Latin Mass Society Salford

Happy new year - and an apology

2012-01-06T11:08:00.001-08:00

On Christmas day my modem blew a fuse and died and the technician has only been this afternoon to repair it. This means I was unable to advertise the Mass at English Martyrs for the Epiphany earlier today. My apologies to Fr. Marlor for this.

Below is a list of Masses for the next couple of months at English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester.

DAY	DATE	TIME	FEAST
Friday	6^th January	7.00 pm	The Epiphany
Saturday	7^th January	10.00 am	Our Lady’s Saturday
Saturday	14^th January	10.00 am	St Kentigern B.C.
Saturday	21^st January	10.00 am	St Agnes. V. M.
Saturday	28^th January	10.00 am	St Peter Nolasco C.
Thursday	2^nd February	7.00 am	NO MASS
Saturday	4^th February	10.00 am	NO MASS.
Saturday	11^th February	10.00 am	Apparition of Our Lady at Lourdes
Saturday	18^th February	10.00 am	Mass of Our Lady on Saturday
Wednesday	22^nd February	7.00 am	Ash Wednesday
Saturday	25^th February	10.00 am	St Mathias Apostle

ALSO - Thursday Masses for the whole of 2012 at St. Osmund's, Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton

are listed below. Again apologies, this time to Fr. Hilton, for not advertising the Epiphany Mass in time.

Friday 6^th Jan The Epiphany

Thurs 2nd Feb The Purification

Thurs 1^st March Feria: 1^st Sunday in Lent

Thurs 5^th April NO MASS – Maundy Thursday

Thurs 3^rd May Feria: 3^rd Sunday of Easter

Thurs 7^th June Corpus Christi

Thurs 5^th July St Anthony Mary Zaccaria C

Thurs 2^nd Aug St Alphonsus Mary Liguori B C D

Thurs 6^th Sept Feria: XIV Sunday of Pentecost

Thurs 4^th Oct St Francis of Assisi C

Thurs 1^st Nov All Saints

Thurs 6^th Dec St Nicholas B C

There are some lovely Holy days and High days included in this list - many thanks to Fr. Hilton.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very peaceful and happy new year.

Christmas Day Mass

2011-12-21T14:14:00.000-08:00

Holy Mass on Christmas day will be at the Church of the English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester at 8.00a.m.
Again many thanks to Father Marlor.
Please note no Mass at Holy Name.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very peaceful Christmas and prosperous New Year - and offer my thanks to the clergy who so regularly offer the Mass for us, those who serve them including Professor Bernard Richards who is indefatigable in his service to the LMS.

All Saints and All souls

2011-10-28T13:43:00.001-07:00

No Mass on Tuesday for All Saints in this diocese, but on Tuesday there is Mass at Broughton Hall, just over the diocesan border near Skipton at 11.30 a.m. Also on Monday evening there is a Vigil Mass at 7.30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary church, Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds.

On Wednesday there are two Masses at English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Many thanks to Fr. Marlor for these Masses.

Leeds event

2011-10-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

Please may I draw your attention to the following LMS event in Leeds to mark the month of the Holy Rosary.

On October 15th there is to be an Afternoon of Recollection. There will be a sung Mass for the feast of St. Teresa, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary and an opportunity for confession.

There will be two spiritual talks;

Fr. John Abberton will speak about the Holy Rosary and Fr. Michael Hall will speak about the spirituality of the EF Mass.

Both these men are powerful speakers.

Please use this opportunity to put yourself out to do something extra in this special month dedicated to the Holy Rosary.

We will start at 1.30 p.m. and finish at about 4.30 p.m.

The venue will be the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds.

Thanks to Father Wiley the Parish Priest, who is the Leeds diocesan co-ordinator for the EF Rite of Mass whose help and support has been invaluable in this initiative.

Feast of the Holy Rosary

2011-10-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

Mass will be offered on Friday at 7.00 a.m. at English Martyrs, Alexandra Road south, Manchester and at Bury, St. Marie's at 7.30 p.m.

ASSUMPTION MASS

2011-08-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks again to Father Marlor at English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, Whalley Range, Manchester for offering the Mass for the Feast of the Assumption on the proper day. This Mass will be at 7.00p.m.

Other Masses at English Martyrs:

Saturdays at 10.00 a.m. on 13th August, 20th. August and 27th. August

Monday 22nd August at 7.00 a.m. (Reminder nearer the time)

CORPUS CHRISTI

2011-06-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

Holy Mass in the Traditional Rite will be offered at the following places on Thursday 23rd. June:

Church of the English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester. 7.00p.m.

St Osmund's, Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton. Mass at 7.30p.m. (and also Thursday 7th July.)

Also across the border in Leeds Diocese on Saturday 25th June at 2.00p.m.

High Mass and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Benediction. IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, HARROGATE ROAD, MOORTOWN, LEEDS . Confessions available.

Mass at Bolton Breightmet

2011-06-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased to announce that there will be a Mass at St. Osmund's, Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton at 7.30p.m. on Thursday 16th. June. Thanks to Fr. G. Hilton for this.

Ascension

2011-06-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

Today in the 1962 calendar it is the Feast of the Ascension, although in this country the obligation and celebration of the Feast has been transferred to next Sunday.

However Mass will be offered for the feast today in two places this evening in this diocese.

7.00p.m. at English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, Whalley Range, Manchester.
7.30p.m. at St. Marie's, Manchester Road, Bury. High Mass.

Please accept my sincere apologies for the late posting of these Masses. I only yesterday came out of hospital and am suffering from pneumonia, probably brought on by surgery three weeks ago for a burst appendix and removal of part of my bowel.
I am still extremely weak and would ask for your prayers and would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have already offered prayers. Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Happy Easter

2011-05-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

The Mass at York Minster was a huge success and my thanks to Peter for being the crucifer at Mass and for the procession to English Martyrs. Professor Richards was in hospital and was unable to attend. We wish him a speedy recovery.

The ritual of the Easter ceremony is beyond us again and the summer promises to stretch out before us.
I hope the summer is longer than lent which seemed to fly by this year.

The Annunciation

2011-03-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

Friday is the Feast of the Annunciation - the Incarnation, which for me, is a Feast more theologically spectacular than Christmas itself.

Mass at 7.00a.m. at English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Manchester.

And at 7.30p.m. at St. Marie's Manchester Road, Bury.

Our regular Masses at both these churches continue and I am always most grateful to Frs. Marlor and Wadsworth.

Following the Annunciation there will be our National Pilgrimage in honour of St. Margaret Clitherow on Saturday 26th. March at YORK MINSTER. Missa Cantata at the high altar (confirmed as being the first time since the Reformation) at 1.30p.m. followed by a procession via the Shambles to the church of the English Martyrs, Dalton Terrace where there there is to be Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and veneration of the relic of St. Margaret Clitherow which the Bar Convent has generously loaned for the occasion, at 4.00p.m. Originally Benediction was to have taken place in the Bar Convent chapel but it was soon realised that it would not be possible to safely accommodate the numbers expected.

I am now anticipating 2 servers from Middlesbrough, 2 from Leeds, 2 from Salford and 1 from Hexham and Newcastle. The celebrant is Fr. Stephen Maughan who is based in York at English Martyrs.

Please make every effort to attend.

God bess the Pope!

Cancellation

2011-03-09T14:19:00.001-08:00

I regret having to announce that the St. Joseph Day of Recollection at Ladyewell near Preston has now been cancelled because of the serious fire there last month. It is hoped to reschedule for later in the year.

Training Conference in May

2011-02-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

PRIESTS’ TRAINING CONFERENCE

BUCKFAST ABBEY

3rd to 6th May 2011

The Latin Mass Society will be holding its seventh residential Priests’ Training Conference at Buckfast Abbey from 3rd to 6th May. The Abbot and community have extended a particularly warm welcome, and this new venue promises to be a great success.

Tuition will be provided by priests well experienced in the traditional rites and will be in small groups selected to suit the experience of each participant. Thus it is expected that there will be groups studying Low Mass, Missa Cantata and Solemn Mass.

