Faced with the situation in Gaza, this joint action may help us expressing solidarity and finding a voice!

• Hamilius
• Every day at 17h30
• Sunday 27 to Thursday 31 July

Welcome to the International English-speaking Catholic Community of Luxembourg.

This Good Shepherd’s Sunday we are all invited to celebrate the “Mass of the People of God” at 10:30 in the Cathedral.

It is the 4th Sunday of Easter and the start of the Octave of Notre-Dame de Luxembourg, an annual pilgrimage that this year celebrates its 400th anniversary under the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope”.

This Mass will be live-streamed. Please find the links below.

http://www.cathol.lu/live

https://cathol.lu/fr/oktav/livestream-aus-der-kathedral

Please find below songs we will sing together at Sunday Mass.

Note that there is no Mass at 11:00 in Belair or on Facebook this Sunday.

At Mass today, Father Michael referred to the sermon given by the Episcopalian Bishop of Washington, the Rt Rev Mariann Edgar Budde, at an interfaith service attended by President Trump last week. You can view the sermon here:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/914344840775512

Episcopalian Church’s response to President Trump

Hayden Vaughn

“President Trump,

1. Much like those who do not want you to be president, you do not get to decide whether a bishop’s office is legitimate. She was chosen by the people of her diocese to be their bishop. Then, she was granted consent to be a bishop by other bishops and standing committees of our church’s dioceses. Beginning by calling her a “so-called” bishop is an obvious low blow to discredit her as a person, rather than what she said that you disagree with. The Episcopal Church was legitimate enough to hold your third wedding, the funeral of Melania’s mother, and the baptism of your son, Barron. Barron also attended an Episcopal day school. Now you have an issue with how we do things when it doesn’t go your way?

2. You didn’t have an issue with politics being brought into the church by the ministers who spoke at your inauguration, or by yourself for that matter. They were blatantly partisan, crediting God for your political success: “Mr. President, the last four years there were times I’m sure you thought it was pretty dark, but look what God has done,” Graham said.

3. She wasn’t nasty in tone, plain and simple. I can’t remember ever hearing a homily given in such a gracious manner and calm tone. If you disagree, listen to her speak. You may disagree with what she said, but her tone was in no way “nasty.” Additionally, insulting her intelligence, rather than quoting what you disagree with, is a very typical narcissistic play.

4. The vast majority of people who have committed crimes in the U.S. are U.S. citizens. Defending yourself about being asked to have mercy on immigrants by saying, “A large number of illegal migrants came into our country and killed people,” is a gross misrepresentation and does not make sense. By that logic, we should be locking up or deporting all Americans because the majority of crimes were committed by citizens. We do need to improve our immigration system, but Scripture commands us as Christians to have mercy. Mercy is a central tenet of our faith. Matthew 5:7 says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Leviticus 19:33-34 says, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” If you take issue with this, take it up with God.

5. Saying the service was boring and uninspiring is a move to discredit the event rather than what specifically was said. However, it’s worth mentioning that the purpose of a service is not to be “exciting.” There are several purposes for our services, such as honoring God, bringing us closer to God, and being in community with one another. Being “exciting” is not one of them. As far as inspiration goes, that is in the eye of the beholder. You get as much out of it as you put into it.

6. The Bishop does not owe you an apology. Our church does not owe you an apology. All that you were asked to do is what scripture directly asks us to do. If you could quote one thing she asked of you that isn’t asked of us in scripture, we would apologize. Someone recently reminded me of something I often heard growing up in church. If you are offended by a minister’s sermon or feel that it was a personal attack, look to see if you can find anything they said that was out of line with scripture and the teachings of Jesus. If you can’t, that feeling is what we call “being convicted of your sin”. The fact you are offended by what was said shows you know there is truth in it. To your supporters who also feel offended by it, the same goes.”

Sending a message of support and gratitude

In this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, you may wish to send a postcard of support to Bishop Budde at the following address:

The Rt Rev Mariann Edgar Budde

Episcopal Church House

Mount St. Alban

Washington, DC, 20016-5094, USA

Please keep in your prayers Michael Chamier, Reckange-sur-Mess, who passed to his eternal reward this morning in the loving care of his dear wife Deborah and family.

May his gentle soul now rest in eternal peace.

Funeral arrangements later.

We are sad to announce the death of Jean-Paul Schmitz, husband of Dolores Navales, a very active member of our community and coordinator of the Readers’ Rota.

The burial will take place at 3:30pm on Thursday 18 July at the cemetery of Hollerich followed by a Mass in his honour at 4:30pm in the Church of Sacré-Coeur in Luxembourg City.

If you wish to honour Jean-Paul’s memory, donations are welcome to “LPAD – Luxembourg-Philippine Action for Deveopment asbl” at BCEE LU84 0019 2255 0120 6000 with the reference J-P Schmitz.