On Wednesday last, 27th April, we had our International Mass as part of the Oktav. The weather was foul! The procession from St Alphonse to the cathedral consisted of members of the Music Group, an altar server (Thank you, Liam) and a couple of other hardy parishioners. We sang ‘Veni, Spiritus Sancte’) all the way, and arrived wet and almost frozen…

The Music Group animated the liturgy superbly, P. Guillermo presided, and I concelebrated and preached. The congregation numbered maybe a hundred or so (sensible people stayed at home in the warm).

Concluding the Mass with ‘Lord of the Dance’ meant, inevitably, moving with the music. I heard several comments afterwards about the sense of joy and real celebration people found — a tribute to our community, and, thank God, something we have each week when we come together for Mass.

To those of you who came to the Mass (especially the Music Group), thank you and congratulations. To those of you who didn’t, I don’t blame you at all!

Fr Ed

This Wednesday, 27th April, we have our annual International Mass as part of the Oktav. The Mass will be celebrated in English and Spanish (Padre Guillermo and myself) and the music will be provided by our very own Music Group (in English).

This used to be the Mass of the Paroisse Européenne, but now is much simplified. It would be great if we could all be there at the cathedral for this Mass, praying and singing as we do so well on Sundays.

The plan is that we meet in the garden/parking at St Alphonse at 18:45, so the servers can robe and find their candles, the cross etc. Then at 19:00 we will process together from St Alphonse to the cathedral, making our presence felt en route!

A procession of 12 people doesn’t always have the same witness value as a procession of 112… so let’s all do what we can to be there, to witness to our faith, to pray together, to support the archdiocese in its pastoral work — and to avoid yet another evening in front of the tv!

So, Assemble 18:45, Process: 19:00, Celebrate Mass together 19:30, and then informally process to the Place Guillaume for Grompelchirchelker/Grompelkirchelcher/Grompelkirshelsher (potato cakes – google is no help with translation here), and any other refreshments being offered!

After the Mass, the rosary is being recited during a procession from St Michel to the cathedral, starting at 21:00. All are welcome to join this event. Cheryl Kouba is the contact person.

See you 19:00 at St Alphonse ! Fr Ed

My fr.ed@pt.lu email account is out of action for the moment (suspected hack). If you wish to get in touch, please use parish@catholic.lu  or message/call me at 691 217 713.

Thanks,

Fr Ed

If you’re planning a Catholic wedding, either here in Luxembourg or elsewhere, you’ll know that part of the process is doing a Marriage Preparation course together; this is not to help you prepare the ceremony, but to help in your marriage, after the Big Day has come and gone.

We now offer 3 Marriage Preparation Days each year, generally speaking in February, May and September. Each day is run by a married couple with experience in teaching about marriage; courses can cover a whole range of topics: the spiritual meaning of marriage, conflict resolution, finance management. The days are practical, spiritual and inspiring. You meet other couples, share experiences and advice, and think about things you may never have reflected upon together before.

Our next Marriage Preparation Day is on Saturday 28 May, from 10:00 – 16:00, in the parish meeting room in the garden of St Alphonse. The day costs €50 per couple, to cover expenses, and a sandwich and salad lunch is provided. The day will be presented by Patricia and Liam Kelly, who live in Ampleforth, North Yorkshire, England.

If you would like to enrol for the day, or have any questions, please contact me.

Thank you.

Fr Ed

Our archbishop has asked that the collections in all Luxembourg churches this coming Sunday, 24th April, should be sent, via the archdiocese, for humanitarian help in Ukraine; normally this collection would be for the pastoral needs of the archdiocese. This is in response to an appeal by Pope Francis.

The archbishop’s letter may be read here

Fr Ed