Diary

 

Wednesday, 2nd February

Candlemass

Procession and High Mass at 7.30pm, followed by a bit of a party in the Vicarage.

 

This festival, also called the Presentation of Christ in the Temple or the Purification of our Lady, marks the final end of the Christmas cycle.  It recalls the events narrated by Saint Luke (2: 22 – 40) when, as required by the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple and Simeon made his prophecy about the Child’s future in the words that we now sing at Evensong under the title Nunc Dimmittis – Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace …

 

In a way, it forms the hinge between Christmas, backwards to which it clearly looks and the events of Holy Week as Simeon warns Mary that a sword would pierce her soul.

 

The popular name of Candlemas derives from the tradition of blessing the church candles at this Mass, a practice doubtless inspired to the reference to Christ the Light to enlighten the Gentiles.

 

Wednesday, 9th February

Ash Wednesday

High Mass and Imposition of the Ashes at 7.30pm

 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the forty days of Lent (the Sundays are not counted).  At this Mass we are marked with ash, created from burning the crosses of Palm Sunday to remind us of the ephemeral nature of worldly pomp, contrasting it with the eternal strength of God.

 

Lent

Lent has been a time of reflexion and self-restraint in Christian circles for most of our history.  For some, it is characterized by dietary simplicity or some other mark of self-denial; others, take on some new discipline; there is also a tradition of endeavouring to set aside time to discover more about our Christian vocation.  Whilst extravagant penitence is not to be recommended (not least, since it can become a source of pride and rather defeat the object!), Christians should try to find some way in their private routines to mark the season.

 

This simplicity and penitence is marked by a marked change in liturgical mood and the removal or covering of many of the decorations in church.

 

Stations of the Cross

At Saint Matthew’s, during Lent, the devotion of Stations of the Cross is woven into the Mass Rite on Fridays and one other day every week.  During this we walk through scenes from Christ’s journey from Pilate’s palace to the Cross and grave, reflecting on those events and what significance they might have for us.  It would be good if everyone could try and attend a Mass with Stations of the Cross at least once during Lent to prepare us for the commemoration of the great events at the heart of our Faith.

 

Saturday, 12th February

Benefice Conference and Annual General Meeting

Mass at 10am, followed by Meeting

 

This is not just an event for the zealous aficionados of parochial democracy.  It is the occasion on which the various challenges and issues facing the benefice will be raised and discussed.  The Vicar and PCCs are answerable to the congregations for much of what they do and this is the opportunity to find out what has been happening and why.  Please make every effort to attend the day and take an active part in the business of shaping our future.

 

The meeting will continue after a simple lunch. 

 

Nominations for churchwarden must be made PRIOR TO THE MEETING

 

We ask that nominations for the PCC are likewise notified before the meeting.

 

Saturday, 5th March

Benefice Lent Day

The PCCs have agreed that we should approach the Mosque and ask whether they would be willing to spend some time telling us about their Faith and its practice in Elswick.  This is clearly a significant issue for congregations like ours, set in a cosmopolitan community.  Details will follow, but please see this as an important day for us.

 

Saturday, 12th March

Passiontide Devotion

At 7.30pm, a visiting choir will come to sing various pieces of music as part of a reflexion on the place of suffering in our world.  In the wake of the Tidal Wave in the Indian Ocean and in a community with many who have terrible memories of persecution, we intend to set all this in the context of Christ’s Passion.

 

Sunday, 20th March – Sunday 27th March

Holy Week and Easter

 

Confessions

Anyone wishing to make their confession should make an appointment with the Vicar.

 

Palm Sunday

Procession of Palms and Sung Mass at 9am; Procession of Palms, Solemn Proclamation of the Passion and High Mass at 10.30am; Solemn Evensong and Benediction at 4pm

At the Mass liturgies, we re-present Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, prior to a grinding change of mood as we then recall the events of His Passion and Death.

 

Holy Monday – Holy Wednesday

Sung Mass at 7.30pm

 

There is now a lull in the liturgical action, reflecting the uneasy pause between Christ’s Triumphal Entry and the events of the Passion.  This is marked by a gentle and sombre celebration of the Mass every evening.  You might not be able to get to them all, but please try to get to some of them.

 

Maundy Thursday

Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 11am

This should be one of the great events of the diocesan routine when the Bishop and his clergy gather for the blessing of the holy oils that will be used for the following year and the renewal of Christian commitment.  This is the sort of thing that folks in this benefice should wish to support and attend.

 

Washing of the Feet, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, and Procession to the Altar of Repose at 7.30pm.

The Easter Triduum (three days’) begins at this Mass.  This evening we commemorate the events of the Last Supper, the Vicar washing the feet of twelve people before the Mass itself.  At the end of the Liturgy, the Sacrament is carried to the Altar of Repose where it is kept for Holy Communion at the Liturgy of Good Friday, a watch is kept before it until 11am and then from 8am the next morning.  People can and should receive Communion at both Masses.

 

Amongst other things, on Maundy Thursday, we need:

¨      twelve people to have their feet washed

¨      people to watch before the Sacrament

 

When the lists are put out, PLEASE sign up: it is terrible when there are not sufficient to fulfil these roles.  Please remember also that activity and talking in church should be restricted only to that which is ESSENTIAL to the liturgical preparation until after the Good Friday Liturgy.

 

Good Friday

Mattins at 8am

 

Mattins is sung at 8am before the Sacrament.  We then need people to have signed up to maintain the Watch until 2pm

 

Stations of the Cross at 10am

The form of service that we use at this liturgy remains unaltered.  We, therefore, need fourteen people to agree to take a station each.  Whilst it might seem a daunting prospect to do this, it is not as frightening as walking the Via Dolorosa to Calvary.  It would be far preferable if people volunteered …

 

Solemn Liturgy of the Passion at 2pm

This is a unique liturgical experience, being very ancient in its origins and deriving considerably from the rites practised in Jerusalem more than fifteen hundred years ago.  After the Liturgy of the Word (including the Solemn Proclamation of the Passion), there follow the Solemn Intercessions, the Veneration of the Cross and the Mass of the Presanctified (= Communion from the Mass of the evening before). 

 

Stations of the Cross and the Solemn Liturgy are not alternatives, but complementary and, as far as possible, people should attend both.

 

By long tradition, the Sacraments are not celebrated on Good Friday or Holy Saturday.

 

Holy Saturday

 

Mattins at 10am

Mattins is sung at 10am.  Otherwise, the church is a hive of activity as it is prepared for Easter.  All sorts of help will be needed and appreciated.

 

The Vigil and First Mass of Easter at 7.30pm followed by a party in the Vicarage.

As evening falls, the following day begins and we celebrate the beginning of Easter with this first Mass, preceded by the Blessing of the Easter Candle and Vigil.

 

Easter Day

Procession and High Mass of the Day at 10am; Solemn Evensong and Benediction at 6.30pm

 

Home page: http://stmatthewsnewcastle.org.uk/