ST THOMAS MORE CHURCH, BEXLEYHEATH.
AUGUST IS THE MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.
THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Dear parishioners,
‘’ Do not model your behaviour on the contemporary world’’ Romans 12: 2 (NJB).
According to Robert Nugent*, a commentator on the rapid decline of the Catholic Church in Ireland and elsewhere, the American bishop, Thomas Tobin wrote a message on Twitter last week that has been re-tweeted around the world. Bishop Thomas wrote:
‘I am convinced that if the Church is to prosper in the present age, it cannot hesitate to embrace and support traditional Catholics, traditional liturgies and traditional moral values. ‘’ Do not conform yourself to this age’’ St. Paul warned the followers of Christ in Romans 12:2.’
Only recently, we reported on the young Keralan catholic man who rejoiced in the restoration of traditional orientation at mass in the Keralan Catholic Church. He observed that a ‘God centred’ liturgy is a way of demonstrating that priest and people are focussed on God, not on themselves and commented that he had always thought the world is called to follow the way of the church not the church the way of the world. This though had not usually been the young man’s experience in the modern church. His expression of faith, although radical in the world, should not be so in the church. He had simply been re-phrasing St Paul’s words above, which applies to all of us. The only way we, the Church, will survive and thrive is by being true to our baptism, which means of course, following Christ and not the world. This is not by inventing new dogma and practices so we become easier and more accommodating to worldly values, but finding ways of understanding what the Church has taught and practiced through the ages, now in our time.
People need and want reverence and clear teaching of the faith from church leaders and a restatement of the church’s theology and moral teaching. This was taught by Pope Benedict XVI who famously wrote in Summorum pontificum ‘ What previous generations held sacred is sacred to us and can’t be considered forbidden or harmful’ . This is not about staying put or moving backwards, but expressing a recognisable continuity with what the Church has always believed and practised as we move forwards. The new must be in continuity with the old, not a new invention thought up by self- proclaimed ‘liturgy experts’ in a committee or declared the ‘will of the people’ through the plebiscite of a ‘global consultation’ called a ‘synodal process’ or the strange sounding ‘synod on synodality’. So far, the headlines from Ireland and Germany reveal that many who have bothered to participate in this 'process' want same sex marriage in the church, in addition to married priests, women priests, divorce and remarriage and contraception and other issues of life, gender, sexuality and choice. In other words, they want the contemporary world in the church to replace the church’s two thousand year old deposit of faith and Christian teaching.
The church does not do revolutions: we have survived by continuity with Christ and our apostolic foundations, not by allowing ourselves to be absorbed by the world around us: the martyrdom of our own patron St Thomas More is testimony to this. Our very existence is a contradiction to the world. Likewise, Vatican II was in continuity with what went before and did not create a new religion or authorise a protestant style of worship or embrace a secular morality. We only need to read the Vatican II documents on Liturgy and worship to realise that the changes intended in the Sacred Liturgy were in continuity with all that went before and this should be clear to all. If the Council fathers could see the abuses committed against catholic liturgy in some places nowadays, would they recognise this as the reform of the liturgy for which they voted? Would they even recognise some masses as catholic masses? Sadly, examples are easily found to view on the internet.
Mother Angelica, famous for founding the TV channel EWTN, which many of you watch, made it clear, stating that Vatican II did NOT abolish:
· Ad orientem worship (i.e. the priest facing the altar/ tabernacle/ Cross, in the same direction of the people when addressing God and facing the people when addressing them)
· Altar Rails
· Kneeling in reverence to receive Holy Communion and receiving on the tongue.
· Beautiful Clerical vestments to honour Christ.
· Our sacred language, Latin, in the Liturgy.
· Gregorian chant, the pre-eminent and truly authentic catholic music in the praise of God.
· The organ as the pre-eminent instrument for sacred worship.
· Elevating the sacred in all things above the mundane.
