Papal Visit and Newman Beatification

Many thanks to all of the Brothers who worked so tirelessly in order to make the London Oratory's events honouring the Papal Visit and the Beatification of B. John Henry, Cardinal Newman, so memorable.

As well as serving the (truly spectacular) High Mass of Thanksgiving for the Beatification, Brothers assisted as Ushers at the concert in the Oratory Church, assisted with setting up and dismantling the exhibition in S. Wilfrid's Hall, and were on duty at the reception at the launch of the exhibition.

It has been a very busy period, but one which will be remembered for a long time to come.

Thank you all.

Programme for September 2010

Wednesday 8th September
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mass at weekday times.

Tuesday 14th September
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Mass at weekday times.

Wednesday 15th September
Feast of the Seven Dolours of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mass at weekday times.

Thursday 16th September-Sunday 19th September
Visit of the Holy Father to Great Britain
Brothers are exhorted to increase their prayers for the Holy Father and for this country during this visit.

Friday 17th September
Concert at 7.00p.m. in the Oratory Church. Six Brothers will be needed to act as Ushers. Any Brothers who are willing and able to assist should contact the Secretary.

Sunday 19th September
Beatification of the Venerable John Henry Newman by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

Sunday 19th-Friday 24th September
Exhibition of illustrations of Papal Corpus Christi Processions in St Wilfrid's Hall

Wednesday 22nd September
High Mass of thanksgiving for the Beatification of John Henry Newman, followed by the blessing of a new altar by His Grace the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster at 6.30p.m.

Sunday 26th September
Re-commencement of the exercises and Congregation of Elections ca. 4.30p.m in the Little Oratory.

Wednesday 29th September
Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel
Mass at weekday times

Solemn Benediction at 6.30p.m.

September Programme Covering Letter

The following is the text of the covering letter for the September Programme sent by the Secretary and Rector to the Brothers:
The state visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Great Britain guarantees that this month will be exceptionally busy for the Little Oratory. Whilst the most significant will be the beatification of the Venerable John Henry Newman, a number of events will take place in conjunction with the Holy Father's visit. Many of you will be aware that the Victoria and Albert Museum will be hosting an exhibition of the Raphael tapestries which are on loan from the Vatican. On Friday 17th September, a concert of sacred music will be performed by the choir at 7.00p.m, for which six Brothers will be needed to act as Ushers, robed. Any Brother who is willing and able to assist should contact the Secretary using the details below. God Willing, His Holiness will beatify John Henry Newman, adding another Oratorian to the beati in a ceremony on Sunday 19th September. In thanksgiving for this highly important act, a High Mass will be offered in the Oratory Church on Wednesday 22nd September at 6.30p.m, followed by the blessing of a new altar by our Archbishop, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols.

The formal exercises will re-commence with the Congregation of Elections on Sunday 26th September in the Little Oratory after Vespers.
Next month, the Oratory's annual series of the October Organ Recitals on Monday evenings at 7.30p.m. will re-commence. For the last two years, a number of the Brothers have acted as Ushers. We have been asked again to provide Ushers for this year's series. If any of you are willing and able to assist, then please contact the Secretary by email or via written correspondence to Oratory House.

As is especially evident from this letter and this month's programme, the Brothers have a great deal of work to do. Whilst we understand that a number of Brothers are unfortunately only able to come to the Oratory and help on a limited basis, we would like them to remember that they can still offer inestimable assistance through their prayers, for which we are very grateful. All the Brothers are exhorted to pray very much for the Holy Father's visit, and for further vocations to the Oratory Community in London, and to the Brothers of the Little Oratory. We look forward to seeing of many of you as possible on Friday 5th November for the Annual Mass of Requiem for departed Brothers at 7.15p.m, followed by the annual dinner.

