Dear friends,
‘Tis the season to celebrate milestones in ministry – as we look forward to this year’s Fulham ordinations: this week past, it has been my privilege to share in the pre-ordination retreat for the seven men to be ordained by Bishop Jonathan this month and next – one a priest for the Diocese of Southwark; five other candidates for the priesthood, in this Diocese, and one deacon-to-be. Please continue to pray for them.
Likewise on Saturday last week, Fr Mike and I – with a group of parishioners from St Mary’s – were delighted to assist at Mass at Edgware Abbey, in celebration of the 160th anniversary of the foundation of the Community of St Mary-at-the-Cross, and the fiftieth anniversary of the monastic profession of Mother Abbess, Dame Mary-Thérèse. During this Mass, the words of a letter from the Founder of the Community, Fr Nihill, to its first Superior, Mother Monica, were read out – and I think they might prove an encouragement to us all:
‘Our good and loving God has brought you to the threshold of [life together in Christ, in the Church], after many trials and disappointments… Glory be to Him for it all; and let the fruits be offered to Him continually, in patience and well-doing.
And now we have passed the breakers, and we are going to put out to sea. The waves seem high, now that we meet them face to face, and who are we that we should presumptuously set out to tempt the dangers of the ocean in our little boat? – yet the little boat has sometimes lived, when the mighty ship has gone down; and while we remember that it is indeed a little boat, we need not fear. For we shall trust in Him who is asleep in the hinder part; and, when the waves are beating it, and we seem ready to perish, He shall rise, and rebuke the storm, saying, “Peace; be still.”
For He who rests upon our lowly altar, as he rested upon a sailor’s cushion, is the Lord of all things; and, while He is with us, the waves of this troublesome world shall show themselves to be the Ocean of the Love of God, so that we shall not fear.
Let us remember that ours is but a little boat, and take care of the One that it carries. Let not the water-floods of the rough world break over Him; and let not our pride and unfaithfulness drive Him away, for He dwells with the lowly, and loves the child-like hearts: let us be lowly, that He may ever be with us.‘
On a more flippant note, your clergy would be delighted to receive your best wishes this coming weekend, for Fathers’ Day!
Tickets are now on sale for our parish barbecue (on Saturday, 18 July (£15/adult, £5/under-18 – to include a glass of rum punch on arrival, and Prosecco with your meal)) – please pay for these in cash, from Nancee (and take some too, to sell to others!), or use this payment link – not forgetting to include your name when you make payment, so that paper tickets can be supplied to you: raffle prizes are also kindly requested, as well as your help (i) to set up the Hall on Friday, 17 July from 6pm; (ii) to set up the barbecues and gazebos on the day, from 11am, and (iii) to clear up afterwards.
Members of the congregation are also asked to confirm to Pat your kind contribution of a side/salad/dessertfor the barbecue; and there will be a further planning meeting after Mass on Sunday, 5 July.
Even after upgrading the ‘bus to a 51-seat vehicle(!), the Walsingham Pilgrimage for Healing and Renewal, on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August, is now FULLY BOOKED: to secure your seat, please make payment (£30pp, £5 for under-18s) – either in cash, or via this link – before Sunday, 2 August. There is a waiting list to which names can be added; and any seats not paid for by 2 August will be reallocated to those in reserve. The ‘bus will depart St Mary’s at 7.30am prompt (returning c.7.30pm).
We also invite sponsorship of those of our young people who will be participating in this year’s Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage (in August): please see me, to sponsor a young pilgrim (£40pp).
Please note, finally, that a week on Saturday, 27 June – on account of the diaconal ordination in Holborn in the morning, and the Stanmore Choral Society concert here in the evening – there will be no public Morning or Evening Prayer, no morning Mass and no Confessions (and the 6pm Vigil Mass will be celebrated simply, in the Blessed Sacrament chapel – but still with a homily from next weekend’s guest preacher, Fr Ben Eadon).
Note too that, on Sunday, 2 August, there will be a short planning meeting after Mass, to begin preparations for this year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning (on Saturday, 12 September).
Lord, answer, for your mercy is kind,
Fr Richard