Issue 87 Feast of St Michael 2015 Dancing the Night Away by Clive De Souza The final fundraiser for St Michael s Redcaps was the Country & Western evening which was a rip-roaring success. The parish hall was filled with parishioners and friends intent on dancing and having fun. Our sincere thanks to Judy and Glen Bailey for agreeing to host and run the event, without whose involvement, this fundraiser would not have been a success. Continued inside on page 8 Plus We re Back: Our Recaps Return from Lourdes FULL REPORTS INSIDE
Page 2 IN BRIEF with Mgr Jim Overton Brother Michael O Grady OFM. Our congratulations to Michael O Grady on his Solemn Profession as a Brother of the Order of Friars Minor. Michael is continuing his studies at Heythrop College for ordination as a Franciscan priest. Folk Group. Sadly, after many years of generous service to the Folk Group we have said goodbye to Owen Williams. I know that all of us are all grateful to him for his leadership of the music at the 9.30am Sunday Mass and for all that he generously contributed to our parish. I am grateful to Mary James and Rachel and Sarah Glynn for taking on the leadership of the Folk Group. Formation Talk for Readers. Fr Martin Pender spoke to our Readers on Saturday, 5th September about the Bible. Everyone found his talk most illuminating. He also gave a workshop to new Readers about reading scripture in public which was most helpful. I am grateful to Lee Gibson for organising the event, and for providing the sandwich lunch afterwards. Organ rebuilding and renovation. The organ builders are making progress with the rebuilding and renovating of the organ but it is a big job so please be patient! I am sure that you will all agree that it is a great joy to see the daylight flooding into the church now that the window in the organ gallery has been opened up again. Pender s Project. It was good to see Fr Martin Pender when he was visiting Europe this summer. He spoke at all the Masses on the weekend of 5th / 6th September about the excellent progress of the fundraising for Pender s Project and he expressed his profound gratitude for the wonderful sum that St Michael s parishioners have already raised for the Project. Thank you all for so generously supporting the Project. Regular Events Sundays: Charismatic Prayer Group, St Joseph s Chapel, 7:00pm Wednesdays: Choir Practice, Church, 7:30pm Alternate Wednesdays: Folk Group practice, St Joseph s Chapel, 7:30pm Alternate Thursdays: Ladies Circle, 8:00pm, Parish Centre Saturdays: Antique Fair (3rd Saturday of month) St Michael s News September 2015 In Brief From the Register July September Baptisms: Cody Newport, Jake Always, Harrison Piesley, Grace Piesley, Meron Emilraj, Khloe Rey-Taylor, Emily Rey-Taylor, Hugo Pullen, Harry Ainsworth, Laila Barton, Elliot Humphries, Patrick Cherry, Cecelia- Rose Cherry, Sienna Ross, Emilija Puniskyte, Sunny Williams Vagda, Lillie MacDonald, Elise McLelland, Cara Marie Partridge, Mark-Antony Pidgley, Daniel Pidgley, Natasha Sanchez Villegas, Euan Sarabia, Hannah Nixon, William MacLennan Deaths: Eric Cullen, Leela Paul, Mary Porter, Michael Haxton, Petro Triolo. Sitha Amber Kathan, Carey D Souza, Michael Sugre, Tom Kelly, Helene Overhill, Jimmy Rowan, William Andrew. Marriages: Simon Chidwick and Annie Lew, Timothy Keene and Erika Gauthier, Stephen Hair and Louise Moore Usual service times Sunday Masses Saturday 6:00pm (first Mass of Sunday), 9:30am (including Children s Liturgy of the Word), 11:30am and 6:00pm Weekday Masses Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:15am Saturday 9:30am No Mass on Thursdays Holy Days of Obligation Masses 9:30am and 7:00pm Eucharistic Adoration Saturday 10:00 10:30am Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 10:30 11:00am Sacrament of Baptism Normally the second Saturday of the month. Contact Parish Secretary, Shenda Holmes, on 01784 252263 or ashfordp@rcdow.org.uk Childrens Bikes for Sale Ages of 5 years or 6 years. May need a clean and the condition needs to be checked. Please contact: Margaret Friend: 01784 243 839 07963 224 344
