THE VIEW FROM THE RECTORY
28 June 2009
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of St Peter & St Paul, which is transferred from Monday 29 June. This is a feast on which we remember the two great Roman apostles and we give thanks for the ministry of the current Holy Father, Benedict XVI. As a consequence of this transfer of the date, Monday 29 June is not a Holyday of Obligation, although there will be a Tridentine Mass at 11.00am on Monday. There will be a second collection at all masses this weekend for Peter’s Pence, which is this country’s contribution to the work of the Holy See. Please give what you can. The money raised will support the official functions of the Roman Curia and also be used in the many charitable endeavours in which the Holy See is involved. It really is a massive organisation and this international collection is an important element in the financial stability of the universal Church.
Many thanks to all those who supported and worked at the Parish Jumble Sale on Saturday. I shall give the final total of the money raised next week, but as always I would like to thank Sr Catherine and her team who work so hard to make these events a success.
Fr Adam Romejko will be away from 27 June to 7 July, but we welcome once again Mgr Christopher Pawlina who is a regular summer visitor to St James’s. He will be here until 11 July and I know you will give him a great welcome. There will also be another priest staying in the Rectory this week: Fr Pearse Walsh from Dublin. He is doing a course in London, but may well be able to say mass for us while he is here. Apart from these priests, there are no others scheduled to come over the summer, so this means that we could be a bit stretched when I go away for the last two weeks of August. Still, I’m sure that we shall manage.
Just a word about sacramental preparation: we shall begin classes for First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Adult Baptism, Reception and Confirmation in September. For Communion the children need to be in Year 3 at school and for Confirmation they need to be in Year 9. Please look out for the application forms, which we shall have ready in the church in August. It always helps if these can be filled in early.
As for infant baptism, we are supposed to baptise the children of parishioners of St James’s or of those who come here regularly. Otherwise it is best to contact your local parish.
Keep smiling – God is good!
God bless
Fr Terry
Our Church
Our Church is right in the heart of London. It is a spiritual oasis to many people who come in for silent prayers and personal devotion. It serves the deep needs of those who desire to get away from the hurly burly of city life. On the other hand, the various parish liturgical services reflect the richness of catholic traditions and its pastoral orientation caters for all categories of people especially the young and those searching for truth.
The location of the church is not actually in Spanish Place as its predecessor used to be, but in George Street, almost at the corner of George Street and Marylebone High Street. Nearest Subway or Underground stations are Baker Street and Bond Street. For directions click here.
Access to the Church: The entrance to the Church is in George Street. The Blandford Street door does not give access to the Church.
There is no wheelchair access to the Church as yet. This has been put in hand, but there has been a considerable delay, while negotiations take place about the architecture of the Church and the best way to install the lifts that would be necessary.