THE FEAST OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.  From the earliest times Rome was known to Christians as the Church of the Apostles, before ever it was referred to as the See of Peter.  Both of them traditionally lived in Rome and were martyred under Nero at the sites where their basilicas stand today: St Peter by being crucified upside down as legend has it, because he was unworthy to die in the same way as his Lord: St Paul by being beheaded because he was a Roman citizen.

In the last chapters of the Acts of the Apostles we read of St Paul’s request that his case be heard by the Emperor and of his subsequent journey to Rome.  No such documentation exists for St Peter.

In the Necropolis under the high altar of St Peter’s is the site of a tomb especially revered as is shown by the number of other graves crowding around in order to be as near as it is possible.  The grave and the bones of an elderly and powerfully built man found nearby were declared by Paul VI to be those of the fishermen.

I was fortunate in my last year at the Beda, just across the road from the Basilica of St Paul’s outside the walls, to be present at the visit of Pope John Paul II and his guest, the Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios I.  A covering was removed below the high altar so that one could look down a shaft to see what is claimed to be the tomb of St Paul.

The unity of the Church is represented by celebrating together these two apostles who did not always see eye to eye in this life – see Galatians 2:11-14.  We must renew our efforts to pray and work that Christians may recover that unity for which Jesus prayed.  “May they all be one.  Father, may they be one in us, as you are in one and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me”.
Fr Michael Durand

Click here to read Fr Tim Dean's weblog and here to read recent Newsletter articles.

Click here for Mgr Mark Langham's Archive.

YEAR FOR PRIESTS
With the announcement of the Year for Priests, the Pope has declared Saint Jean-Marie Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars.  Please pray for your priests that they might always be faithful to their sacred calling.  You may like to use the following prayer:
Dear Lord, we pray that the Blessed Mother may wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.  We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, “Do whatever he tells you”.   May your priests have the heart of St Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse.  May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross.  May your priest be holy, filled with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls.  Amen. St John Vianney, pray for us.

PETER’S PENCE
There will be a special collection this week for Peter’s Pence.  Please give generously.

COMMUNION AND LIBERATION
The UK launch of the book “It is possible to live this way?”, Vol 2 Hope, by Mgr Luigi Giussani will be take place on Thursday, 2 July in the Cathedral Hall at 7.30pm.  Speakers will be Mgr Mark O’Toole (Rector of the Seminary of the Diocese of Westminster) and Fr Julian Carron (President of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation).  Based on conversations between Fr Giussani and young people following a path of poverty, chastity and obedience, the book describes a remarkable yet reasonable approach to Christian life, which is pertinent to all those who seek to encounter Christ in their lives. Free admission. Leaflets are available at the Information Desk, or contact secretary.cl@gmail.com, www.clonline.org

CATECHISTS’ SUMMER CONFERENCE 2009
The Christ we Proclaim, is one of the events of the Agency for Evangelisation being held this summer.   It will comprise of a lecture on Friday, 3 July 7.00-9.30pm, at Vaughan House, London SW1P 1QN (£5) and a lecture and workshops on Saturday, 4 July 10.00am-4.30pm, at All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney AL2 1AF  (£15).   Archbishop Vincent Nichols will join us on Saturday morning when he will preside at our opening liturgy. To book a place please call 020 7798 9150 or email: catadmin@rcdow.org.uk 

SINGLE GROUP FOR 35s AND OVER
Are you Catholic, single and want to meet other Catholic singles?   We meet on the first Sunday of every month in Cathedral Hall from 1 to 2.30pm.  All are welcome

LOURDES WINE TASTING DINNER
Come and enjoy a wine tasting from the Queen’s wine merchant, Justerini and Brooks, in Cathedral Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, 9 July, followed by a three course dinner all for £25 to raise money for the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.    Twenty five percent of the purchase price of any wine goes to the Pilgrimage Trust as well.   Fr Michael Dunne (020 7931 6041) is the organiser and there are forms for information and tickets at the back of the Cathedral.

BRIGHTLIGHTS FESTIVAL 2009
For young adults (16-30) at St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Hendon from 10-12 July 2009.  Inspirational speakers, live bands, Mass, Reconciliation, workshops, all in a great, relaxed, outdoor festival atmosphere. Campers welcome (under 18s with adult group leader).  Visit www.brightlights.org.uk for more information.

QUIZ NIGHT
Our next quiz with the usual delicious fish and chip supper will take place in the Cathedral Hall on Thursday, 23 July at 7pm.  Canon Tuckwell will be the Quizmaster.  Tickets £15 available from The Friends Office, Clergy House, 42 Francis Street, 020 7798 9059.