St Michael s News September 2015 Lourdes Pilgrimage Heading off to Lourdes: Day one Page 3 by Finn Mooney After months of fundraising and planning the day had finally arrived, Friday 26 June We all met at Hatton Cross Tube station at 7:30am (for the first of many train rides that day). We took the Piccadilly line to Kings Cross St Pancras with some time to spare before we boarded the Eurostar to Paris. Endless games of four in a row were played and large quantities of sweets consumed to pass the time. Once we arrived in Paris we had half an hour to catch the metro to our next destination. The metro was crazy! I had five seconds to get through some sliding barriers, which was very difficult considering I had a ginormous bag on my shoulder. After a quick journey on the metro we boarded our train to Lourdes which would take seven hours; thankfully the seats were a lot more spacious and comfortable. When we arrived in Lourdes we had a ten minute walk to our hotel. We were able to familiarise ourselves with the area and see some of the many souvenir shops. When we finally reached the hotel at about 8:30pm we were welcomed by the manager and given a late supper. This was so nice after eating so many sweets. It was a joy to see a freshly made bed in a basic but nice room that had a huge window overlooking the street. A late night chat with the girls followed as we anticipated the forthcoming week. However, when I finally did get to bed, I was so tired that I think I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. This was the start of a truly memorable week. Redcaps with Cardinal Vincent Nichols by Alicia Willoughby Our first day in Lourdes began with a Redcap meeting, we received our tabards and ID tags, and promptly met the teams we would be working with during the week. Many of us, including myself, were assigned to the Saint Frai Hospital. That morning, we also performed our first duties as Redcaps during Mass at the Grotto. Due to the rain, a few of us were asked to hold umbrellas for the Priests, which was a really wonderful experience. We got to see all the people who had joined us on our pilgrimage when they came up for Communion. Despite the rain, everyone s faces beamed with happiness as we all came together for the first time. Later that afternoon, a rooftop meditation had been organised for the Saint Frai Redcaps. The meditation allowed us to reflect upon our reasons for coming to Lourdes and reminded us to always put others first. Then in the midst of a very tranquil atmosphere, we first met our Assisted Pilgrims. I was assigned to a wonderful lady named Jane; we spent the afternoon talking over coffee in a local café and discovered that we had a shared interest in the Spanish language and Psychology. Jane and I had many more enjoyable conversations and really connected over the week. It was extremely hard to say goodbye but hopefully I can return to working with her next year.
Page 4 On Thursday 25th February 1858, the Virgin Mary asked Bernadette Go drink at the spring and wash yourself there. Each year, 350 000 pilgrims do so in the baths of the Sanctuary by Hannah John How can I describe Lourdes? It s a truly unique place that has to be experienced for it to be truly understood. By finally getting to visit and live there for a week, I feel I now understand why people are so enthralled by it. On the last day of our trip I visited the baths, I have never experienced anything like it. Two kind ladies helped me into the bath of which there are 17 in total, filled with the spring water of Lourdes. They then released me momentarily into the water. It was so cold it took my breath away. But it was refreshing and it made me feel like I had been cleansed physically and spiritually. Lourdes and St Bernadette taught me a lot. It taught me not take anything for granted, to always love, and to always be grateful and thankful for what the Lord has given us. Thank you for helping me experience Lourdes I will never forget it. St Michael s News September 2015 Lourdes Pilgrimage It is said that when the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous at the Massabielle Cave, she asked them build a chapel here, and invite people to come in procession. by Emily John My Favourite sight in Lourdes is the Torchlight Procession. It is a beautiful procession that involves every pilgrim holding a lit candle. The candles illuminate the Esplanade and create a warm and spectacular atmosphere. It is at this procession that a statue of Our Lady is carried on the walk to the Rosary Basilica. Followed by the rosary which is read aloud in many different languages, and hymns such as Ave Maria are sung. The procession then concludes with a blessing. The Torchlight Procession is one of the major acts of public worship in Lourdes as thousands of people come to watch and pray together. For me personally it is incredibly moving, as it is at this point that I see everyone in Lourdes coming together as a community showing their devotion to Our lady and our sick pilgrims. From left to right: Patricia (Hannah s sister pilgrim), Hannah, Gavin, Millie, Michael and Alex MacQueen (British actor)
