The magic Mass that makes children disappear

Our eldest daughter is, (Dg) a staunch traditional Catholic.

In fact, I vividly recall her words when, ten or more years ago, she left home for University and Mrs Linen and I held our breath to see if the ship would float or sink.

Our fears were groundless. As she was studying in Cardiff there was no chance of a Latin Mass but she reported how she had gone to a Novus Ordo on her first 'independent' Sunday and came away profoundly underwhelmed.

Her words ring in my ears today: "There's no need to worry Daddy, the new Mass was so bad it's certain that we are doing the right thing."

And now, as the mother of two small children and living on the northern boundaries of the Archdiocese of Westminster, she has returned to the new Mass despite her feelings towards it remaining unchanged.

Why? What could be the cause of such a move?

Well, Westminster is not exactly the hot hub of Latin Masses.
In fact they are as rare as a rib-eye steak in a vegetarian restaurant.

And, where they are available they are scheduled at times that make it virtually impossible for small children to attend. Not by chance, methinks.

So, our daughter has returned to the OF Mass and we applaud her move.
It is vital that small children grow into the Faith by means of practice and example and, in the absence of a Latin Mass, a vernacular one will do for the time being.

And, she reported, after her first Mass, on something quite magical that took place.

At the start of Mass the celebrant called all the children present up to the sanctuary whereupon, various lay people emerged from the shadows and led the children out of the church by a side door.

Naturally alarmed by such a move she retrieved our two grandchildren aged five and two respectively and received a studied glare from the priest as a result.

The Mass commenced and then, abracadabra, the children reappeared half way through, clutching sheets of paper with their artistic efforts.

You can imagine the scene, at a period of utmost importance in the Mass, when twenty five children mill around complete with their drawings.

And then, just as my daughter expected things to settle down, the children were taken away for a second time, never to be seen again.

Magic!

Actually, more like black magic really.

A little flirting with Southwark, a sojourn in Westminster and a touch of the A & Bs

Two of Southwark's finest liturgists and the Diocesan 'humble' car

Today we have left the desert lands of Menevia, boarded our trusty Volkswagon Tardis and taken a journey back in time to visit some of the haunts of our youth (those that are not entombed beneath the M25).

We shall not dally long in Surrey but continue our travels on to the Northern boundaries of the Archdiocese of Westminster where we hope to attend Sunday Mass at Ware (no jokes please, that's too obvious even for me).

And, for the Vigil of the Assumption of Our Lady (aka Mary if you are an a la carte Catholic) we shall be, hopefully, at Welwyn Garden City's church of St Bonaventure.

Sunday 18th will see us boomeranging back to Southwark North (sounds like a Tube Station) where we shall seek a Mass in the Ashford area. And then, on to
A & B.

If Archbishop Vincent Nichols or Archbishop Smith would like a meeting with me to discuss why we now have schools with Muslim Prayer Rooms and specific Masses for the LGBT brigade.....then, I'm sorry but I shall be too busy fishing, relaxing, drinking good strong coffee (and, possibly, some ale) and, maybe, even doing the odd post or two.

Please, Your Graces, contact my PA to arrange an appointment for a future date.

NB: For 'PA' read Mrs Linen, although she will wish to garotte me with her knitting wool for calling her that.

A good response from the LMS

There are more Eskimos than Latin Masses in Westminster
Photo: Liberapedia

But it's still a bleak midwinter outlook for the Traditional Latin Mass in the mother Diocese of England and Wales, the Archdiocese of Westminster.

Here's the comment from the Latin Mass Society:

Thank you for bringing this issue up.

We at the LMS office are currently in the process of creating a Mass Listing for both the Immaculate Conception and Christmas.

They should be available to the public by the end of the week.

As to the situation at Westminster Cathedral, we have to concede that the situation is bleak.

The Provision of Masses in Westminster Diocese according to the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum and the clarification Universae Eccesiae, is one of the poorest in the country.

We pray that Westminster Diocese will decide, in charity, to provide the Traditional Latin Mass at more venues (such as anywhere outside of Central London, for instance in it's North London Parishes) at more charitable times.

