Parish News 2011
Parish Groups and Societies
St Mary's Justice and Peace Group continues to meet bi-monthly and its members are busy between times with their various peace activities such as lobbying our MP about the Arms' Trade and Overseas Aid, volunteering at the prison visitors' centre, caring for people through the SVP Society, campaigning against the still-open Guantanamo Bay Prison and people on Death Row in the USA and five of us are regular volunteers at the Open Arms Sunday evening meal at Garfield Road Methodist Church Hall. Three of us are Eucharistic Ministers in Ryde / Newport and two are involved with regular church cleaning and two others are volunteers with the Salvation Army Friendship House in Ryde....an electic mixture of local, national and international J&P issues.
We support Pax Christi and CAFOD both financially and actively and some of us are members of CAAT (Campaign Against the Arms Trade) Reprieve, Aid to the Church in Need and Crisis.
It has been decided to open the Group to other people through the Churches Together in the Ryde Area as one of us is the J&P representative on that committee. We will be strengthened by more active people being involved with our work.
Solemn Profession at St. Cecilia’s Abbey.
A Solemn Profession was held at the abbey on the Feast of the Epiphany. Sister Elizabeth Burgess was solemnly professed as a Benedictine nun during the Epiphany Mass offered by Dom Cuthbert Brogan, Abbot of Farnborough. Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris was present to represent the parish, in the absence of Fr. Glaysher. The abbey church was packed with family and friends of Sister Elizabeth to witness her solemn vows. St. Cecilia’s is a flourishing community with nuns of all ages from 19 to 90. This is encouraging at a time when many religious communities are on the decline. The parish is fortunate to have both St. Cecilia’s and Quarr Abbey as great power-houses of prayer and devotion within the parish, where daily Mass and the Divine Office are sung.
First Communion
Fourteen of our parish children were enrolled into the First Communion programme on 15th January during the 11-00am Mass. Over the next few months they will be preparing with Father, their catechists and parents for the reception of the Sacraments of Penance (Confession) and Holy Communion. Their photographs can be seen at the back of the church. Please remember the children in your prayers.
Grace Burke
It was wonderful for the parish to have Grace Burke at Mass on Sunday, 15th January, on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Grace has been a stalwart parishioner for over 60 years and is well known both in the parish and the local community. At one time she actually lived in the presbytery with her sister, Moira, who was the housekeeper. Here in St. Mary’s she has, at different times, been a Flower arranger, a member of the Legion of Mary, the Latin Mass Society and the Catholic History Society. Holiness Pope Benedict has awarded Grace a special papal blessing, and this framed scroll was presented to her by Fr. Glaysher. (See Gallery for photographs.)
January News
In recent weeks the parish has had two retiring collection for essential work by Catholic socities. The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) campaigns for the right to human life from conception to death. It also examines proposed and existing legislation to try to ensure that it respects human life and dignity and protects the unborn child. The Pax Christi collection was on Peace Sunday. This is an International is a non-profit, non-governmental Catholic peace movement working on a wide variety of issues in the fields of human rights, disarmament and demilitarisation, just world order and the freedom of religion and oppression.
Parish Groups / societies
This month we feature the work of several of our parish groups / societies.
Centering Prayer Group.
The Centering Prayer, one of the parish’s prayer / mediation groups, was started in 1998 by Sister Dolores of the Presentation Convent. It is linked to other small groups in Newport, Cowes and South Wight and the groups sometimes join together for prayer. They meet in the Countess room on the fourth Monday of each month at 2pm.
After a prayer to the Holy Spirit and a short reading we remain silent for 20 minutes and aim to become still in mind and body in order to allow God to speak to and to work in us. This is a very ancient form of prayer and, in the words of Father Basil Pennington:- "Centering Prayer is a simple method of prayer that sets up ideal conditions to rest in quiet awareness of God's Presence." Father Pennington recommends the following method:-
"Sit comfortably, breathe normally,and let yourself settle down. Let go of all thoughts and tensions and begin to rest in the Love of God who dwells within."
Distractions and thoughts can be dispelled, by choosing a sacred word or phrase such as "Jesus", "Lord", "Father". Repeating the word whenever thoughts invade. Although we only meet once a month, practising this form of prayer at home or with the Blessed Sacrament is also helpful. The Presentation Sisters also set up a meditation group at Albany Prison which continues. This has had a calming and beneficial effect on members of the group. Anyone can join us for the meetings. Centering Prayer is especially useful for busy or anxious people, an opportunity to "let go and to surrender to God's Loving".
Faith Study Group
This group meet (usually monthly) to study, meditate and contemplate aspects of our Faith, the catechism, the bible, papal encyclicals and the liturgical year to deepen their Faith and understanding of God's Church. At the most recent meeting they studied the Beatitudes, which were given by Christ at the Sermon on the mount. These beatitudes (if they are followed) represent the perfection of Christian fellowship. The group usually finish by watching a DVD on different aspects of the faith.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP).
This aim is to seek and find those in need and to serve them through person-to-person contact, irrespective of age, colour, creed, gender or ideology. Members meet every three weeks to discuss current work, requests for help and to plan ahead. The Society has been twinned with a conference in India since 1995 and supports them financially, with prayers and by correspondence. Membership is open to men and women.
Christmas message from Fr. Anthony Glaysher:
“When we think of the Christmas message, we behold Love Himself in the manger. Let us remember it is He who transforms us into His Image, into His Likeness. This can be a hard thing to do. We must be patient …. We must wait ……. We must place our trust in Him. I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas and may the love of the Christ Child shine forever upon you. May His love penetrate your hearts that you may in your turn manifest love to all around you”.
Christmas message from Father Jonathan Redvers Harris:
“On behalf of the Ordinariate group, a blessèd and joyous Christmastide to all at St. Mary’s and St. Michael’s. With our deepest gratitude for making us all so welcome”.
There was ample opportunity this year for Carol Singing in preparation for Christmas: an Advent Carol Service on Advent Sunday; another Carol Service on 21st December (jointly organised with our friends from the Ordinariate); and the School Carol Service just before the end of term. These were well attended by parishioners and visitors from other Christian churches in the town.
