Must-Reads
Cardinal Vincent Nichols has released a pastoral letter which was read out in many parishes last Sunday: https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/osterley/wp-content/uploads/sites/167/2021/09/Pastoral-Letter-Synodal-pathway-3rd-October-2021.pdf
Austen Ivereigh writes about the upcoming synod: https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/spirit-assembly
Move For Trees
I shall be walking 50km between 1-31 October to raise money for the National Trust to fulfil their pledge to plant and establish 20 million trees by 2030.
Trees provide homes for wildlife, reduce flooding and clean our air. Today the UK is the least wooded country in Europe, and 41% of UK wildlife species have been in decline since 1970. When you plant a tree, you contribute to reducing emissions, as these hardy plants work hard to lock up carbon. These trees will also open up new habitats for wildlife such as the red squirrel, the hazel dormouse, the greater spotted woodpecker and other birds like the song thrush and the red kite. Trees are good for nature. They're good for the climate. And they're good for people. It costs just £5 to plant one sapling and help grow the woodland of the future.
Pope Francis, in his encyclical Laudato Si’, speaks of “a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions” amongst which he includes planting trees. In response to the Pope’s call let’s see if we can get one tree planted on behalf of every Catholic in the country! That would equate to over 4 million trees!
If you wish to support this cause and contribute to my fundraiser please click here.
Deo Gratias
At 4pm on Saturday 9th October Deo Gratias will meet at the Rosary Shrine to discuss the Terence Malick film A Hidden Life, which explores the life and faith of Austrian farmer and martyr Blessed Franz Jagerstatter.
Young Adults Adoration
On Monday 11th October at 7pm St Mary’s Church in Clapham are hosting Eucharistic Adoration for young adults followed by drinks in a nearby pub.
Walking Pilgrimage to Priory Ruins
On Saturday 16th October I intend to walk from Wraysbury Station to the ruins of the 12th century priory at Ankerwycke dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. This walking pilgrimage will also count towards my 50 kilometres of walking to raise funds for the National Trust’s tree-planting project.
Looking for flatmate
Flat on Kew Road (with balcony!) and only a 10 minute walk to Richmond station. Rent is £800pcm including council tax, but excluding utilities. Available from 4th November. Let me know if you are interested or know anyone who might be.
Hot off the press
Fr Lawrence Lew’s new book on the Rosary is now available from the Catholic Truth Society here. The book is being launched on Thursday 7th October (feast of Our Lady of the Rosary) in the cloister of St Dominic’s Priory after the 6pm Mass in the priory church.
Men’s Prayer Group - Opus Dei
“Opus Dei’s main activity consists in offering its members, and other people, the spiritual means they need to live as good Christians in the midst of the world,” explained its founder St Josemaria Escriva (Conversations, 27). That is why each month they organise a monthly men’s meeting (called a “circle”) for those wanting to grow in the spiritual life which will take place at 7.30pm on Friday 8th October at 8 Orme Court, London, W2 4RQ. For those who cannot make it that evening it shall be repeated at 7.30pm at the same venue on Wednesday 13th October. The circle will consist of a reading from the Gospel of the day and a formational talk on a doctrinal or ascetical topic before concluding with a social. There are similar formational activities on offer for women. For more information contact the Opus Dei Information Office at info@opusdei.org.uk or call (020) 7221 9176.
Rosary Shrine Art Tour
On Saturday 9th October at 6pm the St Willibrord Fellowship are organising an art tour of the Rosary Shrine; the tour to be given by Fr Lawrence Lew O.P. Tickets can be booked here. The tour will be followed by a Rosary Procession at 7pm.
Our Lady of Willesden Candlelit Procession
On Sunday 10th October at 7pm there will be a candlelit Rosary procession beginning at the shrine of Our Lady of Willesden. Following the procession, the group will return to the shrine church for a homily given by Bishop Michael Campbell OSA and Benediction. The Rosary Shrine will also be holding candlelit Rosary processions at 7pm on all the Saturdays of October.
Nightfever
On Saturday 23rd October St Patrick’s Soho will host Nightfever from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Nightfever is a night of music, adoration and personal prayer. Volunteers stand on the street inviting passers-by to come into the church and light a candle.
Rosary Vigil
The Rosary Shrine will host a Rosary Vigil at 7pm on Saturday 30th October. The Vigil will include Adoration and readings from the saints, a Eucharistic Rosary Procession, and music composed and conducted by Pawel Bebenek.
Plenary Indulgences
On Thursday 7th October, Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, a plenary indulgence is available (under the usual conditions) to all members of the Rosary Confraternity. Don’t delay, join today!
Quote of the Week
“The Holy Rosary: the joys, the sorrows, and the glories of the life of Our Lady weave a crown of praises, repeated ceaselessly by the Angels and the Saints in Heaven - and by those who love our Mother here on earth. - Practice this holy devotion every day, and spread it.”
St Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, 621
Spiritual Reading
The Consolation of the Devout Soul
Chapter 1, Section 6: Shows that we should all tend towards Christian perfection.
This perfect sanctity is without doubt what God desires in all Christians; in fact, who would dare to say that God permits us to commit venial sins, and will be contented that we should prefer our own will and pleasure to His, leaving undone what we clearly know to be His pleasure? A master will not endure to receive from his servant serious injustice and wrongs, but neither will he be at all content to receive small annoyances from him. A master insists that his servant shall obey him in those things which he absolutely commands, but he also wishes him to carry out any unexpressed desire; and consequently that servant only is considered the best who takes care not to cause his master knowingly any, even the very least, displeasure, and who endeavours to satisfy his desires in all things. Could we imagine that our most wise and most just Master will be content with less? No. This sanctity is certainly the only kind that fully satisfies God, and renders the soul perfect. To this I exhort you, and I propose to show you that it is not too difficult of attainment.