Category: Announcements

This is my body, given up for you.

Our gathering in front of the Blessed Sacrament is no simple thing. Our bowing in front of the tabernacle where Christ rests is no simple formality. Our devotion to Jesus in the Sacrament is no simple prayer. It is the heart of our faith.

Jesus offered himself up for us and in His last supper he declared the bread to be His body and the wine to be His blood. No dissembling, no metaphor, no parable. 

So on the feast of Corpus Christi we are invited to reflect on the amazing gift that Jesus has given us. It is a gift we have had since the very formation of the Church and a gift that gives us the strength we need to go out into the world and proclaim Him.

The Mass is the model of the perfect Christian life. It is a model we should follow to be more like Jesus in all we do.

We gather, we confess our sins, we glorify God, we read scripture together and study its impact on our lives, we pray, we offer our gifts, we share the Peace of Jesus, we receive Him in the Sacrament, we are sent out into the world.

Each one of these acts builds us up in Him, but above all we are built up to be SENT OUT. 

We end our Mass with the words ‘Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord’. 

This is no simple instruction but the greatest command that Jesus gave us. Go!

What do we do with that instruction? What do we do with this wonderful gift of Christ in the Sacrament?

Fr. Matthew

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Two extra services this week: Evening Prayer on Sunday 6th with Benediction and on Saturday 12th a special Mass for The Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

Thank you very much for Fr. Angus for covering the Mass last Thursday. He is a dear friend of the parish and we are grateful for Christ’s ministry through him here. 

The Rosary Mission in the parish will run from the 4th July to the 18th July (when the Bishop will join us). I would like to form a mission committee to plan our outreach for the summer. Our first meeting will be after Mass on the 13th June, please do let me know if you’d like to come. 

Help fund an organist – please consider setting up regular giving with the Parish Giving Scheme. Call 0333 002 1271 with your bank details to hand and quote our Parish Code – 230 623 503 or visit our website stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving

Martyrs of the Church.

Standing up for what is right is not always an easy thing. It is perhaps easy to say, but somewhat harder to do. Especially when standing up for what is right can cost you your life. 

This is exactly what happened to St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions in Uganda in the late 19th Century. 

The king of Uganda executed Christians ‘for praying from a book’. He killed an Anglican missionary for this simple thing and would carry out dreadful acts on those in his court. 

St. Charles rebuked the king and refused to carry out the dreadful acts demanded of him and his fellow Christians. They were burned alive in a group after being subjected to horrendous torture. 

Within a year of their deaths – and their example of defiance to evil – the number of those coming to Christ quadrupled. 

Through their example young men and women of Uganda found the courage to say, ‘no, not in our name’. 

St. Charles is now the patron saint of black African youth and his feast day is a public holiday in Uganda. 

The reason this day resonates so strongly with me is that it reminds us so powerfully that the stories of the martyrs are not distant or unrelatable – they don’t exist in the distant past – no – the martyrs of our faith are still out in the world saying ‘No!’ to evil, saying ‘Not in my name!’ to the worst excesses of evil, they are still be persecuted for being Christian. 

And so we must pray for them and for a world in which their heroic sacrifice is no longer needed. 

Thy Kingdom come. 

Fr. Matthew 

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Thank you very much to Ruth who has offered to run the tea & coffee rota for after church. Please speak to her if you can offer help. 

I’m still keen to hear from anyone who would like to be part of the summer holiday Rosary Mission. If you’d like to know more please come and speak to me.

The church is looking absolutely wonderful, all down to the amazing efforts of a dedicated and small team – thank you all very much.

It’s half term (again!) so Fr. Matthew is away this week taking advantage of the more relaxed rules. There is Mass and Morning Prayer as usual on Thursday which will be covered by Fr. Angus, please make him welcome. 

Help fund an organist – please consider setting up regular giving with the Parish Giving Scheme. Call 0333 002 1271 with your bank details to hand and quote our Parish Code – 230 623 503 or visit our website stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving

Mary,

Mother of the Church.