SCRIPTURE STUDY GROUP AND
GUILD OF BLESSED SACRAMENT
Please note there will be no meetings of the above groups on 6 and 20 July.

DIOCESAN YOUNG ADULT PILGRIMAGE TO TAIZÉ, FRANCE 8-16 AUGUST 2009
Join Bishop John Arnold and other young Adults (18-30s) on pilgrimage to this unique Christian Community.  Meet other young adults from the diocese, Europe and around the world.  A time for prayer, space and reflection.  Spend time with the Taizé brothers, price: £220.  Further details, contact Dave Burke on 020 7798 9357, or email: davidburke@rcdow.org.uk

GUILD OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
AND OBLATES
These two groups will be having an outing on Saturday, 29 August to Chichester Cathedral to be led by Fr Michael Durand, cost £16.  The coach will depart Westminster Cathedral at 8.30am and will be back by 6.30pm.  Please book at Clergy House Reception or from the Group representative, Theresa Giwa on 020 7233 9670.

RELICS OF ST THÉRÈSE
The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux will be visiting our Cathedral from 12-15 October 2009 as part of their national visit to England and Wales.  To find out more information about the visit, go to: www.rcdow.org.uk/therese

OREMUS APPEAL
Oremus Editor, Fr Tim Dean wishes to thank all those who have given money for new computers.  Thank-you all SO MUCH!  Now, a new appeal: they need a VERY experienced volunteer to come in, maybe two days a week to help with office administration.  Newly-retired maybe? Publication skills? Know someone who might be interested?  Please contact them (and us) then e-mail Oremus42@gmail.com

COLLECTION 21 JUNE
Mass:  £7,533   Music:  £391

THE BEAUTY OF STONE
The Westminster Cathedral Marbles – a new book by Patrick Rogers, our Cathedral Historian – has been published recently and is available in the Cathedral Gift Shop.  The book contains a detailed description, history and over 100 colour photographs of the marble decoration of our Cathedral.

AMERICAN FRIENDS
American taxpayers can receive a US income tax deduction for their contributions to support the work of the Cathedral by sending their contributions to American Friends of Westminster Cathedral, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization (EIN# 13-2983174). They will also enjoy special events and receive newsletters about Cathedral activities. Donations may also be made through bequests and charitable trusts. Contact Ms Una Chang, President, American Friends of Westminster Cathedral, Inc, P.O. Box 92 New York, NY 10185-0092 e-mail UChang1@aol.com

A large print version of the newsletter is available at Cathedral Clergy House

If you go into Hospital…
Under current legislation, hospital chaplains cannot be given your details. You - or your relatives - will not be visited by a chaplain unless you specifically ask for the catholic chaplain. A list of chaplains to our local hospitals is posted on the notice board at the back of the Cathedral.

A new Healthcare section on the Diocese of Westminster's website provides information about the work of the Hospital Chaplaincy Service and a full listing of Catholic Hospital Chaplains. Click here for more details.

Free money - a gift to the Cathedral!
If you are a UK taxpayer, you can add an extra 28p to every £1 that you give - at no cost to yourself - with Gift Aid. You have already paid tax on your donation; the Government will refund it to us. All you have to do is to fill in a form (giving your name, address and the date) and sign a declaration saying that you pay more tax than the amount that we will reclaim. Leaflets and Gift Aid envelopes are at the back of the Cathedral.

A new way to help our Twin Parish
To make it easier to contribute to Bl. Mother Teresa Parish in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the Diocese of Westminster has established an account here in London. Please make cheques payable to “WRCDT - Fr. Tom Oates” and give cash or cheques to the information desk, the Sunday collection basket or to Clergy House 42 Francis Street London SW1P 1QW. The money goes directly to the Free Lunch Programme with no administrative overhead. Include a gift aid form and your donation will be granted a bonus of 28%!

Lifts to Mass
Every Sunday, volunteer drivers and helpers bring disabled and elderly people to the 10.30 Mass. The minimum commitment is about 2 hours every five weeks or so. If you are over 25 and would like to help us please email john@johnmole.com

Mass Times:
Sunday (18.00 Sat), 8.00, 9.00, 10.30, 12.00, 17.30, 19.00
Mon - Fri: 7.00, 8.00, 10.30, 12.30, 13.05, 17.30.
Sat: 8.00, 9.00, 10.30, 12.30, 18.00

Clergy House reception is open, Mon - Fri 8.00 - 19.00
Weekends 10.00 - 13.00. There is usually a priest on duty.
At other times, in an emergency, please call
020 7798 9055.

Collections
21 June Mass £7533 Music £391

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