Next Saturday, 28 September, there will be a meeting for all altar servers at 16:30, in the former Scout Room at St Alphonse (the long, low building in the garden, opposite the church). All current servers are invited, along with those who wish to serve and have made their First Holy Communion. In addition, we are introducing Novice Servers (pre-FHC, aged 7 or over) who will be able to serve on the sanctuary as observers. Parents are, of course, welcome.

Please contact me if you need more information. Fr Ed

Westron Wynde

The Art of Music will give its next concert of music from the 16th century and earlier (‘Westron Wynde’) at 5.15 on Sunday, 28 September in the Eglise St Jean, rue Munster, Luxembourg-Grund. One of the two main themes is the Italian reformer Girolamo Savonarola, who wrote the texts of many of the works in the first part of our programme; the other is the life and death of John the Baptist, an appropriate subject for a concert in the Eglise St-Jean.

See the flyer here.

Choral music by great Renaissance composers

Jacobus Clemens non Papa, Antonius Galli, Francisco Guerrero,

Hans Leo Hassler, William Hunnis, John Taverner, Philippe

Verdelot, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Adrian Willaert & Anonymous

The Art of Music

Lions and Lambs, the Anglican community’s playgroup for 0-4 year olds and their carers, has started up again for the new school year. Meetings are held on alternate Thursday mornings from 9.30 – 11am. Call, text or email (co-ordinates below) if you have queries.

There is some structure to the get-togethers: we sing age-appropriate songs, listen to a story from the New Testament and do a simple craft or other activity. This is followed by free play for the children and coffee for the grown-ups.

ALL are welcome! For more information please contact Fiona Paley by email or on 661 8 52 709

Get together — it’s good!

Fr Ed

It’s that time of year again! We are collecting shoe (-sized) boxes packed with goodies to send to those in need:

GENERAL INFORMATION

Luxembourg-wide our aim this year is 800! Is it possible? Some have suggested 1000…

It really is a fabulous way to help our children and many adults experience the JOY OF GIVING in a very practical, fun way!

A huge thank you from the many children of Rumania and Moldavia that were blessed by the boxes we sent last year. Our boxes will be distributed by churches again but given to different children who have never had a gift before.

Evelyne Reinhardt (Regional leader for Weihnachten im Schuhkarton) emphasized again how poor most of these families are and how many children are left for long with old relatives while the parents are away trying to find work. Some of the street children took a while to understand that they didn’t have to choose one thing for the box, but that the whole box was for them.  Many times they were met with blank stares for the children as they were simply completely overwhelmed by this blessing.

 The biggest need for boxes is for boys in the age groups 2-4 and 10-14.  There are often not enough boxes for them and they then get boxes for girls but are grateful nonetheless.  Please can we focus on these boys again this year?

 AGE GROUPS:  Boy or Girl   2-4, 5-9, 10-15

It is important to emphasize that each medium sized shoebox should include one or more of each of the following items:

–         Small items of winter clothing

–         A small NEW cuddly toy and another age appropriate toy

–         Hygiene items – toothbrushes in original packing, toothpaste, soap in plastic bag, facecloth –  (fragranced articles are to be packed in a little plastic bag)

–         Sweets and chocolate – note restrictions

–         School items – very important and needed for 5-9 and 10-14 age groups

–         A personal card or letter and 6 Euros.

The children all love cuddly toys regardless of the age groups.  The children from 5 upwards really need exercise books and school material as they usually have nothing.

The restrictions for the sweet apply again.  No sweets with gelatine BUT plain milk chocolate is very welcome, but no nuts, coconut, biscuit or any fillings in chocolate.

1. Let’s not forget the 6 Euros for each box and encourage people to make donations if they are unable or unwilling to pack boxes. Please also only include new, unused items in the boxes.

   HOW CAN OUR PARISH HELP?

   * Last year we collected around 105 boxes – can we exceed this year?

   * There are different 3 different ways you can  contribute:

   you can simply donate money

   you can prepare your own shoebox – Information leaflets on website or at the back of the church after mass.  It is important that each box contains a specific range of NEW items and that you are familiar with the list of authorized / unauthorized items.

   there will be a sale at church after mass on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October. It is advisable that you simply bring an empty, wrapped shoe-box (as we only have a limited number of boxes ourselves). There will be plenty quality-at-good-price items of each category (school / hygiene / clothes / sweets / toys) and for each gender and age group for sale for you to fill your boxes on the spot.

   * Michele will need some volunteers to help with the sales tables on October 11 / 12. Please contact her if you are interested in helping. 

   * Deadline to hand in the box is Sunday  19th October  2014

25th Sunday Ordinary Time Year A

Today’s Readings

First Reading  Isaiah 55:6-9  A call to repentance.

Second Reading Philippians 1:20.24-27  Closeness to Christ is what matters most to Paul.

Gospel Matthew 20:1-16  Jesus tells a parable to stress that the values of the kingdom of God are different from the values of the world.

MUSIC

This week the choir will be continuing with the Belmont Mass setting, a simple but beautiful setting of the Mass texts. You can find a recording of the Belmont Mass (the Kyrie is missing) here
Opening Hymn: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God 820
Penitential Rite Belmont Mass
Gloria  Belmont Mass
Psalm said
Creed said
Gospel Acclamation Belmont
Preparation of the Gifts  organ; followed by Blest are you, Lord  603
Sanctus  Belmont Mass
Agnus Dei Belmont Mass
Holy Communion  organ; Come, adore this wondrous presence  656
Recessional  O Lord, my God  721
Prayer of the Faithful
Praying especially for:

Special Intention