Many parishioners also joined the “Ryde Churches Together” group in raising awareness of Christmas by singing carols in the High Street. It was encouraging to witness Christians of all denominations, led by Father Jonathan Redvers Harris, coming together to welcome the advent of the great feast in singing carols and bearing public witness to their common Christian faith.
On Christmas Eve the Children’s Liturgy Group held their annual service, singing carols and listening to the Word of God before processing with lighted candles to the Christmas crib.
The great Feast of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lord was celebrated with due solemnity in the parish. The Vigil Mass at St. Michael’s, Bembridge, had much increased attendances compared with last year. In his sermon at Mass, Father Glaysher spoke about Christmas as a time of witnessing “love that has come down from heaven. This love, as reflected by God sending his Son to redeem mankind, must be prominent in our daily lives and our relationships with others”. The midnight Mass at St. Mary’s was crowded but not packed, therefore making it more comfortable than usual. Once again the Christmas cribs and the decorations were arranged imaginatively and resulted in many positive comments. Father Glaysher always likes to see something different each year in the churches as we portray the message of the Incarnation for all to see.
There was no Mass at Holy Cross, Seaview, this year as the church closed in July. This Mass was replaced by the first (Post Vatican II) Missa Cantata for Christmas (a few hours before midnight) at St. Mary’s Church. This was sung by Monsignor Antony Conlon, Chaplain of the Oratory School, Reading, and former National Chaplain of the Latin Mass Society, who was staying with friends on the Island over the Christmas period. In his sermon he reminded the congregation that this year marked the 500th anniversary of the visit of Henry VIII to Walsingham. “From the Middle Ages to the Tudor times, England was to the forefront of piety and devotion in the Christian world. There are positive signs that today Catholics once again are seeking a deeper of God and greater spiritual nourishment in their lives. The Christmas message encourages us to look at our lives as Catholics and to restore that devotion to God and His Mother, Mary, once so prominent in England”.
There were carols before the morning Mass at St. Michael’s and the usual carols with readings before the Midnight Mass at St. Mary’s. As usual, the church bells were rung at midnight whilst the church was in darkness, illuminated only by candles around the walls, as the three priests (Father Glaysher, Father Redvers Harris and Monsignor Conlon) and servers processed to the crib. Darkness is a prominent feature of Advent. In the Old Testament we learn that the faithful were aware of humanity ‘sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death’ (Luke 2 : 79), when the prophets, illumined by Almighty God, announced the Redeemer; and when the hearts of men glowed with the desire for the Messiah. This darkness was illuminated on the first Christmas Day by what St John the Evangelist calls 'The Light of the World'.
This was the first Christmas that the parish had the privilege of sharing St. Mary’s with friends in the Ordinariate group. Their Christmas morning Mass was well attended. At the 11.00 a.m. Mass, Father Glaysher, once again spoke to the children seated on the sanctuary steps and led them to the Christmas crib for prayers and meditation.
For some parishioners (including Father Glaysher) the goodwill and practical aspects of the Christmas message continued into the evening, as a Christmas dinner was provided in Ryde Methodist Church hall for those who are homeless or in need, and not able to share Christmas with their families. This project has been one of the most successful ecumenical enterprises to emerge in Ryde in recent years. Father appreciates all the donations of food, clothes and money that parishioners have made to this project.
It was just before Christmas that parishioners heard the sad news of the death of Peter Foley, R.I.P. Peter was a popular figure and a stalwart member of the parish. (See the Obituaries page for more information).
In this Christmas season when we think of the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that death is always with us; and in particular, martyrdom. We remember the martyrdom of St. Stephen and the slaughter of the Holy Innocents. Today we remember one of the most English of all the saints, Thomas of Canterbury, who put Almighty God and His Holy Church before king and country. He was killed in Canterbury Cathedral on this day in 1170 and canonized three years later. A corbel figurehead of St. Thomas may be seen in St. Mary’s, above the front circular pillar on the north side of the nave. It was on the Feast of St. Stephen that Father Redvers Harris led the first of hopefully many annual ecumenical walks to Quarr Abbey after Mass at St. Mary’s. Over forty people from various churches (and none) took part. At the abbey Father led prayers at the crib, situated as usual on the nave steps. With its moving figures, this is one of the most unique Christmas cribs on the Island. On the return walk via Binstead and Haylands, there was a welcome refreshment stop with mince pies and drink, generously provided by Wendy Redvers Harris.
An interesting feature of the regular periods of Exposition at St. Mary’s after Christmas was the Holy Eucharist being exposed in the monstrance in the crib in the place of the Babe in the manger. This not only emphasizes the Real Presence of Christ with the Christmas message, but also reminds us that the Babe at Bethlehem is the same Christ that we adore in the Blessed Sacrament and receive at Communion during Mass.
Advent
The word Advent means “coming”. The season of Advent is one of particular importance. It is a sacred season in which we prepare ourselves for the coming of Our Lord at Christmas. It is the time of God's favour, a time to mediate on salvation, peace and reconciliation. It is also a time for a fresh start; a time to take a look at ourselves, our relationships with others, with our families that we meet in our daily lives. It is a time for raising the awareness of God both in our hearts and among the wider community. This awareness is mentioned in the Old Testament, when the people became aware of the humanity "sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death“ (Luke 2: 79), when the prophets, illuminated by Almighty God, announced the Redeemer; and when the hearts of men glowed with the desire for the Messiah. This darkness was illuminated on the first Christmas Day by what St John the Evangelist calls "the Light of the World". Let us allow that light to enter our hearts as we prepare for Christmas.
Advent is a time when we are encouraged to examine our consciences and to turn back to God. For this purpose there is ample opportunity of Confession. See times on the “Future Events” page.
Parish AGM
The annual general meeting of the parish took place in November. Reports were given on financial situation, building work in the convent (now called Presentation House) and the courtyard. Fr. Glaysher has now moved into Presentation House, whilst the old presbytery is being restored. Plans for the car park and the Parish Centre were outlined.