There will also be tuition for servers who wish to improve their skills. Again tuition will be in groups according to ability and experience.

The conference will start with Mass at 11am on the Tuesday morning and will end after lunch on the Friday. For those travelling long distances, it will be possible to book a room for the Monday night. Accommodation will be provided in the guest houses of the Abbey and the Abbot has kindly allowed the conference to have extensive use of the Abbey Church both for tuition and for our liturgies.

If you would like to attend this conference, please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from the Latin Mass Society website. It should be returned to the address given with an appropriate cheque. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Latin Mass Society on 020 7404 7284.

Recollection day at Ladyewell

2011-02-26T13:47:00.000-08:00

If you are within travelling distance of Preston in Lancashire, there will be a Lenten Day of Recollection led by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP at Ladyewell Shrine, Broughton, Preston, Lancashire PR2 5ST on Saturday, 19th March 2011 (Feast of St Joseph).
Schedule:
11am - Morning conference: St Joseph, a model of obedience.
12pm - Confessions and Holy Mass (usus antiquior)
1pm - Time to eat packed lunches.
2pm - Afternoon conference: St Joseph, a model of hope.
3pm – Exposition, Confessions (during Adoration) and Benediction
4pm - Tea and coffee.

Free admission. All welcome.
Contact: Matthew McCusker – E-mail : mjp.mccusker@googlemail.com or mobile: 07929 786775
(By kind permission of Rev Fr Thomas Hoole, P.P.and Shrine Director)

NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE IN YORK

2011-01-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE IN YORK

NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF

ST. MARGARET CLITHEROW (Patroness of the LMS)

SATURDAY 26TH. MARCH

MISSA CANTATA YORK MINSTER 1.30P.M.

TO BE FOLLOWED BY PROCESSION AND BENEDICTION AT 4.00P.M.

Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool to attend Penwortham Mass

2011-01-09T15:38:00.000-08:00

Those of you near Preston may be interested to know that auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, Tom Williams will attend the 9.00a.m. Mass St. Mary Magdalen, Leyland Road, Penwortham. 9.00a.m. on Sunday 16th. January. This is a good opportunity to show a member of the hierarchy that there is a demand for the 1962 Rite of Mass.

The same bishop recently attended Mass at St. Catherine's in Farrington near Wigan.

Server training

2011-01-08T13:19:00.000-08:00

There is to be a training day for men and boys wishing to learn how to serve the Low Mass and Missa cantata. This will take place at English Martyrs Dalton Terrace, York on Saturday 12th. February. There has been a good amount of interest shown in this by several people from Leeds, Middlesbrough and Hexham & Newcastle Dioceses.

If you are interested please contact me to get further details or to register at infolmleeds AT gmail DOT com.

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

2011-01-04T15:33:00.001-08:00

Mass will be offered on Thursday 6th. January - the traditional day, at English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, Whalley Range, Manchester at 7.00p.m.

Many thanks to Fr. Marlor for this.

Happy New Year to you all and may the peace of Christ find a home in your hearts.

Last updated January 4th. 2011

Masses at Bolton suspended

2010-11-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

Please note that all traditional Masses at St. Osmund's, Breightmet, Bolton have been suspended indefinitely.

Friday's Mass at Bury

2010-11-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

MISSA CANTATA

(Extra Ordinary Form 1962)

FRIDAY 5th NOVEMBER

7:30pm

Saint Marie's Church

Manchester Road

Bury BL9 0DR

Music will be the Plainsong Requiem
from the Liber Usualis

together with Motets by Croft and Purcell

2010-10-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

Reminder that there will be Mass on Tuesday November 2nd. at English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester at 7.00a.m. and 7.00p.m.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Another Christmas present

2010-10-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

Father Marlor, regular celebrant of the TLM and Parish Priest of English Martyrs has requested that I publicise the following bulletin, which I am delighted to do.

Traditional Latin Masses at English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, Whalley Range, Manchester.

Saturday 30th October 10am Our Lady's Saturday
Tuesday 2nd November 7am and 7pm All Souls
Saturday 6th November 10am Our Lady's Saturday
Saturday 13th November 10am St Didacus
Saturday 20th November No Mass

Saturday 27th November 10am Our Lady's Saturday
Saturday 4th December 10am St Peter Chrysologus
Wednesday 8th December 7am The Immaculate Conception
Saturday 11th December 10am St Damasus
Saturday 18th December 10am Ember Day
Saturday 25th December 12 Noon Christmas Day

THERE WILL THEREFORE BE MIDNIGHT MASS (ST. OSMUND'S, BREIGHTMET, BOLTON) AND MIDDAY MASS (ENGLISH MARTYRS, WHALLEY RANGE, MANCHESTER) IN SALFORD DIOCESE THIS YEAR AT CHRISTMAS.

IN THE DIOCESE OF LEEDS THE FIRST MASS OF CHRISTMAS IS AT 6.00P.M. AT NOTRE DAME CHAPEL, LEEDS UNIVERSITY CHAPLAINCY, ST. MARK'S AVENUE, LEEDS on FRIDAY 24TH. DECEMBER.

Reminder Mass for the Motherhood of our Lady

2010-10-07T13:38:00.003-07:00

Mass will be offered at English Martyrs on Monday 11th. Octoberfor the Feast of the Motherhood of Mary at 7.00a.m.

Masses at Bolton Breightmet

2010-10-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

In addition to the Masses at English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, St. Marie's Bury and Holy Name Manchester please note the following Masses at St. Osmund's, Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton.

Thursday 14th October at 7.30pm

Thursday 4th November at 7.30pm

Thursday 2nd December at 7.30pm

Friday 24th December Midnight Mass at midnight

Thanks to Fr. G. Hilton for these celebrations of Mass in his beautiful parish church.

Deo Gratias

2010-10-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks be to Almighty God for a wonderful Papal Visit and for a safe return to Rome by the Holy Father.

I recently received a very interesting hypothetical question from a member about establishing a parish Mass in the EF. Would a couple of requests to an uninterested PP be enough to set the thing off? Perhaps time will tell!

More Masses at English Martyrs

2010-08-26T18:25:00.000-07:00

Father Marlor of English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, Manchester has asked me to remind members and friends that Mass is offered each Saturday at 10.00a.m.

Please note in your diaries the following feastdays, for which I am most grateful to Fr. Marlor. All Masses will be at 7.00a.m and in the case of All Souls at 7.00p.m. as well.

Wednesday 8th September Birthday of the BVM

Wednesday 15th September Seven sorrows of the BVM

Monday 11th October The Motherhood of Our Lady

Tuesday 2nd November All Souls (7am and 7pm)

Please do all you can to attend any of these Masses. Reminders to follow.

Blog comments

2010-07-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Due to the posting of oriental pornographic weblinks I am suspending comments for this blogsite.

Details available on Leeds Latin Mass Blogsite.

Masses for St. Peter and Paul

2010-06-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

Please accept my apologies for this late posting, the internet has been down here since Sunday.

Masses for the Holyday;

7.00a.m. English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Manchester.

7.15p.m. St. Osmund's, Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton.

Grand Missa Cantata in Bury

2010-06-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Fr. Wadsworth prepares to read the Holy Gospel on the feast of the Sacred Heart at Bury's St. Marie which was a beautiful and memorable occasion, just a couple of days before his reverence's twelfth anniversary of ordination to the sacred priesthood.

Holy Mass is offered in the EF every Friday at St. Marie's at 7.30p.m. with confession at call.

God bless the Pope and ad multos annos to Fr. Wadsworth!

Training conference announcement

2010-06-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

LMS Priest Training Conference at Downside

The LMS office has just issued this press release.

10 June 2010

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY

For Immediate Release

LMS Residential Training Conference for Priests Wishing to Learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at Downside Abbey, Somerset.

The Latin Mass Society of England and Wales (LMS) is organising a residential training conference for priests wishing to learn the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) at Downside Abbey, one of England’s most prestigious monasteries.

