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Westminster Cathedral
6/7 October 2007
Twenty seventh Sunday of the Year      

Five for Joy - Our Lady and the Angelic
Each October, by tradition, the Church honours Our Lady through the wonderful gift of the Rosary and especially the feast Our Lady of the Rosary (c1571) which falls this Sunday – this day urges us all to reflect on the mysteries of Christ, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who in a divine way was associated with the incarnation, passion and glorious resurrection of the Son of God.  We might wish to make a visit to the Cathedral’s amazing Lady Chapel and receive a blessing, light a candle nearby at the historic Shrine of Our Lady of Westminster and then pray at the fifteen wonderful scenes in the life of Our Lady – from her birth to her coronation.

To further help us, October is full of Saints’ days.  1 October is the feast of the Carmelite Nun, St Teresa of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) – a true child of Jesus and Mary.  We might pray at her statue near to the Lady Chapel and on her “Little Way” – to try and consecrate every minute to God and to work for the salvation of souls.

October also hosts the feast of our Guardian Angels – by God’s loving providence we have at least one Guardian Angel each – divine protectors giving wisdom.  How loved we are.  As St Bernard said: ‘He has given his angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways’.

We also celebrate an angelic saint, the poor man of Assisi, Francis (1182-1226) – his childlike joy and innocence inspires us to see the true meaning of this life as love of God and neighbour.  We also ask him to bless our animals and pets on this day as their loving patron.

Saturday, the serene monk, St Bruno (1035-1101) – founder of the Carthusian Order who offer prayers when most of us are asleep – their strict silence touches heaven, our destiny.
Fr Michael Seed SA 

29/30 September 2007
Twenty sixth Sunday of the Year      

The Rich Man and Lazurus
This story raises some important questions about the Christian life. The fate of our fellows, the coming of God’s kingdom and our own ability to be detached from earthly goods are brought to mind by this parable.

The different fates after death of the rich man and Lazarus are not based on the rich man having led a life of vice, and Lazarus having been virtuous. They are based on the rich man having had a comfortable life, while Lazarus was hungry and miserable.
The message seems to be that failure to make prudent use of wealth leads to torment. The rich man cries ‘Have mercy on me’ – but had shown no mercy to the beggar at his door during his earthly life. The rich have an urgent duty towards the poor and they will be associated with them in their eternal happiness on the condition that they receive them according to God’s example.

The parable also has something to say about the coming of God’s kingdom. Jesus is not waiting for the reversal of fortunes as if it is something in the dim and distant future. We should live as if the future world had already come; ‘Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.’

Mary expresses the same attitude in the Magnificat; ‘He (God) has pulled down princes from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty.’ This attitude is linked with the Christian virtue of hope, which for St Paul, is a reaching out into the future and making it a present reality. Hope is not a vague desire that things will turn out alright. Hope is a making present of the kingdom. True, the kingdom has not fully arrived, but it is arriving.

Finally almsgiving has an effect on the giver; it is good preparation for death. In learning to let go of our possessions we prepare for that definitive moment of death when we will have to let go of much more than our possessions.
Revd Edward Houghton

22/23 September 2007
Twenty fifth Sunday of the Year      

The Proper Use of Wealth
Luke’s parable of the unjust steward has often been regarded as unusually baffling. The first problem is, who is praising the steward, endearing rascal that he is? If this verse is the end of the parable, then it is, of course, his master, as in the Jerusalem and RSV. But if it is the first verse of the commentary, then the word kyrios can equally be translated as ‘the Lord’. If so, what is Jesus praising?
Commentators agree that this parable is about taking resolute action when faced with a crisis, as Jesus himself was doing in pressing on with his ‘long journey to Jerusalem’ (Luke 9:51 – 19:28), there to face the passion and death which he had already predicted three times. The steward was certainly not being dilatory in taking measures to safeguard his future.

An interesting and persuasive suggestion has been made by G. B. Caird as to what the steward was actually doing. Usury, i.e. taking interest on a loan, was forbidden by the Law. But the Pharisees had allowed it in the case of the sale of wheat and oil, the very commodities mentioned here, on the grounds that the purchaser would have had some supply in his possession, and would not have been in dire need. Furthermore, from the sums concerned, the people here involved were evidently merchants rather than householders. Was the steward, in giving an account of his stewardship, merely subtracting the agreed interest? In the absence of witnesses to the transactions, the master would have had no means of challenging the figures, and being thus compelled to act untypically with true justice, and perhaps being unwilling to let the steward take all the credit for this, he would have chosen to bask in a completely false impression of his beneficence.

But there is a deeper message. The steward, as a son of this world, was making friends for himself who would shield him from the harsh necessity of labouring or begging. What of the sons of light, i.e. the Christians of Luke’s community? Were they neglecting the obligation to share their resources with the poor? If so, they were omitting a necessary aspect of true discipleship.

