Reports from around the country What’s happening where you are

DIOCESAN DIGEST

Mass of Ages quarterly round-up

Arundel and Brighton: Huw Davies aandb@lms.org.uk

This is my first report as the new Rep for Arundel and Brighton after Anne-Marie Mackie-Savage stepped down from the role at the start of 2021 following many years of loyal service. I would like to thank her for her work and wish her the very best.

There remain a good number of public Masses in the Extraordinary Form across our diocese despite the most recent national lockdown. At St Pancras in Lewes, Canon Jonathan Martin now celebrates an EF Mass every Sunday at 12.30pm, in addition to the longer-standing Saturday morning Mass, with this provision appreciated by regular parishioners as well as more established devotees of the Traditional Mass. There is a hope to train up more servers soon to fill the shoes of regular server Mr Ben Williams, whom we congratulate on his acceptance for formation for the Permanent Diaconate.

At St Barnabas in East Molesey, Fr Richard Biggerstaff has also supplemented his usual Saturday morning EF Mass with a 12.15pm Mass on the first Sunday of the month, meaning an extra Mass in the top corner of the diocese. Here as well as at Lewes, visitors are encouraged to have a look at the stunning Paschal candles, both of which were designed and painted by Molesey parishioner Mrs Kerryn Penson and inspired by the famous mosaics in the basilica of San Clemente in Rome.

In the far west of the diocese, at my parish of St Hugh of Lincoln in Knaphill, Fr Gerard Hatton continues to celebrate a Thursday evening Mass in addition to the 8am Sunday Mass, which has become a fixture of the parish schedule since the summer of last year. This Mass has seen great growth since its introduction and now attracts a number of young families and couples. We were blessed to witness the beautiful service of “Churching” of a new mother in January, and there is hope that a number of the children attending this Mass will be able to start catechesis for first Communion and Confirmation together. There will also be an initiative to train some younger servers to add to the small but committed group of men who currently serve at the altar here.

At Sacred Heart, Caterham, Fr Sean Finnegan continues to celebrate a Wednesday morning Mass, albeit currently only on the live-stream due to the impact of Covid health and safety regulations on Mass attendance. We pray that we will soon be rid of the restrictions on our worship to allow this Mass to become public once again.

Finally, members will be glad to hear that the diocese’s newest priest, Fr Thomas Kent, who was ordained at Arundel last summer, has begun learning the Traditional Mass and has celebrated a small number on the live-stream of St Joseph’s Guildford, where he is serving as curate.

Birmingham and Black Country: Louis Maciel 07392 232225 birmingham@lms.org.uk birmingham-lms-rep.blogspot.co.uk/

The popularity of the 10.30am Sunday High Mass at the Oratory, which regularly required an overflow Mass in the Upper Cloister Hall to accommodate numbers as a result of the reduced capacity due to Covid guidelines, has meant that an additional 7.30am Low Mass has been introduced on Sundays. There are now three Masses in the region on a Sunday, with the two at the Oratory complemented by the 11.30am Mass at St Mary-on-the-Hill in Wednesbury.

The Oratory celebrated a full programme in the Extraordinary Form for Holy Week, starting with a slightly earlier 10am High Mass on Palm Sunday to accommodate the longer liturgy. Tenebrae for Good Friday and Holy Saturday took place at 8pm the night before, having been celebrated in the morning on the day itself in previous years, which meant that the Maundy Thursday High Mass had to be moved to the slightly earlier time of 6.30pm.

Earlier in Lent, Ash Wednesday and the Annunciation saw a Low Mass at St Mary-on-the-Hill at 5pm followed by a High Mass at the Oratory at 7.30pm, replacing the usual 5.45pm Low Mass.

The Feast of St Joseph in the Year of St Joseph fell on a third Friday, which meant there were three Masses in the Extraordinary Form in the region: the regular Friday Low Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Wolverhampton, the usual High Mass at the Oratory and the monthly third Friday Low Mass at St Dunstan’s, which it was hoped would be sung but unfortunately the cantor was unable to make it.

Due to Good Friday falling on the first Friday, the monthly Mass at Acocks Green had to be delayed by a week in April, but there was a very good attendance at Mass during Lent, where it followed the parish Stations of the Cross.

Birmingham, (Oxford): Joseph Shaw oxford@lms.org.uk

As we cautiously move towards normal, I am glad to say that sung Masses are back on the menu, and we have been having these on Sundays in Holy Rood (Oxford, Abingdon Road) and on feast days in SS Gregory & Augustine’s (Oxford, Woodstock Road). This pattern will continue: please see the Mass listings for details.

The one-off events I organised in the past in the Oxford area are still difficult with the remaining restrictions we will have to wait a bit longer for them.

Nevertheless, I am planning a server-training day in Oxford, for Saturday 17th July (tbc): please email me if you are interested in taking part.

Birmingham (North Staffs): Alan Frost

Fr Paul Chavasse, Cong. Orat., has continued to offer the Traditional Rite at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Swynnerton every Sunday, throughout the Covid restrictions, though latterly with only spiritual Communion due his own health issues. Obviously, Fr Paul is hoping to be able to give the Blessed Sacrament to worshippers (whose numbers have stayed good) as soon as possible. As a prison chaplain he also hopes to be able to offer Mass for inmates (though in the OF) who have been deprived of his visits through this grim time.

