Update: I posted this appeal late on Wednesday evening (31 June) and was very grateful to receive very quickly a number of kind, generous offers. I accepted the first that arrived, and wish to thank you who responded so generously, offering to open your home to Ciara. I never fail to be impressed by the openness and generosity of the people of our community. Thank you again,

Fr Ed

This is a personal request: my niece Ciara (16 years old) is coming from Ireland to Luxembourg tomorrow (1st June) to attend a meeting in Clervaux — she is travelling to Thailand with the archdiocesan group (she learned of the trip on this website).

She and her family did not realise that this weekend is probably the busiest weekend in the whole Luxembourg calendar, being the weekend of Pentecost and the Echternach dancing procession. She is looking for accommodation tomorrow (Thursday) night, and Saturday night (3rd June). She’s easy-going and an ideal guest. Is there any couple/family in our community who could put her up for one or both of these nights?

I’m currently in Ireland with my parents, and the couvent St Alphonse is not yet open again, so I can’t offer immediate help.

Thanks!

Fr Ed

As already published, the new parish of Luxembourg Notre-Dame, of which our English-speaking community is part, came into being on 7th May this year. The archbishop’s decree, which effected this organisational change, lists the full pastoral team, including priests, sisters and lay co-workers; the list is surprisingly extensive. The decree can be found here.

Fr Ed

Tomorrow, Thursday 25th May, is the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord (and a public holiday in Luxembourg. Mass will be celebrated in English at 11:00. Please note there is no vigil Mass in English this evening. Mass in French at St Alphonse is at 18:00.

Fr Ed

Most of the time I post here to announce events, to remind of what will be happening in our community, or to share news of what is happening in the wider church; this post is more of a report. As part of the Octave, our community was due to lead a liturgy in the cathedral on the theme of exile, migration, and being forced to seek refuge; I couldn’t be present (on retreat in a monastery in Belgium), but thankfully modern retreat houses have WiFi so I was able to follow the liturgy online.

Watching the service, I was deeply moved, and on reflection I understand that this was on several levels: our parish can function beautifully without its priest (the liturgy was clear, well presented, well directed, the music superb, even though (perhaps because?) I was far away. Many thanks to all concerned.

The liturgy reflected several aspects of our community that we should (and already do) celebrate: the deep involvement of our parishioners in what we do, the attention we give to preparation and nourishment of ministries, excellence in our music ministry, and our inclusion of other linguistic communities. We can never underestimate the power of these factors in our mission. The Octave is at the heart of the identity of the church here in Luxembourg, and we were at the heart of the Octave.

Many thanks to everyone from our community who contributed: I mention a few (update me with names I have omitted — after all, I’m in a monastery far from the heart of the action!) John, Caren, Susan, Aindrias, Toni, Lorna, Peter, Kristine and all the music group and everyone.

I felt this was not just an event, but an important moment of growth for our community.

Many thanks, sincerely,

Fr Ed

Here is a link to the video of Toni’s testimony, and below are screen-shots from the video feed.