I am back from my brief preaching engagement at the English Chaplaincy in Paris - one thing I didn't know (because last time I was in Paris it didn't happen) is that the Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour on the hour. It was lovely to go and I continue to be amazed how quick and … Continue reading Ordinary Time!
News
Getting there!
Following the announcement that the builders are going to start on Monday 23rd January a group of wonderful people have been clearing out all the sacristy, the Parish Room and storage areas around there. This was dusty work and gave me good reason to check everything we got stored in there - storage room is … Continue reading Getting there!
Building Work to Commence – and I need you to come to an event!
Building Works in Parish Room I had a very positive and useful meeting with Martyn our builder and Richard our architect this morning. They are starting on Monday 23/01 at 8.30am. The plans below need a bit of explaining - ask me and I talk you through what is going to happen! The good news is … Continue reading Building Work to Commence – and I need you to come to an event!
Happy Christmas!
After having spent yesterday mostly secluded I am back at work today and had some time to reflect over the past week and what happened. As usual a lot happened, and I am very grateful that everything came together and so many people got involved in making this a very special celebration. Stable Mark spent … Continue reading Happy Christmas!
O Radix Jesse! (O root of Jesse)
On Saturday 17th we entered the time of the O-Antiphons - the last days before Christmas have specific antiphons for each day for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer. Today this is O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;before you kings will shut their mouths,to you the nations will make their prayer:Come … Continue reading O Radix Jesse! (O root of Jesse)
Gaudete!
Sunday is Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent - asking us to rejoice that Christmas is close by. It's traditional colour is rose (i.e. pink) - if you mix penitential purple with festive white you end up with something very bright in between - and as usual on this Sunday social media will be … Continue reading Gaudete!
Adveniat Regnum Tuum – His Kingdom Come
I am sure I could have found a more serious picture from last year, but it did remind me of a rather joyful time at St Andrew's. Christians began keeping the season of Advent from the sixth century, first for six weeks, then for four. However, it took a long time for the season to … Continue reading Adveniat Regnum Tuum – His Kingdom Come
A reminder – busy days!
Walsingham Festival @ Durham Cathedral 5 of us made the long journey to Durham for the Walsingham Festival in Durham Cathedral. This was also an opportunity to inspect Richard's circumstances at university and to meet with many familiar people. To my great surprise and joy the cathedral was completely packed with people - and Durham … Continue reading A reminder – busy days!
A time to remember… and to plan ahead!
Fr Geoffrey White (7 July 1928- 17 October 2022) Jesu mercy - Mary pray Following his stroke Fr Geoffrey spent several weeks in hospital and in a nursing home in Market Harborough but has been steadily declining, particularly in the past two weeks. He only attended St Andrew's regularly for a few months but his … Continue reading A time to remember… and to plan ahead!
Look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting (John 4.35)
Harvest Festival It has been two years last Tuesday since I have started in the best parish in the Midlands and it sort of coincided with our Harvest Festival last Sunday - which was a wild success. The church was full, the hall was bursting at its seams and altogether about 50 people helped and … Continue reading Look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting (John 4.35)