The conference will run from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 August 2010 and will feature Traditional liturgies in Downside’s beautiful chapel together with a Gregorian Chant schola and polyphonic choir.

Expert tuition in the celebration of Mass in the Usus Antiquior will be provided on a small group basis. There will be tuition in Low Mass, Missa Cantata and Missa Solemnis and there will be streams for beginners and more advanced students. Tuition will also be given in the other sacraments and in Latin.

There will be opening and closing High Masses, daily Mass, Offices and Rosary. There will also be a closing Conference dinner with guest speaker.

The subsidised fee to participants is only £115.00 which includes all accommodation, meals and training materials. There are limited places and priests are asked to register as soon as possible.

Further details and registration forms can be obtained from the LMS office (Tel: 020 7404 7284, e mail: info@latin-mass-society.org) or from the conference organiser, Mr Paul Waddington (Tel: 01757 638027, e mail: paul@gooleboathouse.co.uk).

Running alongside the training for priests, the Society of St Tarcisius (the LMS’s newly-formed sodality for Traditional altar servers) will organise a residential training course for servers and MCs. Further details can be obtained as above.

Paul Waddington said, “This is the sixth training conference the LMS has organised and we are delighted to be going to Downside Abbey. The Pontifical Commission ‘Ecclesia Dei’ has recently praised our work which makes us more determined than ever to provide training to every priest in England and Wales who seeks to learn the Usus Antiquior.”

Latin Mass Society, 11-13 Macklin Street, London WC2B 5NH
Tel: 020 7404 7284
E mail: info@latin-mass-society.org
Website: latin-mass-society.org

Feast of the Sacred Heart

2010-06-06T17:51:00.001-07:00

Masses for the Sacred Heart, on Friday of this week.

7.00p.m. English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, Manchester

and half an hour later at 7.30p.m.there will a Missa cantata at St. Marie's in Bury, to mark the end of the year for priests.

Please do all you can to hear either of these Masses. I am hoping to get to Bury, if only to give thanks to God for the end of my intense GCSE German marking period, which will be over by then. I look forward to seeing Fr. Wadsworth whose jolly nature is always a tonic in itself. I understand that celebrations to mark Father's 12th. anniversary of ordination are also soon to be under way.

I think we are very lucky to have busy parish priests who are willing to give so generously of their time to provide the Sacred Rites of the Church in both forms and I look forward to more parishes offering the same.

A reminder also that on Saturday at 10.00a.m. there is Mass again at English Martyrs.

In this year of the Priest, which has again seen many (but not enough) ordinations to the Priesthood of young men ready, willing and able to to celebrate in the Traditional Rite I should like to express my gratitude to all the good priests of this diocese who support the wishes of the the Holy Father in implementing the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

Only yesterday Britain's senior Prelate, Cardinal O'Brien preached at one of the FSSP's newly ordained priest's "first" Mass, in the Cathedral at Edinburgh.

Interesting that the FSSP has a house in Edinburgh.

I must remember to get my sons to come to Mass on Friday. Both served at Mass today but were lagging by the end of the sequence. (In stifling heat, weren't we all?) Instead of wool cassocks we wore the alb style serving robes with cincture. It looked very European, redolent of some Belgian monastic retreat.

No good lamenting lack of priestly vocations without opening my heart and my family to the recognition of a vocation.

God bless Pope Benedict XVI!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, bruised for our negligences and offences, have mercy on us!

From the Young Catholic Adults

2010-05-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

Young Catholic Adults Host International Juventutem Weekend at Douai Abbey
During the weekend of the 10-12 September 2010

During the weekend of the 10-12 September . For the first time, Young Catholic
Adults will be running the 2010 Juventutem International Conference at Douai
Abbey(before the Douai weekend was aimed at the UK), the weekend will be led
by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr de Malleray . The weekend will be
full-board

Places are limited so please book early

* There will be Sung Mass, Low Mass, Rosary, Adoration, Confession, a Marian
Procession in honour of Our Lady of Fatima and socials

* Fr. de Malleray FSSP head of Juventutem will preach the retreat, Masses will
be in the Extraordinary form.

THE MAIN GUEST HOUSE

Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th September (full board)*

51 pounds full-board (except Sunday lunch) PER PERSON PER NIGHT

25 pounds for students/low waged/unwaged (or whatever you can afford)

THE COTTAGES

£35 per person per night (full board). Self catering £25 per person
per night (reductions for students:- or whatever you can afford) .

SELF CATERING CAMPING

£5 per person per night (or whatever you can afford - please bring your
own tent and food ).

Limited places so please reserve your place early

To reserve your place FOR THE WEEKEND (no deposit needed if you are coming for
the day on Saturday 5th July), please a 20 pound deposit (NON RETURNABLE) to
Damian Barker, Flat 5, 12 St. Catherine Street, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Glos.
GL2 9DU (please make any cheques payable to Damian Barker). For enquiries ring
07908105787.

For more details see:- http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/

Ushaw 2010 - Low week

2010-05-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

I reported earlier that I was to attend the Training Conference at Ushaw in Low week. I also "billed" the news that two Salford men were to be tutors at the Conference.

The great Fr. Francis Wadsworth requested to know who these would be. Aa...hem. One of the tutors was actually the aforementioned Fr. W., who tongue in cheek asked me at the Conference to respond to his question! It is wonderful to meet up with such priests who are both always cheerful and yet never lose sight of their mission as Priests and who are totally open to the universal law of the Church with regard to the EF Rite of Mass and Sacraments of the Church according to books in use in 1962. Thanks be to God that such priests are often younger clergy, who feel stifled by the cloying scent of the 1960-1980's spirit of VatII either as curates and/or PPs who found themselves in a liturgical no man's land following their ordination.

In this year for Priests let us ask Almighty God to bring forward more men to serve at His altar and who are open to the Pope's teaching on this and other vital issues which distinguish us from other Christians who do not yet own the fullness of truth, the Truth.

Unfortunately our other tutor, Professor Richards was unable to attend at the last moment due to pressing diocesan schools' business in Manchester. Since then he has been taken ill and is currently recovering slowly but surely. We have been able to exchange banter via e-mail recently and I wish him a speedy full recovery.

This said, as a result of the Ushaw Conference, I was able to make contact, re-connect and foster relationships with other northern laypeople and clergy from the dioceses of Salford, Liverpool,

Leeds, Hexham & Newcastle, Nottingham and Middlesbrough.

Sad to say that Hallam and Lancaster were not represented this time.

The photo shows the impressive St. Cuthbert's chapel at Ushaw which was designed by Joseph Aloysius Hansom, who was also responsible for Salford's Holy Name in Oxford Road, Manchester as well as St. George's York and St Walburge's, Preston.

The original beautiful Pugin altar remains in the vestibule of the chapel where many of Fr. Wadsworth and Mr. Hawker's sessions took place.

For my part I coached a charming chap from Glasgow who had been "leaned upon" by his PP to attend. This chap had only attended one Mass in the old Rite in since 1970 (and this was the previous Sunday!), but he realised his PP's need for support and for a server. I was absolutely delighted with his desire to learn and how quickly he picked up the Latin and having been put through his paces by Fr. Elkin with regard to the actual movements around the altar and use of the bells etc. he was able to return to Glasgow filled with confidence.

A great occasion.

Deo Gratias!

Ascension Day Mass

2010-05-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Fr. Henry has asked me to advertise this Mass:

St Catherine's Church,
Stanifield Lane,
Farington,
Leyland.
PR25 4QG

Tel: 01772 421174

Thursday 13th May at 7pm

Missa Cantata in the Traditional Form of the Roman Rite

For the Ascension of Our Lord
All Welcome.

English Martyrs Tuesday 4th. May

2010-05-02T13:18:00.001-07:00

Mass for the Feast of the English Martyrs will be at 7.15p.m. on Tuesday at the Church of the English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester.

Many thanks to the PP.