Fr. Glaysher thanked everyone for their work over the past year. Not only the parish council, but, many others give generously of their time for the benefit of the church.
Among the successful ventures this year, were the Flower Festival at St. Michael’s, Bembridge and the OPEN ARMS project, which provides support and a meal for those in need. The parish were largely responsible for the establishment of this venture which not only fulfils a need, but provides an opportunity for the Christian Churches in Ryde to work together for the common good.
It was during this year that the parish was pleased to welcome the Ordinariate group to share St. Mary’s. Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris gave a report, explaining how the group was established and the ways in which they can help the parish.
The minutes of the AGM will be made available to parishioners in the near future.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
In the Constitution Ineffabilis Deus of 8th December, 1854, Pope Pius IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin." Four years later, this dogma was confirmed by Our Lady herself, when she uttered the immortal words to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, “I am the Immaculate Conception”.
Our first church at Bembridge was opened on this feast day in 1935. The parish priest, Canon Stephen Mongan told the congregation, “It is fitting that the first Mass here should be on this feast of Our Lady, as she is the source of hope and consolation and the perfect example to us in our daily lives".
December 8th also marks the patronal feast at Quarr Abbey. Rome never recognized the dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII, so when the Benedctines moved to Quarr in 1907, they continued the Medieval dedication of Our Lady of Quarr. At the abbey there was a solemn procession around the cloisters after Vespers, whilst the Litany of Our Lady was sung, and an Act of Dedication to Our Lady was recited before Benediction.
Fr. Glaysher was in Rome for this feast day, so the parish welcomed Fr. Phillip Harris from the cathedral. Father heard Confessions during the Holy Hour and offered Mass at the Lady Chapel in the evening; while Fr. Jonathan offered the usual Ordinariate Mass in the morning.
Christmas Fayre
Fr. Glaysher is grateful to everyone who assisted at our annual Christmas Fayre. The sum of £1665 was raised.
Faith Study Group
This group meet monthly to study, meditate and contemplate aspects of the Faith and deepen their understanding of God's Holy Church.
His Holiness Pope Benedict has announced that he will establish A Year of the Faith in 2012, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. With this in mind the Faith Study Group have started looking at the Faith through the catechism. At their December meeting, the group discussed the following questions and answers from the catechism:-
What is faith?
Faith is a supernatural gift of God, which enables us to believe without doubting whatever God has revealed.
Why must you believe whatever God has revealed?
I must believe whatever God has revealed because God is the very truth, and can neither deceive nor be deceived.
How are you to know what God has revealed?
I am to know what God has revealed by the testimony, teaching, and authority of the Catholic Church.
Who gave the Catholic Church divine authority to teach?
Jesus Christ gave the Catholic Church divine authority to teach, when he said, 'Go therefore, make disciples of all the nations'. (Matt. 28:19)
The next meeting of the group is on Tuesday, 3rd January.
The Legion of Mary
This group have now changed their weekly meeting to Monday at 6-00pm
Open Arms
The OPEN ARMS Drop In Centre, situated in Ryde Methodist Church hall, is a wonderful example of the Christian Churches of Ryde reaching out to those in need and working together collaboratively for the community.
After a rather slow start to the project, the OPEN ARMS is now feeding 19-20 guests each week. Most guests are good natured and grateful. For many this is the only proper meal some of them have during the week; and they are very grateful. Some are street drinkers, some addicts, others are just lonely and have nowhere to go. They generally feel comfortable as they know that no one is going to judge them or try to change them unless they ask for help. They would then be referred to someone who could advise and help. Most have simply fallen on hard times or been unlucky in life or relationships. Those working for them often thin “There for the grace of God ……………”
The volunteers supporting them come from 8 different churches in Ryde, Seaview and Havenstreet, 11 are from our parish. Ryde clergy attend when they can. Rev. Noel Toogood is the Treasurer. He welcomes donations for the project and appreciative of the two retiring collections that St. Mary’s have held for the project. In addition several parishioners (including two members of our parish council) have made direct donations to him to support the work. We are asked to promote awareness of the OPEN ARMS on a regular basis.
The parish can be proud of the fact that the Catholic community has played a prominent and active role in establishing the OPEN ARMS from the beginning.
Whilst the building work and finance tends to dominate much of our time at the moment, it is encouraging to be able to highlight pastoral work of this nature, which evolves from Christ’s Gospel message, “If you do this for the least of my brethren ……………………..”
Further support is required, particularly as the OPEN ARMS is hoping to open on another night (possibly Friday). Volunteers are required to wash up; also simply to go along and talk to the guests, make them feel welcome, comfortable and at home. There is often much light hearted and amusing banter which tells us that they feel relaxed and welcome.
We need cash donations, people have been very generous but we need to keep an income flowing so may consider asking supporters to make donations by Monthly Standing order. For further information on assisting at the OPEN ARMS or for STO forms, please contact the parish secretary (01983 812127)
Finally, we are greatly supported by prayer and we ask that an occasional Sunday Bidding Prayer asks for God’s blessing on the work of the OPEN ARMS, and that the many small prayer / faith groups that meet in the parish are reminded also to pray for this project.
Feast of Christ the King
This feast was instituted by His Holiness Pope Pius XI in 1925 to emphasise Christ’s life, passion and death that we celebrate on this day. It was celebrated with a Sung Latin Mass at the end of October (for the old calendar) and at the end of November (for the present calendar). Pope Pius XI reminded the faithful that Christ will win for us a glorious victory over sin and hell if we follow Him. A procession in honour of Christ the King was held in St. Mary’s with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament all afternoon, culminating in Devotions and Benediction. The following prayer in honour of Christ the King was recited:
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory,
deliver the souls of all the faithful departed
from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit;
deliver them out of the lion's mouth,
lest hell should swallow them up,
lest they fall into the outer darkness;
but let Thy standard-bearer, Saint Michael,
bring them back into Thy holy light,
which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed. Amen.
HOMILY: Holy Souls in Purgatory
Purgatory doesn’t sit easily with the modern mind. The story is told of the Catholic lady who asked the priest to say mass for the repose of the soul of her dear late husband, and afterwards she complained, “Father, you said he’s in Purgatory!” But, as the priest pointed out, we don’t offer requiems for those in heaven or, for that matter, for those in the other place.