At St Augustine’s, Stoke-on-Trent (Meir), Fr Kasimierz Stefak, OSPPE, continues to celebrate the Old Rite Mass weekly on Wednesday evenings (7 pm) and is working towards offering his first Missa Cantata.

East Anglia (West): Gregor and Alisia Dick

Sunday Masses continue at Blackfriars in Cambridge, where for the time being an altar has been erected in the cloister in order to overcome the limited capacity of the chapel. For details of Masses on holy days of obligation, please consult the Mass listings on the LMS website close to the time, or contact us.

East Anglia (Withermarsh Green): Sarah Ward 07522 289449 withermarshgreen@lms.org.uk

It has been a delight to watch winter thaw and spring arrive at Withermarsh Green, heralded by snowdrops and followed by daffodils. The surrounding hedgerows have thickened with fresh greenery and blossom, pheasants and baby rabbits darting in and out, baby lambs and calves in the fields. What a glorious setting to celebrate Easter!

The highlight of the season has undoubtedly been the Sacred Triduum, following the pre-1955 liturgy. Special thanks to David Pearce for his expertise in training the Altar Servers and acting as MC throughout the Triduum. Thanks also to Thomas O’Sullivan for his invaluable help on the Altar and in the Choir – we were all particularly impressed by his stamina singing the 12 Prophecies at the Easter Vigil! Thank you to Dan Wright, Cantor throughout the Triduum; to all the Altar Servers who gave up their time to practice and to serve; to all the ladies who helped to clean and decorate the church for Easter; and finally, a huge thank you to Father Henry, who always makes it look effortless but we appreciate the hard work and prayerful preparation has been put in behind the scenes. Happy Easter!

Hexham and Newcastle: Keith McAllister 01325 308968 07966 235329 k_mcallister@ymail.com

Following a full year’s hiatus, we recommenced Sunday TLMs at Sacred Heart Thornley on 28 Feb (Lent 2) celebrated by Fr Paul Tully.

The Lenten weeks have been very busy for the Dewhurst Singers, mainly at St Joseph’s Gateshead, commencing with the Patronal Feast on 19 March, a sung Mass in F by Joseph Gruber with Pitoni’s Cantate Domino. On Palm Sunday the choir included music by Casali; for Maundy Thursday pieces by Anerio and Byrd; then on Easter Day items from Christopher Tye and Caspar Ett.

We learned of the death of Father Wilfrid Elkin on 13 March at the age of 85 after over 61 years of ordained dedicated ministry. He served this diocese in 5 parishes of Tyne & Wear and latterly Teesdale, while robustly promoting Traditional Rites, training priests and servers from UK regions and leading pilgrimages to Rome, Fatima and UK sites. Father Wilfrid will be greatly missed and fondly remembered; Requiescant in Pace! A rare Sung Requiem was celebrated by our Bishop Robert Byrne OP at St Mary’s Barnard Castle, assisted by Fr Shaun Swales as M.C. and a full sanctuary team directed by Leo Darroch. 11 diocesan priests, including our retired Bishop were in choir. The Dewhurst choir sang the Missa da requiem by Anerio plus a Vittoria motet.

There is a lovely private chapel at Cheeseburn Grange, Northumberland and we are delighted to be offered use of this for Ancient Rite liturgies by the owner. We have Priests who are willing and able to facilitate this and we hope to report a start date in May.

Lancaster Bob & Jane Latin NB new phone number: 01772 962387 lancaster@lms.org.uk latinmasslancaster.blogspot.com John Rogan 01524 858832 lancasterassistant@lms.org.uk

Our Spring report was submitted in time but due to a gremlin in the system it didn't get printed! You will see from the details above that we have a new Assistant Representative. Nicholas is resident in the Presbytery at Warwick Bridge, Carlisle, and now has responsibility for the northern part of the Diocese. John Rogan will continue to assist with the liturgical arrangements and will cover the middle section of the diocese, which embraces Lancaster and the surrounding areas. We will cover the southern section, taking in Preston and Blackpool. This arrangement should work well as by the time you read this (Deo volente) we should have moved to our new home in Preston. We will update our members with our new details.

On the Feast of St Joseph, by kind invitation of the parish priest, Fr John Millar, a Solemn High Mass was celebrated at St Joseph's Church, Preston.

The Masses at St Walburge's and English Martyrs in Preston continue to be well supported, even within the constraints of social distancing, and it is a joy to be able to forget the troubles in the outside world for a couple of hours. After the deprivations of last year, it was wonderful to be able to celebrate Holy Week and Easter in a fitting manner, especially the three-hour Palm Sunday Mass. On Easter Sunday the traditional blessing of the lamb took place, much to the delight of the young (and not so young!). Next year we hope that we will be able to join in with more of the services. We also hope that as restrictions ease we may be able to have processions again, such as for Corpus Christi; please check our website for up-to-date details.

