I received the following message from Evelyn Sweerts, the lay assistant, regarding events hosted by or with the Anglican church in Luxembourg which might be of interest:

“I hope this finds you well. I’m writing to tell you about some upcoming events hosted by the Anglican Church which are open to all, and to warmly invite members of your church to come and join us. The talk on the Dark Net will be especially useful to parents.

There are details on our Facebook page (Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Events): https://www.facebook.com/Anglican-Church-of-Luxembourg-699163510154347/ or below:

The JPIC (formerly EFG) group is looking forward to a busy month in May, with four events planned, as follows:

• Tuesday 2 May, 8 pm, 4 rue du Pont, L5355 Oetrange: Erica Worsley Gwynne and Martine Denter will talk about the work they are doing with Refugees Luxembourg
• Wednesday 10 May, 8 pm, 4 rue du Pont, L5355 Oetrange: Are Anglicans just? Evelyn Sweerts will talk about Anglican attitudes to social action
• Monday 22 May, 8 pm, Centre Jean XXIII 52 rue Jules Wilhelm, L-2728 Luxembourg: Johan van Damme will talk about the Dark Web ‘The Internet we use is the searchable part of the web, but hidden below are the deep web and then the Darknet. What does the Darknet hide, who uses it and what has TOR to do with it?’
• Monday 29 May, 8 pm, venue to be confirmed: Marie-Christine Nibagwire will talk about sowing seeds of peace and justice after surviving the Rwandan genocide.

If anyone is interested in coming, could I ask them to RSVP to Philippa Seymour (also in cc)?”

Fr Ed

On Sunday 7th May at 10:30 our community will participate in the Messe du Peuple de Dieu in the cathedral, marking the start of the Octave, and consequently there will be no Mass at St Alphonse at 11:15 (Saturday evening at 19:00 and Sunday evening 19:00 will continue as usual).

7th May also marks the inauguration of the new parish structure for the archdiocese, and for our English-speaking community, the dissolving of the former Paroisse Européenne of which we were a founding member, and our inclusion into the new parish of the city of Luxembourg.

There will be a procession from St Alphonse on 7th May in advance of the Messe du Peuple du Dieu, details to be announced shortly.

Fr Ed

Each year at the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet is re-enacted. Please, if you are coming to the Mass this evening, volunteer to have your feet washed. The ceremony is simple, beautiful and full of significance: as Christ served us, we serve each other. I will make the appeal just before Mass, and then again at the time of the washing of feet.

Thank you.

Fr Ed

As a preparation for our celebration of the Sacred Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, we invited Rabbi Alexander Grodensky, rabbi of the liberal synagogue in Esch, to give us insight into the Jewish celebration of Passover.

Rabbi Alexander explained the multi-layered understanding of Passover in Judaism: Spring festival, calling to mind God’s rescue of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt, and a contemporary call to social justice. The Christian focus on Passover as prefiguring God’s saving action in Jesus Christ (the narrative in the Book of Exodus) is not central in Judaism, at least not liberal Judaism. What came across strongly was that Passover (‘Pesach’) is a living, evolving tradition. Also, that Judaism is not simply a religion of what we would call the Old Testament, but that belief takes account of conversation and lively debate, and that the tradition is multi-stranded.

Question time (in an uncomfortably full meeting room) produced interesting questions and answers: is there a central authority in Judaism; what is the contemporary Jewish understanding of Messiah; are there Jewish rites equivalent to the Sacraments of the Catholic Church (including forgiveness of sins); does conversion to Judaism require renunciation of belief in the afterlife; what is the language of the liturgy — and more.

There was clear consensus that our parish would profit greatly from inviting Rabbi Alexander to speak to us again.

Fr Ed

Rabbi Alexander, ‘Understanding Passover’.

Introducing Safeguarding:  10:30 — 15:30, Saturday 6th May, Centre Jean XXIII

After (literally) years of work, and invaluable consultations with experts (mainly in the UK), we finally have a parish Safeguarding Policy. It has taken so long because we wanted a policy which represents best practice, reflects the complexity of life in Luxembourg, and can best serve our particular circumstances as a parish community.

It should be self-evident that our Catholic Christian community should be a nurturing, safe, up-building environment for all its members and for all who come into contact with us — but to ensure clarity regarding our commitment to Safeguarding in general and particular terms, the principles we follow, and the practical arrangements we have in place, it is necessary to publish, to educate (and to continue to learn) and to evaluate our practice so that we can best live that to which we are committed.

Our overall Policy Statement can be found here, and is on our noticeboard at the back of church; it includes our general statement of intent, and useful contact details.

Protecting our community is not simply the concern of the Parish Priest, nor of the Parish Council — it is the concern of every single one of us, and particularly of every one of us who minister, who perform any service in the name of our community, whether it be eucharistic minister, catechist, server of tea and coffee, etc.

Please come along to Introducing Safeguarding. The day is being led by Bridget Hanlon from HCPT UK, experienced in the field of Safeguarding, and an animated, experienced presenter. Bridget will introduce us to the full Policy document, and will be willing to engage with our questions and concerns.

It would help if you could register your interest by email, but if not, just turn up on the day. All are welcome, a sandwich lunch will be provided, and those involved in any active way in the life of our community are particularly requested to be present if at all possible.

This issue is so important for our community.

Thank you,

Fr Ed