A Visit to Gwennap Pit

The parish priest of Launceston, Bude and Holsworthy is visiting the far west for a few days. Being a local history buff, he wanted to see the place where the famous luminary of Methodism, John Welsey, preached 18 times (lastly in 1789 when he was 86).

As you can see, we didn't have too many people listening this time, but then Methodists wouldn't expect their preacher to wear a Pope Benedict t-shirt.

The Chideock Martyrs

Today we celebrate some special martyrs of our diocese: Blessed John Cornelius and his companions. Blessed John was born of Irish parents in Bodmin. Sir John Arundell of Lanherne sent him to Oxford. He then studied at Rheims and was ordained in Rome. He worked for 10 years in England before being arrested as chaplain to Lady Arundell at Chideock castle.

A cousin of the Arundells, Thomas Bosgrave, gave John his hat as he was being escorted to the sheriff's house and was promptly arrested - along with two servants of the castle (so be careful who you give your hat to). All were executed at Dorchester on July 4th 1594.

Chideock is a peaceful spot in west Dorset; there is a fine shrine to the martyrs with its own website:  http://www.chideockmartyrschurch.org.uk/

New windows for St John's

A photo from 1909 shows the front of St John's - before the doorway was made.

The windows were 'leaded light panes'

These must have been replaced (not as a result of the riots - which were in 1882) with what really looked like opaque bathroom glass:

So at long last, thanks to Finbars Glass of Liskeard, the glass has now been restored to the original 'leaded light' type. They certainly let more light into the interior of the church, but they also smarten up the fronting.

Presenting the New Translation

We had our first of four evenings on the new translation of the Mass last night; 22 people attended. We watched a series of video clips from the  resources provided by the bishops.

In particular we looked at the historical development of the Mass and the background to the first translation into English in the 'Sixties. It followed the technique devised by the scholar Eugene Nida and known as 'dynamic equivalence'. However, it seems he really intended this technique for Scriptual translation and since the whole process was rushed through in those heady days, we were left with a slightly dumbed-down version of the Mass.

Following the latest version of the Roman Missal, the Church was given clearer guidelines for translation in 2001. This has resulted in the more 'formal equivalence' version that we will begin using shortly. The language will be a little more formal - it will be more consciously addressed to God and therefore appear more sacral in tone; the scriptural allusions will be more pronounced and the theological significance of the prayers will be richer for being more clearly and accurately articulated.

It will be a challenge for all of us getting used to some of the texts (others have barely changed). Everyone in the parish will shortly be issued with a booklet and there will be Mass cards for all. However, as Pope Benedict told us last year, it is going to a real moment of grace for us all. If some older priests across the waters are unsure about it all, it has to be said that there are many priests in this country who are looking forward to it with great hope.

Feast of Sts Peter and Paul

In his Angelus address today, the Holy Father called these two saints 'the arms of the Cross'.
St Peter is the vertical beam, reaching from the rock to heaven. St Peter sures up our faith and points us to God.

St Paul is the horizontal beam, like the east-west axis of the compass, bringing Christ across the globe. St Paul unites all peoples through Christ.

St Peter strengthen our faith in Christ and his Church!

St Paul inspire us to share Jesus with all those we meet!

New Vatican news site

Pope Benedict sent his first tweet - in English - to announce the launch of the new Vatican news site www.news.va/en

Treasures of Heaven

Archbishop Vincent Nichols has praised the new exhibition of relics and reliquaries at the British Museum in London:

“I would just urge Catholics in England and Wales and from further afield to make the effort to come to the British Museum some time between now and October to take up this very unique opportunity. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime, and it’s well worth the journey.”

Parishioners have already suggested a parish trip all the way to London...

Video Introduction to the exhibition

Thank God for fine weather

Our Procession yesterday - twice around Lemon Quay since new regulations have ruled out crossing roads to the cathedral - went off perfectly. The sun was hot. However, our fine canopy seems to have mysteriously gone missing! But with so many altar servers and torch bearers, the Blessed Sacrament was carried with great devotion and we presented a dignified witness to our faith for the respectful onlookers of Truro.

Corpus Christi 2011

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world".            Jn 6:51

This video documents a modern day Eucharistic miracle in Argentina:

And here is a brave witness in the city of Preston:

Our Cornwall Deanery Procession begins at 3pm
- Sunday 26th June - in Lemon Quay, Truro

Buckfast Retreat

From Friday 3rd to Sunday 6th June, the annual parish retreat took place at Buckfast Abbey in Devon for the first time. The theme, 'The Power of the Holy Eucharist', was inspired by Pope Benedict's words on the New Translation of the Mass. The first talk: 'The Power of the Real Presence' was given by Fr Dylan James, lecturer on moral theology at St John's Seminary. Robbie Low a catechist from Bodmin parish, presented the second talk(below) : 'The Power of the Sacrifice'.

It is vital to take time out of routine, if we possibly can, to refocus our relationship with God. Apart from Mass, morning and evening prayer and a holy hour in our own private chapel, we joined the monks for atmospheric night prayer in the abbey church. Southgate retreat house impressed everyone and the food was splendid. We were all very grateful to Br Stephen, the guestmaster - and all the monks - for their hospitality.

Some of us even managed to make it up to the top of the hill to see the ruined church.

There was a slight dispute about Fr Chris' assessment of the length of a mile...  

What we did agree on was that we should try to go to Buckfast once more next year. (We hope to set up a fund to discreetly assist those who might find costs challenging).