Barney Life No. 34

The May Procession took place at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.  During the morning there had been heavy showers of rain every hour or so, and the prospects at first did not look good for an outdoor procession. But by mid-afternoon the sun shone and stayed shining in a clear blue sky.  Between forty and fifty people attended, many coming a considerable distance to be present.  The procession made its way around the church and presbytery, singing lustily hymns to Our Lady, until we came to rest beside the statue of Our Lady of Barnard Castle.  Here we stopped to say the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, before returning to the church, where the statue of Our Lady was crowned and Benediction was celebrated.  Afterwards refreshments were served on the lawn and the chat went on for a long time. A truly lovely day!

Barney Life No 34

All is almost ready for Our May Procession in honour of Our Lady on Sunday, May 22nd, at 4 pm.  Starting from the High Altar, the procession makes its way around the outside of the Church and the back of the house, until we can approach the statue of Our Lady of Barnard Castle; here we have the Rosary, and then it is back into Church for the Crowning of the Statue, and Benediction.  Afterwards, tea and biscuits will be served in the garden under the Tent and no doubt the children will play on the Gazebo swing.  If you are able, why not come along.

Barney Life No. 33

The River Tees flowing past the Desmesnes at Barnard Castle.  The water is at its lowest after several weeks of dry, hot, weather.  If the heavy rain, forecast for the next 24/48 hours, actually arrives, the river could be several feet higher by Monday morning.
I am told that, in the days before the dams at the head of the dale were built, surges of run-off rainwater upto 5 feet high could race down the river and sweep any unwary fishermen off their feet!

Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba William Morris sacked by Pope (taken from What's On Sanya)

THE Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba, Australia, William Morris, has been effectively sacked by Pope Benedict XVI over doctrinal disobedience for his support for ordaining women priests and other liberal reform. 

Bishop Morris, 67, complained in a letter to his followers, read at weekend masses, that he was leaving unwillingly and claimed he had been denied natural justice. 

He said he had taken early retirement because "it has been determined by Pope Benedict that the diocese would be better served by the leadership of a new bishop", The Australian reported. 

In his letter, Bishop Morris said the Vatican's decision was sparked by complaints to Rome about an Advent letter he wrote in 2006. In that letter, he argued that with an ageing clergy the church should be open to all eventualities, including ordaining women, ordaining married men, welcoming back former priests and recognising the validity of Anglican, Lutheran and Uniting Church orders.

It is believed the Vatican had also recieved complaints about the material included in sex education programs in diocesan Catholic schools. 

The style of Bishop Morris's departure is unprecedented in that he has made his disagreements with the Vatican so public. In previous years, bishops who fell from favour have usually resigned on the grounds of ill health, or no reason has been given for their departure. 

Priests called a meeting at St Patrick's Cathedral to consider what action can be taken, including the possibility of a mass resignation of clergy. But one senior priest who has followed the bishop's controversial career said Bishop Morris had brought about his own demise because "you can't keep telling Rome to get stuffed".

My comment - It will be fascinating to see if His Holiness takes action against other dissident bishops around the world!

Ushaw

Weather frosty in the mornings but warm sunshine throughout the day - not bad for the north-east of England!
We are still waiting for an answer from the trustees of Ushaw College to the proposal sent to them about the future of the college.  Of course, there may have been more than one proposal and they may be finding it difficult to decide what to do. But time is pressing - the end of the academic year is fast approaching and the trustees must decide something soon.  I understand that doing nothing and simply closing the college will cost thousands of pounds a month in security.  Maybe, during this week's annual Low Week meeting of the bishops of England and Wales, the bishops of the Northern Province of England who are trustees will find the time to discuss Ushaw and come to some decision.

From the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales

Family Residential Lenten Retreat a Great Success

Gregorian Chant Network Course also a Success

Saint Catherine’s Trust for Traditional Family Education (SCT), sponsored by the Latin Mass Society (LMS), held its fifth annual family retreat for Lent from Friday 8^th to Sunday 10^th April (Passion Sunday). The retreat was held at the Oratory School, Reading, Oxfordshire and over 150 parents and children attended.

Running alongside the SCT retreat, the Gregorian Chant Network (GCN), also sponsored by the LMS, held its own residential course to study Gregorian Chant in the context of parish liturgy. 20 singers attended and were tutored by Colin Mawby, composer and ex-Director of Music at Westminster Cathedral.

The SCT retreat was led by Fr Andrew Southwell, LMS National Chaplain, who gave catechesis for both adults and children and also celebrated all the liturgies and devotions. The Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite was used throughout.

The weather was glorious and facilitated the SCT’s traditional procession through the Oratory School grounds; the younger children made special banners for the procession which were blessed by Fr Southwell. The youngsters also received their own special talks on the Faith from three volunteers while Fr Southwell was giving spiritual conferences for the adults.

During the weekend, the singers on the GCN course sang at all the liturgies, which included three Sung Masses, Compline twice, Vespers and Benediction, and a Marian procession. During the procession they sang the Litany of the Saints, the Litany of Loreto, and the Stabat Mater.

Doctor Joseph Shaw, LMS Chairman, said: “The LMS is happy to sponsor its affiliated organisations, the SCT and GCN, as a way of increasing exposure to the Extraordinary Form for families and musicians. We find that participants at these residential courses go back to their parishes enthused by the beauty and profundity of the Traditional Latin Rite and become active in reintroducing it into their local church life. We are already planning a full range of SCT and GCN events for 2012”.

For pictures of the St Catherine’s Trust and Gregorian Chant Network Lenten residential weekend at the Oratory School see here.

For more pictures see here

For information on St Catherine’s trust see St Catherine's Trust

Barney Life No. 29

St Mary's, Barnard Castle, all empurpled for Passion Week and Holy Week.
May you have a holy and fruitful Triduum.

Good Friday Rosary
You may have seen this suggestion for a Good Friday Rosary (it has been around for some time), but in case you haven't here it is again.

Imagine what might happen if every Catholic in the world were to pray a Rosary on the same day!  We have an example in October of 1573 when  Europe was saved from the invasion of the mighty Turkish fleet, by the praying of the Rosary by all Christians!

So, on Good Friday, let us all pray a Rosary for peace in the world and the return of moral values into our communities. 

If possible, please pray your Rosary between Noon and 3:00pm. 

And I would like to add, for peace and harmony in Holy Mother Church!

Please invite your friends and parish priest.