Author: Fr Ed

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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS

We were privileged and happy on 26 May to welcome the archbishop amongst us for the celebration of Confirmation. We had scarcely time to recover our energies when the Mass for First Holy Communion was upon us on June 9 — but (as with Confirmations) the organisation was superb. So many good things were able to come together, because of prior planning, generosity with time, hard work and a genuine spirit of co-operation. The whole celebration was a genuine spiritual event, important for all the children themselves, and important for us as a community.

We gather for Eucharist (=thanksgiving). Not only do we give thanks to God, but also to the following, all of whom played a significant role on Sunday:

Marthese Lufi, for catechesis
Sonya Heffernan
Clara Martini
Dan Brennan (Dan, hope you see this from the US!)Michele Janrozik

To Helen and the music group (give me names, Helen, I’ll add them!)

To Clare, playing the organ

Sabrina Deisges and Clara Martini for arranging the flowers

Giovanni Martini and Max de Simone for the Mass booklets

Frances Ann Camilleri for the Communion candles

Anne Ryan for the First Holy Communion certificates

To Emma McNaughton and Siobhan Moran for arranging the cake and refreshments after Mass, and Annette and her ‘dream team’ for serving

Eva, Lea and Julia, the tidy-up team

Manuel Manrique, whose photographs we await eagerly.

And last, but certainly not least, to Robert and Michele for coordinating the whole celebration and doing so much behind-the-scenes work.

If your name should have been mentioned above, pardon my omission, and let me know!

Fr Ed

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PARISH MUSIC MEETING

Music and the Liturgy

We are blessed in several ways regarding music in the liturgy in our parish:
A long history of music in the liturgy, with willing volunteers involved in this vital ministry
Many people of talent and enthusiasm, able to play instruments, sing, animate… and sing along
We have a lively community, willing to join in and participate fully each weekend at Mass
We have people from different cultures, from whom we can learn to our mutual benefit.
Our recent Confirmation Mass demonstrated that we have up-and-coming talent in our young adults, something which can greatly enrich our celebrations, and something we will be happy to encourage.

After speaking with several people involved in music in our parish, I propose that we talk some more, together, in a meeting open to all, especially to those involved (past and present) and those who would like to be involved in our music.

The initial meeting will be on Monday 24 June at 19:00, 34 rue des Capucins, for all who are interested in music in the liturgy in our parish. I propose that this meeting will be for all of us to share our ideas about how best we proceed regarding a number of issues:

  • Choosing hymns/chants/Mass settings for each Sunday
  • Designating particular Sundays (ie. once a month) as Masses with a focus on children
  • Looking at what musical talent/willingness we have, and how best to employ it
  • How we, as the English-speaking Catholic community are responsive to the different nationalities represented amongst us, in terms of music
  • What planning/provision we can make for occasional events (Messe Intercommunautaire, Oktave, etc)
  • The relationship of our music to our celebration of the liturgy in general

I intend to circulate a draft including ideas/suggestions in advance of the meeting, so we have a basic orientation beforehand. I welcome response to these before, during and after the meeting! I will post an update on this website with draft ideas, and I look forward to responses. Fr Ed

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THANKSGIVING MASS FOR P. RALL

The Francophone community of the Paroisse Européenne are celebrating a Mass of thanksgiving for the service rendered to their section of the parish for over 40 years by P. Benoît Rall. P. Erny Gillen is presiding at the Mass, which will be at St Alphonse, 30 June at 11.15am. Full details, along with an invitation to make a gift to P. Rall, can be found here: Thanksgiving Mass. All are welcome to attend.

The English-speaking community will be represented by Cheryl Kouba, Chair of our parish council. It is intended to hold an intercommunity Mass celebrating the life of the Paroisse Européenne in October.

 

Mass at Hollerich will be at 11am as usual.

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CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP

Christian Meditation
We are exploring the possibility of starting a Christian Meditation group in the tradition of the Desert Fathers and John Main in our parish.  We suggest  meeting regularly (perhaps weekly) at 34 rue des Capucins next to St Alphonse. Further information on Christian Meditation can be found on the World Community for Christian Meditation website www.wccm.org. We would like to convene a meeting to discuss this form of prayer with anyone who feels it might be for them or for anyone who is simply curious. We have invited the Belgian co-ordinator of Christian meditation groups there to attend our meeting. Meditation is not something new to the Christian experience but is deeply rooted in Christian tradition.  This  Christian meditation brochure will also be available at Mass in St Alphonse and Hollerich, giving further information on this form of prayer.  We are having our first, exploratory meeting on Monday June 17th at 19.00 at the parish rooms in 34 rue des Capucins.  All are welcome..of all faiths and none.    If you are interested please email Marcella McCarthy at marcellacreed@hotmail.com . Please tell your friends.