A Mass of Thanksgiving for the life of Jacques Browne is being held today in the church of St Pius X in Belair at 16:00. Jacques, aged 21, was working as a volunteer teacher with children in Thailand when he was killed in an accident. All are welcome to attend the Mass, supporting Jacque’s family in their sorrow and commending Jacques to the loving care of God.

Fr Ed

1st Sunday of Advent Year B

READINGS
First reading  Isaiah 63:16-17; 64:1. 3-8  We are as clay in the hands of God, the potter, who shapes us.

Second reading  1 Corinthians 1:3-9 God is with us as we wait for the revealing of Jesus Christ who is coming in glory.

Gospel  Mark 13:33-37 ‘Stay awake!’

MUSIC

The music may be found here.

Sunday: Joseph Borg (anniversary). RIP. for whom Mass is being offered on Sunday 30 November.

Jacques Browne who died recently; Lily Ahern (aunt of Denise Blake) who died recently; Betty Keating who died recently; Susan Plunkett who is seriously ill; Doris Wittenberg who died recently; Mick Waldren who died recently; Monika, (sister of Chritel Gerrard) who died recently. May they, and all the faithful departed, rest in peace. May God comfort all those who mourn.

Fr Ed

Homily preached at St Alphonse Saturday 22nd November 2014

Sunday’s Mass was a children’s Mass and there was no formal homily.

Several requests have been made over the course of my time in Luxembourg for copies of the weekly homily; this has posed me with a challenge: I do not preach from a printed text. I am willing, however, to trial making a recording of  the weekly homily available on the parish website. If it proves worthwhile (i.e. more than, say, a dozen downloads each week) and profitable (those who download the homily actually find it useful) then I am willing to continue the experiment. Please feel free to offer feedback on the idea. Aware that I might be making a rod for my own back here, I must state at the outset that I am unable to enter into sustained dialogue/debate online about the content of what I preach.

An archive of homilies since September 2014 will be made available if there is sufficient demand.

Fr Ed

The recent organ recital at St Alphonse by Sonya Kranich had a small, but appreciative audience. The collection for the work of Médicins sans Frontières, specifically for their work with people suffering from the Ebola virus, raised over €400. There are plans to supplement this from the parish, either by a special collection at Mass or by some other arrangement by the Parish Council. Sincere thanks are due to Sonya Kranich for so generously giving her time and considerable talent for this good cause.

Fr Ed

Several requests have been made over the course of my time in Luxembourg for copies of the weekly homily; this has posed me with a challenge: I do not preach from a printed text. I am willing, however, to trial making a recording of  the weekly homily available on the parish website. If it proves worthwhile (i.e. more than, say, a dozen downloads each week) and profitable (those who download the homily actually find it useful) then I am willing to continue the experiment. Please feel free to offer feedback on the idea. Aware that I might be making a rod for my own back here, I must state at the outset that I am unable to enter into sustained dialogue/debate online about the content of what I preach.

An archive of homilies since September 2014 will be made available if there is sufficient demand.

Fr Ed

Homily preached at St Alphonse 16th November 2014

Incidentally, the rosary beads mentioned in the above homily can be seen at Mass this Sunday (23rd November).