In an age when we tend to prefer “celebrations of people’s lives” rather than real funerals, when we excessively eulogise, and often idolise the departed, the idea of needing to be cleaned up, purified, purged, the very notion of indeed sin and the need for the remission of temporal punishment does not readily appeal.
And not just today’s age – it didn’t appeal greatly at the Protestant Reformation. According to the Church of England’s Articles of Religion, “the Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory… is a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of the God” (XXII). It depends partly on which Scriptures are in your canon, but in the Catholic Church in 2 Maccabees (12:46) then prayer for the dead is encouraged, to loose the departed from their sins. In Matthew’s Gospel, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, says our Lord, “either in this age or in the age to come” (12:32), suggesting that some sins may be forgiven in the age to come. And St Paul writes of burning away of man’s works, the things we build, but of the soul being saved, purified by fire (1 Cor 3:11-15). So, not a full-blown articulated doctrine of Purgatory, but one or two pointers.
And also written deeply into our psyche. Even in politics they say “If it’s not hurting it’s not working,” or “No pain then no gain”. “Our souls demand purgatory,” said C.S.Lewis – and the cleaning up may hurt – swarfega, pumice stone, vigorous nail-brushing. The image that Lewis liked was the dentist’s chair: “ I hope that when the tooth of life is drawn and I’m “coming round” a voice will say, “Rinse your mouth out with this.” This will be Purgatory. The rinsing may be longer than I can now imagine and the taste may be more fiery and astringent than my present sensibility could endure. But it will not be disgusting and unhallowed.”
We don’t know how long Purgatory is, we don’t know where it is – but that’s the difficulty of thinking, as we so often do, in terms of time and space. For Purgatory is a condition, a process, to free us from the temporal punishment of our sin, the final purification of God’s people.
When our time comes to fall asleep in the Lord Jesus Christ we won’t be free of in. Even without mortal sin, there will be that disposition, that disordered affection towards creaturely things rather than God, those venial sins for which we are also encouraged to have frequent recourse to the sacrament of reconciliation in this life. And yes we may, as naughty children, be forgiven by our Father for breaking the window with the cricket ball, we may have been absolved of all guilt, all moral culpability cleansed, but the smashed pane is still there. The temporal consequences of our sins remain – the unalterability of the past. We may have offered up some of our piggy-bank savings, accepted a reduction of pocket-money for the next few weeks, to help with the repair of the glass, but ultimately we’ve still had to accept the generosity of the Father dipping into his treasury to make good the damage. That is what we offer this Eucharistic sacrifice for today, that those who have gone before us may be wholly purified, from God’s treasury, and may enter into light and peace.
And we should take heart. They are, after all, the Holy Souls in Purgatory – they detest sin, just as we say we do every time we offer our Act of Contrition in confession. They hate sin, they know they’ve done with sin, and for these holy souls we offer this mass today that they may be granted rest eternal and that light perpetual may shine upon them.
This Homily was given by Fr Jonathan Redvers Harris during Mass for the Holy Souls at St. Michael's Church, Bembridge.
Sung Latin Mass
Fr. Glaysher sung the Missa Cantata on the Feast of Christ the King (28th October – old calendar). This feast was instituted by His Holiness Pope Pius XI in 1925 to emphasise Christ’s life, passion and death that we celebrate on this day. Furthermore, He will win for us a glorious victory over sin and hell if we follow Him.
The Mass (cum Jubilo) was offered in thanksgiving for the 47th anniversary of the Ordination of Fr. Michael Feben to the Holy Priesthood. Fr. Feben, who is now living in retirement in Newport, was present for the Mass.
He was a contemporary of Bishop Hollis at the English College in Rome and ordained there in 1964 by His Eminence William Cardinal Heard.
After Mass the reception was held in the new church hall (old Presentation convent).
All Saints Day and All Souls Day
These two consecutive days remind us inevitably of life after death. Almighty God will judge each one of us and decide whether we are to join the Communion of Saints immediately or to endure a period in Purgatory. The Gospel for All Saints Day recalls the Sermon on the Mount. Our Lord says that our reward will be great in heaven if we adhere to the Beatitudes. St. Mary’s in Ryde is a rare example of a church where the Beatitudes are depicted in stone. These form the corbel figureheads show angels on the upper walls of the nave bearing scrolls with each beatitude written in Latin. In his sermon at Mass Fr. Redvers Harris referred to the saints that are depicted in statues and stained glass around St. Mary’s. These saints remind us of our aim of eternal salvation in heaven.
In addition to the parish Masses on this day, Fr. Glaysher attended Vespers and gave Benediction at St. Cecilia’s Abbey.
On All Souls Day Father offered the traditional three Masses for the Holy Souls. On this day we are reminded that we can relieve the sufferings of the Holy Souls by our prayers and penances. Thus, even after death, links with our fellow travellers and brothers are not broken. It has long been a tradition of the Church that we recommend our deceased friends and relatives to Almighty God, that they may be delivered from the pains of Purgatory.
Prayers for deceased parishioners will be recited after every Mass in November.
Ryde to Rome
Ryde Catholics will be familiar with the parish history book with this title, which describes the journey of the Countess of Clare to Rome in 1841 and the story of her conversion in St. Peter’s Basilica. This journey to Rome (October 17th – 22nd) was undertaken by Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris and his wife, Wendy; making their first visit to the Eternal City four months after their conversion, through the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. They were accompanied by Fr. Glaysher, and his secretary, Gill O’Meara.
Both priests offered Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the intentions of the faithful in Ryde and for the advancement of the faith in the parish and on the Island. (See Gallery for photographs.)
They visited the other four main basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Paul (outside the walls), St. Mary Major and Santa Maria sopra Minerva. The last two were favourites of the Countess of Clare, and persuaded her to build a church in honour of Our Blessed Lady in Ryde.
At the traditional General Audience, His Holiness Pope Benedict took the theme, “The Lord is steadfast in his love for us”. As he toured St. Peter’s Square the Pope passed within eight feet of us. (See Gallery for photographs.)