Fr Etienne continues to offer an EF Mass on Monday mornings at St John Vianney in Blackpool. Canon Watson has scheduled a monthly Mass on second Fridays at Our Lady & St Michael at Workington, but please do check before travelling as sometimes this has to be cancelled. For all Mass times please see the Mass Listings.

Lancaster (North): Nicholas Steven 07715 539395 warwickbridge@lms.org.uk

When I was a boy, we would regularly have over 100 souls in the pews for Sunday Mass at Our Lady and St Wilfrid's, Warwick Bridge - being sprinkled at the Asperges and then participating in the glories of the Mass of Ages. Then the withering away began and now, due to Covid doom, we are allowed no more than 20 souls at a time in the building. But our new Saturday Traditional Mass has quickly outstripped the 20 limit and we have had to move temporarily to a much larger church in Carlisle. The new venue is St Margaret Mary, 75 Scalegate Rd, Carlisle CA2 4JX. The Mass is still at 10 am every Saturday morning. All are welcome. Our congregation of regulars continues to grow and now includes fugitives from Scotland, where Masses had been banned altogether. It feels like penal times all over again. Maybe it's time to reread John Gerard's Hunted Priest or to write the modern-day sequel, Hunted Parishioner.

Our Schola is rehearsing hard for our next Missa Cantata (Salve Sancta Parens) and Masters William Whalen and Lenny Pattinson are preparing hard for their debuts as altar boys. It was noticeable that Canon Luiz Ruscillo, who beautifully celebrates the TLM for us, having lost a fair bit of weight over Lent, now looks vibrantly youthful in his cassock with red piping. He claims to have a matching biretta, though we have not seen it yet!

Two FSSP priests and a seminarian chose The Presbytery at Warwick Bridge for the pre-Easter retreat this year, offering their daily private Masses in the church. One of them will be returning shortly with two more EF-enabled priests for their post-Easter break. There are other irons in the fire which I hope to report on in the next edition. Of course, our big hope remains that the Traditional Mass will be made available on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation in the near future. Please pray for that intention.

Liverpool (Warrington): Alan Frost

It was revealed in last issue’s Report that Sunday attendance had increased considerably (from 150 to 250), and such is the continuing increase that an additional Sunday Mass (low) has been introduced, at 9 a.m. with Confession available before the Mass. On average one hundred confessions are heard every week. There is also considerable increase in the attendance at ‘ordinary’ weekday Masses as well as on the notable Feast Days. The large size of the church allows this while abiding by Covid regulations. Monitors are required to organise the numbers receiving Holy Communion at all Masses in conformity to the Covid restrictions. Masses, Sunday and weekdays, also continue to be presented live online at LiveMass.net

The great news is the expected beginning of a Regina Caeli Hybrid Academy in Warrington in September. Following the Saturday Masses there are Catechism classes for children with their parents in the education unit of the Priory buildings. These buildings formerly served as a school and Convent, whose nuns taught the children from 1899-1967 and belonged to the Order founded by the now Venerable Elizabeth Prout, or Mother Mary Joseph CP as she became. This is a wonderful revival of a great mission, and it is hoped that come September a full Catholic curriculum can be offered. Interest is welcomed: www.rcahybrid.org.uk/ application-form.

Children also make their first Holy Communions at certain Sunday Masses, five boys and girls receiving the Sacrament for the first time in mid-Lent. Older children and adults will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP of Liverpool, who again has kindly agreed to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Mary’s on Saturday 10 July, 2021, at 3:00pm. Candidates are not restricted as to their parish locations. Archbishop McMahon of Liverpool entrusted the FSSP with the canonical mission of making the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite available to all in the Liverpool Archdiocese, but, of course, the priests welcome anyone from other dioceses. The Confirmation of nineteen candidates from several dioceses by the Archbishop last July illustrated this point. Those interested should contact Fr Stewart FSSP at astewart@olgseminary.org. And further on the theme of young people, on St Joseph’s Day, Rector Fr de Malleray offered Mass and gave a talk on ‘God’s foster-father’ to a Juventutem gathering in London.

The Winter issue of the magazine Dowry is available on https://fssp.org.uk/category/dowry/. As many people have come to the Traditional Rite for the first time and come to appreciate its mystical nature and spiritual depth, the priests remind them of the importance to orthodoxy of the manner of receiving Holy Communion and dressing decently and with respect in the House of God.

Menevia: Tom and Elaine Sharpling meneviastabatmater.blogspot.com/

Thanks to the steadfast determination of Canon Jason Jones, Father Paul Brophy and Father Liam Bradley, Masses have continued in Menevia over the past few weeks albeit with limited capacity in the churches.

Father Liam offered his second EF Mass on Palm Sunday and we were pleased to receive blessed palms and participate in a small but determined procession accompanied by sung chant.

Another welcome development is that new cameras have been installed at Sacred Heart Morriston, which means that the sanctuary and the Divine Mercy Chapel can be viewed 24/7 and all Masses and devotions are now live-streamed. Please check the parish website for the livestream link.

Holy Mass at Sacred Heart, Morriston has been moved from 4pm to a new time of 1pm – typically Mass in Morriston is on the 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays.

