religious vocations. The type of clerics at these events are usually fairly sound. Our family have definitely benefited from our exposure to Youth 2000 type stuff. It will inevitably be this youth, 16-35, who will build up the Church along Traditional lines. Everyone's life is a journey.