· ( or I might add, Images of the Sacred Heart, Benediction and the Holy Rosary which also disappeared from so many parishes)
And yet, all these were thrown out in a destructive revolution and rupture which took place in the seventies. The loss of these sacred signs in so many churches has diminished our sense of the sacred and led to a failure to pass on the depth and beauty of our faith to our children. It is where our interior belief in the catholic sacraments is outwardly and visibly expressed in the traditional ceremonies of our worship, that we see already a revival in catholic family life and vocations, including among sections of young people who are tired of the Godless and individualist values of our age in cities like New York**, London and Paris. In this, perhaps, they find the companionship, not only in the community of their chosen parish, but in the communion of the saints through the ages. This is the true connectivity of the Soul, not the modern connectivity of social –media for quick fixes and instant gratification that feed the individualism of the age and contribute to isolation and loneliness. It is not by embracing the world that The Church will survive and grow again, but by rediscovering who we are, with a God- centred Liturgy and moral life in a restoration of what is authentically and historically Roman and Catholic, conforming ourselves to Christ and not to the contemporary world.
* See Robert Nugent on Youtube on his broadcasts called, ‘Decrevi determined to be catholic’. Mr Nugent has quite a lot to say on frequent broadcasts, but it is interesting to hear what is going on in the Church over the water from someone who has experience in religious life and ministry, loves the church and has a wide perspective.
** There has also recently been a fascinating article in the New York Times ‘New York’s Hottest Club is the Catholic Church’: August 9th 2022. This raises some interesting discussion points about the counter-cultural nature of traditional Catholicism that appeals to some young people who do not want to just accept and absorb the culture of the world and ,quite rightly, seriously challenge it through their religion. See: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/09/opinion/nyc-catholicism-dimes-square-religion.html
DAY WITH MARY
Saturday 27th August 2022 from 10.15 a.m. at St. George’s Cathedral.
PARISH GOLF DAY 2022 We are just a few weeks away from the usual Parish Golf day which is on Thursday 29th September at Birchwood Park. There will, as always be a charity raffle to the day which will be available from Tony Brook after some masses.
Any enquiries, please call Tony Brooke 07833707016.
SOCIAL EVENING Enjoy an evening out at your St Thomas More Parish Club. Presenting a social evening for all the family, everybody welcome with Music by Annie Gee, Friday 9th September 2022, 8.00 pm till 11pm, Admission - Adults £3 at the door, Jenny 07710 527692 Mary 07749 197957
‘Children’s Liturgy’ on Sundays at 9.00 a.m. will be taking a summer break and will resume in the autumn term.
FOOD BANK. Don’t forget the Food Bank collection crate in the Church Porch! People are not managing to afford the basic essentials of life. If you can contribute some long life milk, canned food, packets of pasta, toilet rolls or any other non-perishable basics, you will be helping our neighbours in great need.
THURSDAY LUNCH CLUB There will be no lunch club on Thursday 28th July, Thursday 4th August, Thursday 11th August and will resume on Thursday 25th August. We welcome to the Church Hall for three weeks a summer camp for children.
Memorial Requiem for Joan Troy (16th March 1924 – 13th August 2020) A Requiem Mass is to be held for Joan Margaret Troy (née Welch) on 23rd August 2022 at 12.00 noon. She died peacefully of natural causes on 13th August 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic at Eastham Care Home in Chelmsford, Essex at the age of 96. Joan and her deceased husband John William Troy were stalwarts of the Saint Thomas More’s Parish and were ever present for Sunday Mass and Holy Days. John was a long serving member of the Knights of Saint Columba, and served a term as Grand Knight. They were both extremely active in fund raising to enhance the parish and its facilities. Joan will be well- remembered by the older parishioners for her service on the bar in the newly- built church hall most Friday nights with her dear friend Freda Ross. All are welcome to join the family at this mass. Joan Troy R.I.P.
