News
Parish Census
If you come to Mass in our church, please fill in the census form by clicking here.
Every now and again we notice that a regular parishioner has suddenly stopped coming to Mass. This may be for any one of several reasons: perhaps they have moved away; perhaps they have gone to another parish; or perhaps something has gone wrong. Sometimes we have discovered later that they were sick but we couldnt get in touch with them because we didnt have any contact details. We have even had people complain that none of the priests ever came to see them but, again, we often dont have contact details.
We would like to carry out a census of the parish, and today we shall begin handing out leaflets inviting everyone who comes here to Mass to complete the details and return the form so that we can provide better pastoral care for you, the people who come here to the Oratory for Mass. Even if you think we already have your details, please do complete the form.
The form also includes details about events and groups in the parish that you might not realize exist, so giving you the chance to become more involved in the life of the parish if you would like to.
You will also have the chance to ask questions of the Fathers or of members of the Parish Advisory Group. All the information you offer will, of course, be treated as confidential and will not be handed on to others. You will also be able to complete the form on-line clicking the link above.
Thank-you in advance for helping us to get to know you better.
Fr Gregory Winterton RIP
Of your charity please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Gregory Winterton of the Birmingham Oratory, who died on Wednesday 18th January 2012, fortified by the rites of Holy Church.
May he rest in peace.
Solemn Profession at St Cecilia's Abbey, Ryde
Five of the Fathers and many of our parishioners were able to go to St Cecilia's Abbey, Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, on Friday 6th January, Solemnity of the Epiphany, for the Solemn Profession and Consecration of Sister Elizabeth Burgess, formerly of this parish.
The ceremony was very beautiful, consisting of the Monastic Profession, the signing of the Profession Chart, the Investiture in the cowl, the Litany of the Saints, followed by the Consecration to Virginity, with the giving of the black veil, the Ring and the Book of the Divine Office.
St Cecilia's is a Benedictine Monastery of the Solesmes Congregation, and carries out the whole of the Divine Office with Gregorian Chant.
Afterwards, guests joined the nuns for a festive recreation in the large parlour, where there were a number of entertainments:
Is it a race?
Construction of new Libraries is always an exciting thing. Definite decisions on our new Building including the New Library are expected soon (yes, we keep saying that), and we have taken a significant first step by packing up and placing in store a large proportion of the Oratory's collections of books.
Here they are, boxed up and ready to go. We have been very kindly loaned the use of a warm, dry, safe storage area for boxes, as well as a certain amount of furniture which we hope will be useful in the New Building. But it does mean that for the coming months we will be unable to browse in some of our more interesting ancient books, including the Acta Sanctorum and the Corpus Byzantini, not to mention secular history, archaeology and some other smaller classes, and a selection of the less likely books in other areas. Oh well, if really needed we can drive to the store, locate the relevant box and extract a book quicker than our competitor could get a book back from Swindon.
Our competitor? There is, we find, another library being built in the city. Who will finish first? Up to you, really, and, yes, there is still time for you to have the library named after you for a consideration...
Another Library. But we have books they haven't got.
Epiphany Chalk
In some countries it is traditional to bless houses at Epiphanytide with blessed chalk. There is some of this chalk at the back of church for you to take away. The inscription for you to write up above your door is:
20+C+M+B+12
CMB stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" - or alternatively, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.
