The Rector writes . . . . . . [25th October]

I was contacted by the BBC this past week asking for comment for the “Today” programme on Pope Benedict’s decision to make special provision for those Anglicans who want to come into full communion with the Catholic Church on a corporate rather than an individual basis. I said that I felt the Pope’s initiative is an exciting one, as it offers a fresh model for reconciliation and, at a time when ecumenism seems to need a kick-start, there is a generous offer being made to those who honestly understand the ministry of the Successors of St Peter as part of the “esse” of the Church. It befits the Pope as Universal Pastor to open his arms wide to try to embrace anyone and everyone. The commission given to Peter, and renewed in Benedict, is “feed my sheep”.
In writing to the Colossians, St Paul uses a phrase which is as radical as it is demanding: “In my own body I do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his Body, the Church”. Somehow – and it is a mystery – we all interact with one another on our shared pilgrimage through this life: the virtues and the pains, the joys and the difficulties, of one have their effect on others. This basic Christian understanding is central to the theme of this coming month. November is the Month of the Holy Souls when the Church reminds us of our obligations to pray and work for those who have gone ahead of us, and still wait the fullness of the Resurrection. We have a special responsibility to those who have handed the gift of faith to us – our parents, teachers, religious, priests. At the back of the church you will find sheets which will be included in the November Dead List and envelopes for any offerings you might want to make towards the Masses offered for the Dead during November.

November begins next Sunday with the glorious feast of ALL SAINTS. How fortunate we are to know that we are all in this together: that those on earth, and those in Purgatory, are in a single communion and fellowship with those in Heaven. The saints are our friends and helpers – they encourage us, and watch over us, and want only that each of us should come to see what they see, and experience what they now experience. Pope Benedict has spoken of the “?wilderness” in which so many people are living today – for some that is the wilderness of poverty and physical hunger, but for so many, particularly in Western countries, the wilderness is a spiritual one where individuals have lost contact with their Christian roots, and where the things of this life are all-important to the detriment of the eternal dimension. Devotion to the Saints and the Holy Souls does go some way to help us find a right balance between those things which are temporal and those which are eternal.

Next weekend also sees the second of the annual collections asked of us by the Archdiocese. This one is to support the SICK & RETIRED PRIESTS who have served our Westminster parishes and who now, through age or infirmity, need to be cared for .. the oldest of whom is now in his 102nd year! There are donation envelopes at the back of the church and you are asked to return these next Sunday – please be as generous as you can.

Last Sunday,

I said Mass for you all in the amazing Wieskirche in Southern Bavaria – one of the finest of the Baroque pilgrimage churches there.

It was snowing heavily but I was warmed by thoughts of Spanish Place!