Ushaw 2010 - Low week

2010-04-04T15:09:00.000-07:00

With just about a week left before the training conference I am delighted to announce that two of the senior tutors are from Salford Diocese.

My brother in law is coming to see me this week to show me how to upload pictures from my digital camera, so I hope to have some images of the Conference on here during Low Week.

Happy Easter

2010-04-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

The Feast of the Annunciation

2010-03-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

Mass for the Feast of the Incarnation on Thursday at 7.00a.m. at English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Manchester.

Happy Feastday.

Feast of St. Joseph

2010-03-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

Mass at 7.00a.m. for the Feast of St. Joseph on Friday 19th. March at English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Manchester.

Ushaw 2010 - Low week

2010-03-04T17:59:00.001-08:00

Low week sees the Priest and MC Training course at the seminary Conference Centre at USHAW.

Priests reading this who would like to learn the rubrics of the 1962 Rite ab initio or as a refresher for Low, Sung or High Mass should contact the Office.

Also, if you are over 18 and would like to learn how to serve at a Sung or High Mass in the capacity of MC again, please be in touch with the Office.

Mr. Waddington who organises these things tells me today that things are running well to plan and that the music is going to print shortly.

News

2010-02-18T17:05:00.000-08:00

The Low Week LMS training conference at Ushaw is now offering training for those laymen already au fait with the Low Mass who would like to learn how to be MC at Sung or High Mass.

Our own Professor Richards will be a tutor again. If you require further details please contact the Office. See sidebar for LMS.

Mass for the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19th. at 7.00a.m. at English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, Manchester.

Same again for the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25th. English Martyrs at 7.00a.m.

Reminder that Mgr Wach of the Institute of Christ the King will be the celebrant at a Missa cantata on Sunday 21 February at 9.00 a.m at Penwortham near Preston. The superior of the Institute of Christ the King will later move on to the Diocese of Shrewsbury to offer Mass.

The Pope speaks to the English and Welsh Bishops

2010-02-02T16:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Brother Bishops,

I welcome all of you on your ad Limina visit to Rome, where you have come to venerate the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. I thank you for the kind words that Archbishop Vincent Nichols has addressed to me on your behalf, and I offer you my warmest good wishes and prayers for yourselves and all the faithful of England and Wales entrusted to your pastoral care. Your visit to Rome strengthens the bonds of communion between the Catholic community in your country and the Apostolic See, a communion that sustained your people’s faith for centuries, and today provides fresh energies for renewal and evangelization. Even amid the pressures of a secular age, there are many signs of living faith and devotion among the Catholics of England and Wales. I am thinking, for example, of the enthusiasm generated by the visit of the relics of Saint Thérèse, the interest aroused by the prospect of Cardinal Newman’s beatification, and the eagerness of young people to take part in pilgrimages and World Youth Days. On the occasion of my forthcoming Apostolic Visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and, as Successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it. During the months of preparation that lie ahead, be sure to encourage the Catholics of England and Wales in their devotion, and assure them that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers and holds them in his heart.

Your country is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society. Yet as you have rightly pointed out, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs. In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed. I urge you as Pastors to ensure that the Church’s moral teaching be always presented in its entirety and convincingly defended. Fidelity to the Gospel in no way restricts the freedom of others – on the contrary, it serves their freedom by offering them the truth. Continue to insist upon your right to participate in national debate through respectful dialogue with other elements in society. In doing so, you are not only maintaining long-standing British traditions of freedom of expression and honest exchange of opinion, but you are actually giving voice to the convictions of many people who lack the means to express them: when so many of the population claim to be Christian, how could anyone dispute the Gospel’s right to be heard?

If the full saving message of Christ is to be presented effectively and convincingly to the world, the Catholic community in your country needs to speak with a united voice. This requires not only you, the Bishops, but also priests, teachers, catechists, writers – in short all who are engaged in the task of communicating the Gospel – to be attentive to the promptings of the Spirit, who guides the whole Church into the truth, gathers her into unity and inspires her with missionary zeal.

Make it your concern, then, to draw on the considerable gifts of the lay faithful in England and Wales and see that they are equipped to hand on the faith to new generations comprehensively, accurately, and with a keen awareness that in so doing they are playing their part in the Church’s mission. In a social milieu that encourages the expression of a variety of opinions on every question that arises, it is important to recognize dissent for what it is, and not to mistake it for a mature contribution to a balanced and wide-ranging debate. It is the truth revealed through Scripture and Tradition and articulated by the Church’s Magisterium that sets us free. Cardinal Newman realized this, and he left us an outstanding example of faithfulness to revealed truth by following that "kindly light" wherever it led him, even at considerable personal cost. Great writers and communicators of his stature and integrity are needed in the Church today, and it is my hope that devotion to him will inspire many to follow in his footsteps.

Much attention has rightly been given to Newman’s scholarship and to his extensive writings, but it is important to remember that he saw himself first and foremost as a priest. In this Annus Sacerdotalis, I urge you to hold up to your priests his example of dedication to prayer, pastoral sensitivity towards the needs of his flock, and passion for preaching the Gospel. You yourselves should set a similar example. Be close to your priests, and rekindle their sense of the enormous privilege and joy of standing among the people of God as alter Christus. In Newman’s words, "Christ’s priests have no priesthood but His … what they do, He does; when they baptize, He is baptizing; when they bless, He is blessing" (Parochial and Plain Sermons, VI 242). Indeed, since the priest plays an irreplaceable role in the life of the Church, spare no effort in encouraging priestly vocations and emphasizing to the faithful the true meaning and necessity of the priesthood. Encourage the lay faithful to express their appreciation of the priests who serve them, and to recognize the difficulties they sometimes face on account of their declining numbers and increasing pressures. The support and understanding of the faithful is particularly necessary when parishes have to be merged or Mass times adjusted. Help them to avoid any temptation to view the clergy as mere functionaries but rather to rejoice in the gift of priestly ministry, a gift that can never be taken for granted.

Ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue assume great importance in England and Wales, given the varied demographic profile of the population. As well as encouraging you in your important work in these areas, I would ask you to be generous in implementing the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus, so as to assist those groups of Anglicans who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. I am convinced that, if given a warm and open-hearted welcome, such groups will be a blessing for the entire Church.

With these thoughts, I commend your apostolic ministry to the intercession of Saint David, Saint George and all the saints and martyrs of England and Wales. May Our Lady of Walsingham guide and protect you always. To all of you, and to the priests, religious and lay faithful of your country, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Taken from the blogsite of the LMS chairman Dr. Joseph Shaw.

Visit of Mgr Wach

2010-02-01T15:35:00.000-08:00

On Sunday 21st. February Mgr Wach of the Institute of Christ the King in Griciliagno will sing the 9.00a.m. Mass at St. Mary's, Penwortham near Preston.

Those of you near enough to attend are exhorted to do so.

Christmas Masses

2009-12-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

Masses for Christmas in Salford and Leeds Dioceses are as follows: Christmas Eve First Mass of Christmas 3.00p.m. , St. Mary of the Angels, Cross Bank Rd. Batley. Midnight Mass, St. Osmund's, Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton. Christmas Day, Low Mass,8.00a.m. English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, Manchester.

Christus natus est.

An afternoon of Advent Devotion

2009-12-14T14:50:00.000-08:00

Father Markus Kunkel of the Institute of Christ the King is offering an afternoon of pre Christmas devotion at St. Mary Magdalene, Penwortham, from 1.30p.m. to 4.30p.m. on Sunday 20th. December. The afternoon will include a talk, the opportunity for Confession, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

Were this not enough, seasonal refreshments will be available.

Many thanks to Mr. Aherne for alerting us to this wonderful opportunity.

Great feasts - great news

2009-11-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

I have just received confirmation of two extra Masses for two Great Feasts

Immaculate Conception 8th. December, at English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, Manchester, 7.00a.m.

Christmas Day, 25th. December, at English Martyrs at 8.00a.m.

