Category Archives: newsletter

Woman at the Well

March 13, 2023newsletter3 churches

This reflection is based on today’s Gospel – the Samaritan Woman. To hear a dramatic reading of it go to youtu.be/5y2GlmTxpkM or thecanonsstall.blogspot.com

I am a woman of no distinction, of little importance. I am a woman of no reputation save that which is bad. You whisper as I pass by and cast judgmental glances, though you don’t really take the time to look at me, or even get to know me. For to be known is to be loved, and to be loved is to be known. Otherwise what’s the point in doing either one of them in the first place?

I WANT TO BE KNOWN. I want someone to look at my face And not just see two eyes, a nose, a mouth and two ears; But to see all that I am, and could be – all my hopes, loves and fears. But that’s too much to hope for, to wish for, or pray for, so I don’t, not anymore. Now I keep to myself, and by that I mean the pain that keeps me in my own private jail, the pain that’s brought me here at midday to this well.

To ask for a drink is no big request, but to ask it of me? A woman unclean, ashamed, used and abused, an outcast, a failure, a disappointment, a sinner. No drink passing from these hands to your lips could ever be refreshing, only condemning, as I’m sure you condemn me now. But you don’t. You’re a man of no distinction; though of the utmost importance. A man with little reputation, at least so far. You whisper and tell me to my face what all those glances have been about, and you take the time to really look at me. But don’t need to get to know me.

For to be known is to be loved and to be loved is to be known. And you know me. You actually know me; all of me and everything about me. Every thought inside and hair on top of my head; every hurt stored up, every hope, every dread. My past and my future, all I am and could be. You tell me everything, you tell me about me! And that which is spoken by another would bring hate and condemnation. Coming from you brings love, grace, mercy, hope and salvation. I’ve heard of one to come who could save a wretch like me, and here in my presence, you say I AM He. To be known is to be loved; And to be loved is to be known. And I just met you. But I love you. I don’t know you, but I want to get to.

Let me run back to town, this is way too much for just me. There are others: brothers, sisters, lovers, haters, the good and the bad, sinners and saints, who should hear what you’ve told me; who should see what you’ve shown me; who should taste what you gave me; who should feel how you forgave me. For to be known is to be loved; And to be loved is to be known. And they all need this, too. We all do. Need it for our own..

By Student Life Creative

His prayer – and ours

March 5, 2023newsletter3 churches

Prayer is one of the big themes of Lent, and Jesus taught us his own prayer – to be ours. Here are some thoughts about it, bit by bit…

Our Father who art in heaven – We are talking to God who is “dear father” or “ dad” who loves us, not some neutral distant deity

Hallowed be thy name – Jesus starts with praise and worship, not by asking for something, as we so often do. This puts us in right relationship with God,

Thy kingdom come – This is one of Jesus favourite words. But what does it mean? Heaven? The afterlife? Some paradise?

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven The Kingdom is wherever God’s will is being carried out – perfectly through Jesus and in heaven. We are to bring about the Kingdom on earth by following God’s will day by day.

Give us this day our daily bread – As we pray for the coming of the Kingdom, we ask the Lord to supply our daily needs, symbolized by bread. This would also include of course the Eucharist.

And forgive us our trespasses – Now we ask for the healing of our relationship with God through forgiveness, one of Our Lord’s most important themes

As we forgive those who trespass against us – We ask the Lord to help us to forgive others as we are forgiven. Perhaps his forgiveness can only get through to us in proportion to how we forgive others…

And lead us not into temptation – Generally agreed to not be a perfect translation of the original, because God can’t lead us into temptation! “Do not put us to the test” might be better. We are weak human beings, easily tempted and quick to fall, we need help.

But deliver us from evil – Modern scholars tell us that this is personification of evil, perhaps better translated as “The evil one”.

So we can see a beautiful movement in this great prayer. We start from God, then pray His Kingdom down to earth. As it comes, we ask God to support us day by day. We then remember our relationships, with God and with our neighbour, as the Kingdom prompts us. Finally we move out into the future, asking for the Lord’s ongoing protection and strength.

There we have it – the prayer of the Lord, the Lord’s Prayer.

Fr Matthew

The Basilicas of Lourdes

February 4, 2023newsletter3 churches

Saturday is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The shrine attracts millions of pilgrims, and over the decades this has required more and bigger churches, which can confuse, or even overwhelm the visitor at first. The Domaine, or Sanctuary area, covers 130 acres and while its heart is the simplicity of the Grotto where Our Lady appeared, there are now many places of worship, and three of these are “basilicas”, a name given to a church as an honour, or distinction by the Pope. Entering the Sanctuary through St Michael’s Gate, the pilgrim will find the first two. The first, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, overlooks the second, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. The third basilica is underground and extends along the great esplanade of the processions.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception was started in 1866, and is the chapel requested by the Virgin Mary during the 13th apparition: “Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here and that people should come in procession”. It bears the name revealed by the Virgin to Bernadette in the local dialect: “Que soy era Immaculada Concepciou”. It is in a neo-Gothic style, and over 50 metres long, while the spire reaches 70 metres. The stained-glass windows detail the Apparitions, and the history of Lourdes and the Church.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary is built in a Romano-Byzantine style, on a Greek cross plan, i.e. with four equal arms. It was consecrated in 1901, and features mosaics representing the mysteries of the Rosary covering 2,000 square metres inside, while the Mysteries of Light were added outside in 2008.

The Basilica of St Pius X was inaugurated in 1958 for the 100th anniversary of the Apparitions. The vast underground basilica is an architectural feat by its dimensions, while its design, elliptical in shape and resembling an upturned boat, is unique, thanks to modern means such as pre-stressed concrete. It is the place for the celebration of international Masses, large gatherings, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the blessing of the sick at the end of each Eucharistic procession. It covers 12,000 square metres and has seating for 5,000 but can accommodate 20,000 people in total.

Fr Matthew, edited from the official website www.lourdes-france.org/en

Stations of the Cross

Reconciliation

Fasting and Almsgiving

Holy Week