This evening at 20:00, Clare Donegan (the organist for our English-speaking community) is giving a recital in the Église de Dudelange, playing works by Franck, Liszt and Irish composer Eric Sweeney. Full details can be found here.

On Sunday afternoon at 17:00, Paul Kayser (the organist-in-residence at St Alphonse) is giving a concert ‘Peace between church and synagogue’ with violinist Semjon Kalinowsky. Details can be found here.

Fr Ed

Friday 13 June, 8 p.m. at 21 rue de Luxembourg, L5364 Schrassig (home of Carol and Steve McCarthy)

This is the first of a new series of discussion evenings, following up some points raised at previous meetings and partly in response to ex-environmentalist and writer Paul Kingsnorth, who maintains that environmental degradation and other ills have already gone so far that there is no point in trying to stop or reverse the situation. We disagree, and planned this series of discussions, not just about the environment but also about what it means to live a fulfilled life. Friday’s meeting will look at some basic questions about how we should live our lives and what rules should guide us.

We will watch a film in which political philosopher Michael Sandel presents three philosophers, Bentham, Kant and Aristotle, and illustrates their theories. This is not at all dry academic stuff but presented entertainingly, and I hope it will provide a useful background to our subsequent discussion of issues that are currently relevant to us.

Please let me know if you are planning to come – thanks to those who have already done so.

Best wishes

Philippa

For more information on the group, see here

Fr Ed

Today is the Feast of the Holy Trinity — the One God revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In God is relationship, and we are invited to share in this.

Readings

First Reading  Exodus 34:4b-6. 8-9
Moses worships the One True God, and begs him to accompany the people.

Second Reading  2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul finishes his letter by blessing his readers in the name of the Blessed Trinity

Gospel  John 3:16-18
The mystery at the heart of our salvation is the sending of Jesus to us by the Father. No-one who believes in the Son will be condemned.

Music

Opening Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty  468
Penitential Rite Kyrie eleison (Taizé)
Gloria  ‘Peruvian’ (unaccompanied)
Psalm (said)
Gospel Acclamation Taizé
Creed  (sung, unaccompanied) We believe, we do believe
Preparation of the Gifts  Blest are you, Lord 603
Sanctus  (sung, unaccompanied)
Acclamation (sung, unaccompanied)
Holy Communion  This is my body 627
Recessional  How great Thou Art 721

Prayer of the Faithful
Praying especially for:
Mr Yuan Chuan Liu (father of Angela Wang)
Barry Quaid (lately dead)
Claire Manlosa (10th anniversary)

Some photos of our outdoor Mass on 9 June. Many thanks to Kim and Buzz for the pics.

Fantastic Day! Not hyperbole, but a true description of our parish Mass in the garden of St Alphonse last Sunday, 8 June. In the past, our annual outdoor Mass has been in Trintange, and last year was held, by the invitation of the Archbishop, in his garden. Last year was a great community event, with great surroundings, plenty of space, a worthy liturgy, and grand feast. This year surpassed even that: as one parishioner observed, ‘We’ve come home, and it shows!’.

The weather was forecast to be good, and did not disappoint. When the organising team arrived at 09:00 on Sunday, it was slightly cloudy, but already warm. As the awnings were erected, the tables and benches were set up, and all the other 1,000 tasks were accomplished, the sun shone. We had planned for 100 people, with contingency planning for double that number; thank God for contingency planning! We more than filled all the seating.

Everyone who attended the Mass will agree it was memorable: the Pentecost banner (thank you, Sonya!) fluttering in the (alas) slight breeze; the sound system ensuring everyone could hear what was happening; the Music Group on great form; a beautiful Offertory Procession; great participation…

After Mass we had one of the classiest outdoor buffets I’ve seen — hot and cold food, copious Cremant, and much more. All supplied and served generously. Members of the French community had happened upon the occasion by accident, and were mesmerised (and I’m certain made a mental note to return next year!). A couple of our regular ‘men who take an unofficial collection at the door of the church’ were invited in, and ate as well as the rest of us, and were made welcome. Children sat at the edge of the fountain, feet in the pond, eating and keeping cool.

It is hard to put into words the spirit that was evident during the Mass and the feast: unity, belonging, openness, the sense of being invited forward constantly as a community, the sense of having arrived at our community home (St Alphonse) and so much more. One person observed, ‘The Holy Spirit is clearly here today!’

Three observations: the first, we are so privileged to have our faith in Christ, whose Spirit brings us together in rich gatherings like this one. We all arrive in Luxembourg as strangers, struggling with language, culture, social networks, and often with faith. We can find a home in this parish, a home which at its best will nurture, support, encourage and affirm us. Secondly, with the privilege of belonging comes the responsibility of sharing: being open to others, generous to those in need and constantly seeking to deepen our relationship with the Lord who has called us together. And finally, an immense spirit of gratitude to the God with whom we experience the full, abundant, overflowing, challenging, life-giving redemption, given in Jesus Christ.

On a practical note, our celebration on Sunday, in all its aspects, would not have been possible without the generous, often hidden, dedication and work of so many. Our Parish Council, who had the vision to propose the celebration should take place at St Alphonse; Robert, who was the driving force behind most of the practical aspects of the day; Joe, who organised the great sound system; Brian, Joe & Heidi, David, and others (whose names escape me at the moment, and from whom I ask pardon for this!) who worked so hard on Sunday morning in the increasing heat; Helen, Sonya and the whole of the Music Group who rehearsed so hard and who led us so worthily; our Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, Chefs, tidiers-up… In short, a day like Sunday both describes our community, and forms our community. By the grace of God, we will continue to grow in every way. Photos to follow soon!  Fr Ed