| Today (7th November) is the Feast of St Willebrord, Patron of Luxembourg. His life illustrates the true missionary dynamism of the church in Europe in the 8th century, and the internationality of that mission.
Here at St Alphonse we have a relic of Willibrord (a piece of bone). There will be a chance for those who wish to see the relic and venerate it after Mass this evening (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) 
Saint Willibrord
Missionary archbishop. Born in Northumbria in 658, Willibrord studied at Ripon monastery under St Wilfrid and spent twelve years studying in Ireland at the abbey of Rathmelsigi under Saints Egbert and Wigbert. After his ordination he set out about 690 with a dozen companions for Frisia, or Friesland. These men covered extraordinary distances on foot, by boat and probably horseback in the course of their work. In 693, Willibrord went to Rome to seek papal approval for their mission. Pope Sergius I supported him and on his second visit to Rome he was consecrated archbishop of the Frisians, in 696. Willibrord was also supported by the Frankish leader; Pepin of Heristal. He founded the monastery of Echternach in Luxembourg, to serve as a centre for the missionaries. They carried on their work in Denmark and Upper Friesland. St Willibord faced great dangers in his efforts to convert the pagans. In 714, Duke Radbod reclaimed the extensive territories acquired by Pepin, and Willilbrord watched all of the progress he had made be virtually undone. After Radbod’s death, Willibrord started his work over again with help from St Boniface. Willibrord died on retreat at Echternach on this day in 739. He is known as the Apostle of the Frisians and a patron of the Netherlands. (article reproduced from independentcatholicnews.com) |
Latest Parish News
MARRIAGE PREPARATION DAY FEBRUARY 13
Our next Marriage Preparation Day is scheduled for Saturday 13th February 2016, in the meeting room at St Alphonse (in the parking/garden, opposite the church). The course will take place from 10:00 – 16:00, and will include a sandwich lunch. We already have several couples enrolled, but there will be space for all who wish to be included.
The day will be given once again by Caroline and Kit Dollard, who work for Ampleforth Abbey and for the Diocese of Middlesbrough in the UK.
A preparation course is a necessary part of the process for a church wedding here in Luxembourg as throughout the Church. Courses aim to be insightful, informative and helpful — even for couples who have been together for years.
If you are preparing for marriage and would like to be included, please let me know.
Fr Ed
ALTAR SERVERS’ TRIP
The day out for our altar servers was a great success by all accounts — and I’m only sorry I couldn’t join the young people and accompanying adults on the trip to Phantasialand. Judging by the photos, it seems there was more than enough to see and do. As well as a way of saying ‘thank-you’ to the servers, it helps them to get to know each other and to build a team spirit. At present we have over 20 servers, and it is so encouraging seeing their commitment and enthusiasm — and sometimes their unexpected creativity when serving! A training session will be arranged soon.
Thank you to Teresa Rubaek for co-ordinating the servers, and to all involved in organising and accompanying the trip.
I’ll post more photos as I receive them.
Fr Ed
HELP FOR REFUGEES – UPDATE
Here is a message from John Coughlan, Contact Parish/Archdiocese for Help for Refugees
Following the recent influx of refugees into Europe and the Archbishop’s appeal for Catholics in Luxembourg to help out, the main organisations responsible for helping refugees in Luxembourg (Caritas and the Red Cross) are in the fortunate position of having more than enough volunteers and material resources to meet current requirements. This situation may change, however, as the initial expression of goodwill fades and as the specific needs of refugees arriving in Luxembourg becomes clearer. If you would like to help when needed, the following options are available:
(1) The Archdiocese is organising training sessions for parish representatives willing to work with refugees. The first round of sessions is fully booked but if you are interested in signing up for the next (in French or Luxembourgish), please let me know and I will keep you informed.
(2) If you can spare some time to accompany newly arrived refugees, you can indicate your availability at the following website: http://web.cathol.lu/991/services/reech-eng-hand/reech-eng-hand-tends-la-main/comment-soutenir-ce-projet/offres-d-aide/article/formulaire-d-inscription.
(3) One area in which our parish might be able to help out more than others is language skills. If you can communicate in Arabic, Farsi, Pashto or any other of the main languages spoken by refugees reaching Luxembourg, you may be able to help out with initial administrative procedures and the settling-in of newly arrived refugees. If you are willing to help with teaching local languages, this may also be appreciated. Either way, please let me know or sign up on the link indicated above.
Many thanks for your support.
John Coughlan
Contact Parish/Archdiocese for Help for Refugees
Fr Ed adds: Thank you to all those who have already contacted me with offers of help for refugees. Clearly now our efforts are best co-ordinated with the archdiocese, as outlined above. We will remain alert to any further requests for help, and John will keep us up-to-date with progress.
THE ART GROUP – EXHIBITION
Parishioner Marijane Andreopoulos is one of the artists exhibiting work in a forthcoming exhibition ‘The Art Group At Caves Bernard Massard’.
Viewing at the Caves Bernard-Massard in Grevenmacher is from 4-6 December. The flyer with further information and names of all the exhibiting artists can be found here and here.
Happy viewing!
Fr Ed