Making your donation to the parish on line:
NATWEST
ACC NO. 21361606
SORT CODE 517014
for the credit of: RCAS ST THOMAS MORE - BOSTALL PARK
Ref: Collection/ Donation
Deaths
For all our brothers and sisters who ate the Body of Christ, the bread of Life, that they may be raised up on the Last Day. (Drawn from the intercession of the Funeral Mass)
Please pray for the soul of:
Margaret Heffernan whose funeral was on Thursday 20th July.
Mario Pescatore, aged 89, who died on Friday 1st July 2022 and whose funeral was on Friday 19th August 2022.
Maria Rosa Fasano, aged 87, who died on Thursday 21st July 2022 and whose funeral was on Tuesday 9th August 2022.
Thomas Patrick Bromhead, who died on Monday 18th July 2022, aged 90 and whose funeral will take place at Eltham Crematorium on Wednesday 24th August 2022 (with Requiem said earlier)
Brenda Catherine Clarke, who died on Wednesday 20th July 2022, aged 78 and whose funeral was on Thursday 11th August.
May the divine assistance remain with them always, and may their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
MASSES AND INTENTIONS FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME.
Instaurare Omnia in Christo: "to restore all things in Christ."
Saturday 20th August S. Bernard, abbot, doctor of the church. T.C.
9.00 a.m. Confessions.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary.
+10.00 a.m. [Latin 1962] Elizabeth Woodward W.B.
12.00 noon. Baptism.
+ 6.30 p.m. THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME. Solemnity, holyday of obligation. SAID. The people of the parish.
Sunday 21stAugust
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 9.00 a.m. SUNG. The Braganca Family W.B. & T.G.
+ 11.00 a.m. SOLEMN LATIN MASS (with English Readings/ missa orbis factor). Rosebells Uviovo T.G. (T.G. for a successful operation on the right knee)
7.00 p.m. Parish Social Evening in the Hall. All welcome.
Monday 22nd August The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, memorial.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Kathleen McLaughlin T.G.
Tuesday 23rdAugust St. Rose of Lima, virgin.
11.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 12.00 noon. Requiem for Joan Troy (dd 13th August 2020) followed by burial of ashes in Erith Cemetery.
Wednesday 24thAugust St. Bartholomew, apostle, feast.
+ 9.00 a.m. Requiem for Thomas Bromhead.
11.00 a.m. Funeral service and committal of Thomas Bromhead at Eltham Crematorium.
Thursday 25th August St. Louis, king..
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Helen Gaskin R.I.P. ( first anniversary)
Friday 26thAugust Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God, priest.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. Johannes Franciscus Gerritsen R.I.P. ( first anniversary)
6.00 p.m. Choir Practice.
Saturday 27th August S. Joseph Calasanctius, confessor. T.C.
9.00 a.m. Confessions
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. (Latin 1962) Holy Souls.
Confessions 6.00 p.m.
+ 6.30 p.m. TWENTY- SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (C). The people of the parish.
AUGUST PRAYER TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY. The Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, like unto the Heart of God, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, united to the Heart of Jesus, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, instrument of the Holy Spirit, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, sanctuary of the Divine Trinity, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, tabernacle of God Incarnate, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, immaculate from thy creation, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, full of grace, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, blessed among all hearts, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, throne of glory, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, most humble, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, holocaust of Divine Love, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, fastened to the Cross with Jesus Crucified, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, comfort of the afflicted, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, hope of the agonizing, Pray for us. Heart of Mary, seat of mercy, Pray for us
.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Immaculate Mary, meek and humble of heart, R. Make our hearts like unto the Heart of Jesus.
Let Us Pray: O most merciful God, Who, for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the miserable, was pleased that the Most Pure Heart of Mary should be most like in charity and pity to the Divine Heart of your son,Jesus Christ, grant that we, who commemorate this sweet and loving Heart, by the merits and intercession of the same Blessed Virgin, may merit to be found like the Heart of Jesus, through the same Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.
This litany was composed by John Henry (Cardinal) Newman shortly after he converted to Catholicism in 1845.
With my blessings, Fr Jonathon.
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