Dear friends in Christ
Even though at Mass this weekend we resume the reading of St Mark’s Gospel, I will be concluding my reflections on the Mass; the fifth and final one in the series. I hope to say something about the Communion and Concluding Rites of the Mass. This was deferred because of Our Lady’s Assumption two weeks ago with the proper liturgy for that celebration. Even though we are hearing St Mark at Mass this Sunday (we concluded the sixth chapter of St John last week) he nevertheless teaches us something about how we must approach God in the Mass with pure hearts. Part of our preparation for participation in the Mass requires us to be attuned to the things of God; to have a clear conscience before receiving Holy Communion, and to do so with a pure intention. This may mean that we need to be purified in the Sacrament of Penance so that we do not receive Our Lord in a state of serious sin. Just as the Jewish Law required its adherents to go though external rites of purification, so these symbolise the purity of heart necessary for approaching God in the Eucharist. All of the recent Homilies are available on the Parish YouTube channel. My hope is that these meditations have given us again an occasion to pause and consider, in more depth, what we do when we come to Holy Mass; how the Sunday celebration is at the pinnacle of all we are and do; and that our greater love of the Blessed Eucharist will instil within us a desire for Heaven.
During this coming week a number of our priests will be moving to take-up their new appointments around the Diocese; several are retiring as Parish Priests. We offer them all our prayerful good wishes for the future. Fr Jean-Claude Selvini—retiring Parish Priest of Hainault and known to many of you—will be coming to live in the Parish here. We warmly welcome Fr Jean-Claude and look forward to him becoming involved in Parish life: celebrating one of the Sunday Masses and being available for some limited pastoral duties.
For many, this Bank Holiday weekend is the last before a return to work, especially our Schools; so, I wish everyone who is returning, a blessed and fruitful year ahead!
As from the first Friday in September, we will resume our monthly day of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, which is for the intentions of the Parish each month. This will be from after the midday Mass until Holy Hour and Benediction from 7-8pm.
Msgr Kevin Hale