Explaining the revised translation

We had our last in the series of four talks in the parish hall this evening, with cakes!

The session focussed on the changes in the Eucharistic prayers and concluding rites.

It ended with the deeper emphasis on singing that the translation will usher in, as the Missal will now include more in the way of simple chants to accompany the prayers.

Following the diocesan music day last Saturday, we have decided to introduce the new 'Belmont Mass'; this setting is quite simple and dignified and draws on plainchant in a modern way. We will begin to learn it over the next few Sundays and copies of the music have been ordered for everyone. Here's hoping everyone will take to it!

Mgr Conrad Meyer and Mgr Richard Rutt RIP

Today was the requiem Mass for Canon Richard Rutt (right) at St Mary's Falmouth.

He had died just 4 days after Canon Conrad Meyer, (left) whose funeral took place last Thursday at Holy Trinity Newquay.

Both were Anglican bishops - Fr Rutt had been suffragan in St Germans (later of Leicester) and Fr Meyer assistant in Truro. They were both received into the Catholic Church after the vote for women priests - and then ordained as priests on 8th June 1995. Both were gracious and humble gentlemen who brought their own inspiring witness of faith to their respective Catholic parishes.

It was fascinating to learn a little of Fr Rutt's life. He had been stationed at Bletchley Park during the war to help with code-breaking; he could speak 14 languages (and was known to compose limericks in Latin and Greek). He spent 20 years in Korea as an Anglican missionary; he learnt to speak fluent Korean.
He was also famous for his books on knitting: he once knitted himself a mitre!
His beloved wife Joan pre-deceased him by a few years.

May they both rest in peace.
(Please pray also for Fr Conrad's wife Mary).

                                          

Fr Rutt kindly donated these copes to our parish some years ago. They are made from fine Korean silk.

Faith Summer Session

Last week the Faith Summer Session for young Catholic adults (15-30 yrs) took place once again at Woldingham School in Surrey. Nearly 300 people attended, including a large contingent from Scotland and 15 seminarians. Around 30 priests were there too (4 newly ordained).

The theme was "Love as I have loved you" The Vocation to Love; there were 8 magnificent talks both by priests and lay people. It is uplifting and inspiring to meet so many bright young people who have a whole-hearted love for the Catholic Faith and are so keen to learn more.

There are some photos here and more here (thanks to Fr Tim Finigan and Mac Mclernon)

Here is the contingent from the 'South West' including Camborne, Redruth, Truro and Newquay.

Here are the seminarians (including Fr Chris's brother)

I'm not sure who this guy is, but what a t-shirt!

The treasure of our Catholic Faith

The Gospel for this Sunday tells the parables of the treasure buried in the field and the pearl of great price. So often we not only take the amazing gift of our faith for granted, we don't feel confident in sharing it with others. The American CatholicsComeHome site presents a bold invitation to rediscover that treasure.

Apostleship of the Sea

Today we support the charity that has pastoral care for seafarers:

http://apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/cms/welcome-to-apostleship-sea

It seems to have been transformed into a highly efficient organisation in recent years.

Portreath (see image on the parish website) is the only patch of coast in the parish. The small port was formerly used for sending copper ore to Wales and receiving coal in return and for pilchard fishing.

Honouring the wisdom of Christ

Today is the octave day of the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

The English teacher-mystic Teresa Higginson (died 1906) claimed that Jesus had requested this day as a time to venerate his Sacred Head, the seat of divine wisdom and shrine of the powers of his soul (memory, understanding, will). This would bring glory to the Church and repair in some way the rejection of his saving wisdom in this modern world. Mass will be offered this evening in Redruth for that intention.

There is an increasing interest in this holy woman and moves are afoot to restart the cause for her canonisation.

More information here: http://www.sacredhead.org/

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.