On Tuesday we celebrate an important date in the church calendar – The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.

It’s a new memorial – it was only inserted into the calendar in 2018 (by Pope Francis), although the title is much older. 

We call Our Lady mother of the Church because in the instant that Jesus said to John at the foot of the cross,

“‘Behold, your mother!’ and from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19:27)

Mary became our mother – not just in an individual way – but in the broader sense of caring for the whole body of Christ on earth. 

We look to her because she gave brith to Jesus and for all those years attempted to understand how to relate to Jesus the man and Jesus our Lord.

Who better to help guide and steer the Church as we discern a path forward between a growing secular world and the divine glory of God our Father?

Our Lady helps us reach out to those who have fallen away from the church. St. Augustine referred to Mary as “‘the Mother of the members of Christ’ who co-operated in the rebirth of the faithful into the Church.” 

So, as we look to our parish and to those who once knew Jesus but have drifted away – let us ask Our Lady to pray for us – and them – and help them to find a way back home.

Fr. Matthew 

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Tea & Coffee return from this Sunday! There’ll be cakes, fresh coffee from our wonderful new machine, lovely tea and great fellowship. We need to keep our social distancing in place and still be mindful of the rules – but it will be great to be able to share a cup of tea and a chat after church again. Do bring your cakes in on Sunday…

I’m still looking for a volunteer to run the tea & coffee rota. It just needs two people each week who will set it up and serve after church. It’s a wonderful way to offer your service in time to the church and to Jesus. 

Summer Rosary Mission. We’ve raised over £800 via an internet appeal to fund our Mission this summer. If you’d like to be part of it – please speak to Fr. Matthew.

Thank you to everyone who turned out on Saturday to help with the bric-a-brac and cleaning!

Help fund an organist – please consider setting up regular giving with the Parish Giving Scheme. Call 0333 002 1271 with your bank details to hand and quote our Parish Code – 230 623 503 or visit our website stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving

St. Dunstan

What could have been.

St. Dunstan was a renowned and well loved Archbishop of Canterbury (which is why we remember his feast day here at St. Anselm). 

He was so loved that for the better part of two centuries he was easily England’s favourite Saint – and between him and St. Edmund was a favourite to become the patron Saint of England.

In the end of course England chose St. George, which makes St. David the only native of the country for which he is the Patron Saint in the British Isles. Patrick was Welsh, Andrew was from Judea  and George was Greek/Palestinian.

Dunstan was a monk (in Glastonbury), a writer and artist (he was particularly known for this), he was behind some pretty major reforms at Glastonbury and is often credited with the restoration of monastic life towards the end of the 10th Century when it had started to wane. 

From there (where he became Abbot) he went on to be Bishop of Worcester and then London (two of the biggest Offices in the land). 

Then in 960AD he went to Rome and was made Archbishop of Canterbury. He was an incredibly talented minister (both in faith and in politics). In fact, the coronation service that he wrote for the coronation of King Edgar in 973AD still forms the basis of our current coronation service.

He was also known for his amazing generosity. At one point on a journey to Rome his generosity was so great that nothing was left for him or his followers and retainers. There were many complaints among his retinue! 

He has many examples for us to follow. Patience, love, a dedication to learning and to sharing that knowledge – but perhaps most importantly his excessive generosity. 

St. Dunstan pray for us…

Fr. Matthew 

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Cleaning – again! We’ll be doing a deep clean on Saturday 22nd May at the same time as the bric-a-brac is running. Please come and lend a hand, even if it’s just for a short time. 

Bric-a-brac is back! Saturday 22nd May 10am – 1pm, if you have items to sell please bring them on the morning. If you’re willing to run a tea/coffee/cake stall please contact Fr. Matthew.

Tea & Coffee return after services form Sunday 23rd May.

Susan is now organising the Sunday readings rota – please speak to her if you’d like to try reading at Sunday Mass. 

Summer Rosary Mission. We’ve raised over £800 via an internet appeal to fund our Mission this summer. If you’d like to be part of it – please speak to Fr. Matthew.

