WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL

Entering into the Sacred
Recently, I was approached by a kind parishioner who kept saying how appalled he was at the way people act in Church today, how they dress and how they do not pay attention at Mass, and that certainly it is not the way he was taught to behave. Good behaviour, whether at Mass or in other situations, reveal the value we place on each other and God.

In a way, we should not be surprised at the lack of proper manners and dress at Church. The Church only reflects what happens in our society. And what happens there? … We all know.

While we may not be surprised at such a state of affairs, we should not condone it or lower ourselves to it. In regard to Church, each of us should strive for good behaviour. Parents and guardians especially have the responsibility to teach their children how to behave while at Mass.

Striving for good behaviour in the Church is not a recent issue. Saint Padre Pio in response to the issue of Church behaviour wrote an Instruction on Behaviour in Church. He says: “You must enter the church in SILENCE and with RESPECT […] and make every religious act with great devotion. You must not turn to look here and there to see who is coming and going; out of respect for the holy place and the person next to you…

In the community of prayer you must pronounce the words of prayer distinctly, making the proper pauses and never hurrying. In short you must act in such a way that all those present are edified and drawn to glory and love the heavenly Father through you.”

May these words of Saint Pio help us to reflect and examine our own behaviour while we come into the House of God.
Fr Slawomir Witon

Click here to read Fr Tim Dean's weblog and here to read recent Newsletter articles.

The Passage
The Passage, which is one of the Cathedral’s charities working with homeless people, is always looking for additional voluntary support. If you have some time to spare and would like to help either working directly in serving the homeless or behind the scenes in fund raising or administration, then please contact Sarah Norwood on 020 7592 1863 or email sarah.norwood@passage.org.uk

Friends’ Events
Meeting the Ancestors: Thursday, 25 September at 7pm in Cathedral Hall. A talk on family history by Mari Alderman, lecturer at Birkbeck and one of London’s leading experts on genealogy. Tickets £10, including light refreshments, are available from the Friends’ Office, Clergy House, 42 Francis Street, SW1, telephone 020 7798 9059.

RCIA 2008-2009
Are you an adult non-Catholic interested in exploring what Christianity and the Catholic faith are about or thinking of becoming a Catholic? If so then it may be that the Westminster Cathedral RCIA programme is for you. The RCIA programme (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) runs from 17 September 2008 to 20 May 2009. It consists of regular weekly meetings. If you live or work within the Cathedral Parish or regularly attend Westminster Cathedral and would like to find out more please speak to one of the Cathedral priests or contact Fr Denis Sarsfield on 020 7798 9068. Alternatively, contact your local parish priest. Most parishes run an RCIA course.

Young Adults Group
Young adults are invited to come along to the Cardinal Pub (just behind the Cathedral on Francis St) for a social gathering each Sunday following 7pm Mass.

Sunday Organ Recitals
Please note there will be no Sunday organ recitals during the month of August.

Westminster Cathedral Grand Organ Festival
The Festival concerts take place on Wednesdays at 7.30pm and the next one, by John Scott, will be on 27 August. Jon Laukvik will be on 24 September and Stephen Cleobury on 29 October. John Scott’s performance is in association with The Southbank Centre Messiaen Festival. (www.southbankcentre.co.uk, call 0871 663 2500). Tickets from the Cathedral Music Administrator 020 7798 9057 or email organ@masterofmusic.org

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill
The Government has now postponed until autumn the final stages of its Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, including debate on pro-abortion amendments. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) believes the government’s decision was influenced by the marvellous opposition of courageous church leaders, churchgoers and supporters to this profoundly unethical bill, for which SPUC is enormously grateful. More help is now needed to campaign against the bill over the summer. Telephone SPUC on 020 7091 7091 or email political@spuc.org.uk

First Wednesday
September’s First Wednesday Quiet Day is on the theme “Jesus as Teacher” and will be led by Eileen McDade, spiritual director, and is on Wednesday, 3 September from 12 noon to 4.30pm in the Hinsley Room. There will be short inputs at noon and 2pm. All welcome.

Justice and Peace Group
Praying with Music
Martin Baker, Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral, will speak on ‘Reaching out to God through Music’ on Saturday, 27 September at 3pm in the Hinsley Room. All are welcome.
Prayer and Planning Meeting
The next meeting takes place on Wednesday, 20 August at 6.15pm in the Hinsley Room. All are welcome.

Youth Confirmation Preparation
If you are in Year 9 and above and not confirmed as yet, our Youth Confirmation Course will begin at the end of October. If you are interested in joining the course, registration forms are available from Clergy House reception which is behind the Cathedral at 42 Francis Street

Collection 10 August 2008
Mass £5896

Clergy House reception is open
Monday – Friday 8.00am – 7.00pm
Saturday & Sunday 10.00am – 1.00pm
Tel: 020 7798 9055

American Friends
American taxpayers can receive a US income tax deduction for their contributions to support the work of the Cathedral by sending their contributions to American Friends of Westminster Cathedral, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization (EIN# 13-2983174). They will also enjoy special events and receive newsletters about Cathedral activities. Donations may also be made through bequests and charitable trusts. Contact Ms Una Chang, President, American Friends of Westminster Cathedral, Inc, P.O. Box 92 New York, NY 10185-0092 e-mail UChang1@aol.com

If you go into Hospital…
Under current legislation, hospital chaplains cannot be given your details. You - or your relatives - will not be visited by a chaplain unless you specifically ask for the catholic chaplain. A list of chaplains to our local hospitals is posted on the notice board at the back of the Cathedral.

A new Healthcare section on the Diocese of Westminster's website provides information about the work of the Hospital Chaplaincy Service and a full listing of Catholic Hospital Chaplains. Click here for more details.

Free money - a gift to the Cathedral!
If you are a UK taxpayer, you can add an extra 28p to every £1 that you give - at no cost to yourself - with Gift Aid. You have already paid tax on your donation; the Government will refund it to us. All you have to do is to fill in a form (giving your name, address and the date) and sign a declaration saying that you pay more tax than the amount that we will reclaim. Leaflets and Gift Aid envelopes are at the back of the Cathedral.

A new way to help our Twin Parish
To make it easier to contribute to Bl. Mother Teresa Parish in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the Diocese of Westminster has established an account here in London. Please make cheques payable to “WRCDT - Fr. Tom Oates” and give cash or cheques to the information desk, the Sunday collection basket or to Clergy House 42 Francis Street London SW1P 1QW. The money goes directly to the Free Lunch Programme with no administrative overhead. Include a gift aid form and your donation will be granted a bonus of 28%!

Lifts to Mass
Every Sunday, volunteer drivers and helpers bring disabled and elderly people to the 10.30 Mass. The minimum commitment is about 2 hours every five weeks or so. If you are over 25 and would like to help us please email john@johnmole.com

Mass Times:
Sunday (18.00 Sat), 8.00, 9.00, 10.30, 12.00, 17.30, 19.00
Mon - Fri: 7.00, 8.00, 10.30, 12.30, 13.05, 17.30.
Sat: 8.00, 9.00, 10.30, 12.30, 18.00

Clergy House reception is open, Mon - Fri 8.00 - 19.00
Weekends 10.00 - 13.00. There is usually a priest on duty.
At other times, in an emergency, please call
020 7798 9055.

Collections
9 August Mass £5896

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