Dear friends,
Greetings from Our Lady’s Shrine at Walsingham, where – with nine of our young people (and hundreds more from across the country!) – I am taking part in the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage this week. Almost 1,000 years ago, in the year 1061, Our Lady appeared in this sleepy corner of north Norfolk, and instructed the Lady Richeldis to build a replica of the Holy House in Nazareth. A miraculous spring, which continues to flow to this day, indicated the spot on which construction should start. Since the eleventh century, countless pilgrims have made their way to this place of peace and prayer: please pray for those participating in the Youth Pilgrimage this week, as we also pray for you.
Our summer barbecue is fast approaching, on Saturday, 16 August (2-6pm): there will be a final, short planning meeting after Mass this coming Sunday, and tickets remain on sale (£12.50/£5), either for cash (from Johnette or Nancee), by contactless payment (please see Fr Richard), or by using this link – if using the link, please enter the total payable, and then notify Fr Richard once payment has been made, so that a paper ticket can be issued to you also. A spare ticket remains available, free of charge, for the first person who requests it.
Additional seats have now been released on the coach to Walsingham, for the Pilgrimage for Healing and Renewal (on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August) – these cost £25/£5, and the coach will leave St Mary’s at 7.45am: please bring a packed lunch, or purchase something to eat en route, or in the village.
Next week on Friday, 15 August, we will celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady’s Assumption: the 9.30am Mass will be followed by Buck’s Fizz, fresh fruit and pastries (free of charge) – and all are welcome.
At the back of church is a sign-up sheet for a parish lunch and conversation after Mass on Sunday, 14 September (the Feast of the Holy Cross), when our guest preacher – Fr Stephen Gallagher, Missioner to the See of Fulham – will lead us in a discussion about our parish’ future direction and priorities. A buffet lunch will be provided free of charge, and with no need for personal contributions of food – but please sign up before 7 September, to help with judging numbers for catering, and also to inform us of any dietary requirements. (The lunch and conversation will likely not last longer than two hours.)
A week later, Sunday, 21 September, there will be another(!) parish lunch after Mass, in celebration of our Patronal Festival, in honour of Our Lady of Walsingham: please speak to Pat to confirm your contribution of (sweet or savoury) finger food to a bring-and-share meal.
Please find attached an invitation to a Walsingham Festival at St Andrew, Holborn on Wednesday, 24 September – at which, in the absence of Bishop Jonathan on sabbatical, the celebrant will be Bishop Glyn Webster, sometime Bishop of Beverley; and the preacher will be Fr Harri Williams, Principal-Designate of St Stephen’s House, Oxford.
And Kenton West Safer Neighbourhoods Team invite you to the following Women’s Safety “Walk, Talk and Do” sessions: on Thursday, 14 August (10am, at the Alicia Avenue entrance to Kenton Recreation Ground); Thursday, 21 August (12pm, at Priestmead Recreation Ground), and Saturday, 30 August (10am, outside Kenton Post Office).
O Blessed Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us,
Fr Richard