It was during this week that His Holiness announced the Year of the Faith (11th October, 2012 to the Feast of Christ the King, 2013) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
St. Wilfrid – Patron of the Island.
This feast was celebrated on Wednesday, 12th October. St. Wilfrid came to the Island in A.D. 687, landing at Brading and successfully seeking the permission of the King of Wessex, Caedwalla, to preach the Gospel. This scene is depicted in a beautiful stained glass window in the south aisle of St. Mary’s Church. On this day, Fr. Glaysher joined the Fr. P.J. Smith and parishioners at St. Wilfrid’s, Ventnor for Mass on their patronal feast. Co-incidentally, this day also marks the anniversary of the dedication of all Solesmes abbeys. Hence Solemn Mass was celebrated at Quarr and St. Cecilia’s. As Fr. Glaysher had a funeral on this day, Fr. Redvers Harris represented the parish at Mass at Quarr Abbey and then at Vespers at St. Cecilia’s, where he also gave Benediction. There was an added celebration at Quarr Abbey on this day as it marked the golden jubilee of the solemn profession of Bro. Francis as a Benedictine monk.
Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux.
On this feast day Fr. Glaysher offered an early morning Mass at St. Mary’s before leaving for St. Agatha’s Church in Portsmouth for an Ordinariate Mass. In St. Mary’s the congregation processed with Father to the statue of St. Therese at the back of the church. This statue was donated by the Carmelite Sisters who were resident in Park Street, Ryde (1908-1921). The Litany of St. Therese was recited and this was followed by the veneration of her relic. It was almost two years ago that the mortal remains of this young French saint toured England for Catholics to venerate. Our own cathedral in Portsmouth was the first venue for this veneration. St. Therese died in 1897, promising on her deathbed to “spend her heaven in doing good for the souls upon earth”. She was canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1925.
Later that morning Fr. Glaysher was pleased to be able to attend an Orinariate Mass at St. Agatha’s Church, Portsmouth. This is a Traditional Anglican Communion Church served by Fr. Maunder. The Mass was offered by Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris in the presence of both Fr. Maunder and Bishop Robert Mercer C.R. (See Gallery for photographs.) The Ordinariate group of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight have a Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s, Ryde at 9-15am and a Thursday Mass at 10-00am.
Catholic History Society
At the recent meeting the guest speaker was Joe Manighetti. He gave an interesting and informative talk on the History of Quarr Abbey. Quarr was one of the earliest Cistercian abbeys in England when it was founded in 1132. It became the spiritual, cultural and trade centre of the Island, looking after the poor, the needy, travellers etc, and providing much employment in the woollen industry. After the dissolution much of the building material was used to build defensive fortifications around the Island.
With the return of monastic life in 1908, the Divine Offices were once again sung in praise of Almighty God. The Benedictines (affiliated to Solesmes in France) were nearly all French in the early days. When they returned after the First World war, they left a community to continue the monastic life and English monks gradually joined the Order.
Today, there are only seven Benedictines left. The community is in urgent need of prayers for more vocations, as they prepare for the centenary of the dedication of the abbey church in 2012.
Visiting the sick and the housebound
Fr. Glaysher appealed from the pulpit recently for parishioners to inform him, or the parish office, of people who are ill either at home or in the hospital or nursing homes so that he can visit them. Similarly, the Legion of Mary, are looking to visit people as well, if required. Once again, they can be contacted through the parish office. (Tel. 01983 812127)
Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham
There was special significance this year for this feast. The parish has the privilege of being home to the Ordinariate of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. As the Ordinariate is under the care and protection of Our Lady of Walsingham, it was fitting that Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris, who was ordained for the Ordinariate in June this year, should offer this parish Mass at the Lady Chapel in St. Mary’s. The Lady altar, designed by Augustus Pugin, has a central panel which depicts Our Lady of Walsingham, seated on a Saxon throne; thus emphasising the traditional English devotion to Our Lady since Saxon times.
In his sermon Fr. Jonathan reminded the congregation that this year marked the 950th anniversary of the foundation of the Norfolk Shrine. This was a great centre of Christian pilgrimage in Medieval times. Father encouraged those present to pray that Walsingham, - England’s “Nazareth”, - would once again become the focus of our witness to the Faith, through pilgrimage and prayer and devotion to the Mother of God.
Meetings / minutes
The Parish Council, Liturgy Committee and Finance Committee met in September to discuss the various needs of the parish and to support Father in his ministry. The minutes of their meetings are available in the blue folder at the back of the church when they have been approved.
Annual Pilgrimage to Quarr Abbey
This annual pilgrimage took place on the first Sunday in September. In Victorian times Catholics would often walk on Sunday afternoons from St. Mary’s to the Pre-Reformation monastic ruins at Quarr to pray that, one day, monastic life would return to Quarr. Little did they realise that by 1908 their prayer would be answered, when the Benedictine monks from Appuldurcombe near Wroxall, came to establish an abbey adjacent to the Medieval ruins. Staring at the Esplanade Stations the pilgrims walked through the woods to the Holy Cross Church at Binstead for tea and a talk by Hilary Spurgeon. This lovely little Medieval Church has a close association with Quarr. A priest came from the abbey before the dissolution to serve the needs of the people of Binstead (mainly quarrymen and their families working in the local pits). The church still has the bell from the Cistercian abbey in its belfry, bearing the inscription “Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis”.
Stopping at the old Cistercian ruins founded in 1132 and dissolved on the orders of Thomas Cromwell in 1537 here was an opportunity to reflect on the Medieval monastic life that once existed within these ruined ivy-clad walls. Rome never recognised the dissolution of the abbeys. So the Cistercian dedication of Our Lady of Quarr continues today with the Benedictines adopting the same dedication when they moved from Appledurcombe in 1908. Poems on the abbey were read by Ed Matyjaszek and Yvonne Rowles and prayers were led by Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris.
At the present abbey the Office of None was followed by a talk by Fr. Luke OSB. He reminded us that next year marks the centenary of the consecration of the abbey church. Celebrations will commence in October, 2011, with an exhibition at Quarr showing old photographs and pictures of the abbey.