St Michael s News September 2015 Lourdes Pilgrimage Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love. Mother Teresa Page 5 This was one of the reasons I went to Lourdes to give something back as I feel so grateful for what I have. Helping others is my vocation and going to Lourdes gave me an opportunity to fulfil it. by Zoe Wells I was lucky enough to work with St Joseph s Pastoral Care Centre. St Joseph s work with people with learning difficulties and help them to integrate into society. On Wednesday afternoon, following a beautiful and lively mass dedicated to St Joseph s, we went on a group picnic. The views were beautiful and we were the only group who got to enjoy them before it rained. We played outdoor games whilst enjoying our picnic, you could even go for a swim. It was at this time I got a real sense of a community and that everyone was on a special journey together. I spoke to various pilgrims with everyone being welcoming and appreciative of the help of the Redcaps. Even with all of our different backgrounds, ages and personalities everyone was working together and enjoying themselves. I worked closely with a pilgrim called Lisa, who was extremely kind and gentle and we shared many conversations together whilst taking in the experience, I am still in contact with Lisa even now. It was with the pilgrims that I realised how important coming to Lourdes was to them, with one man Andy visiting for 12 years. I also got to know a lady called Frances who had come to Lourdes with her son. We stood at the statue of Mary and she told me if you pray the Hail Mary three times our lady would bring you back to Lourdes, so we will see if I go as many times as Andy! Our last day of the trip was my 18th birthday. On the evening before I was easily persuaded by my teacher to change out of my pyjamas and stay up to see in my birthday despite the long journey ahead of us. At midnight I welcomed my birthday at the grotto. Even though thousands of people visit the grotto it is a place of immense calm. The holy water had made the walls of the grotto smooth whilst the spring of water was crystal clear; my hands and face were so soft after washing them as Our lady instructed. Despite the incredible events that took place there the surroundings are kept simple to make you truly value the statue of Mary. It is amazing to think that a 14 year old Bernadette would be so crucial to our trip many years later. The sense of Mary visiting Bernadette was so tangible. I cried as I lit a candle because the experience was so overwhelming. I would be lying if I said Lourdes was not challenging but the feeling in your heart after visiting the grotto is irreplaceable. I didn t miss anything materialistic and I welcomed the simplicity. My faith has definitely grown stronger, I pray every night something I did infrequently as I often found hard to find the words. Now I thank God for every day and I am so appreciative of what I have experienced. I am lucky I had the support of so many people, particularly parishioners, who helped me get to Lourdes. The most important lesson I have taken from Lourdes is that faith, appreciation and love for the people in our lives is the most important thing.
Page 6 Mass in Sacré Coeur, Lourdes Parish Church and Anointing of the Sick in St Bernadette Côté Carmel St Michael s News September 2015 Lourdes Pilgrimage Baths this way, no queuing! On the Tuesday morning in Lourdes all of the St Frai helpers and the assisted pilgrims attended a beautiful Mass in the Sacré Coeur. The pilgrims sat at the front of the church and got to experience the most wonderful experience where the choir sang like angels and everyone was so excited and happy to be there. Amazingly, this church was where Bernadette was baptised and the church still had the font in which it all happened. The church was so beautiful and vibrant, the energy that surrounded it and the people in it, was incredible. Later on in the afternoon, some of the Redcaps attended the anointing of the sick Mass in St Bernadette Côté Cermel, which was only a short walk from the grotto. This Mass was incredibly moving and emotional with the assisted pilgrims also getting involved. It was a lovely experience that will forever touch my heart and I will never forget. by Patricia Gillespie and Doris Horan This is unbelievable for Lourdes in July; usually the waiting time is at least two hours but this year the weather was wet and unseasonably cold so not many pilgrims wanted to venture in to the cold water (including us). Despite this Doris and myself had a wonderful time; the Grotto Mass, processions, penitential service, the Mass of Annointing and much more laced were both prayerful and uplifting. We placed your petitions at the grotto where we also lit a candle and had a Mass said for you all so although you may not have been there in person you were withus in spirit. Perhaps next year you will join us we really hope so. Thanks to Feltham Parish who brought back our Lourdes water on their coach, I have water from the Grotto in the Repository if you would like some. Patricia