Travel restrictions have been lifted in Wales but it is essential to book a place at Mass before travelling. We continue to post information on our blogspot so please check here for the latest information: http://meneviastabatmater.blogspot.com/

Middlesbrough: Paul Waddington

The York Oratory continues to offer weekday Low Masses at 8.15am, and Sung Masses at noon on Sundays. There are also Sung Masses at 6pm on principal feast days. In Hull, Fr Massie continues to offer a Low Mass at the Church of Our Lady and St Peter Chanel on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm. Regrettably, the Saturday Latin Masses in Middlesbrough that were suspended due to the Covid epidemic have not yet been resumed.

Northampton North (Northamptonshire): Paul Beardsmore 01858 434037 northampton@lms.org.uk

The new Sunday 8 am Mass at St Brendan, Corby, is attracting a good congregation, and I am optimistic that numbers will improve further as we exit the third lockdown. Prior to Christmas there were, in addition to the regular Saturday and Sunday Masses, Low Masses for All Saints and All Souls and the feasts of the Immaculate Conception. A private funeral Mass was also celebrated in the traditional rite for LMS member Mrs Kathleen Brodie, who died at the end of November.

At Christmas we were able to have both a Sung First Mass and a Low Dawn Mass, and during the festive season there were also Low Masses for New Year's Day, the Epiphany, the Baptism of Our Lord and the Purification.

Lent opened with a Mass for Ash Wednesday, and there were also Masses for the feasts of St Joseph and the Annunciation of the BVM.

Thanks to Fr Byrne's enthusiasm and generosity we were able to celebrate the Sacred Triduum in Northamptonshire according to the 1955 rite for what I believe is only the second time in fifty years. Despite Covid restrictions the services were well attended.

Apart from thanking Fr Byrne for making possible such a full programme of Masses, I should like to thank the servers, and particularly Stephen Parker for guiding us through the Holy Week ceremonies.

Northampton (South): Barbara Kay 01234 340759 bedford@lms.org.uk mbky3@outlook.com

St Valentine’s Day fell on a Sunday this year and appropriately at Bedford after the 12.30 pm Mass, one of our regular servers, Francis Wanjiru, and his fiancée, Celia Budd, celebrated their betrothal, with their marriage planned for the day before the Feast of the Assumption in August of this year. This happy event was quickly followed by the more solemn ceremonies of Ash Wednesday. There was an evening Mass at Bedford which was attended to capacity; as we have many large families among our faithful, we can fit in a good number of people while keeping within the social distancing regulations. As Lent proceeded, thanks to our FSSP priests coming from Warrington and Reading each weekend, and assisted by priestin-residence Fr Nicholas Nwanzi, we were able to have two hours of Confessions each Saturday afternoon. Many people took the opportunity to avail themselves of these. Heartfelt thanks must go to our priests, and also to our faithful and hardworking stewards Rita Carroll and Katherine Smith for enabling these Confessions to take place safely.

Holy Week soon arrived and some of us ventured northwards to join the congregation at St Brendan’s, Corby, about an hour’s drive from Bedford, where for the first time since the 1960s Fr Gerard Byrne celebrated the Sacred Triduum in the Old Rite. I will leave my fellow Rep in the north of the Diocese to report on that! On Easter Sunday back in Bedford, Fr Matthew Goddard celebrated our usual two Masses in a beautifully decorated church. It is sad that neither of these Masses could be sung this year.

We are looking forward to three Holydays of Obligation over the next few months: Ascension Day, Corpus Christi and SS Peter and Paul, with a Low Mass at 7.30 pm on each of these. At the time of writing, we are planning to keep Sunday Masses at the current times of 8.30 am and 12.30 pm until the easing of the lockdown enables us to fit everyone in to one Mass. Confessions will usually be available on Saturday afternoons from 3 pm – 5 pm. As always, please see our Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/bedfordlatinmass/ for updates.

Nottingham: Jeremy Boot 07462 018386 nottingham@lms.org.uk

The strict conditions for Covid still linger on which reduces out current Sunday Masses each month to the Good Shepherd, Thackeray’s Lane, Nottingham on 2nd Saturdays (Sunday Mass) at 4.30pm. Some Masses are now sung. In the week, most Wednesdays there is Low Mass at 6.30 at Our Lady of the Annunciation, Ashby Road Loughborough, where in the last months we have been able to celebrate Ash Wednesday, St Joseph and the Annunciation as Sung Masses. Further Masses may be possible for Ascension and Corpus Christi but have yet to be confirmed.

Derby has been a no-go area for years, but I am glad to report that there is now Low Mass at 8am each Sunday at St Joseph’s Burton Rd, Derby DE1 1TJ and we hope to have a sung Mass there also on or around Whit Sunday.More details will appear on the LMS website. I am also hopeful that before too long the Cathedral 6.15 (3rd Wed) Masses might resume. Definite dates for these Masses cannot yet be given however. The Masses at Our Lady and St Patrick’s, Nottingham on the 3rd and 4th Sundays are still not possible until the draconian regulations are lifted. I hope this may be in September, after the holidays, if not before.