Extra Masses

2009-10-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

There will be Mass at English Martyrs, Alexandra Rd. South, Manchester on Wednesday 7th. October for the Feast of the Holy Rosary at 7.00a.m. and again on November 2nd. for the Feast of the Holy Souls at 7.00a.m.

Thanks to the Parish Priest for offering these Masses.

News...at last

2009-08-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Feastday!

It was great to meet up with Father Wadsworth at the Ushaw Conference in April, which was a wonderful event for the north of England.

Today, the Feast of the Assumption, marks a new milestone in the restoration of the Tridentine Mass in the Diocese of Salford. Mass will be offered at 10.15 a.m. today at the church of the English Martyrs, Alexandra Road South, Manchester by the Parish Priest Father Marlow and thereafter every Saturday at 10.00a.m. Many thanks to Fr. Marlow.

The Masses every Friday at St. Marie's, Manchester Road, Bury continue, but Masses at St. Osmund's, Breightmet, Bolton are currently being offered now on the first Thursday of each month - except September, when Fr. G. Hilton is unavailable.

Before long I will be in a position to announce other regular venues as interest continues to grow.

2009-04-02T17:44:00.001-07:00

Tip top blog and other news

2009-04-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

Fr. Francis Wadsworth has started a new blog from his new parish St. Marie's in Bury. I sincerely recommend it to you and will add it to the sidebar http://mariesgem.blogspot.com/.

Father is clearly sowing the seeds of Faith and vocation. I wish I had a parish priest of like Fr. Francis. The weekly TLM (Fridays 7.30p.m. - sung on first Fridays) continues to go from strength to strength.

Unfortunately there will be no Easter Triduum in Salford Diocese according to the liturgical books of 1962.

However Mass on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday will take place at Holy Name, Oxford Rd. Manchester at the usual time of 4.00p.m.

The Sacred Triduum will take place according to the 1962 books at Notre Dame Chapel (St. Mark's Avenue, Leeds - near the University of Leeds) as follows:

Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper 7.30p.m. with watching at the altar of repose until 10.00p.m.

Good Friday - the Passion. 3.00p.m.

Holy Saturday - the Vigil and first Mass of Easter 7.30p.m.

Our thanks to Fr. Hall, celebrant, Fr. Kravos, the University chaplain and to Bishop Roche for permitting the celebration of the Triduum in the Cathedral parish.

Over recent weeks our Holy Father has been severely criticized by the media for lifting the excommunications on the four SSPX bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre and for his comments on condoms in the "fight" against Aids . Please offer prayers for His Holiness and for our new Archbishop of Westminster.

We are living in historic and dare I say, exciting times.

The Northern Priest Training Conference to be held at Ushaw Seminary, Durham has attracted many priests from a variety of English dioceses. The conference will take place during Low Week. Please pray for the success of this conference and for similar success at the Southern Training conference, to be held at London Colney in August. Details to follow.

Normal service....

2009-03-06T17:50:00.000-08:00

I have been plagued with internet problems for well over a week now, which has meant using the 'phone far more and in turn has produced some interesting results, one being that I haven't yet written 90 year 9 reports due on Tuesday!

Tomorrow I have to attend the regular quarterly Committee meeting of the LMS and am already dreading the hassle on the London Underground.

Still, I'll get my reports done on the train.

Last Friday's Missa cantata at Bury

2009-02-11T15:12:00.001-08:00

I am delighted to be able to show a picture of last Friday's Missa cantata and the perceptive and thought provoking sermon given by Fr. Wadsworth. I hope to be back at St. Marie's on Friday for Mass at 7.30p.m.
Thanks to Father for the following. This is my first ever posting using imported text!

Messis quidem multam operarii pauci. Rogate ergo Dominum messis, ut mittat operarios in messem suam’ The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he send labourers into his harvest.

Until quite recently and even today when people talk of someone "having a vocation" they usually mean he has gone off to be a priest or she has become a nun. Linked with this has been another all too popular idea. Though they rarely say so, many think that the Church is saying that Priesthood and Religious Life is the Grade 'A' vocation. For those who could not rise to these heights Married Life is good Grade B' but those who remain single are really the bottom of the pile! Nothing could be further from the truth!There is a dream in the heart of God for each one of us, a loving purpose. The Good Shepherd is calling each of us by name to do something, be somebody. What each of us has to do is to try and come to know what the dream is, and then, with faith and trust, and taking our courage in both hands, try to live it out in our lives day by day. When we come to know what God's dream for us is, we can be said to have discovered our vocation. Most of us will not get a blinding light or a voice from heaven, which clearly says "I want you to do this with your life". Wouldn't it be great if we did!

We have to discern over a period of time what it is God is asking of us. We have to get into the mind of God. We do that by prayer, talking and listening to Him. We will ask, "What must I do? What is it you want of me? What is your dream for me?"Life is God's gift to us. When we are on our deathbed we don't want to look back on the unlived life. It is so sad when people reach that point, and look back with regret saying "how I wish I had done more for others'. How I wish! The solution is in our own hands. "Carpe Diem" Seize the Day. Now is the time to make sure that does not happen. God has a dream, a purpose for each of us. And there will not be just one task for many of us. The Shepherd continues to call His sheep to follow Him throughout their lives. For example, the call to marriage is a call from God to find Him and mediate Him to a lifelong partner in a loving faithful sexual relationship. But one partner will die first. Then there will be a new vocation - the vocation of widowhood, the call to find God in this experience of loss. There is the vocation of the terminally ill. There is the vocation to a single chaste life. And there are many others.There is too, the vocation to the Priesthood, the Permanent Diaconate, and Religious Life. These things must merit consideration in the life of every member of the Church, whatever there age and circumstance. They must be seriously looked at, in case God is asking this of me. Jesus taught us that, 'it is in losing your life that you shall find it. . . it is in dying that we shall live'. Yes, we are Christ's sheep. But we also share in His role as Shepherd and following his example; we are to care for one another - even to laying down our lives for others.

Sometimes the voice of the Shepherd is heard through someone else, most often a friend or family member. Sometimes the call presents itself not as a voice at all, but as a need of the Christian Community, which challenges me to meet it.
So many ask, "Why me?" at that point, but what they should be asking is "Why not me?"
There has to be a very good reason for not responding to the need of a particular religious order for new members, or the need of the wider community for clergy, both deacons and priests. God loves me, so it is not so strange that He could be calling me to something specific like Ordination or Consecrated Life.

It all comes down to love in the end. God's love for us and ours for God and other people. He wants each of us to be lovers. To be a lover is why people enter the vocation of marriage. To be a lover is why others choose the single life. To be a lover is why one becomes a deacon or priest or religious.

Maybe God and the Church are calling someone here to Ordination or Religious Life. you can ignore Him, you can turn up the volume and live the noise of this world and try to drown out his voice. But if he is calling you and you run away, whatever happiness you experience in this life it will never be able to compare with that which you could have experienced had you been open to him and listened. God's dream for us is a dream for our fulfilment and happiness. That is why we should listen. That is why we should trust him and respond.

Pray, my dear people not just for an increase in vocations, but pray that the Lord will send us many holy vocations. Holy priests to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass and holy religious to be examples of prayer to us.

Prayer also for those who have answered the call to serve the Lord as His priests and religious may be granted the gift of perseverance. As a friend of mine would say, ‘Poor Jesus. He deserves better than us!’

Stydd Chapel, Ribchester and Bewerley Grange

2009-02-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

The LMS magazine arrived today and the Lancaster Diocese Rep does a fine job of what I was unable to do - namely to attend the Mass, because of the atrocious weather returning from Cologne and to photograph the event. Mrs. Ackers does a fine job. Thanks to her.

I understand that there will be a Mass at Stydd later this year when the longer days are with us. Watch this blog. God willing I'll be able to get there this time.

Ribchester is, as its name suggests, an original Roman Settlement and at one time featured on the Time Team television programme. There is a fine Parish Church and an interesting little museum near the Church.

The photo here reminds me of the medieval chapel at Bewerley Grange, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire where there will be a Missa cantata on Tuesday February 17th. at 11.30a.m. This is deliberately in half term. Please consider hearing this Mass if you are in the vicinity.

