A Notre Dame Sister wrote the following article about the great Province Jubilee Mass that was celebrated in St Mary’s Clapham on the 2nd July 2016. Afterwards there were further celebrations in the monastery garden.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR Jubilee Mass A Jubilee Mass in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour was held in the Redemptorist Church of St. Mary’s Clapham, on Saturday 2nd. July 2016. The Principal Celebrant was Bishop Ralph Heskett CSsR, in the presence of His Eminence Vincent Cardinal Nichols. It was to commemorate the event when 150 years ago Pope Pius IX entrusted the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour to the Redemptorists with the instruction, “Make her known”. The original Icon is venerated in the Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome which is the titular Church of Cardinal Vincent Nichols. The very first copy of it was placed in Bishop Eton Monastery in Liverpool.
Friends and parishioners from all parts of the British Isles joined the celebration, and I joined the coach from Bishop Eton. The journey took 5 hours 30 minutes (with stop) each way, and I never noticed the time passing! The whole service was introduced by the Very Rev. Fr. Ronald McAinch CSsR and it was good to see him looking so well after what he described to me was a 9 month serious illness. We were inspired by the homily given by Fr. Richard Reid CSsR Rector and Vicar Provincial, introducing us to the stories connected with the introduction and following devotion to the Icon installed in their Lady Chapel, and the final Address given by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. He told us the story of how his Mother described the Icon to him when he was a little lad, and flowing from it, how his love of our Lady under that title grew. The singing was vigorous as the church was packed, but the two simple hymns sung by 3 rows of 6 year olds from St. Mary’s, who from the front benches turned to face the congregation, was delightful! The weather was kind to us, and we enjoyed a ‘garden party’ afterwards where many people renewed old friendships and also made new ones, and where I met Sr. Pat Ellen. The whole day was one of thanksgiving and blessings. I loved the INCLYTA – (sung by the Redemptorist priests only) so I finish with the first verse which we can pray too; Noble and devoted Virgin, Look down on us O Mary protect our life, direct our actions.
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Dear Confreres and friends,
This month has just flown by and the celebrations for the conclusion of the Year of our Mother of Perpetual Help will take place in Clapham on Saturday in the presence of Cardinal Nichols, Bishop Ralph, our confreres, and friends and parishioners from many parts of the country.
I appreciate that in many communities and parishes a great effort has been made during this year to honour our Lady of Perpetual Help in a special way. I was in Clapham for a couple of days during the Nine Days Prayers where Fr. Raymond Mupandasekwa and Fr. Peter Morris preached to good numbers. I was also able to attend the beatification of Mother Maria Celeste Crostorosa with Fr. Richard and Fr. Dan Baragry, the Provincial of Dublin. There was a very large contingent of Redemptoristine Sisters from every continent.
One of the highlights of the month was the celebration of the Perpetual Vows of Brother Charles Randall, and his ordination as Deacon the following day. Charles’s ordination to the priesthood has been provisionally booked for 8th December in Clapham.
We shall be welcoming back from Canada, Mike Taylor and Royston Price in a couple of weeks. Both make their first Profession in Bishop Eton on 15th August. I again thank the formators of all our men for accompanying them over the years.
Many of you will have received the new catalogue from Redemptorist Publications which comes in a new format, and I believe to be very attractive.
The work of refurbishing the monastery in Clapham continues, with the painting being at an advanced stage. Fr George Webster has injured his leg, but assures me that he remains well.
In Birmingham, Fr. Mark Chandavengerwa is assisting the community and working in the parish. He will complete his Master’s thesis in the next few weeks.
Fr Jan Milcz celebrates the Golden Jubilee of his ordination on 1 July and we again congratulate Fr Jan on this special occasion. Members of his family are travelling from Poland for the celebration.
At Bishop Eton, the work of re-ordering the rooms in order to make them en-suite is also progressing. This will be discussed at the Finance Secretariat meeting on Monday, and we will use the reserves in the Sick and Retired Fund to help us cover the costs.
Our two confreres in Hawkstone remain placid and calm. We do have a sale and we await the outcome. Obviously for overseas buyers, the Brexit effect is real.
The work in Kinnoull continues with the possession date being pushed back yet again. When I visited two days ago, there were 14 painters at work besides many other tradesmen. I must say however that the House looks magnificent. The latest date for completion is 22 July. Moving in will be a huge challenge. I go to Zimbabwe that weekend to preach the Regional retreat.
In Harare on 17th July a new group of Novices from Zimbabwe and Kenya will begin their Novitiate under the direction of Fr. Joseph Musendami who has been appointed Novice Master. Bro. David Nyamuronda will be Socius. A petition has been sent to Fr. General to confirm the canonical erection of the House and also the appointment of Fr. Joseph. Please keep this new community in your prayers.
Frs. Gerry Mulligan or Martin Gay will be sending out application letters for the Province gathering in Kinnoull in September. I do hope as many of you as possible will attend.
Birthdays: Fr M. McGreevy 4th (80th !), Fr O. Keyes, 11 th, Fr. C Corrigan, 15th , Fr T. Creech, 21St, Fr K. Callaghan, 24th , Bro. Thomas, 31 st . Fr G. Maguire, 31 st.
I wish you all a pleasant July and a blessed feast of the Most Holy Redeemer on the 17th. In our churches the traditional collection for our Students should be taken. This will be shared between the Province and the Region for the work of Formation.
I leave you with an extract from Constitution 2:
“All Redemptorists, urged on by the apostolic spirit, and imbued with the zeal of their founder, continue the tradition developed by their confreres in the past, and are ever attentive to the signs of the times. Sent as helpers, companions and ministers of Jesus Christ in the great work of redemption to preach the word of salvation to the poor, they build up an apostolic community specially dedicated to the Lord.”
In Christ the Redeemer, Ronald J. McAinsh, C.Ss.R. Provincial Superior