There Pharisees are a challenge to each one of us to examine our own conscience to judge how far we are faithfully serving Jesus by being generous to the poor and the homeless who surround us in such numbers in the society of which we are members.
Fr Michael Durand

15/16 September 2007
Twenty fourth Sunday of the Year      

Stabat Mater Dolorosa
At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
These are the opening lines of one of the greatest medieval hymns, associated by generations of Catholics with the Stations of the Cross. This beautiful work was written by Jacopone Da Todi (born in 1228 at Todi to a noble family of Benedetti). He took up study of the law in one of the best schools of law at the time in Bologna. After he successfully finished his studies he married a noblewoman called Vanna di Guidone. The marriage, however, did not last even a year. His lovely young wife died in a tragic accident soon after their wedding.  It happened during a great feast at Todi. The raised platform from which she was witnessing a spectacle suddenly collapsed crushing her fatally. When Jacopone reached her side Vanna was dying. She, and she alone, was killed in the fall. As his wife was dying Jacopone discovered that she was wearing a hair shirt, presumably as a penance for his own sins. He was beside himself with grief. He ceased his law practice and putting on a Franciscan tertiary habit for ten years lived penitential life, doing his best to invite the ridicule and mockery of his fellow townsmen.

Later he experienced a great change of heart and he joined the Franciscans. As a religious, his sense of balance gradually returned, and he began to develop his skill as a writer of laudi, popular psalm like poems and songs of a devout and mystical character. During this time of his life he wrote the well-known Latin hymn, the Stabat Mater Dolorosa.Fra Jacopone invites us to stand with Our Lady at the foot of the Cross and share her compassion for her crucified Son.
Those who truly share the compassion of Mary TODAY, see the crucified Christ in all those who suffer in mind or body. All those being crucified by violence and oppression. All the victims of injustice and racism. All those who live in situations of utter despair. All those, who like her Beloved Son, have no place to lay their head.

Last Friday we celebrated the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross and on Saturday the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.   May this beautiful feast never pass you by.
Fr Sławomir Witoń

8/9 September 2007
Twenty third Sunday of the Year      

What’s to do with the children?
I’m absolutely delighted to begin what promises to be a great year for young people at Westminster Cathedral.  Here are a few ideas of how they might be active here:

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a chance at Sunday Mass for children aged 4-10 to hear a version of the Word of God that they can appreciate.  Come to the 9am or noon Mass.  Catechists gather the children by the front pews and take them to the crypt, from where they return in time to bring up the offertory gifts.  Parents are welcome to accompany young ones until they are glad to take part on their own. 

Family Mass is a celebration of Eucharist at 9am on eight Sundays throughout the school year.  The St Vincent DePaul School Choir sings.  The 1st Communion class occupy the front centre of the Cathedral and there are refreshments provided in the Hall after Mass.  See Mr O’Neill at the school to join the choir.

Sunday Bible Fun is for children aged 3-5 years.  A team of energetic volunteers plans activities in the Hinsley Room on Sunday mornings from 10:30am until noon.  There are crafts, games, songs, stories and short films, which are designed to help the children to be happy to participate in the things that we do at church.

New altar servers are always welcome to join and help at Mass.  Children need to have received 1st Communion.  Please contact Mgr Mark Langham to set up a training schedule with the members of the Guild of St Stephen. 

Twin Parishes Project volunteers learn about the missions and put on special events to help.  Many of the helpers are entire families or young people, who are looking for a way to get active along with some of their friends. 

You can probably think of more reasons than I can to get involved in the parish at an early age.  Try using this invitation to get them going:  “Chances are, you’ll have fun!”
Fr Dwayne Bednar

1/2 September 2007
Twenty second Sunday of the Year      

Back to work!
I have always followed a ritual in September: I move furniture, clear out drawers, straighten crooked pictures, and generally try to make myself feel good about myself. This ritual goes back to schooldays, when I consoled myself at the start of a new academic year by buying a new pencil case, polishing my shoes, and having a haircut. For the beginning of term is the end of holidays, when  we think of all the things we meant to do that we didn’t, of all the summer dreams left unfulfilled. Of course, the weather hasn’t helped this year, but there can still be a sense of missed opportunity, of regrets, of frustration.

New beginnings never leave us. Throughout our lives there will always be something new to begin. Some through choice, some through force of circumstance. Beginning school, a new job; moving house; the death of loved ones; new year resolutions, Lenten undertakings, birthday promises. We still expect a lot of our beginnings - you might call it the triumph of hope over experience. No matter what the past has shown, we will not let go of the idea that this beginning will change us - for the better.

And there is surely a value in beginning afresh. A beginning is an assertion of our own identity and capability. We are not simply the victims of history, the playthings of destiny. In beginning, we take our future in our own hands.

Beginnings are studded with possibility - another reason to respect them. They produce unexpected endings. We can begin something for one reason, and end up doing it for another. To begin afresh is an overwhelmingly positive and joyful event. It enables us to become, to be more ourselves, to grow into what we might be. Staying put, we, our message, and our communities, grow stale. We bury our talents in the ground.