Help fund an organist – please consider setting up regular giving with the Parish Giving Scheme. Call 0333 002 1271 with your bank details to hand and quote our Parish Code – 230 623 503 or visit our website stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving

The Ascension

Taken up into heaven.

40 Days after His Resurrection Jesus was taken up into heaven. During these 40 days – just as we have been living them – Jesus spoke to many people, sat and ate with them, prayed with them, talked with them. 

We have celebrated these 40 days together and we continue to do so – just as the disciples did all those years ago. 

Luke tells us that after Jesus was taken up into Heaven, 

‘They worshiped him and went back into Jerusalem, filled with great joy, and spent all their time in the temple giving thanks to God.”

They were instructed to wait in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit. 

That happened not long after at the event we call Pentecost – we celebrate it in two weeks on Sunday 23rd – the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the disciples that whilst John had baptised with water they were (not many days from now) about to be baptised with the Holy Spirit.

We are part of that event through our own baptisms and part of that command to the disciples to become witnesses for Jesus and all He had taught us – not just in Jerusalem and in the places that Jesus had taught – but ‘to the ends of the earth’.

There’s a lovely ending to the reading in Acts recording this event. The disciples are left staring at the sky after Jesus has ascended as two men in white ask them why they’re still looking – telling them Jesus will return. In other words, stop watching and go do what He told you!

Fr. Matthew

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The APCM is immediately after Mass today (Sunday 9th May). It will not be live-streamed so do come along in person.

Bric-a-brac is back! Saturday 22nd May 10am – 1pm, if you have items to sell please bring them on the morning. If you’re willing to run a tea/coffee/cake stall please contact Fr. Matthew.

Tea & Coffee return after services form Sunday 23rd May – please do contact Fr. Matthew if you would like to help serve / make the tea & coffee.  

Summer Rosary Mission. Over the summer Fr. Matthew wants to hit the streets of Hayes and offer people a rosary and prayer. If you’d like to be involved please let him know. He’s also trying to raise money to purchase 1000 rosaries and how-to booklets. 

Don’t forget to consider setting up regular giving with the Parish Giving Scheme. Call 0333 002 1271 with your bank details to hand and quote our Parish Code – 230 623 503 or visit stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving

May, month of Mary

Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

May is here and with it comes the tradition of honouring Our Lady – not just for a day, or even a few days – but for a whole month.

Buy why do we do this? The tradition goes back centuries, but as with many of the traditions surrounding Our Lady it found its modern form in the medieval period. 

May was seen as a month in which the darkness of winter had finally been expelled and the coming of summer, of good crops, of long warm evenings and joyful times with friends outside had finally arrived.

Our Lady (seen here in her Icon – Our Lady of Perpetual Help) has always taken us to her son, Jesus. 

She helps us expel the darkness in our lives and to see the coming of warmth and love in the world. She helps us see the Hope that Jesus brings, she helps us feel the warmth of His love for us. 

So during this month we will be honouring Our Lady by singing the Regina Coeli (Joy to Thee of Queen of Heaven!) after Mass each day and also after Evening Prayer. It’s easy to learn and there will be print outs in the church and online to help. 

It’s also a good month to learn how to pray the rosary if you don’t already know. I’ve printed out some guides and put some rosaries at the back of church for you. Come on Wednesday evenings this month and join in this ancient prayer. 

Pray for Our Lady’s Perpetual Help. 

Fr. Matthew

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Thank you very much for Fr. Angus for covering whilst Fr. Matthew was away. Thank you also to David for keeping our daily thoughts focused on the WhatsApp group. 

It looks like we’ll be able to start serving coffee and tea after mass from Sunday 23rd May. If you’d like to help organising that please speak to Fr. Matthew

We will have our first bric-a-brac sale for a very long time on Saturday 22nd May. 11am – 1pm 

Fr. Matthew has new rosary guides and rosaries available for anyone who wants to learn how to pray the rosary during Our Lady’s month of May. 

