Parish News Archive

Christmas

There were good attendances at all the Christmas Masses. Father blessed the cribs at our three churches. There were the usual carols before the midnight Mass at St. Mary's and the Christmas morning Mass at St. Michael's. The Children's Service on Christmas Eve was well attended. (See "Photo Gallery for photographs.) The children processed around the church with candles and left some of their toys at the crib. This year, at the suggestion of Fr. Glaysher, the crib was situated in the baptistery. Children were encouarged to walk in and around the font to view the babe with Mary and Joseph and the shepherds.

Gaudete Sunday

On the third Sunday of Advent, the Rev. Deacon Stephen Morgan (Financial Secretary for the Diocese) came to Ryde. He spoke to the congregation at all the Masses and informed them of the position with regard to our church and convent site. The bishop has decided that the church and presbytery will remain together with a hall / community centre. After that all other church property will be included in plans for the development and therefore could be demolished or renovated.

Deacon Stephen preached to the children at the 11:00am Mass. (See "Photo Gallery for photographs.) He reminded them that Advent was a time of preparation for Christmas. He also spoke about the importance on understanding the meaning of the Incarnation and congratulated the parish on reciting the Angelus before every Mass, as this prayer emphasised the Incarnation when we say "the Word was made Flesh".

Martyrs Mass

On 15th December the Island celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Beatification of the two Isle of Wight martyrs, Blessed Robert Anderton and Blessed William Marsden. Concelebrated Mass was held at St. Mary's and this was offered for their future canonisation. (See "About us" page for the life of the two martyr-priests). The Prior Administrator of Quarr Abbey, Fr. Finbar Kealy, was the preacher. In his sermon he reminded the congregation that Christian martyrs follow the example of Jesus Christ. "Their giving of their lives, their sacrifice of them selves, is founded on the love of God and the love of their fellow human beings. Their love is brought about by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and nourished by prayer and self-denial. How deprived this country would be today had martyrs such as Robert Anderton and William Marsden taken the easy way out and failed to declare their faith and their priesthood. How deprived this country will be in years to come if we succumb to pessure and give in. With the grace of God we can conquer hatred with love and make our world, our island, a better place."

Enid Eastwood's 90th birthday

Congratulations to Enid Eastwood who was presented with a papal blessing at Mass on Sunday, 6th December on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Enid and her two daughters, June and Glynnis, are well known parishioners of St. Mary's. They always attend the Sunday 11:00am Mass. (See "Photo Gallery for photographs.)

The Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation at West Grinstead

This is the most important shrine in honour of Our Lady, south of London. The church was built in 1876 but Mass was offered in the attic chapel above the presbytery (originally a barn) throughout the penal times by recusant priests; some of whom became martyrs for the Faith. Hence we can say that in this beautiful rural setting south of Horsham, not only was the Faith never lost, but it is very evident today. Fr. Glaysher went to the shrine on the Feast of St. John of the Cross, and offered Mass in the attic chapel. (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.) It was here that our own Isle of Wight martyrs, Blessed Robert Anderton and Blessed William Marsden, were probably heading when they were caught in a storm in the Solent in 1586 and subsequently martyred for the Faith here on the Island. The parish-priest / custodian of the shrine, Fr. David Goddard is well known to many of us in the parish. He came to advise us on the removal of the old pipe organ in St. Mary's in 2006. He also talked to the Catholic History Society about the history of the Shrine at West Grinstead. It was Fr. Goddard's son, Matthew, who came to Ryde on the Feast of St. John the Baptist 2009, to celebrate the Solemn High Mass, within only a few weeks of his Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. On several occasions St. Mary's Parish has travelled on pilgrimage to West Grinstead to pray at this historic shrine. In 2003 a coach of 50 people went for Solemn High Mass on 16th July, which marked the 50th anniversary of the death of the great Catholic literary figure, Hilaire Belloc, who is buried in the adjacent churchyard.

There are similarities between West Grinstead and Ryde. Both have beautiful, historic churches dedicated to Our Lady. When England was re-dedicated to Our Lady in 1893 and consequently churches were encouraged to develop chapels, shrines and grottoes in honour of Our Lady; it was West Grinstead that was the first to have a Shrine solemnly dedicated to Our Lady (the first such solemn crowning and dedication in England in the post Reformation era). Likewise it was Ryde in 1893 that was one of the first to have a separate chapel constructed in honour of Our Lady. Today it is one of the finest Lady Chapels in the Diocese. For further information on West Grinstead visit http://consolation.org.uk.

St Mary's, Ryde

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