The pilgrimage concluded with Vespers and Benediction.
The return of Friday Abstinence
From Friday, 16th September 2011 Catholics are to return to the ancient practice of abstaining from meat on all Fridays throughout the year, as a simple but profound act of penance. By the practice of penance every Catholic identifies with Christ in His death on the Cross. We do so in prayer, through uniting the sufferings and sacrifices in our lives with those of Christ’s Passion; in fasting, by dying to self in order to be close to Christ; and in almsgiving, by demonstrating our solidarity with the sufferings of Christ in those in need.
All three forms of penance form a vital part of Christian living. When this is visible in the public arena, then it is also an important act of witness. Every Friday is set aside by the Church as a special day of penance, for it is the day of the death of Our Lord. “ The English Bishops wish to re-establish the practice of Friday penance in the lives of the Faithful as a clear and distinctive mark of their own Catholic identity. They recognise that the best habits are those which are acquired as part of a common resolve and common witness. It is important that all the Faithful be united in a common celebration of Friday penance.” Thus, they have decided to re-establish the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays. Those who do not eat meat as part of their normal diet should abstain from some other food of which they regularly partake.
“Many may wish to go beyond this simple act of common witness and mark each Friday with a time of prayer and further self-sacrifice. In all these ways we unite our sacrifices to the Sacrifice of Christ, who gave up His very life for our salvation.”
Annual Mass at St. Dominic’s Priory
The annual Mass at the Priory at Carisbrooke (founded by the Countess of Clare in 1866) was offered on the Feast of St. Dominic (8th August) by Frs Gerard Flynn, Anthony Glaysher and Jonathan Redvers Harris. (See Gallery for photographs.) In his sermon at the Mass Fr. Glaysher reminded the packed congregation that the Dominicans had always had a close affiliation with the Holy Rosary. “It is in the rosary that we meditate on and celebrate the glory of our faith with the wonderful mysteries from the Annunciation through to Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven”.
After Mass the Congregation and clergy processed to the Dominican nuns’ cemetery in the garden for prayers by the graveside. Each grave was blessed with holy water whilst the De Profundis and the Litany of the Dead was recited.
David and Maureen McKendry
The parish offer their congratulations and very best wishes to David and Maureen McKendry on their golden wedding anniversary.
Maureen has been a stalwart member of the parish for many years. She has worked as a Minister of the Eucharist and as a sacristan here in St. Michael’s; tirelessly giving of her free time to the church and community. She looks out for the sick and the housebound in Bembridge and ensures that they are visited and receive the Sacraments. She has been involved with both the Faith Sharing Group and the Faith Study Group; and she is one of those people who are always on hand to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
After Mass on Sunday 7th August, Fr. Glaysher gave them a special blessing and presented them with a bouquet of flowers.
Closure of Holy Cross Church, Seaview
The final Mass at the Catholic Church of the Holy Cross, Seaview took place on Sunday, 17th July. It was concelebrated by Fr. Anthony Glaysher (parish priest), Fr. P.J. Smith and Monsignor Antony Conlon. It was inevitably a sad occasion for all those present, especially those who had a long association with the church. This was referred to by Fr. Glaysher in his sermon. He said, “The closure of any church or religious building used for the worship of God is always difficult, but we must give thanks today for all those both living, and those who have departed, for their work and ministry here at Holy Cross. Our witness to the faith will continue here in Seaview, thanks to the generosity and hospitality of the Vicar of St. Helens and Seaview, Rev. Mary Strange, who has kindly allowed us to have a monthly weekday Mass at St. Peter’s, commencing in September”.
Co-incidentally, the first Mass at Seaview was also celebrated on 17th July. This was in 1938 by Canon Stephen Mongan in the Sports Club in Ryde Road. This was one a several temporary venues for Mass before Holy Cross was built in 1957. St. Peter's Church hall was also used for Mass in the 1950s; - a generous offer from our Anglican friends in the pre-ecumenical days before Vatican II. It is ironic that sixty years later Catholics of Seaview will be returning to St. Peter’s for Mass.
The first Mass at Holy Cross was offered on the Feast of the Annunciation, 1957. Co-incidentally, this Mass was celebrated by Fr (now Canon) McDermot-Roe of Ryde. The Canon was back in Ryde two weeks ago for a Thanksgiving Mass for his Diamond Jubilee of Ordination.
Bishop Hollis of Portsmouth came to Holy Cross in 2007 for the golden jubilee of the church and blessed the new altar that was commissioned by Fr. John Catlin. This, together with many of the other items of church furniture and fittings will now be used at St. Michael’s Church, Bembridge.
Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage to celebrate the 1350th anniversary of Christianity on the IoW
Whilst we are aware of St. Wilfrid’s visit to the Island in A.D. 686, the visit of one of his disciples some 25 years earlier is not so well known. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states: “the priest - first to bring Christianity to the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight? AD 661 - In this year... Wulfhere, son of Penda, ravaged in the Isle of Wight, and gave the people of Wight to Aethelwald, king of Sussex, because Wulfhere had stood sponsor for him at baptism. Eoppa, the priest, at the command of Wilfred and king Wulfhere, was the first to bring Christianity to the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight".
Pilgrims from all Christian Churches celebrated this event (July 16th – 18th) by walking across the island from St. Helens to Brading, Arreton, Newport and Carisbrooke before taking the Tennyson Trail to Calbourne and Freshwater. It was at Calbourne that an open air Mass was celebrated by Fr. Flynn and Fr. Glaysher.
A Mass of thanksgiving for this anniversary was offered at St. Mary’s on the Feast of St. Bede (old calendar), who recorded the account of Eoppa’s visit. It was also most appropriate that in the new Roman calendar this day is the Feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury, another great missionary, who was sent by Pope Gregory to bring the Christian Faith to England. In his sermon during the Mass, Fr. Glaysher referred to Eoppa’s visit and this anniversary as “a focal point of Christians on the Island. We give thanks to God for this event and for all those men and women who have promoted the Faith here on the Island over the years. We celebrate our Christian Faith today; that Faith which was founded by Christ himself; and that we see and witness in many forms, through our devotional and prayer life and the many acts of Christian charity that we see around us”.