Meanwhile, thanks to our priests and those who help in any way in these trying times. This includes those cheerful covid wardens / stewards in the churches who allow us to pursue the celebrations which would otherwise be logistical impossible.

Plymouth (Cornwall): Stefano Mazzeo cornwall@lms.org.uk

Masses at Lanherne continue at 10am on Sundays and 8am Mondays to Saturdays, and please note that two Masses have been added to the schedule at 8:30 on Sundays, and on Thursdays there will be another at 6:15 as well as the usual Mass at 8am. Confessions are on Saturdays at 3pm and from 9.15 to 9.45 on Sundays.

We are starting a new video magazine programme based at Lanherne, called Christendom Rising, which will be broadcast on YouTube. The programme will hopefully go out once every two or three months and will be about twenty to thirty minutes long. Each programme will contain features on Lanherne, the Latin Mass, Traditional Catholic living, and home schooling etc.

Although I have been considering doing something along these lines for some time it was Bishop Mark O'Toole of Plymouth who suggested it to me. The first programme features Bishop Mark talking about how important the prayers of sisters are to the diocese and how he hopes Lanherne will develop. Canon Scott Smith gives his impressions on coming to Cornwall as an American Priest, he also talks about the need to restore the chapel. We hope to have regular features such as bringing up a Traditional Catholic family in the modern world and home schooling with one of our parishioners Mrs Josephine Ford who is interviewed by our presenter Sophie Oliver. Many thanks to all who took part. So, tune in to view these items and much more.

Plymouth (Devon): Maurice Quinn 07555 536579 devon@lms.org.uk

Although due to current virus restrictions we are not in a position to resume our Latin Masses at Blessed Sacrament, Exeter, and at St Cyprian’s, Ugbrooke House, the weekly Sunday afternoon usus antiquior Mass celebration at St Edward the Confessor in Plymouth has been continuing as usual. Canon Scott Smith, ICKSP celebrates the regular Sunday afternoon Mass at 3pm after travelling up from his base at Lanherne Convent in Cornwall. The regularity of this weekly Sunday Mass, along with Canon Scott’s pastoral care for those who attend, is a regular feature of Catholic life in Plymouth, attracting young people and families. Recently, Canon Scott had to be away for a number of weeks, but Fr Anselm Gribbin temporarily took over the Canon’s duties at St Edward’s and at Lanherne. Please note that if you would like to receive Canon Scott Smith’s weekly newsletter email – with full details of services - just send a request to canon.smith@institute-christking.org and he will put you on his emailing list

A really cracking piece of good news was recently announced by Bishop Mark O’Toole – a piece of news that will perhaps have consequences far beyond the diocese. The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest has been invited to oversee the Torquay parish of Holy Angels, which is to be designated a Shrine Church, serving not only local people but those from a much wider area. At long last the Traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated daily in Torquay, and will give local traditional Catholics a much needed home parish with a resident Institute priest providing them with full pastoral care.

As always, do check the Mass Listings, and get in touch with me if you have any questions, and be assured that I will keep everyone informed regarding developments at Blessed Sacrament in Exeter, and at St Cyprian’s, Ugbrooke House. If you wish to receive updates from me regarding any of the above, please give me your contact details and I will be happy to oblige.

Plymouth (Dorset): Maurice Quinn 07555 536579 devon@lms.org.uk

It is pleasing to report that despite prevailing negative circumstances, there is much to celebrate in Dorset, where scheduled Latin Masses still took place during the last quarter despite the lockdown. Although I could not be present due to travel restrictions then in place, Mgr Francis Jamieson at Our Lady of Lourdes & St Cecilia at Blandford Forum, and Fr Martin Budge at Our Lady’s, Marnhull, both continued as usual with their usus antiquior Mass celebrations, both of which I look forward to attending over the coming months. The good news does not stop here, however, as the proposed Latin Mass pilgrimage in honour of the Chideock Martyrs has been re-scheduled to take place at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs & St Ignatius, Chideock, on Saturday 16 October. Bishop Mark O’Toole is to be celebrant, assisted by a priest of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest as MC. This occasion will be the first time that a Bishop of Plymouth has celebrated a Traditional Latin Mass in the diocese since the post Vatican II changes over 50 years ago. The rescheduling of this much longed-for event was in order to reduce the possibility of cancellation, as happened in 2020 due to virus restrictions then in place, and has been agreed by all relevant parties. The previous Chideock Latin Mass event (2019) was a resounding success, so I urge you to make a note in your dairies and keep that day free, especially as it will prove to be a very special day for the Latin Mass Society, for parishioners, and for the diocese as a whole.

Do check the Mass Listings, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding any of the above.

Portsmouth (Isle of Wight): Peter Clarke

EF Masses continue on the Isle of Wight, mainly at St Thomas’s, Cowes. These are offered on Thursdays at 12 noon by Fr Jonathan Redvers Harris. This means that we will have an EF Mass on Ascension Day and the Feast of Corpus Christi. This year marks 33 years of EF Masses being offered on the Island. We remember with gratitude all the visiting priests who came here in the past to keep the Old Mass alive. We would be pleased to hear from any priest who would like to spend a few days with us on our beautiful Island and to offer Mass for us.