Serving List for September 2010

Here is this month's serving list:

Sunday 5th September
9.00a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
James Godwin & Matthew Schellhorn
11.00a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; Francis Carey; Oliver McCarthy & Neil Glanfield
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers and Benediction:
James Cross; Joel Coles; Matthew Schellhorn & Richard McCarthy

Sunday 12th September
9.00a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
James Cross & Timothy Ashurst
11.00a.m. High Mass:
James Cooper & Parish boys
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers and Benediction:
James Cross; Philip Benzinski; Jean Leger & James Godwin

Sunday 19th September
9.00a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Timothy Ashurst & Oliver McCarthy
11.00a.m. High Mass:
James Godwin; James Cross; Richard McCarthy & Matthew Schellhorn
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers and Benediction:
James Cross; Michael Tweedale; James Godwin & Jean Leger

Wednesday 22nd September
6.30p.m. High Mass of Thanksgiving for the Beatification of the Venerable John Henry, Cardinal Newman (Cong. Orat.):
Fr Rupert; James Cross; Patrick Roberts; James Godwin & Philip Benzinski; Jean Leger & Timothy Ashurst; Matthew Schellhorn & Oliver McCarthy

Sunday 26th September
9.00a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Richard McCarthy & Anthony Jeffery
11.00a.m. High Mass:
James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; Philip Benzinski & James Godwin
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers and Benediction:
James Cross; James Godwin; Oliver McCarthy & Richard McCarthy

Wednesday 29th September
The Holy Archangels
6.30p.m. Solemn Benediction: James Cross; Philip Benzinski; James Godwin & Jean Leger

An Appeal for Circumspection

As we are all only too well aware, the situation in the Birmingham Oratory is far from happy, and has given rise to a great deal of comment and speculation in the press.

It would be most unhelpful were any Brother of the Little Oratory in London to be seen to be making public or semi-public statements on this matter.

We must refrain from any comment when asked by outsiders, other than to say that it is an internal matter for the Birmingham House, and must be careful not to discuss this situation amongst ourselves where there is the possibility of our being overheard. We must also refrain from entering the fray of comments in the blogosphere.

We should be praying - not indulging in conjecture and gossip.

Serving Lists

Our Ceremoniere does his utmost to allot the serving duties evenly amongst the serving Brothers. It can, I know, sometimes seem to each of us as if a great deal is being demanded of us, but serving at the Altar is one of the duties of the Brothers, and is also a tremendous privilege.

If any Brother is unable to fulfil his obligation as published on the list, it falls to him, in the first instance, to arrange cover.

It is not acceptable simply to cross one's name out on the Sacristy list, with or without the legend 'Away' or something similar - replacements do not materialize on their own.

It is equally unacceptable to announce to the Ceremoniere of a particular function, on the day of that function, that one will not be available to fulfil one's obligation later in the day - he himself may well have no time to arrange for cover - without having first taken all reasonable steps to secure a replacement.

Serving List for August 2010

Here is this month's serving list:

Sunday 1st August
9.00a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Richard McCarthy & Matthew Schellhorn
11.00a.m. High Mass:
James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; Neil Glanfield & Francis Carey
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Philip Benzinski; Jean Leger & James Godwin

Sunday 8th August
9.00a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Oliver McCarthy & James Godwin
11.00a.m. High Mass:
James Cooper & Parish boys
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Michael Tweedale; Oliver McCarthy & Jean Leger

Sunday 15th August
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9.00a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Timothy Ashurst & Anthony Jeffery
11.00a.m. High Mass:
Richard McCarthy; James Cross; Bernard Diver & Philip Benzinski
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
Fr Rupert & James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; Richard McCarthy & Philip Benzinski

Sunday 22nd August
9.00a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Joel Coles & Timothy Ashurst
11.00a.m. High Mass:
Oliver McCarthy; Pat Roberts; Neil Glanfield & Richard McCarthy
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
Timothy Ashurst; James Godwin; Jean Leger & Oliver McCarthy

Sunday 29th August
9.00a.m. Old Rite Low Mass:
Oliver McCarthy & James Cross
11.00a.m. High Mass:
James Godwin; Richard McCarthy; Matthew Schellhorn & James Cross
3.30p.m. Solemn Vespers & Benediction:
James Cross; Oliver McCarthy; Jean Leger & Matthew Schellhorn