Our latest newsletter, with Mass times and activities is here
Please note especially the times for Masses at Christmas:
Bedford: Midnight Mass, and 8.30am (Dawn Mass of Christmas)
Reading: Midnight Mass (Sung), and 11am (Day Mass of Christmas)
Chesham Bois: 8am (Dawn Mass of Christmas – Sung)
There will also be a Holy Hour followed by a Sung Mass at Midnight on New Year’s Day in Reading.
Click here to open the 20-page pdf.
In this issue:
Editorial: Gloom versus Glow
I Go To The King!
The Philosophy of Christendom
Sharing our Roman Traditions
A Very Priestly Fraternity
Schools of Prayer
The Privilege of Motherhood
Good Books For All As Christmas Presents
Three Books On Priestly Spirituality
Catholic Novels: When Fiction Illustrates Faith
History And Spirituality Books For All
Support Our Apostolate
Reminder: the restrictions imposed by the Government prevent many faithful from meeting the usual conditions to gain the plenary indulgences on behalf of the Holy Souls in Purgatory during this month of November. Thankfully the Holy See has granted more flexible conditions, allowing nearly every one to help one or several holy souls enter heaven this month.
In particular, entering a church or a cemetery is now dispensed with. One can gain the indulgence from home if unable to travel to a church or cemetery. Anyone able to travel is of course expected to make use of the provision for private visit and private prayer to one’s local church, which can include on individual request Confession and private Holy Communion.
Please read here the Vatican decree.
Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace!
Great news! The High Mass of Reparation for Abortion scheduled for next Saturday 14 November at 12 noon is going ahead. Because of current circumstances, it has to be held behind closed doors and will be live-streamed: see the Latin Mass Society website events section: https://lms.org.uk/events.
The celebrant will be Fr Seth Phipps FSSP, with Fr Gabriel Diaz as Deacon and Fr Michael Cullinan as Subdeacon. Matthew Schellhorn will be playing and singing.
Please join us via live-streaming and pray for an end to abortion and the loss of those millions of innocent lives whose deaths do not reach the news headlines.
As you will be aware, the Government’s new lockdown legislation calls for the cessation of public worship. Please sign this petition and write to your local MP to challenge this blatant and unnecessary violation of liberty. You will be pleased to note that the Bishops Conference has challenged the Government on this point, as have several bishops including Bishop Egan. Please pray that these restrictions are lifted quickly.
During the lockdown, we will strive to keep the founts of sacramental grace flowing. Please note that, commencing Friday 6th November, St William of York Church will be open for private prayer at the following times, during which a priest will be available for Confession. Furthermore, 20 minutes before the end of each period of opening, Holy Communion will be distributed at the altar rails.
Sun: 9am to 10.30am (with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
Mon: 12pm to 1.30pm
Tue: 7am to 8.30am
Wed: 12pm to 1.30pm
Thu: 10am to 11.30am
Fri: 7.30pm to 9pm
Sat: 8am to 9.30am
The Mass intentions noted in the previous bulletin (planned before the lockdown was called) will still be fulfilled, at the priests’ private Masses on the given days.
At Christ the King Church, Bedford: Confessions will be available on Sat 7th November from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
At Our Lady’s Church, Chesham Bois: We are planning to be available for confessions on a Saturday afternoon later in the month – to be announced on the next parish email on 13th November.
NB: The Mens Group is cancelled but the Ladies Group will go ahead as planned on Sat 7th. The Confirmations planned for 22 November are postponed again – they will be a priority once public worship resumes.
Please see the full bulletin here.
The beginning of November sees two important days in the life of the Church.
All Saints Day, 1st November, falls on a Sunday this year and so we have our usual two Masses at 8.30 am and at the earlier time of 12.30 pm. If you would like to come to either of these Masses, please contact bedfordlatinmass@gmail.com as soon as posssible.
All Souls Day, 2nd November, falls on a Monday this year and we will be having trinated (back-to-back) Masses at 10.00 am, 10.35 am and 11.10 am. Many people come at the beginning and stay for all three Masses. The Church allows us on this day to receive Holy Communion at two of the Masses. There is no need to book.
Looking forward to seeing you on these special days!
Don’t forget that the clocks go back by one hour this coming weekend, so you will get an extra hour in bed!
More importantly, as from 1 November, the 1 pm Mass will be brought forward to 12.30 pm. This is the Feast of All Saints – come and celebrate with us.
Secure now what no lockdown will ever take away from you: whether you are single or married, lay or consecrated, surrender to the Lord in loving trust. Start now.
https://www.facebook.com/londonjuventutem/videos/375918323442245
Juventutem London resumed its monthly Mass and Social in September after the lockdowns of the summer. In this video recording, Fr Armand de Malleray offers a homily to the faithful on the theme of betrothal to Christ. Fr reflects that “betrothal […] is to give ourselves completely body and soul to somebody else. For human couples in holy matrimony, this is being married and starting a family. For the individual soul, it is to surrender all that we are to the Lord, in trust that He will make use of what we are, who we are, better than if we were making the decisions.”
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