Please ring for confirmation of these Masses if you are coming from the mainland: 01983 566740 or 07790 892592 June 25 marks the 10th anniversary of the Ordination of Fr Jonathan as a Catholic (Ordinariate) priest. We are grateful to him for his ministry and, in particular, for learning to offer the E.F. Mass, when Fr Glaysher left and went to Aldershot and there was no Island priest who would celebrate this Mass for us.

Portsmouth (Reading): Adrian Dulston 01491 682909

Once again appreciative of the splendid efforts of Fr Goddard and Fr Phipps valiantly holding the fort in several places and still giving us a Triduum at St John Fisher Parish (St William of York Church, Upper Redlands Road, Reading) albeit revised times for the Saturday Vigil being earlier in the evening.

Despite the restrictions Maundy Thursday Mass retained the dramatic elements, even if we were seated throughout with the invitation to stay for watching or perhaps return later to the Church due to spacing etc.

The Good Friday service felt a little strange with not having the kissing of the Crucifix but, then again, we had something to offer up after we recall the central liturgical theme that Christ had offered Himself for us especially on this day.

The Lady’s group was to continue with Zoom meetings if there were numbers. Please get in touch with Fr Phipps if you are interested in future meetings, which I believe are about the Gifts of the Holy Ghost in anticipation of Pentecost.

For those interested in the Confraternity of the FSSP, Fr Phipps has taken over from Fr de Malleray as the administrator so please contact Fr Phipps at sphipps@fssp.org I myself have joined after hearing an inspiring sermon by Fr de Malleray on the need to pray for vocations to the priesthood – it involves:

Pray one decade of the Holy Rosary for the sanctification of our priests and for our priestly vocations, adding the Prayer of the Confraternity; Every year: have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered once for these intentions.

The members commitments place them among most faithful benefactors, and as such, among the particular recipients of priests’ and seminarians’ daily prayers.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered each month for the members of the Confraternity in each area. Plenary indulgences can be gained. NOTE: Parking at St William of York Church: If you find that the church car park is full on Sundays, St Joseph's College, next door to St William's, have kindly agreed to our parishioners using their car park. Please do not use the church car park's disabled parking spaces unless you are a disabled badge holder.

Portsmouth: Peter Cullinane pmcullinane@hotmail.com

I am concentrating in this issue on the parish of the Marian Franciscans in St Joseph’s, Copnor, on Portsea Island as considerable developments have occurred this year so far.

In January the Friends of the Marian Franciscans was recognised by the Charity Commission under reference No. 1193158 which means that it potentially qualifies for both Gift Aid on income donations and Inheritance Tax relief for donors at the respective rates of 25% and 40%, generous rates far in excess of most European countries.

The presbytery of St Joseph’s, Copnor is effectively the house of formation for the Friars, having been allocated by Bishop Philip Egan to supplement the house in Gosport which continues as a separate parish.

Currently there are 2 priests, 5 Friars and one novice in residence at St Joseph’s, whilst in Gosport there are currently 4 priests and 3 Friars. This rapidly growing Marian Franciscan family is very international, with English, Italian, German, American, and African representation.

A welcome piece of publicity in January was a photo in two national newspapers of two younger Friars, still dressed in their robes, playing football in a local park. It is hoped that this will raise the public awareness of the house and attract the financial support which is badly needed. As can be imagined, given the size and sudden increase in the community, there is an urgent need for financing basic household and living expenses.

The Friends have set up the Charity to help remedy this. More information on the activities of the Marian Franciscans which the Charity is supporting, including their extensive schedule of old rite Mass services across the two sites and their vibrant digital media apostolate, can be found at www.themarianfranciscans.org: – If you need guidance about substantial donations, do not hesitate to contact me or email info@friendsofthemarianfranciscans.org.

Thanks to the support of the LMS, magnificent old rite Holy Week services took place on all four days at St Joseph’s, thanks to Matthew Schellhorn and his two colleagues in the Cantus Magnus Choir. Despite the length of the services, there were quite a few families with young children whose conduct was exemplary and most reverent and the impression struck me that even the youngest of them was perfectly at home in a church, which of course, is as it should be!

A recent development has been the institution of a children’s choir and I was most impressed recently by the word-perfect singing (in Latin) of the Adore Te Devote by children who cannot have been older than 10.

In conclusion, it would be wonderful if the funding could match the need and activity of this rapidly growing community.

Shrewsbury (Chester): Andrew Neilsen

Sadly, this will be my last report for the Chester Mass. Towards the end of last year, because of declining numbers in the congregation, it was decided to discontinue the Latin Mass at Chester. It only remains to thank the various people who were involved: Canons Montjean and Poucin of the Institute of Christ the King for taking time out of a demanding schedule to celebrate the Masses, as well as on occasion Canon Francis Doyle of Wrexham Diocese. Thanks also to Parish Priest Fr Emeka for allowing the use of St Clare’s, LMS Secretary Kevin Jones for invaluable support throughout the period of the Masses and also former Shrewsbury LMS Rep Anthony Sibert who helped initiate the Chester Mass. We were lucky to have an organist, Peter Cooke, and choir which meant we could have sung Masses until the first lockdown.

