It is pleasant to report some good news at last; Bishop Burns has made some adjustments to seven parishes in his Diocese and one result is that, Father Jason Jones, Rector of the National Shrine of Wales, Our Lady of the Taper at Cardigan, is to move to take up the role of PP to The Sacred Heart Parish at Morriston on the outskirts of Swansea. A large (by rural Welsh standards) parish and one that will present a challenge to Fr Jones but one that he is more than capable of meeting.
So far so good: tough on the Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn parishioners who have formed an excellent choir which has come into its own since September 2007, but good for the souls of Morriston.
What is the function and purpose of the Confraternity? Well, it will enable and support Diocesan priests who wish to offer the EF Mass, it will provide a formal structure of financial, spiritual and organisational aid with the aim of establishing a network of parishes where the Mass will be offered.
Surely this is part of what the Holy Father was speaking about in the Peter Seewald interview when he expressed a desire to see more priests crossing parish boundaries to share their vocation in a broader sense and to draw strength from working not in isolation but together.
What Father Jones and Bishop Burns are putting in place could well become a model for development of the EF Mass in a manner that cannot be breached in any way.
The initial plan is to begin setting up a network of "host" parishes that will offer the EF Mass; on Sundays in the main and, as far as possible, without duplication so that the faithful may have to travel only 10 miles on one Sunday but up to 60 miles the next. This may sound extreme but, believe me, Welsh Catholics (and their English brethren living in Wales) are used to travelling many leagues in order to fulfil their Sunday obligation.
Moreover, the teamwork involved in this initative crosses several divides. The LMS are there under the excellent guidance of Luigi Dimao and Tom and Elaine Sharpling but there are also many individuals who are not allied to the LMS who wil be taking part in the organisation side. It is, in brief, a most non Partisan arrangement.
One of the first needs of the CHC is to provide "Mass kits" in each of the host parishes. Vestments, altar missals, altar cards and so on are urgently needed so please drop an email to r.collinsassoc@btinternet.com if you can help in any way.
So far so good: tough on the Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn parishioners who have formed an excellent choir which has come into its own since September 2007, but good for the souls of Morriston.
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| Bishop Thomas Burns of Menevia |
Now the Bishop has made another excellent move and appointed Fr Jones as Diocesan Co-ordinator for the EF Mass. Thank you Bishop! This is a sound and wise appointment as Fr J offers a well balanced approach to both the OF and EF Masses and steers well clear of the awful politics that can surround both. He is also one of our great priests and it is good to see that the Bishop recognises such a strong vocation within a structure of reverence.
To add to our joy, Fr Jones has announced that, in his new role, he will form a Confraternity of the laity and priests involved; it will be called The Confraternity of the Holy Cross (in recognition of the Feast of the Holy Cross - 14th September upon which, Pope Benedict launched his Summorum Pontificum). The Confraternity will be placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Sorrows.What is the function and purpose of the Confraternity? Well, it will enable and support Diocesan priests who wish to offer the EF Mass, it will provide a formal structure of financial, spiritual and organisational aid with the aim of establishing a network of parishes where the Mass will be offered.
Surely this is part of what the Holy Father was speaking about in the Peter Seewald interview when he expressed a desire to see more priests crossing parish boundaries to share their vocation in a broader sense and to draw strength from working not in isolation but together.
What Father Jones and Bishop Burns are putting in place could well become a model for development of the EF Mass in a manner that cannot be breached in any way.
The initial plan is to begin setting up a network of "host" parishes that will offer the EF Mass; on Sundays in the main and, as far as possible, without duplication so that the faithful may have to travel only 10 miles on one Sunday but up to 60 miles the next. This may sound extreme but, believe me, Welsh Catholics (and their English brethren living in Wales) are used to travelling many leagues in order to fulfil their Sunday obligation.
Moreover, the teamwork involved in this initative crosses several divides. The LMS are there under the excellent guidance of Luigi Dimao and Tom and Elaine Sharpling but there are also many individuals who are not allied to the LMS who wil be taking part in the organisation side. It is, in brief, a most non Partisan arrangement.
One of the first needs of the CHC is to provide "Mass kits" in each of the host parishes. Vestments, altar missals, altar cards and so on are urgently needed so please drop an email to r.collinsassoc@btinternet.com if you can help in any way.
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