With regards to our format, we appreciate the feedback, and while it has been the practice of the LMS to use PDF documents to publish our listings, we do hope to change that in the not too distant future to make them more accessible and searchable.

God bless.

Broken, cracked and ignored underfoot

Could this conceivably be a war memorial? Unthinkable.

A statue of Sir Winston Churchill? Certainly not.

Well then, maybe a handprint of Sir Elton John? Yikes! No way!

It's the memorial plaque to the Martyrs of England and Wales who gave their lives for their faith and the latin Mass.

                                 This is the plaque as it was 18 months ago 
                                 since then it has suffered much more wear and tear

It survives, (just about), in the central island of London's busy Edgware Road and Hyde Park; insignificant, unnoticed by virtually all who pass by.

Known only to a few Catholics and seemingly forgotten and neglected by the Catholic Church and Westminster Diocese in particular.

I visited the spot this week to say a prayer or two and was shocked to see how this lump of cement and brass letters had deteriorated in the space of two years, since my last pilgrimage.

It looks as if some seriously heavy earthmoving equipment has been over it a few times, the concrete is now cracked in several places and what was once an insignificantly placed memorial has now become almost unrecognisable, an uneven piece of the pavement.

I posted on this subject two years ago and even followed through with Westminster City Council who told me that plans for establishing a new memorial, monument even, were with Archbishop's House.

Nothing appears to have been done.

What would it take to get this project back on track? A will, certainly, a modest amount of cash (which, I am sure would be readily forthcoming if only someone asked for it) and a design for the memorial.

Not a faint imprint on a traffic island but, possibly, a replica of the original Tyburn Tree.

Is that asking so very much?

Yes, a chaplain must be a priest

My thanks to James Preece for sending me the following information.....

"It is unlawful for the non-ordained faithful to assume titles such as "pastor", "chaplain", "coordinator", " moderator" or other such similar titles which can confuse their role and that of the Pastor, who is always a Bishop or Priest.(58)"

Click here for the document

Hats in the air for the Vaughan!



But not, I think,  a Cardinal's hat....hmm.....

At last the Vaughan Parents Action Group has achieved part of what they set out to achieve in the first place.
Their choice for the post of Headteacher, Mr Paul Stubbings, existing Deputy Head, has fought off stiff competition to be appointed, many congratulations to him!

Now some may ask what all the fuss was about......Vaughan Parents getting in a state over the appointment of a new Head. But...if they had not organised themselves efficiently and held vigils and offered up prayers, would they be celebrating today? I think not.

If you ask me it was the prayer vigil outside the Cathedral wot swung it!

Here is the announcement:

13^th October  2011

"The Vaughan Parents’ Action Group warmly welcomes the appointment of Mr Paul Stubbings to the substantive position of Headmaster of The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.

Mr Stubbings commands widespread respect at CVMS having served the School with distinction for twenty-two years, most recently as Deputy Headmaster.

As Mr Stubbings takes up his post in this high achieving Catholic school, we offer him our support and prayers.  Parents will work with the new Headmaster to ensure the School remains a beacon of the Catholic Faith, and to sustain its record of outstanding academic, musical and sporting achievements.

The Vaughan Parents’ Action Group is deeply grateful to the elected Parent Governors who have valiantly withstood huge pressures over the last year in their fight for parents’ voices to be properly represented on the Governing Body.

The precious inheritance of the Vaughan lives on in no small part due to the devotion and expertise of Mr Charles Eynaud. As Acting Headmaster, Mr Eynaud has led the School with dignity and skill through two of its most turbulent years.  The debt of gratitude we all owe him is simply incalculable.

We pray that this appointment, agreed unanimously by the Governing Body, heralds a new era of openness and transparency. We expect the Governors to give our new Headmaster the total support the post requires. We hope that the Foundation Governors, in particular, will work co-operatively and reasonably with all the Governors so that the Vaughan’s proud traditions of love and service may benefit generations of Catholic children to come".

And congratulations to the Parents, Staff, Governors and Pupils of Cardinal Vaughan School - Bravo!