Mass of Thanksgiving for the York Oratory
There will be a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving for the establishment of the York Oratory on Saturday, 22 February at 12 noon, celebrated by Bishop Terence Patrick. Bishop Robert Byrne of Hexham and Newcastle will be the preacher. Our Fr Procurator, Fr Michele Nicolis of the Verona Oratory, will read the Papal Brief and will be accompanied by the Oratorian Fr Visitor
Fr Marco Guillén of the Toronto Oratory.
Epiphany House Blessing
Those who attended the rather dramatic Epiphany blessing of Holy Water last Sunday by Bishop Robert will be interested to see that the labour was not in vain. That evening Fr Richard used it to bless the Oratory House.
If anyone would like to have their home blessed, please contact Fr Richard.
Christmas Service Times at the York Oratory Parishes
MASSES AT ST WILFRID’S
Tuesday, 24 December, Christmas Eve
6.00pm Sung Mass with Carols followed by Blessing of the Crib. PLEASE NOTE EARLIER TIME THAN LAST YEAR
11.15pm Carols and Readings followed by Midnight Sung Latin High Mass
Wednesday, 25 December, Christmas Day
8.30am Mass with Carols
10.30am Sung Mass with Carols
4pm Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Prayers at the Crib
Thursday, 26 December, St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day)
Mass at 12.10pm
MASSES AT ST JOSEPH’S
Tuesday, 24 December, Christmas Eve
Mass at 5.00pm with Carols and Blessing of the Crib
Wednesday, 25 December, Christmas Day
Sung Mass at 9.30am with Carols
Thursday, 26 December, St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day)
No Mass
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CHANGES
Friday 27 to Tuesday 31 December Masses as usual in St Wilfrid’s but no Masses at St Joseph’s. There will be no Exposition or Confessions before Masses and no Vespers or Benediction on Sunday, 29 December.
Wednesday, 1 January, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
No Mass at St Joseph’s. Mass at 12.10pm in St Wilfrid’s
Christmas Presents
We had a marvellous response to the appeal for Christmas presents for deprived children. Here they are ready for delivery. Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to buy and wrap them...
A message from HRH the Prince of Wales in support of persecuted Christians
There is an excellent message today from HRH the Prince of Wales in support of persecuted Christians. You can watch it here.
Choral Scholarships
The newly-formed York Oratory is seeking to appoint four choral scholars (SATB) from January 2020. This is an excellent opportunity for young singers looking to develop their experience and confidence with church music in a one-to-a-part choir. In the course of the scholarship, singers can expect to gain experience of a wide range of sacred music, including Gregorian chant, polyphony, classical mass settings and other repertoire up to the early twentieth century. Details of the Choral Scholarships can be found by clicking here.
Musical Oratory Pictures
We were honoured with the presence of Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey of Middlesbrough, Bishop Ralph Heskett C.Ss.R. of Hallam and our own Oratorian brother, Bishop Robert Byrne of Hexham and Newcastle at a Musical Oratory last Thursday to celebrate the canonisation of St John Henry Newman. The Anglican Bishop of Beverley, our friend Bishop Glyn Webster, was the ecumenical representative and read a reading from Newman's writings. Other passages were read by parishioners, interspersed with Newman's own hymns and choral pieces beautifully sung by our choir. The whole thing concluded with Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Fr Daniel led the service and Fr Richard preached a fervorino - or sermon in the Oratorian style. Here are some pictures from the evening.
Blessing of the Angelus Bell
Bishop Robert Byrne of the Oratory, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, blessed our new bell last Thursday when he came to the Musical Oratory in celebration of St John Henry's canonisation. The bell was given the name "John Henry".
This impressive blessing, full of scriptural references, is sometimes known as the "baptism of a bell". The bell is anointed with the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Chrism and washed with holy water.
The bell will be installed in the tower in the next few days and will start ringing the daily Angelus soon after. (The Angelus is a prayer commemorating the Incarnation of Our Lord and traditionally rung each day at 12 noon and 6pm.)
We are especially pleased that our new bell was formerly hung in a buoy in the English Channel as a warning to shipping in danger of running on to the rocks in darkness or fog. That seems a fitting metaphor for the bell's new and spiritual purpose, calling us to prayer....
St Wilfrid's Bell Ringers. Often heard, rarely seen!
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
This year the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is kept on Sunday, 8 December in the Extraordinary Form. There will be a High Mass at 12:00 noon. In the Ordinary Form it is celebrated on Monday, 9 December. There will be hymns at the 12:10pm Mass. The Novena in preparation for the Solemnity will be after every 12:10pm Mass and at Benediction on Sunday.