The Mass is often referred to as “the source and summit of Christian life”. This beautiful phrase comes from no less a source than Lumen Gentium, the Vatican Council’s document on the nature of the Church. Another central document after the Council says

“The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit.” (Instruction on the Eucharist Eucharisticum Mysterium 1967)

This summer we moved to a situation of fewer Sunday Masses – going from seven to five. Clearly, in view of Fr Tomy’s leaving us, there is no going back to the former arrangements. We are also now in closer cooperation with our neighbouring parishes – St Philip Evans and St Teilo/Our Lady of Lourdes in the so-called “Northern Arc”. This is particularly relevant regarding Fr Gareth Leyshon’s undertaking to celebrate a 9am Mass each Sunday with us. All other Masses are at present celebrated by me.

We now need to reach a decision for a longer term than just the past summer. I am already taking soundings from some groups, and will be meeting with two parish council members from each of our 3 Churches in the next week or two. I am aware from several years ago of other views also.

My own prayerful reflection is that perhaps the Lord is encouraging us to take hold of this new situation and do “something beautiful for God” to quote a well-known book about Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. We should be thinking not so much “What do I want?” but rather “What do we need?” and “What does God want?” Originally my intention was to simply decide and implement a schedule, but I have found it difficult to decide. It is out of that difficulty that I have been led to think a little more creatively. What is the best way for us together to achieve that “communion in divine life” and “unity of the People of God”. So rather than your opinion, which you are still welcome to share, I would prefer your prayers, as I mentioned at Masses last Sunday. And that prayer should be along the lines of “Lord, we/I will do whatever you want”.

Fr Matthew