Holy Trinity and
Extracts from Newsletter for April 2004
Father Norman writes:
Mel Gibson’s
film ‘The Passion’ has attracted and aroused a great deal of attention and
interest. It is inevitable that such an
epic, centred on Our Lord’s suffering, Passion and
Death, will both please and disappoint those who see it. One criticism which has been consistently
voiced is the element of violence it contains, especially the scene of the
Scourging of Christ. Of course, if it
had actually lasted the length of time it takes to portray it in the film, the
victim would most certainly have died under it.
But it is intended to emphasise the extent and
length of the suffering Our Lord Jesus Christ endured for the salvation of the
human race.
In many
respects it is a Catholic film, for it includes incidents on The Way of The Cross,
which we have included in our Stations of the Cross, but which are not specifically mentioned in the Gospels. Unlike previous films, this does not try to glamourise or sentimentalise
things in a distorted or unacceptable way.
So, for example, the countenance of The Lord left on Veronica’s
headscarf is not at all glamourised, but depicted as
just visible in the bloodstained cloth.
There is much
to commend in the film and it has certainly drawn people to see it. Perhaps some people might find it slightly
irksome that it is in the authentic Aramaic, with English subtitles. The reference to the Resurrection is brief
and fleeting too. Yet I believe it is
encouraging to have been able to see this film and, whatever may be its
technical faults, there has been placed before us, something to touch the
coldness of human hearts and the luke-warmness of so
many people’s lives.
The Catholic
Church glories in every action of our Lord Jesus Christ, but her glory of
glories is THE CROSS. As St Paul says:
‘but God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus
Christ’ (Galatians
Our keeping
faithfully THE SACRED TRIDUUM (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter) is the
greatest way for us to enter into these actions and events of Christ, that they
may become an ever deeper reality in our lives.
A Happy and Blessed Easter to you all.
Father
Norman
Holy Week and Easter Services 2004
Palm Sunday 4
April
8.30am Mass
Monday 5
April
10am Mass
Tuesday 6
April
Wednesday 7
April
10am Mass
Maundy Thursday 8
April
thro’ to
Good Friday 9
April
10am Ecumenical Proecession (Walk of Witness)
Setting out from the Anglican Church
(St Mary’s)
11am Stations of the Cross at our Church
Holy Saturday 10
April
Easter Sunday 11
April
8.30am Mass
Ascent - CAFOD Self Denial Please return your self-denial envelopes and donations for CAFOD on Easter Sunday.
.
At Your Word, Lord We have come to the end of the second
‘season’ of this programme, during which we have
looked at the theme of ‘Conversion’; turning our hearts and mind back to God
and putting the focus on our faith and on Jesus, as we travel our Lenten
journey together. Thank you to all who
led or hosted small communities, and to all who participated in any way.
Season III begins in the Autumn. Please
continue to pray for this venture through the summer, as background work and
preparation will continue. Thank you!
A feedback session for Season II
is planned, as previously, to take the form of a Fish ‘n’ Chip Supper, with
discussion and prayer. This will take
place on Saturday 24 April in St John’s
School Hall. The cost is £4 per person, to include a meal and
drinks. Please let your group leader
know as soon as possible of your meal choice and intention to attend.
If you have not been part of a
small group, but would be interested to hear about people’s experience in these
groups, you are most welcome to come.
Please contact Jennifer Blanchfield (Tel:
895300) if you wish to come along.
Core Community Workshop (Stevenage
Deanery): This will take place on Sunday 25 April in Hitchin
Parish Hall at
We have been specifically
requested to bring along 2 YOUNG ADULTS, as someone will be making a
presentation aimed at this age group (18 - 35?). If you fit this bill, and are interested,
please contact Jennifer. Many thanks!
Core Community Contacts: Ian Allott;
Jennifer Blanchfield; Christopher Bryan; Neil Haslam; Greg Hewitson; Caroline Holmes;
Bill Piper.