Note change of plan - and musings

2009-02-06T14:53:00.000-08:00

The original plans regarding the day of prayer for vocations at the Holy Name on Sexagesima Sunday, February 15th. have been changed. The new arrangements are as follows:

Following the OF solemn Mass at 11.00a.m. there will be the recitation of the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Tridentine Mass at 4.00p.m. will be a Low Mass.

Having studied at Manchester Uni in the mid 1980s when the crash bang whizz bongo folk rock ageing hippy Masses were all the rage on Sunday nights at the Holy Name it was a solid answer to a personal prayer of mine when the Society of Jesus left and Fr. Matus with the help of other other priests took over.

Today the 4.00p.m. Mass is an international, socially accessible to all, family friendly and thoroughly Catholic experience. People of all ages, colours, walks of life, and yet one creed hearing the Mass in the official language of the church, and so obviously a sign of unity is for me what the LMS is about. It has to be, because this reflects the Church's mission.

I saw an awful letter from the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila tonight on Fr. Z's blog. Given the deplorable misinterpretation of Summorum Pontificum by this Prince of the Church I had to ask myself why he would choose to write such a letter. What do so many prelates, priests and people fear about the 1962 Liturgy? Why is this?

This weekend I would like to see the film "Doubt" at the cinema. I heard an interview on the wireless with its creator this afternoon, which rather whetted my appetite. I would also like to see Valkyrie before too long.

In the meantime please offer Holy Communions, Rosaries and the Memorare for our Holy

Father, the Pope.

A visit

2009-02-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

Just over the border in Penwortham there will be Mass at St. Mary Magdalen's, Leyland Road on the first Sunday of Lent, March 1st. at 9.00a.m.
The Celebrant will be Mgr. Gilles Wach, the Superior of the Institute of Christ the King.
There will be a choir at the Mass and refreshments to follow.

Please pass the word and do all you can to attend this Mass.
I have always been grateful to the ICKSP in France as they are based near to where we spend our summer holiday.
The Institute was recently recognised as one with Pontifical Right. I look forward to the Society becoming increasingly active in the Northwest.

Christmas is over

2009-02-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

A snowy day on Candlemas also marked the end of Christmastide, the initial white vestments of Christmas which briefly gave way to post-Epiphany green will revert to the pre-lentern purple. The word lent itself refers to the the lengthening of the days which slowly become more noticable.

This Friday's Mass at St. Marie's (centrally located) Manchester Road, Bury at 7.30p.m. will once again be a Missa cantata.

Tomorrow Mass at St. Omund's Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton at 7.15p.m.

I'm sure that the Lord waits for us all to witness the Sacrifice of the altar and the effort we put in to witness this miracle.

All of a sudden there seems to be a lot more to pray for. The situation regarding the lifting of the excommunications on those Bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre over twenty years ago in recent days came at the same time as a Swedish television programme reported some quite wicked views concerning the Shoah from one of these Bishops - Richard Williamson. Williamson has apologized for the effects of his remarks, without taking back the offensive remarks he initially made , the SSPX General Superior Bishop Fellay silenced +Williamson and today the Vatican issued a clarification. Talks of a swift re-union are increasingly few and far between.

An Anglican Catholic personal prelature may, according to some reports, well now be in the offing. Meanwhile many are delighted with the recent Orthodox Leader, Kiril's, enthronement in Moscow, seeing this as a sign to closer unity and even unification.

Please pray for the Pope and the Church, founded upon the rock which is Peter.

News from Rome

2009-01-24T16:58:00.000-08:00

Earlier today it was announced in Rome that the Holy Father has lifted the excommunications on the four bishops consecrated by the late Archbishop Lefebvre in June 1988.

I know a lot of good people who hear Mass in SSPX churches and chapels and I am delighted for them at this news.

I have recently learned that Mgr. Wach of the Institute of Christ the King will be visiting England on Sunday 1st March, and accompanying Fr. Hudson on his Sunday rounds. I am sure Father Hudson would appreciate a good turnout.
I shall be posting news of this momentous occasion to members in the vicinity and reminding you by way of updates over the next few days.

I have also received wonderful news that there will be a day of prayer at the Holy Name for vocations starting with the 11.00a.m. Ordinary Form Mass to be followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and concluding with Missa cantata in the Extraordinary Form at 4.00p.m. on Sunday 13th. February. This will be the third Sunday of February.

I must confess to not being able to upload pictures of last night's Mass at Bury, I will keep trying.

Reminder that there is Mass on Thursday at St. Osmund's , Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton at 7.15p.m.

God bless Pope Benedict XVI

Low Mass at Bury and sad news

2009-01-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

I was relieved to arrive in good time for Mass tonight at St. Marie's in Bury. A solid congregation of 25 in this remarkable church along with a very engaging sermon brought the memory of the Dominican and Confessor, St. Raymond to life. (The good saint himself lived to be a hundred years old from 1175-1275).

On a sadder note Fr Wadsworth informs me of the death of a Latin Mass Society member, Mr. Joseph Peter Schofield, beloved husband and father of four. Mr. Schofield was a parishioner of St. Ann's, Ahton under Lyne and a friend of Father Wadsworth.

Most fittingly the Requiem Mass (Tridentine) will be offered at St. Ann's, Burlington Street, by Fr. Wadsworth at St. Ann's on Thursday 29. January at 10.00a.m. to be followed by burial at Dukinfield Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.

Mass at St. Marie's

2009-01-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

Last night saw the first of regular weekly Masses on Friday at St. Marie's, Manchester Road (near the Town Hall), Bury.

This fine church easily accommodated the Tridentine Mass and the choir sang very finely. Father directed his sermon to those unfamiliar with this Rite giving a very incisive step by step guide to what goes on.

It was most touching to hear the Adoro te devote sung at Communion. Low Mass next Friday at 7.30p.m.

Next sung Mass - First Friday in February.

Friday Mass

2009-01-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that there will be a sung Mass at St. Marie's, Manchester Rd. Bury, at 7.30p.m.
Thereafter Mass every Friday at the same time. Please do all you can to support this Mass, even if it's only once a month. We are very grateful to Fr. Francis for so generously agreeing to host and offer these Masses.

Mass on Thursday evenings at St. Osmund's, Long Lane, Breightmet, Bolton at 7.15p.m. with Benediction on the third Thursday to follow the Mass.

Happy Epiphanytide

2009-01-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

Already the Feast of the Epiphany is with us again, although the Feast was observed as an external solemnity at the weekend in England and Wales.
The poll about the preferred term for the Extraordinary Form of Mass has now closed and the preferred term by readers of this blog who voted is Tridentine Mass.
I shall now endeavour to use this term more!

Please remember the previous posting about the regular Friday Masses at St. Marie's, Bury, starting on 16th. January with a Missa cantata at 7.30p.m. Many thanks to Fr. Wadsworth for this.

Following the great success of the Mass at Stydd Chapel in mid December I understand that there is to be another Mass there later this year. Details to follow. Thanks to Mr. Aherne for organizing this Tridentine Mass and to Fr. O'Connor for offering it.

It does get better

2008-12-30T15:17:00.000-08:00

Father Francis Wadsworth, the eminently likeable new Parish Priest at St. Marie's, Manchester Road, Bury will be offering a Missa Cantata at 7.30p.m. on Friday 16th. January.

Thereafter, Mass will be offered every Friday at St. Marie's, Bury at 7.30p.m. some will be low and others sung.

Following the departure of the Norbertines from St. Chad's I am delighted that we will once again have another regular weekly Mass - and at a more convenient time, which also incorporates the First Friday Masses, which were a feature of the Norbertines.

The hymn "O Bread of Heaven" reminds us that God repays each grief, with joy. Fr. Francis is one of those priests who is clearly glad to be rejuvenated each time he recites the prayers at the foot of the altar before offering the Holy Sacrifice.

God bless our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI!

