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

There is clearly interest in an English-speaking charismatic prayer group in our community, based on requests I receive. A couple have approached me willing to sponsor/lead such a prayer group, and have proposed April 22nd (a Saturday) to have a meeting to discuss practicalities. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please let me know and I will pass contact details on to the couple concerned. The date, venue and time of the exploratory meeting later this month will be arranged when we can gauge the level of interest and availability. If you can’t be present at this meeting, still register your interest, so you can be kept up to date with developments.

I would be very happy to support such an initiative in our community.

Fr Ed

This coming Wednesday, 12th April, Christian Meditation will take place in the Children’s Liturgy room in the church of St Alphonse, at 18:30. Apologies for the disruption caused by the ongoing renovations in the couvent of St Alphonse.

Fr Ed