The Isle of Wight Catholic History Society produced a booklet outlining the early history of Christianity on the Island. This is available from St. Mary’s Parish Office (Tel. 01983 812127) or the church crypt.
Confraternity of the Rosary
The parish was pleased to welcome the Diocesan Confraternity to the Island. This group has a strong devotion to Our Blessed Lady and in particular to the Holy Rosary. The IoW Catholic History Society co-ordinated their visit to Ryde and arranged their lunch on two of the days. They attended Mass in St. Mary’s on three days and were given guided tours of the church, crypt and private chapel as well as a history talk. Fr. Glaysher arranged a display of vestments, relics and religious artefacts for the group in the new church hall. This was only the second time that the new hall had been officially used (the first was for the altar of repose on Maundy Thursday).
In his sermon at Mass before the Confraternity’s departure, Fr. Glaysher reminded the congregation that “in praying the rosary they are contemplating on the mysteries of our salvation”. Afterwards he led Marian devotions at the Lady Chapel.
The Confraternity also visited Quarr and St. Cecilia’s Abbey and attended Mass at St. Patrick’s, Sandown.
The Isle of Wight and Portsmouth Ordinariate Group
This group began its worshipping life in its own right on Sunday 26th June, the day following the ordination of its pastor, Father Jonathan Redvers Harris, to the Catholic priesthood. The Ordinariate first Mass, solemn and sung, was offered on Corpus Christi, at St.Mary's Ryde, attended by about 60 people, and supported by Fr Glaysher who was presented with an olive tree, from the Group, and thanked for his encouragement and hospitality. Some of the Ordinariate members stayed on for the 11am parish Mass, joined in the Corpus Christi procession and enjoyed the parish barbecue in honour both of the young people who recently made their first Communion, and also for Fr Jonathan.
Since then, the Ordinariate Mass (now every Sunday at 9.15am) has run for three weeks, attracting interest and support from regulars at St Mary's, visitors, and some Anglicans not yet in the Ordinariate. It is followed by refreshments in the crypt. Some of the Ordinariate members continue to sing in the choir for St.Mary's services as well, including the Pastoral Area's Confirmation on 6th July, while Father Jonathan has been joining with Island Catholic clergy, covering one or two Catholic Masses for the diocese, and sharing in the celebrations at both Quarr and St Cecilia's for their patronal festival (St Benedict, 11th July).
The Ordinariate is still awaiting approval from the Holy See of its eucharistic liturgy, which will express something of its Anglican tradition, but in the meantime has been using the Roman Missal, with Merbecke for the Sung Mass setting (well known to Anglicans), and the style of celebration has been in the ad orientem position with which the Group is familiar.
Diamond Jubilee of Canon McDermot-Roe
There was a welcome return to Ryde by Canon McDermot-Roe on Friday 8th July to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of his Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Ryde was the Canon’s first appointment after being ordained in 1951. He was to spend 13 very happy years in the parish. After a Concelebrated Mass with Fr Anthony Glaysher and Fr. Gregory from Quarr Abbey, he was presented with a picture of the Shrine of Our Lady of Ryde. (See Gallery for photographs.)
In his sermon the Canon paid a glowing tribute to St. Mary’s, remarking that it was rich in prayer and devotion in the 1950s and it is still today. He reminisced on his time in the parish, talking about the school, the convent and the communities at Seaview and Bembridge. He also mentioned some of the people; in particular, Yvonne Rampton, whom he received into the Catholic Church when she was 21 years old. He thanked Fr. Glaysher for the kind invitation to return to Ryde for his jubilee. A reception was held afterwards in the church hall where he met many old friends. The Canon remarked that he was born in the same year as his Holiness Pope Benedict and ordained to the priesthood in the same year, but after that there are no further similarities!
In the old calendar, July 1st is the Feast of the Precious Blood. This day marks the dedication of Westminster Cathedral – England’s premier cathedral – which is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Christ.
Universae Ecclesiae
This is the latest papal document of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. It ratifies the document Summorum Pontificum (2007) in stating that the Old Latin Mass was never abolished; priests can offer this Mass without seeking permission of their bishop; it should be made available to groups of the faithful who request it; and seminarians should be given the opportunity to learn how to offer the Mass. His Holiness has expressed his desire for the beauty and the richness of this traditional Mass to be made freely available. The Extraordinary Form of the Mass is offered here at St. Mary’s at least weekly. See the church newsletter for further details.
Holydays of Obligation
The English Hierarchy are moving towards a return of Holydays of Obligation to their traditional days. In 2006 they moved the Feasts of the Epiphany, Ascension and Corpus Christi to the nearest Sunday. There were strong protests from many Catholics when this was introduced, with many finding their way to Extraordinary Form Masses throughout the country, as this was the only way of celebrating the feasts on the traditional days. 2011 was a nonsense with the Epiphany being celebrated on January 2nd.
This restoration is likely to mean that the Epiphany and the Ascension will return to their traditional feast days, in line with both the bible and the celebration by the Holy Father in Rome.
The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. - Patron Blessed John Henry Newman
Many must by now be aware that the world’s first Personal Ordinariate in the Catholic Church for former Anglicans is taking shape, after the reception of nearly 1,000 people, in groups, in our country in Holy Week and at Easter. The ordinations of the leaders of these groups, to the diaconate and priesthood, are now under way. St Mary’s Ryde – where Cardinal Newman celebrated Mass and with its Lady Chapel altar depicting the image of Our Lady of Walsingham – has been a fitting church to host our Island’s first Ordinariate Group, in giving spiritual hospitality and receiving 17 of its members into full Communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, at the hands of Fr Anthony Glaysher.