As promised

2008-12-26T16:09:00.000-08:00

In my last posting I mentioned a great new northern blogsite - here it is http://myheartwasrestless.blogspot.com/ , it is run by a young Catholic woman called Jane Teresa whom I had the privilege to speak to after attending her first Tridentine Mass a couple of weeks ago.
I shall permanently link Jane Teresa's blog from this blogsite.

My e-mail inbox contained a very touching and kind e-mail from Fr. F. Wadsworth, in response to my last posting with some much valued advice and sentiments. Thank you Father. More on this tomorrow.

Merry Christmas - glad to be back

2008-12-24T18:58:00.000-08:00

To my embarrassment I was left with only 20 minutes to get to Stydd earlier this month. It is a good 90 minutes' away, so I went immediately to bed so as to nurse my virus which had by then hit my chest. I was at Stydd in spirit.
A lot of unpleasant and extremely time-consuming e-mails (again) and the soul destroying experience of watching excited children in a totally secular society and environment trying to out greed themselves in the last week of term. How much somebody spends on them is used as a measure of love. It follows that as Jack's mum can "only" spend a couple of hundred on him this year and he had some Reeboks in September and Jill's Dad can afford double that and actually will see her over Christmas, being out of prison for the first time in three years, that Jill's Dad loves Jill more than Jack's Mum loves Jack. Hearing what I do from these kids I could not doubt that the parents love their children as much as I love mine - and possibly more!
But we do seem to have lost any sense of perspective. We are in a moral vacuum, which as the tough times start to kick in more and more and with little expectation of seeing light at the end of the tunnel there is a danger that anything and everything could and probably will fill that void.
Time for prayers to Sts. Michael, Joseph and Peter and Our Lady, Comfort of the afflicted.

I, mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa, forgot to advertise Fr. Wadsworth's Carol service at his new parish, St. Marie's, Manchester Road, Bury, after he sent an e-mail to alert me to the fact. There is great news from Fr. Wadsworth, which I shall share with you once I have contacted Fr. W to proffer my apologies at my latest omission.

Many thanks to all of you who have sent cards and gifts to the Society I shall get back to everybody before Twelfth Night. I am setting a new trend - send Christmas cards during Christmastide, thereby avoiding the rush and feeling relaxed enough to personalize each card and hopefully taking in enough of the Spirit of the Nativity at the same time, so as to forgive those who have upset us, wittingly or unwittingly, during the course of the year. As I always get a new fountain pen at Christmas - sometimes complete with green ink, I look forward to sending such personalized greetings.
If you haven't gathered by now I have only managed to write two cards this year, having bought the cards weeks ago from the CTS along with the stamps.
The CTS has smartened its act up so much over recent years and produces some really first class material at very reasonable prices. Manchester is fortunate to have a CTS shop and I am happy to support this Charity.
Back in 1985 I spent the princely sum of 80 pence for a pristine copy of Canon Cafferata's explanation of the penny catechism from the CTS bookshop in Manchester, in my student days. Its pale blue sugar paper cover and newsprint content has been well thumbed over since then and always to hand on my desk - along with piles and piles of paperwork.

Thinking about it, the CTS have produced excellent OF Mass booklets in English, Latin and Polish, so I should contact them to request that they consider producing an EF Mass booklet, or even reprint one of their pre Vatican II editions. This would be a great help to the increasing number of parishes where Mass is offered regularly in the Extraordinary Form, on some sort of regular basis. Some outlets produce a facsimile of the CTS small prayer book already. A refreshed look of this booklet might be the order of the post Summorum Pontificum days in which we joyfully find ourselves living.

St. Osmund's in Breightmet, Bolton is just such a parish the Holy Father appears to envisage. Mass is offered each Thursday at 7.15p.m. followed by Benediction on the third Thursdays of the month.
I mention St. Osmund's because we have only recently got back from there, where we had the joy of attending our first ever Traditional Mass actually at midnight. Mass was preceded with an impressive service of lessons, extracts from the Gospels and interspersed with carols, concluding with Adeste fidelis, whilst Father G. Hilton vested for the Low Mass. It was a beautiful and solemn occasion with a lot of young people present. Not one person received Holy Communion in the hand.
On the M62 tonight we passed four other vehicles going to Bolton and only two returning to Bradford, on otherwise empty roads.
They were both "speedy" journeys!

Please remember to vote on your favourite expression for the Mass offered in a non-vernacular Rite before the Second Vatican Council in the Roman Church. That is as impartial as I can get in my description of It. It's a two horse race at the moment.

Wishing you all peace and happiness in this joyful season.

Please watch out for news of extra Masses and a new link to a great new Catholic blog from the north of England.

A few quick points to update you

2008-12-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I shall be leaving for Germany until Saturday.

Reminder to wrap up well if you are going to Mass at Stydd on Saturday at 2.00p.m.

It has been very nice speaking to people in the Diocese over recent days about the Norbertine's sudden departure from Cheetham Hill. I still have no real idea of what is going on.

No posting until Saturday

Reise nach Deutschland

2008-12-02T15:11:00.000-08:00

Next week I will be in Germany on a school visit to Cologne's Christmas markets, chocolate factory museum and Cathedral. It will be no holiday, with overall responsibility for 44 children and four members of staff.

Last year was a spring trip and was our first such school trip to Germany. It was fascinating to see the children's reactions to the cathedral, for many if not most their first time in a church. It made a wonderful impression on them.

I should be home by eleven o'clock on Saturday morning in time to set off for the Mass at Stydd Chapel near Ribchester. Something to calm my nerves, one might say.

Then Gaudete Sunday will be upon us. Rejoice! is a call to action, not to passive acceptance with a smile. As we look towards the Second Coming and ultimately face our own immortality, I have no doubt that there are many good people who can and do rejoice in God and the Faith.

From a child's eye Christmas is a wonderland, I wouldn't think of taking that image away but they need to know what the fuss is about. The sheer horror of what we are subjected to in the news reveals that powers of darkness burn in the souls of many people around us. Even in ourselves at times. We are graced with the Sacrament of Penance which gives us the grace to make fresh starts with God, again and again and again. We have no excuse to lose contact with God. The Sacrament is a beautiful gift of humility. Are we sometimes too proud to approach in shame to tell the Lord what we've done to offend Him? Something so bad to us that we do not want to hear it even when said by ourselves. We can still easily have our confession heard by a priest we do not know, face to face or behind the grill. I remember hearing of somebody refusing to go to confession with a priest who was seldom seen wearing clericals. But when she needed a priest to offer the last Rites to her dying lapsed father on Holy Saturday and he was the only priest available she didn't hesitate to accept his offer to make the sick call. He arrived on his way to celebrating the Vigil in alb and cincture. The old man died a few weeks later reconciled to the Faith and happy to have got everything off his chest.

I have removed links to St. Chad's until the situation about its future is made clear.

Only Monday

2008-12-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

This is a hectic week - already. Tomorrow at school I have a lot of extra things to do including tackling the technical people about lost software, I need to inquire about receiving training for administering emergency medical treatment to diabetics and nut allergy sufferers before Friday, meet a parent, and then prepare a full day's lessons for Wednesday when I have to attend a course in Manchester. Will the computers and photocopier be working? In addition, there is teacher detention (Curriculum Development to the uninitiated) for an hour and year 7 are still screaming for their test results. My non-contact period is taken up with a tutorial, for half of which the data is missing.
On the way home I have to call at the railway station to book the ticket to Manchester and also to London for the Committee meeting. Friday is the first Friday and means popping over to Batley for Mass.

THERE WILL BE NO MASS AT ST. CHAD'S ON FRIDAY 5TH. DECEMBER

From what I hear there are to be no more Traditional Masses or Ordinary Rite Masses for the time-being at St. Chad's as the Norbertine Fathers have withdrawn to focus on their efforts in the South in Chelmsford. Our prayers go with them and for them in their new pastures.

