Let’s be more African

There is one question which, over the years I’ve often been asked, but in the end still leaves me lost for words. I can explain how it happened historically, but I can’t explain how it has continued to be such a problem. Because it shouldn’t! It’s just plain wrong!

What is the question?

“Why is it when you Christians always go on about love, peace and reconciliation and so on; why is it you can’t do it among yourselves? How do you expect us to believe it, when you don’t practice, even manage it with each other?!!”

It is as they say “Not very Christian is it?”

And sadly they’re right.

But before this begins to sound depressing it’s not as bad as it seems. We have for example, come along way over the last 50 years. It’s common now for different Church’s to pray, mix and work together. Then, truth be told there are many countries where problems between different Christians is unknown. Which brings me to Africa. Over the years I’ve noticed that when filling out forms, it is very common that where it asks for ‘”religion”, most Africans put down “Christian”. Occasionally they might write their predomination e.g “Catholic” in brackets. Equally, when they talk about their faith and going to Church, it becomes clear that in the country they come from, they see themselves firstly and foremostly as “Christians”. The divisions we experience and are so aware of, are not theirs. They are OUR historical baggage.

It’s noticeable that in time, Africans, or indeed Christians from other countries, adapt to our ways and get used to divisions. But why should they, what would Christ say? We should see one another as Africans do and he does – brothers and sisters in Christ.

I suspect he might remind us that the thing about baggage is… it’s heavy and we can let go of it!!! So we can be Christians.

22nd January 2012

Lead item:

Dublin Eucharistic Congress (10-17^th June)
Archbishop Nichols will be leading a delegation from Westminster to the Dublin Congress from the Wednesday evening (13^th June) till the Sunday (flying back on the Monday 18^th June). 60 places have been booked on this pilgrimage.

... ... read more in the newsletter

We are pleased to include a Children’s Liturgy Art Gallery on our parish website. You can submit your artwork to this site in a number of ways. The easiest way will be to either scan or photograph your art work and get your parents to email them to the following address:

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Please give us your first name , age and if possible a brief description of the artwork.

Alternatively, a box will be made available at the back of the church where you can leave your artwork and we will scan it in. Please write your first name and age , either on the front or back of your artwork.

Please be as creative as you possibly can with your artwork. The only thing we ask is that your artwork is about something that was discussed in children’s liturgy that week.

New Translation of the Mass

On September 4th we began using THE NEW TRANSLATION OF THE MASS. Everyone will need one of the New Mass Books for the readings. The New Mass is at the back of book. If you wish to follow the Preface & Eucharistic Prayers, you will find the page numbers on the front of the newsletter. There is also a card which has all the people’s parts of the Mass on it. For those who come to week day Masses you will need one of these and they can be found in the porch or on the table the offering gifts are placed on. There are also Mass Cards in the porch for children. Finally if you have not taken one already, there is a sheet containing the people’s parts of the Mass, with explanations for the changes. These are for you to take and read at home.

Please join in all the parts as best you can. We will all make mistakes, so please don’t worry. It will take time to get used to the new words. Please note that the New Parish Mass Books we are using are themselves in transition, as the new Mass has begun half way through, and so some of the references refer to the old Mass. There are also one or two printing errors.

The responses plus the Creed and Gloria will be the only changes that will affect your participation. There will also be new Eucharistic prayers. The readings, however, stay the same. Other changes, notably, that of music will follow later. Please take a letter from Fr Stewart from the back of the church.

Or you can download Fr Stewart's letter about the New Mass from here.

New Mass Translation - printed copies available

We have now received copies of the New Translation and they are available if you would like one. They are priced £1.95 and can be found where the papers are kept. The money can be put in the same slot in the wall.