Becky Irvine and Heather Hesketh kindly agreed to be stewards for Masses under Covid restrictions. Esme McCarthy gave much useful help in the use of the sacristy and church. A final mention must be given to the loyal and regular members of the congregation who attended over several years.

Southwark (St Bede’s, Clapham Park): Thomas Windsor claphampark@lms.org.uk

I am pleased to report we have had record numbers to our Liturgies over Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Our church being at our Covid capacity for all the major services. I would like to thank Fr Patrick Pullicino who has recently been assigned to St Bede’s, for celebrating the major services of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday for us, and spending so much time preparing, attending servers practices and learning all the music. Our serving team has worked especially hard to cope with the minor modifications needed to follow the arbitrary Covid guidelines. Our choir has also been able to meet and sing, their contribution has been to sing many more polyphonic Masses (including the Credo), so avoiding opportunities for the unjustly banned Congregational singing.

We had a Solemn Sung High Mass for the Annunciation, with all diocesan clergy. My eldest son was M.C. (Aged 14) assisted by his brothers and cousins aged 13, 12, 12, 10, 10, 10! All of course socially distanced! The choir meanwhile sang the Missa super Dixit Maria, Hassler including the Credo and motet, and his setting of the Ave Maris Stella.

On the Feast of St Joseph and Ash Wednesday the choir sang the Byrd 3 Part Mass, with his settings of the Emmendemus and Ave Verum to complete a feast of Byrd on Ash Wednesday. We had our usual blessing of candles on Candlemas, and blessing of water, chalk and salt on the Feast of Epiphany. We also had polyphonic Mass settings for the Feast of the Holy Name, St Thomas of Canterbury, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, 3rd Sunday of Advent and All Saints. To celebrate the 850th Anniversary of the Martyrdom St Thomas of Canterbury, we had a Solemn Sung High Mass with an excellent sermon from Fr Finigan that can be found on his blog.

Our choir has continued singing Polyphonic Propers on the 2nd Sunday of Advent, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany, Quinquagesima (including the Tract), and the 3rd Sunday of Lent, we are one of the few places in the world where these treasures of Catholic music can be heard as part of the Mass for which they were written.

While we did not have our usual All Saints party the children still dressed up as Saints, and were given prizes after Mass. Our Masses continue as normal, but if you are thinking of visiting us on Sunday, please come to the 12.15pm Mass as our 11am is usually full.

Southwark (Thanet): Antonia Robinson 01843 845880 07961 153963 RobinsonAntonia@icloud.com

At time of writing (Low Sunday) the Shrine of St Augustine has just finished a glorious marathon of wellattended Lenten and Easter Liturgies in the Traditional Form every day of Holy Week and Easter Week. Despite the trials imposed by current restrictions, the ingenuity and industry of our priests, MC, servers and musicians meant that the Latin Mass community was able to worship fully and meaningfully whilst still adhering to the rules applied to church services. Fr Basden was delighted to welcome back Fr Gabriel Diaz Patri to celebrate the liturgies from Palm Sunday through to Friday of Easter Week inclusive. Ben Scott, Director of Music at the Shrine worked tirelessly with Fr Patri and both remained in fine voice for the total of 13 days straight of sung ceremonies. Deacon David Hunter preached the homily for the two Solemn High Masses on Easter Thursday & Friday that wound up this wonderful fortnight: we look forward to his ordination this summer. Access to the Sacrament of Confession is central to Holy Week devotions and we were delighted to have Fr Bernard McNally hearing confessions throughout the Triduum, as he does during Sunday Masses throughout the year. Our congregation expanded world-wide as everything was livestreamed and available to view by the over 1000 subscribers to the Shrine’s YouTube channel.

What a contrast with the situation last year! Here, in East Kent, we are profoundly grateful to our Parish Priest, Fr Basden, for his unfaltering support of tradition, families and the Faith, as well as to the other priests, MCs, servers and musicians who keep the heart in this ever-growing traditional community. Deo gratias.

Southwark (Kent): Marygold Turner 01580 291372

We have been much as before with our Masses in St Andrew’s, Tenterden at 12noon. Fr Behruz has welcomed us so warmly, it is a joy to be there. On Easter Sunday Fr Michael Cullinan came from London to celebrate Mass for us, and both on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Ben Bevan provided a marvellous small choir that gave us the most exquisite music. We are immensely lucky to have the privilege of his beautiful, professional music – both plainchant and polyphony.

The congregations are small and when I think of my garden Masses last year when 20+ people always came, I should remind everyone who came so loyally that Tenterden is only a few miles away from my home!

The next Sung Masses are 25 April; 9, 13 & 30 May; 3, 13, & 27 June; 11 & 25 July. Nine Sung Masses to come before August, when there will be none owing to holidays.

Please say a prayer for Fr Michael Woodgate who has been a very stalwart friend and is unwell. Lastly, Cecil Roberts, another great friend, who died aged 101 had a Requiem Mass on 28th April. R.I.P.

