All Saints Parish Mission
When the Spirit Came to All Saints
4th - 12th June 2011
A
Personal Response
by
Mary Richardson
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All Saints Parish Mission When the Spirit Came to All Saints 4th - 12th June 2011 A
Personal Response |
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With
the arrival of the long awaited Mission for All Saints, Father
Colm Kilcoyne introduced himself and his mission |
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June 6th : Saint Michael's Setting the scene Being a catholic today
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Visiting a different church within the Parish, going to Mass on a different day of the week, meeting new people; such was the trepidation faced by myself (and others I'm sure) as I arrived for the first Mission Mass. How apt then was the topic Father Kilcoyne shared with us that day. He told us of the first Christians in the Centuries after the death of Christ, how the leaders of that early church would baptise them not only with immersion in water, but also a calling from the darkness into the light of Christ. As the setting sun cast its glorious rays over the church, I for one, hung on every word in learning and wonder of such incredible history of the early church. I also thought about Baby Hannah and others, baptised into All Saints Parish at the Easter Vigil - what church will she inherit when she grows? How wonderful that thanks to her parents she and her sister traveled every step of the Mission pathway. |
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Tuesday
June 7th: Saint Basil and Saint Gwladys
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Another day, another church; but now we are beginning to feel more in communion, we are greeted warmly and a sense of family begins to grow. The topic for today, the Mass. We heard how the Mass has three parts. Firstly, the Table of the Word, from which he hear the words of God. Secondly, the Table of the Eucharist, where the miracle of transubstantiation occurs. Where the words of Jesus not only echo, but resound each time Eucharist is celebrated. Thirdly, the People, sent from every Mass on a Mission from God to do good works, praising and blessing the Lord. As Father Kilcoyne shared his teachings, supported by personal stories and anecdotes I thought of the times in Mass when we can see people reading their newsletters, barely aware of the voice from the lectern, never mind the words of God; of people who leave Mass before their mission has been delivered. How unlike those first Christians we truly are, they "devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. " (Acts 2:42) We instead, are so controlled by modern life, the obsession with time and money.
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Wednesday
June 8th : Saint David
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Through the Service of Reconciliation I was one of the Music Group providing the background music for quiet prayer and contemplation. The songs chosen spoke of the Lord's forgiveness and mercy, His infinite love, how we only need take ourselves to the Lord and He will give us rest. As the service progressed a sense of peace settled, the church gradually emptied, as, having received absolution, people went out renewed, to a fresh start in Christ. |
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Thursday
June 9th : Saint Anne
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Arriving at Saint Anne's another warm welcome, and for me a real sense of returning home, to the Church of my childhood. Sitting before the statue of Our Lady, which for so many years encompassed my image of Mary, I felt quite overcome by the power and sentiment of Father Kilcoyne's words. Father Kilcoyne led us through the presence of Mary in the Life and Death of Jesus, as well as her presence with the apostles at Pentecost. He shared examples of Marian devotion, and enkindled the image of Mary, Mother to us all.
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Friday
June 10th : Saint David Lewis
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From the start of the Mission this was the topic for discussion I most wanted to hear - Facing the Future with Hope. Church in crisis, church in decline, child abuse, shortage of priests, closures of churches - the list goes on. So how do we face the future with hope? Father Kilcoyne, as with all his discussion topics, gave a frank open and personal response: we start with ourselves, as individuals, as families, as work colleagues, as neighbours. We don't try and change the whole world, but change ourselves and let the whole world learn from the Christ light that we can shine. |
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Saturday
June 11th : Saint Mary
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For the second time in the week I was reduced to tears - such a simple, but emotionally charged service for the Holy Souls of our Parish. Instead of a homily, the names of families were read aloud and members from the congregation took a votive candle to the foot of the altar and lit it for the deceased members of their family. |
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Saturday
June 11th : Saint Mary
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The pinnacle of the week, the point to which our Mission has been building, the family of All Saints, diverse in race, colour and background, but united in Faith. Saint Mary's church was awash with colour, red of the Holy Spirit, but also the colour of a proud Welsh nation, green, white and gold of Ireland and India and a multi-coloured array of sensational national costumes. Again I was part of the music group for this service and had also been involved in it's planning, so was delighted to see so many people present to celebrate the birthday of the Church. |
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Sunday
June12th
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And so to the end, a busy, but rewarding week. Farewell and thanks to Father Kilcoyne, who despite feeling unwell, and celebrating a birthday in Wales, took us on a journey to Pentecost. A journey that will resonate with me for a long time to come. |
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Images of the Mission
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Find us here; Saint Anne,
Oliphant Circle, Malpas Newport NP20 6PF tel: 01633 265533
find us on Facebook , search for All Saints Parish Newport (unofficial page) |
