The "Homily" used to be called the "Sermon"
At Mass, when I ‘say a few words’ after reading the Gospel, I always hope and pray that people won’t groan inside, dreading a long sermon.  (Actually we don’t use the word ‘sermon’ much nowadays. It sounds too much like preaching – which, of course, is precisely what it is.) The preferred description is ‘homily’. Here’s what we read in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. 

When the Sacred Scriptures are read in Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ present in his own word, proclaims the Gospel.  Therefore, all must listen with reverence to the readings from God’s word, for they make up an element of greatest importance in the Liturgy.  Although in the readings God’s word is addressed to all people of every era and is understandable to them, nevertheless a greater effectiveness of the word is fostered by a living commentary on the word, that is, the Homily, as part of the liturgical action.

The Homily is part of the Liturgy and is strongly recommended, for it is necessary for the nurturing of the Christian life.  It should be an exposition of some aspect of the readings from Sacred Scripture or of another text from the Mass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the needs of the listeners.
The Homily should ordinarily be given by the Priest Celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, to the Deacon, but never to a lay person.  In particular cases and for a just cause, the Homily may even be given by a Bishop or a Priest who is present at the celebration.  There is to be a Homily on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation at all Masses that are celebrated with the participation of a congregation; it may not be omitted without a serious reason. (My italics.) It is recommended on other days, especially on the weekdays of Advent, Lent and the Easter Season, as well as other festive days and occasions when the people come to church in greater numbers.  After the Homily a brief period of silence is appropriately observed.
There you have it. So you can’t stop us preaching. But you can pray for us priests (in this Year For Priests) for God’s grace to deliver good homilies.
Fr Tim Dean

ST JOSEPH’S CHAPEL
From 22 February until 26 April the historic Cathedral model will be undergoing essential restoration and preservation works, prior to its permanent installation in the Guild Room. The work is being done, appropriately, in St Joseph’s Chapel to give everyone a chance to see it being put back to its former glory. St Joseph’s Chapel will be out of bounds while this work continues.

CATHEDRAL LENT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
We will be running a fundraising campaign over the next two weekends. This is because the Cathedral is just not receiving enough money each week in our regular weekly and monthly collections to meet our expenses.  There has been a shortfall of £466,000 over the last three years.  More information available next weekend.

FAITH MATTERS
The next in the series of lectures takes place on Tuesday, 9 March in Cathedral Hall at 7pm.  The speaker is Fr Andrezej Forys MS who will be lecturing on ‘The Call to priesthood in a Global City’.  To reserve your place contact Ausra on 020 7931 6078 or email faithmatters@rcdow.org.uk

MIND THE GAP: FAITH IN FILM
The next series of ‘Mind the Gap’, our Lenten series for Young Adults (17-35ish) will take the form of ‘film nights’ with refreshments and discussion, at Our Lady of the Assumption & St Gregory Church, Warwick St, W1 from 7-9.30pm, refreshments 6.30pm.  8 March The Pursuit of Happiness, 15 March The Fourth Wise Man.    All young adults are welcome. For more information contact daveburke@rcdow.org.uk

CATHOLIC HISTORY WALKS
The next walk is on Wednesday, 10 March.  Meet at Westminster Cathedral at 6.30pm No booking necessary.  Please bring suitable clothing as the walk will take place whatever the weather.

FRIENDS’ EVENTS
J F Bentley Tour, Tuesday, 16 March.  To mark the centenary year The Friends have a coach tour to Old Windsor and beyond to see some of the other buildings of the Cathedral architect JF Bentley. Peter Howell of the Victorian Society will accompany. The coach departs at 9.30am and lunch is included. Tickets £35.
St George’s Day, Friday, 23 April. Celebrate the feast of England’s patron saint with an English supper and speeches at Allen Hall at 6.30pm.  Tickets £50 (three-course meal, wine and glass of sparkling rosé on arrival). Dom Aidan Bellinger, Abbot of Downside, is the guest speaker with other surprise entertainments.
John Henry Cardinal Newman, Tuesday, 11 May Mgr Roderick Strange of the Beda College in Rome will be giving a talk on the life and spirituality of Cardinal Newman, 6.30pm Cathedral Hall. Tickets £6.50 from The Friends Office 020 7798 9059.

LENTEN DAY OF RECOLLECTION
Fr Michael Dunne is giving the National Day of Recollection to the Association of Catholic Women on Saturday, 13 March from 10am to 4pm at St James’s, Spanish Place (nearest tube Bond St). The title of the day is Intimacy with God: the Paschal Mystery in Thérèse of St Lisieux and Teresa of Calcutta.  All are welcome – even men! Bring your own picnic lunch.

ST PATRICK’S DAY
Dance and Supper, Wednesday, 17 March, Cathedral Hall.  Top Irish artists, tickets £15 from Clergy House or call Kevin on 07733 131003. See flyer for full details.

PARTY LIKE A ROCK STAR
Support the work which The Passage does for homeless people in Central London, by attending ‘Party like a Rock Star’ at the Hard Rock Café, 150 Old Park Lane, London W1 on Thursday, 18 March, from 7pm to midnight.  Live music from The Counterfeit Stones.  Tickets, to include food and drink, cost £60 each and are available from The Passage, St Vincent’s Centre, Carlisle Place. Tel: 020 7592 1856. Email: tickets@passage.org.uk  It will not be possible to purchase tickets at the Café.  All proceeds in aid of The Passage.

JUSTICE AND PEACE GROUP
Fr Kingsley will give a talk on Sacrament on Saturday, 20 March at 3pm in the Hinsley Room. All are welcome.  There will be a prayer meeting from 1.30 to 2.30pm before the talk.

LIVING AS ONE
This week we explore the oneness and holiness of the Church, which stems not from the holiness of its people or our efforts for unity but from Christ himself. 'I am the vine,' said Jesus, 'you are the branches' (John 15:5). The full text of the booklet is available at www.rcdow.org.uk/lao. 
Living as One groups: Mondays, 6.30 Clergy House (Sue Graves), Tuesdays, 2.30pm Clergy House, (Mary Maxwell) Wednesdays, 10.45am Clergy House or Hinsley Room (J Woodhouse), 6.30pm Ashley Court (Theresa Giwa 7233 9670).

CARDINAL HUME CENTRE
The Cardinal Hume Centre is walking distance from the Cathedral and works with homeless young people, badly housed families, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, helping them to obtain employment and break out of the cycle of homelessness and social exclusion.  We are looking for volunteers who speak English and Tigrinya fluently. This would involve an hour or two a week. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact either Flora or Emily on 020 7222 1602 or info@cardinalhumecentre.org.uk

INTERN ‘ASSISTANT TO SUB-ADMINISTRATOR’
An assistant is required to support the Sub-Administrator at Cathedral Clergy House, commencing in September 2010.  The intern will live and work in the Cathedral Clergy House with the Cathedral Chaplains.  To apply for this position, please send a CV and covering letter, stating why you are suitable for the internship, to Canon Christopher Tuckwell, Cathedral Administrator, 42 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QW.   Closing date 30 April 2010.

EXPOSITION OF
THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
This takes place in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel every Monday to Friday following the 1.05pm Mass until 4.45pm.

COLLECTION 28 February
Mass:  £4,853    Music: £311