When I first arrived in Luxembourg, I was invited to attend a symposium (a grand name for meeting!) for priests serving in English-speaking parishes in Europe. I wasn’t able to attend at the time, but happily accepted the invitation to attend the next symposium to be held in Madrid. I arrived in Madrid not quite sure what to expect, hoping and praying it wouldn’t just be just an academic exchange. I needn’t have worried. Our host, Fr Ron (Madrid) made us most welcome, and helped set the informal, fraternal tone. The convenor and organiser in general, Fr Sjaak (The Hague) was accompanied by Deacon Paul, who minister together; Fr Kevin (Vienna), Fr Urs (Zug, Switzerland), Fr Aidan (Paris) and myself made up the group. Apologies had been received from colleagues who couldn’t attend.

It was very encouraging, informative, and inspirational to hear the stories of other English-speaking Catholic communities in Europe (I have stolen so many ideas!). It quickly emerged that we all share common issues:

• How to maintain our Anglophone identity, yet be welcoming to all who attend our Masses and events
• How to foster and maintain good relations with neighbouring diocesan parishes and with the diocese itself, respecting cultural differences
• How we fulfil our missionary role, reaching out to those who are not members of our community (including tourists)
• How we manage our social outreach (ministry with and to refugees was an important concern here, as was ministry to and with people struggling financially.
• How to achieve good practice regarding, for example, Safeguarding.
• How to ensure support and mutual encouragement for each other

I have come away from this meeting enriched by what I have learned, but even more so by the encounter with my brother priests and deacon who are ministering with faith, commitment and enthusiasm. Our next meeting is scheduled for 2018 in Paris (with Luxembourg as Plan B just in case!)

Fr Ed

Here is the group, with links to parish websites: L-R, Fr Ed, Deacon Paul Falke, Fr Sjaak de Boer, Fr Urs Steiner, Fr Kevin Soars, Fr Aidan Troy, Fr Ron Ochylskin.

You had to be there to see how beautifully the church was decorated during Holy Week and Easter — but the next best thing is this selection of photos taken by Agata Capik, a regular at St Alphonse. They show the Passover Table in front of the altar on Holy Thursday; the Cross, the crucifix for the Veneration of the Cross, and the stripped altar for Good Friday; Baskets to be blessed on Holy Saturday morning; The Resurrection Cross and Easter Garden for the Vigil of Easter and Easter Sunday.

We still bathe in the glow of our Holy Week and  Easter celebrations, which here at St Alphonse were the best attended ever. It’s not easy taking time out for the Holy Week and Easter liturgies, but hundreds of you did, and contributed so much to the beautiful, moving ceremonies. A special word of thanks must go to all who helped make the week so special in church; in no particular order:

• The music group who prepared so well and led us so beautifully in the liturgies
• The hospitality team who provided seasonal refreshments on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday
• The small but faithful group of altar servers, some of whom served at Mass way past their normal bedtime, and did so with real energy and enthusiasm
• Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Prayers-of-the-Faithful composers
• Sonya (artist) and John (labourer!) who constructed the Easter Garden and Tomb
• Brendan O’Sullivan, who worked against the clock to make the Easter Cross (solid oak, beautifully crafted, from roof-beams)
• The (scratch) choir from the Anglican community who led us so beautifully in the ceremony of the Burial of the Lord on Good Friday
• Children’s Catechists, nourishing the knowledge and faith of our youngest parishioners in their liturgy
• Those who welcome, organise, move furniture, tidy up, count collections and contribute in myriad other ways.

What we sometimes overlook is that the Good News is not just proclaimed in our liturgies, but equally in the manner in which they are conducted: they are from the community, by the community, serving the wider community — for the glory of God. I have heard so many times that people who visit are impressed by the level of involvement of parishioners — and even more so by the spirit of faith, enthusiasm and joy with which people serve. Sincere and deep thanks to all!

Fr Ed

Pirate Productions and New World Theatre Club are presenting the musical Oliver, adapted from the novel ‘Oliver Twist’ by Charles Dickens by Lionel Bart. The cast of 40 young people and 40 adults, which includes several of our own parishioners, is accompanied by a live orchestra. The production runs from 14th-17th April at the Kinneksbond Centre Culturel in Mamer. Full details, including ticket information, can be found here.

Fr Ed

I (Fr Ed) received the following notice from Evija, a (Latvian) member of our parish music group:

Dear friends,
If you like folk  music and dancing or  you simply want to have fun  this is the right place to be! Some great Latvian musicians and dancers will perform for 1h,  from 16.00 till 19.00 there will be  folk music and folk dance afternoon for people of all ages. If you feel up to performing some of your folk music just  bring your instruments and join!  Stage will be yours! 
When: this Saturday on 9^Th April 
What time:  at 15.00
Where: at the Blues Club Sang a Klang. 
Regards
Evija