The APCM is on the 9th May immediately after Mass. Keep an eye out for reports over the coming week or so. 

Don’t forget to consider setting up regular giving with the Parish Giving Scheme. Call 0333 002 1271 with your bank details to hand and quote our Parish
Code – 230 623 503 or visit stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving

Come with a flag this Sunday! Gleta had a great idea for our Patronal Festival this Sunday – as we can’t have a party – come along dressed in bright colours and with the flags of your home countries and cultures. We’ll be brining the Welsh flag, although I may not dress in green!

Celebration!

part of the family.

What a truly wonderful Sunday we had last week. Eight people confirmed in their faith and one person admitted to Holy Communion.

I wasn’t able to produce a list of names to pray for last week, but do please pray this week – everyday – for:

• Andrew
• Eddy
• Gavin
• Kino
• Nene
• Edmund
• Aaron
• David-Martin
• and Christine.

The journey they have now started is one that we share with them. It is our duty to care for them as they join us in church, but also out in the world. We do that through prayer, and also in practical ways. Ensuring that they know that no matter what – they have a family in Jesus Christ. 

The Bishop was over the moon at this beautiful display of faith and of love.

The building work nears completion, we’re hoping to announce an opening day soon. But for now, put the 18th July in your diary for a big party, the Bishop will be back, it’s the one year anniversary of my licensing, and my 41st on the 19th!

Fr. Matthew

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A quiet week as Fr. Matthew takes a short holiday in the caravan. He’s not far away so if you need him in an emergency do contact him on the usual number (on the front of the pew sheet).

Fr. Angus will be back with us on Thursday evening offering a mid-week mass (6pm) and Evening Prayer, please do come and support him.

Foodbank runs as usual. 

No Saturday cleaning this week. 

The APCM is on the 9th May immediately after Mass. Keep an eye out for reports over the coming week or so. 

Don’t forget to consider setting up regular giving with the Parish Giving Scheme. Call 0333 002 1271 with your bank details to hand and quote our Parish
Code – 230 623 503 or visit stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving

Timetable for Saturday 17th April

• 8am – Church open for flower arrangers and cleaners
• 10am – Cleaning (please do come and lend a hand)
• 2pm – Church open for prayer for HRH Prince Philip, the bell will toll for one hour
• 3pm – Church open for prayers as we stream the funeral of HRH Prince Philip
• 5pm – Final preparations for Confirmation Services on Sunday (final decorations)

Weekly message from Fr. Matthew

The road ahead,

walking with Jesus.

Our Gospel starts, ‘The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of the bread’. 

This is the amazing story of the road to Emmaus. Of the disciples so distraught that they had fled Jerusalem after the death of Jesus, so distraught that they forgot what they had been taught, so distraught they thought Jesus has abandoned them.

But there, walking with them was Jesus. They were so caught up in their own distress that they failed to see who was walking right next to them. 

They were pouring their hearts out – so caught up in explaining to this apparently uncomprehending person their abject misery -that they failed to see who was with them.

But then, in the moment of the breaking of the bread it because clear who was with them all along – Jesus!

This is why daily mass is such a central and import part of many of our lives. It allows us to see Jesus in our daily lives. It enables us to recognise Him in our day to day lives – and no matter how low or high we get we are constantly pulled back to Him and to His work in our lives. 

If you don’t come to a midweek mass, why not try it this week.

Fr. Matthew

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Congratulations to all those being confirmed and being admitted to Holy Communion this Sunday!

Our patronal festival is next Sunday, come in colourful clothes, bring some party food for yourselves and your family, let’s celebrate the achievements of the last 9 months. 

The church will be open from 2pm on Saturday 17th for prayer before and during the funeral of HRH Prince Philip. The funeral will be screened in church (3pm) and the bell tolled for one hour before.

Don’t forget to consider setting up regular giving with the Parish Giving Scheme. Call 0333 002 1271 with your bank details to hand and quote our Parish Code – 230 623 503. You can now also set up Parish Giving via their website here.