LOURDES 2016

As you know every year I travel to Lourdes with our diocesan pilgrimage to help with the sick pilgrims.  This year was no exception and I had the privilege of being Chaplain to the Nursing and Medical Team (standing in for Fr Paul Daly) who was attending the World Youth Day Celebrations in Kraków.

This year the first part of the pilgrimage was led by Bishop Emeritus Terence Brain until Bishop John could join us travelling directly from the World Youth Day celebrations.  

Throughout the week we reflected in our Masses on the theme of love and mercy that comes to us as a free gift from God the Father.

In addition to the religious celebrations of the pilgrimage there is always the chance to socialise as a Pilgrimage Family.  Here are just a few pictures taken at the last night fancy dress social evening.

MOWIĘ TROCHĘ PO POLSKU

When I returned from Gricigliano amongst the many items of post was a large envelope from the University of Manchester.  It contained my certificate for the Polish Studies that I had done during the year.  By some miraculous means I managed to gain 77% during the course.

ICKSP ORDINATIONS

On the 4th July I traveled to Gricigliano near Florence to be present at the week of Ordinations for the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. 

On Monday we witnessed thirteen young men receive the cassock at the hands of Mgr Wach, Prior General of the Institute.

On Tuesday at the hands of His Excellency Mgr Meini, Bishop of Fiesole in the church of San Michele e Gaetano in central Florence we saw saw the reception of Tonsure and the minor orders of Porter, Lector, Excorsist and Acolyte.   In the early evening in the chapel of the seminary at Gricigliano those to be ordained deacons and priests received the Cross of St Francis de Sales and the Choir Habit.  Also at this Mass we witnessed Fr Philip Thomas become an affiliate member of the Institute as well as several lay people be enrolled into the Society of the Sacred Heart.

On Wednesday morning we gathered for the ordinations to the sub diaconate at the hands of His Excellency Mgr Finn, Emeritus Bishop of Kansas City.

On Thursday morning we gathered once again at the church of San Michele e Gaetano for the ordinations to the Sacred Priesthood at the hands of His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke. This year we rejoice and give thanks to God for eleven new priests of the Institute.

After the ordinations we all repaired to the seminary once again to receive the First Blessings of the newly ordained priests and to gather in the chapel for Solemn Benediction and singing of the Te Deum in thanksgiving.  This was followed by a celebratory meal and a firework display.

Below are some photos which I hope capture the joyful spirit of the week and of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.

Processing for the subdiaconate ordinations

Canons of the Institute leaving church post ordinations

The newly ordained deacons and subdeacons

The deacons process to their priestly ordinations

His Eminence Cardinal Burke processes into the church 

His Eminence blesses all with Holy Water
before entering the church

Some clergy who attended in choir

After the Ordination Mass His Eminence blesses the faithful

Mgr Wach leaving the church in procession

Group photo with the newly ordained priests

Some of the New Priests in Procession

The newly ordained Canon Pinoteau gives his First Blessings

Likewise with the other newly ordained priests

The newly affiliated Fr Philip Thomas, Rector of Wells

New Members of the Society of the Sacred Heart
 for the laity

Mgr Wach with Affiliate Priests and
Sacred Heart Society Members

Taking off or Putting on????

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CELEBRATIONS

It's been a while since I posted something on the blog so I thought it was time to remedy this.  

In June we celebrated the First Holy Communion Masses for our children at St Marie's School and St Joseph's School.  All the celebrations were very moving and prayerful.  

Firstly my thanks go to the staff of our schools who have worked with me during the year to help prepare the children for this great day.  

Secondly to the parents of the children who have supported them during the year and for the way that they helped the children to pray during the First Communion Mass.

Thirdly and by no means least thank you to our parishioners who have supported the children with their prayers and example during the year and especially on the day of their First Holy Communion.

Here are a few pictures taken at the celebrations.