Historic news....more green shoots

2008-11-27T16:09:00.000-08:00

This week has seen some historic news from the Continent. The only Trappist Abbey in Germany situated in the Diocese of Aachen has been given permission by the Pope to return to the Order's traditional liturgy and in use in 1962.

I used to live in Germany in the late 1980s and at that time, compared to what was happening at home, things were extremely grim. England was a good ten years behind what was common in Germany at that time, now it has caught up only to find that what goes round comes round. Any thoughts as to which religious houses in this country could, might or will do likewise, for the moment, remains a matter of pure conjecture.

Let's watch how the decision of the Trappist Community affects its number over the next few years. Let's pray for them and their young Consecrated Abbott, Josef that they may become another strong witness to the strict application of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict and prove to be a magnet for vocations.

This is the new Renaissance.

In today's post

2008-11-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

It was very interesting to receive a copy of a little publication called the Lazarist, which is the newsletter of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, John of Gaunt Commandery. It features an article about Stydd chapel, which I am happy to reproduce here.

A Hospitaller Chapel: St. Saviour's, Stydd, near Ribchester

The chapel of St. (the Holy) Saviour's, Stydd Lane, Stydd, near Ribchester in the Ribble valley, is all that remains of a hospital acquired by the Order of St. John about 1265. In 1338 the Order rented the land to a farmer who was required to maintain a priest to say Mass. Under Henry VIII the property was confiscated and the chapel was annexed to the parish church of Ribchester. Between its two large triple windows is a narrow lepers' squint, which allowed lepersoutside the church to see the Mass celebrated inside. This chapel is usually open to visitors. The nearby Catholic church, and the medieval parish church of Ribchester are also worth a visit.

The church contains the grave of Francis Petre, Vicar apostolic of the north, and next to it a grave which may contain remains of St. Margaret Clitheroe.

The newsletter came with a kind donation to the LMS. Thanks to the sender for both.

Feeling tired

2008-11-16T14:28:00.000-08:00

I have driven 131.6 miles today to Masses in Castleford and in York via Batley to pick up the celebrant. Traffic was light and the weather good.

I am looking forward to the Mass at Stydd Chapel in December which if all goes well returning from Germany earlier in the day I should be able to attend. We have also decided, weather permitting, to go over to Bolton for Midnight Mass at St. Osmund's.

Mailing just about finished and musings

2008-11-13T14:55:00.000-08:00

My predecessor Mrs. Hartley sent me the names and addresses of friends of the Society yesterday to whom I need to send a copy of the Society's newsletter in Salford. This will be done by tomorrow.

Already Professor Richards has been in touch to offer his usual constructive ideas and progress has been made. Thanks again to him.

I have also received a petition from a regular member that details of the Divine Office readings for the day be included in the ordo in 2010. I will be happy to raise this at the Commmittee meeting in December. I have already discussed a similar sort of project with Mrs. Hartley which involves booklet production.

I have in recent years been able to witness the constantly improving quality of newsletters, magazines, aids to memory, Mass booklets and suchlike in promoting the Traditional Rites of the Church, since the advent of desktop publishing packages and the Personal Computer.

Should not this whole internet publishing, blogging and desktop publishing business be put under the patronage of St. Paul the Apostle, convert, martyr, and letter writer? Had he been here today he would be a million hit blogger of E-pistles. In this year of St. Paul such an event could be a start to something to help realign the Church militant. Perhaps fellow bloggers could take this to heart and spread the idea.

To this end I shall place this blogsite under the patronage of Christ the King and St. Paul the Apostle.

Please continue to remember the Holy Souls, especially those who have nobody left to remember them.

News of forthcoming Mass

2008-11-09T14:45:00.001-08:00

Mr. Aherne of the Archdiocese of Liverpool has organized a Low Mass near Ribchester at a small, pre-reformation chapel.

The Mass will be on December 13th. at 2p.m. at Stydd Chapel, Stydd Lane near Ribchester.

All will be made welcome but please wrap up well as there is no heating in the chapel. This might be a wonderful opportunity to prepare for Christmas, coming as it does in the middle of Advent.

Mr. Aherne also asked me to draw attention to the weekly Sunday Mass at St. Mary Magdalen, Leyland Road, Penwortham at 9.00a.m. Technically this Mass is in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, but is just over the border from the Salford Diocese near Preston. For this reason I am going to add it to the list of regular Masses.

Similarly a good number of Salford people attend the Mass at Broughton Hall which is just over the border in the Leeds Diocese on the first Sunday of the month at the Sacred Heart chapel at 11.30a.m. This Mass is a missa cantata.

I shall read up about Stydd chapel and post something about it nearer the time.

Mass tomorrow

2008-11-08T14:48:00.000-08:00

Mass will be offered at 4.00p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus, Oxford Road, Manchester.

Already a couple of people have commented to me that that they have seen this blog. Please encourage others to do likewise. The long promised mailshot to members should be in the post mid-week.

In this month of the Holy Souls please do not forget to remember those relatives, friends and moreover those who have nobody to pray for them.

Having five children and another I baptized at birth shortly before he died I do feel reassured that when my turn comes there will be somebody to remember me to God for release of my soul from the cleansing pain of longing for the Beatific vision in purgatory.

Help Lord the souls which Thou hast made, the souls to Thee so dear, in prison for the debt unpaid for sins committed here.

It is truly charitable to pray for those who have gone before us, in Faith, that they may reach Heaven, so that when they reach it they, in turn, can pray for us to God.

How often these days do we hear of the Church - suffering (in purgatory), militant (on earth) and triumphant (in Heaven)?

In Bradford tomorrow there will be a sung Mass of Requiem at St. Peter's, Leeds Rd., Bradford, West Yorkshire at 3.00p.m. for all those who lost their lives in the world wars. R.I.P.

Just back

2008-11-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

I have just got back from St. Chad's first Friday Mass where I was also able to go to Confession. There was a nice turnout and Fr. Gallagher was in good form for the ferial Low Mass.

Traffic was very light both ways on the M62 tonight.

St. Chad's is a beautiful church and has close connections with Mother Mary Joseph Prout, Servant of God, foundress of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion, who received the veil in the Lady Chapel, where there is to be found a picture of her and a plaque.

Letter of appointment

2008-11-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

On Monday I received my letter of appointment from the LMS Office in London, following my appointment as rep for Salford Diocese, which coincided with arrival of the Society's magazine Mass of Ages. I had to write the diocesan report a month ago and had hoped to have contacted members directly by now. Unfortunately LMS Committee business intervened and I'm running about 8 days behind schedule. Things are well underway however and members will be hearing from me shortly.

To keep you upto date

2008-11-05T16:47:00.000-08:00

It so happens that the previous posting's Mass was, presumably, the last Mass at Ashton-under-Lyne as Fr. Francis Wadsworth has been posted to St. Marie's, Bury.

I wish Fr. Francis every joy and happiness in his new parish. And I hope it isn't too long before he starts offering the TLM at St. Marie's.

This evening I had a very nice chat with Fr. Hilton of Bolton, (Breightmet) who is offering a regular Thursday evening Mass at St. Osmund's at 7.15p.m. On the third Thursday the Mass is followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

I also had a very pleasant conversation with Fr. Farrell, the Parish Priest at St. Joseph's, Longsight who offers an Ordinary Rite Latin Mass every Friday evening. Father was very encouraging.

Mass for the First Friday of the month will be offered at St. Chad's, Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, at 7.30p.m.

On Sunday there will be the usual regular Mass at Holy Name, Oxford Road at 4.00p.m.

Mass at Ashton-under Lyne

2008-10-30T13:59:00.001-07:00

There was a Missa cantata at St. Ann's Ashton under Lyne on Tuesday for the Feast of the Holy Apostles and Martyrs, Ss Simon and Jude.

Fr. Wadsworth the Parish Priest was celebrant and plans to offer more Masses for us in the future. We are very grateful to Fr. Wadsworth for all his help.

I was able to visit Fr. Wadsworth and enjoyed a productive chat over tea this afternoon. Meeting priests younger than I am who offer the traditional Mass makes me feel rather old these days.