Category Archives: 3 churches mass

3-2-1 after 10 years

As we have previously announced, September sees the 50th anniversary of the opening of the present St Brigid’s Church. Today’s 3 Churches Mass reminds me that September also marks another, if shorter, anniversary – the tenth year of the 3 Churches working together. Yes, it will be ten years since Archbishop Peter Smith asked me to move from St Cadoc’s to be parish priest of St Brigid’s with St Paul’s, and Christ the King.

I remember him telling me that they were to remain two parishes – Christ the King on the one hand, and St Brigid’s/St Paul’s on the other. However, I quickly realised that perils lay ahead if such distinctions were allowed to dominate things. If this was to work it would have to be three churches, rather than two parishes, hence our website motto: “three churches, two parishes, one family”. Parishes are like individuals and families, they have their own “story”, and stories here had been quite different, in terms of traditions, leadership styles and so on.

I also quickly realised that it would be good to have a project to get people working together in a practical way. 2005 was to be the Year of the Eucharist, and so our 3 Churches Mass was born. The aim was, of course, principally to mark that special Year, but also to put people in touch with each other, to collaborate and cooperate in the planning and celebration of the Mass. This still remains the case. I am enormously grateful to all those many, many folks who help and have helped in the past to mark this annual occasion. I am especially grateful to those from all three churches who have worked with me over these ten years in the Working Group that plans and organises the day.

So let’s all enjoy our special Mass and celebration today – our tenth, including a few on Maundy Thursdays. Let’s continue to work ever more closely together, because that is what being Catholic means – not my church or my parish, but we, us, all together, one family in Christ, bound together by our shared faith, our bonds through the bishops of the world – and, as we mark in a particular way this year, the journey of the Sacraments that starts with Baptism.

Fr Matthew 

Living Stones – 3 churches mass 2014

Vatican II reminded us that we are all the People of God. Jesus called us the Light of the World, and St Peter said that together we are Living Stones. Wow – what amazing titles! And how do we get to be all these things – and more? By our living out of the great and beautiful Sacrament of Baptism. So this year, in our 3 Churches annual Mass together on Sunday 6th July at Corpus Christi High School we are going to celebrate our calling, our being with one another – and the Baptism that binds us and all Christians together.

I would like to invite all parishioners of our 3 Churches to come and take part, whether you usually come to a morning or an evening Mass. The more living stones, the bigger the house of the Lord! And don’t forget to find out where you were baptised if you don’t know already!

Music There will be practices for all singers and musicians who wish to take part on Wednesdays 25th June and 2nd July 7.30pm at St Brigid’s Church.

Children As our theme of Baptism is very visual and full of interest, complete with two lovely babies, there will not be a Children’s Liturgy this year, but families are especially invited to come and remember their own children’s Baptism.
Altar servers Servers from all our Sunday morning Masses should take part, and also adult weekday serves if they wish. All should be at the school at least 30 minutes before Mass.

Ministries Our 3 Churches Mass aims to bring us all together in serving one another. Please cooperate in readily offering your ministry – welcoming, reading etc if requested.
Collection As is our custom, the collection will go to a charity – the archdiocesan Priests Training Fund that we missed owing to our missionary appeal. We now have half a dozen students to support! Parish envelopes for that week should be placed in the collection the week before or after, please.

Food As usual after Mass we will have a bring-and-share lunch together. You are requested to bring something along which should be only finger food, i.e. not requiring knife, fork or spoon. Our time for lunch together is very much part of the celebration.

11a.m. 6th July Corpus Christi High School – 3 Churches Mass 2014 “Living Stones”

Fr Matthew