To begin is a thrill; to hear anew the Lord's call, in a different way and a different setting. To begin is to rediscover ourselves, to define new strengths, to face new challenges that bring a fresh sense of fulfilment.
Fr Mark

29 July, 5 / 12 / 19 / 26 August 2007
Seventeenth to Twenty First Sunday of the Year      

The Cathedral in Summer
Whether you are a regular worshipper here, or a summer visitor, you can enjoy a particular atmosphere of the Cathedral in these weeks. Is it the light, the summer heat, or the slower pace of life? A mood of calm descends which the inattentive might call sleepy, but which the thoughtful traveller will recognize as heart’s ease, a recollected silence. The very stones of the Cathedral breathe tranquillity, as it seems to settle itself after the frantic activity of the year, providing to the visitor a delightful refuge from the busy pavements of Victoria Street.

Of course, the August light plays its part. Byzantine Cathedrals (such as ours) were authentically erected in the sunny climates of the Mediterranean or Africa, and were never intended for cloudy northern shores. The Byzantines built their churches to commune with the light, to absorb and channel it like the grace of the Holy Spirit that the light represents. Sometimes a gentle glow caresses the marble and mosaic, at other times a piercing beam glances across the vast interior. Visit the Cathedral an hour or so after lunch to see it at its best, aglow with the afternoon sun, assembling the light as though it is an architectural feature.  

Westminster Cathedral is, for the rest of the year, a holy place that successfully combines a busy schedule with a prayerful atmosphere. Keeping that balance is itself a difficult task, and the clergy and staff of the Cathedral work long hours to preserve its tradition. It is right that, for a few weeks, the building radiates a more relaxing atmosphere; one can all but hear it sighing in relief. Then, in these less frantic weeks, we can refresh ourselves with its beauty and holiness, and hear a little more clearly the gentle words of God being spoken in our hearts.
Mgr Mark Langham 

21/22 July 2007
Sixteenth Sunday of the Year      

Grand Organ Recital
There has been a long tradition of organ festivals at Westminster Cathedral dating back to the 1920s, and in the intervening years the most famous players of the time have been invited to play here.  One or two breaks in this tradition have occurred, most recently from 1998 to 2007, and the Master of Music, Martin Baker, thought that now was the time to revive the tradition so that the Grand Organ could be heard in a formal concert series as part of the London musical scene once more.

What makes Westminster Cathedral’s Henry Willis Grand Organ such an extraordinary instrument is that it is located in a single place, all the pipes are situated above the West Door, which is unusual in an English Cathedral and gives the organ great integrity.  It is designed to be a solo instrument, rather than as an accompaniment to choirs, and as such is uncompromising in its design.  In addition to its tonal integrity, the sheer size and power of the organ speaking in the huge cavern of Westminster Cathedral is overwhelming to the listener, although as a very versatile instrument, it is also capable of producing quiet sounds of extreme beauty.

After three excellent recitals in the 2007 Festival, those of James O’Donnell, Ludger Lohmann and Jean Guillou, the next recitalist is Martin Baker himself, whose programme for the recital on the 25th July is both a progression, from C minor to major, and a mirror: the first thunderous note which emits from the organ at the start of the Beethoven ‘Coriolan Overture’ is the same note as finishes the recital in Smetana’s The Bartered Bride - they are both Cs, the lowest note on the organ, the fundamental. Both pieces are transcriptions by Martin Baker and provide the bookends of the programme. In between is the monumental Liszt work, ‘Fantasia on Ad nos ad salutarem undam’ providing the battleground in the recital between the dark and the light, along with two Sagas by Jean Guillou and Guy Bovet’s ‘Tangos Ecclesiaticos’. It promises to be a memorable evening of organ music.

14/15 July 2007
Fifteenth Sunday of the Year      

Neighbours
The Gospel this Sunday poses a fundamental question, who is my neighbour? Jesus answers this with the story of the Good Samaritan. This is about how a member of a despised group, the Samaritans, does the right thing by the Jew who was attacked and in the process setting an example for those who should have known better. The point being made is that we are all each others neighbour and we are duty bound by our common humanity to come to the help of all.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is a beautiful and powerful story; the message is to be a good and kind neighbour. We all have a responsibility to care for others especially those we encounter each day.

At the end of Mass when the Priest says ‘GO’, some people are glad to do so and abandon the building. For many others something very different happens. They stay in the Cathedral or outside, or even go to the Hall or Cathedral Kitchen for a cup of tea or coffee, glad to be together. There is no great rush to get away. Rather a warm, spontaneous socialising takes place. People talk to each other and the atmosphere is pleasant. This latter group of people has grasped instinctively the importance of the end of Mass. It is not a dead empty moment marking the boundary between Mass and real life. It is the moment when all that has been celebrated in the Eucharist is gathered up and owned by each one. Together we are neighbours; we have received the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ Instinctively we have accepted the Lord’s gift of unity. We have recognised each other as sister or brother and cherish the gift. We each have our individuality and that is unique. It is God’s gifts to us, it is our gift to others.

‘‘Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given’’ (Ephesians 4: 7)  The Parish should be the first place in which this manner of relating should be evident. For all there is a realisation that this experience of Eucharist has been very good. It is still good to be together. We have grown in love and are ready to take the Gospel to others .
Sr. Bridget

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