While the Ordinariate is, effectively, another diocese in the Catholic Church – a diocese with an Anglican cultural feel to it – its lay faithful and clergy are encouraged to collaborate with the geographical diocese and parish, and it has been good to have members of the Ordinariate group assist in the choir at St Mary’s, as well as reading lessons and helping with the cleaning. The Revd Jonathan Redvers Harris, who will be ordained Deacon on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima (13th May) and incardinated as a cleric of the Ordinariate, will equally be available to assist, and he has already met all the other Catholic clergy on the Island and looks forward to cultivating further bonds of unity. At the same time, the intention of this project is not that these former Anglicans become absorbed into the Catholic Church, but that they maintain aspects of their own liturgical, spiritual and pastoral traditions, as a gift to the Catholic Church, as they, in turn, come to cherish the treasures of the wider Church. So, when Deacon Jonathan is ordained to the sacred Priesthood, by which time it is hoped that the Ordinariate will have its own liturgical rite (in addition to being able to use those rites of the Latin Catholic Church), the Ordinariate will have its own Mass times and these services will, of course, be open to all Catholics..
950th anniversary of the foundation of the Shrine at Walsingham
This was the title of a recent talk given in St. Mary’s hall by Ed Matyjaszek.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham was established in the reign of St. Edward the Confessor in 1061. Richeldis de Faverches, lady of the Manor of Walsingham, had a vision in which the Mother of God took her in spirit to Nazareth and showed her the Holy House of the Annunciation and the home of the Holy Family. Our Lady requested that a replica of this holy house of Nazareth be built in Walsingham. This would serve as a perpetual reminder of the Annunciation. Our Lady promised:
"All who are in any way distressed or in need let them seek me here in that little house you have made at Walsingham. To all that seek me there shall be given succour. And there at Walsingham in this little house shall be held in remembrance the great joy of my Salutation when Gabriel told me that I should through humility become the Mother of God's Son".
England has long been known for its devotion to Our Lady, enjoying the title of being her “Dowry”. The term “Dowry” here refers not so much to that of a bride at her wedding, more in the sense of “dower” house, an endowment, a place set apart for a wife or widow’s use alone. It comes from the Latin “dos” meaning gift. It was St. Edward the Confessor who, traditionally, was the first to make this offering.
It enjoyed formal recognition in 1381 when Richard II solemnly renewed this offering of England to Our Lady.
After Acre in Palestine fell in 1291, and pilgrimages to the Holy Land were no longer possible, Walsingham as England’s “Nazareth” became the “Holy Land” to which pilgrims journeyed.
The shrine flourished until tragedy came on the Feast of St. Dominic (4th August) 1538 when it was desecrated and the statue taken to Chelsea and burned. In the following centuries Walsingham was a sleepy backwater, almost forgotten except by a few faithful Catholics. The shrine fell into neglect and decay.
Here on the Isle of Wight our own simple act of reparation for the desecration of the Shrine took place in 1865, when at the request of Elizabeth, Countess of Clare, the foundation stone of the new Dominican Priory at Carisbrooke was blessed by Bishop Thomas Grant on the Feast of St. Dominic. The Priory was to be dedicated to Our Lady and St. Dominic, as the bishop stated, "as a fitting act of reparation for the destruction of the Shrine at Walsingham 327 years ago to this very day. We must hope and pray that faithful Catholics will find peace and consolation at this priory here on the Isle of Wight, as our spiritual ancesters did at the ancient Priory of Walsingham in Medieval times".
In the 19th century pilgrimages were revived and the Slipper Chapel restored for Catholic use. In 1934 His Eminence Francis Cardinal Bourne led the first national pilgrimage to Walsingham. Ten thousand people were reported to have attended. Thankfully today, pilgrimages to Walsingham and other holy shrines appear to be thriving once again.
The familiar statue of Our Lady of Walsingham was copied in Victorian times from an ancient seal of Walsingham which now resides in the British Museum. This is a valuable piece of our Catholic history as no other depiction of the statue survived the Reformation. Those of us in Ryde will be familiar with the carved statue of Our Lady by Pugin on the front of the Lady Chapel altar. This is almost identical to the Walsingham statue and it suggests that Pugin saw this ancient Medieval seal and based his carving of the Virgin on this historic relic. In 1897 the pilgrimage to Walsingham itself was restored by the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom, by the direct authority of Pope Leo XII, but within the parish church of King’s Lynn, the nearest Catholic church.
In the previous year a devout Anglican, Charlotte Pearson-Boyd, who became a Catholic in 1894, purchased the medieval Slipper Chapel situated on the road a mile before Walsingham, probably so called from the same root as “slip” road, or “slipway”, though there is also the view it was where pilgrims took off their “slippers” or shoes before the final mile into Walsingham (all these words derive from the same Old English word “slyppe”).
She gave it to the Church, and in 1934 it became the National Shrine, dedicated by Francis Cardinal Bourne, Archbishop of Westminster. There is a beautiful mosaic on the pulpit of Westminster Cathedral commemorating this event.
In 1982 Walsingham came to Wembley when Pope John-Paul II visited England and the Shrine statue was brought and placed on the altar when he said Mass at the football stadium.
So 400 years after its destruction, Walsingham has risen to new life. The two most recent parish pilgrimages from Ryde to Walsingham were in 1991, led by Fr. John Dunne, and in 2007, led by Fr. John Catlin. This year (2011) we welcomed the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham that has enriched the spiritual life of our parish.
Our Lady of Walsingham is our hope and consolation and it is through her intercession that the One True Faith, (universal in these shores) will flourish once again. Let us therefore be proud of the Catholic England that flourished from the seed of St. Augustine. Let us remember its steadfast loyalty to the Holy See; its deep and tender devotion to Our Blessed Lady - the Shrine at Walsingham and all those medieval poems, prayers and hymns that were written in her honour. We have so much in which to take pride. Let us therefore take courage from the history of Catholic England; not least the glorious band of martyrs who went to their execution radiant and light-hearted. We remember especially our own Island martyrs, Blessed Robert Anderton and Blessed William Marsden. Their faith in adversity and their devotion to Almighty God and His Church should give us heart, a pride in our Catholic forebears and an even deeper love of the Holy Faith; that same Faith which was (and still is) evident at this holy Shrine to Our Lady at Walsingham.
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