Southwark (Wandsworth): Julia Ashenden

From Christmas to Easter the Oratory of St Mary Magdalen has continued to thrive under the dedicated and energetic leadership of Canon Martin Edwards. There are a sizeable number of new parishioners, drawn here by the timeless liturgy of the Mass of Ages.

During Lent there were some memorable feast days with Masses sung beautifully by David Guest’s Choir (Covidly reduced to three singers) on Laetare Sunday and Palm Sunday while on other feast days, such as Our Lady of Lourdes and The Annunciation, a group of three parishioners provided joyful Missa Cantatas.

During Lent there was also an extra Mass on Friday evenings at 7.30 which proved very popular, especially with the young of the parish and may therefore continue, but perhaps at a slightly earlier time which is in the process of being arranged.

Over Easter, Canon Edwards celebrated the traditional Triduum, expertly served by two French families and the church was as full as the Covid rules would allow. The Easter Day Mass was celebrated with great joy, accompanied by Mozart’s Coronation Mass and motets by Elgar and Handel, sung by David Guest’s trio.

There is now a Juventutem group which meets once a month in the evening for Mass said by Fr de Malleray, followed by a Conference. One such Mass was celebrated on the feast of St Joseph. Added to these fixtures, there is now a Men’s Association which meets on Thursday evenings for Compline at 10pm. A Women’s Association is shortly to be formed. This is indeed a flourishing parish.

Westminster (Spanish Place): Roger Wemyss Brooks wemyssbrooks@gmail.com

The past year has been distressing for all of us, especially for those who depend on access to the sacraments. The long time at St James's without the EF Mass has been particularly painful. However, we are blessed in the metropolis to have other churches nearby with regular Masses. It may have been easy in the past to take such things as Confession and frequent Holy Communion for granted. The sinister pandemic has shaken us, depriving us of these gifts along with familiar handshakes and holy water.

A great blessing recently has been the streaming of Masses from all over the country, indeed worldwide. Of course, this is only available to those with computer access. I appreciate having a smart phone which enabled me to follow Holy Week ceremonies for Thursday and Friday from the FSSP in Warrington and also the Vigil, much restricted elsewhere but broadcast in full from FSSP in Fribourg. Our precious Liturgy is the same throughout the world and modern technology makes it instantly available.

As well as streaming we also need physical access to Our Lord. Our incarnational faith demands this. It is therefore another great blessing that EF Masses resume at St James's in May.

I hope we may all express our gratitude by attending these Masses regularly and observing the necessary restrictions. Perhaps rosaries of thanksgiving can be offered for this intention and for our priests. Also, the Prayer to St Michael, familiar from the end of Mass, whose protection we need against satanic attacks.

Westminster (Willesden): Anna Grayson-Morley willesden@lms.org.uk 07710 472295

At last work has recommenced on replacing The Shrine organ. The present Shrine opened in 1930 relying on a less than ideal 2 manual instrument from the previous church. Not being able to afford the organ designed for the Shrine in the Depression years, it wasn’t until 1958 that an organ designed for a smaller church was obtained at a reasonable cost. Over the years extensions and adjustments were made, but never really spoke to the size of the building. When it was taken apart for removal before lockdown, it was discovered it was a mongrel of no less that parts from 6 previous instruments.

The replacement William Hill organ comes from a church in Wales that had laid idle for a couple of decades and needed restoration. After much consideration of other instruments, it was decided to go ahead and restore and install this mighty beast. It took a Spider Crane to lift the basic structure into place and in the coming months there is much to do – pipe repairs, new blower, the console which houses the keyboards and pedals and the magnets for the action which sends wind to play the pipes. So, after much anticipation, toil and treasure, we hope this will enable the Missa Cantata to be celebrated in the not-too-distant future.

Not surprisingly, fund raising for this project has been slow due to Covid and we only reached £7800 of the £75000 we need to match the money from the Parish reserves. Any donations would be most welcome. Please contact Father Stephen at the Parish for information as to how to donate.

I am also happy to report that Mass attendance has been rising during Lent from single digits to about 20, reaching 27 on Palm Sunday and 25 on Easter. These are the kind of numbers we need as well as the contributions that aid in the practicalities of keeping the EF Mass going.

Society of St Tarcisius: Joseph Shaw, National Co-Ordinator Blog: www.tarcisius.org tarcisius@lms.org.uk

After twelve months of inactivity, I am pleased to report that we have once again got training days planned. Namely, on Saturday 24th July at St Mary Moorfields, London; on Saturday 25th September at St James' Spanish Place, London; and on Saturday 20th November at St James' Spanish Place, London.

I am also hoping to have a training day in Oxford on 17th July.

These need to be booked: see the LMS website or the Society of St Tarcisius blog.

As in the past, these days start at 10:30 am and finish at about 3:30pm. We aim to cover the areas requested by participants, and beginners are always very welcome. The days generally conclude with enrolments into and promotions within the Society, which entitles members to wear our splendid enamelled medal when serving. There is no fee, but we do accept donations! Please see the blog for more on the Society, which is affiliated to the LMS.

The LMS’s affiliated group of needleworkers, the Guild of St Clare, will as usual be running Vestment Mending Days alongside the server training: see their blog, www.guildofstclare.org