Traditional Mass at St Anthony of Padua

This Mass marked the 40th Anniversary of the coming into effect of the Abortion Act. It was offered in conjuction with the monthly prayer vigil which takes place outside this church, which happens to be by the entrance of the only place in Oxford where abortions take place, the John Radcliffe Hospital.

The Mass and Witness were particularly well-attended this month. Many thanks to the organiser, Amanda Lewin, to the celebrant, Fr John Saward, and the parish priest of St Anthony's, Fr Aldo Tapparo. It is interesting and heartening to see the Traditional Mass in this modern church.

Juventutem retreat at Douai

During the weekend of the 4th- 6th July Young Catholic Adults will be running a Traditional Retreat at Douai Abbey, the retreat will be led by Br. Christopher Greener who will give a series of talks on St. Benedict. The weekend will be full-board (except for the Sunday lunch). Douai Abbey, situated on high ground in the Berkshire countryside overlooking the beautiful Kennet valley towards the distant Hampshire downs, is within easy reach of London, Reading, Oxford and many places of interest. It provides an ideal setting for quiet reflection, retreats and for conferences.

One of the comments frequently made about Douai is that it offers an environmentand atmosphere of peace and serenity, where the cares of daily life can be left behind.

Places are limited so please book early. YCA will have it’s own area set aside. There will be a social bar available in the evening .

A Marian Procession will take place on Saturday 5th July in the Abbey grounds

Traditional Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 6th July

And see here.

St Catherine's Trust Family Retreat 2008

I've just come back from this great occasion, and done a long post on the NLM blog here. Here are some pictures.

Easter Triduum in Reading

Images from Holy Thursday: The procession to the Altar of Repose, and the Altar of Repose itself.

Below, images from the Easter Vigil: blessing the new fire, blessing the holy water in the font, the Consecration.

Fr Benjamin Durham FSSP celebrated, assisted by the FSSP seminarian Marek Grabowski. The success of the Triduum owes much to the work Ann de Cruz of the Reading Latin Mass Community, MC Edward Stratton and the leader of the schola, Martin Martinez.

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I've had an email.

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Summer Events

As usual there is a lot happening in the Summer; for various reasons there is more than usual. Here's a preview; not all the events are confirmed.

Weeks of the Oxford University Trinity Term are included for the convenience of University members.

1st Week: Saturday (26th April) Mass at St Anthony of Padua 3pm

2nd Week: Thursday (1st May), Sung, Ascension, Oratory 12.15

Friday (2nd May) First Friday: St Joseph the Worker:
SS Gregory and Augustine 6pm

5th Week: Thursday (22nd May), Sung, Corpus Christi, Oratory 12.15

Saturday (24th May), Chant Training Day: SS G&A from 9.30 am; Sung Mass at 3.30pm

6th Week: Saturday (31st May), Sung 11.30 at Mapledurham House, near Reading.

7th Week: First Friday (6th June), Sung, St Norbert, SS G&A 6pm

No abortions in Oxfordshire?

We read in the Oxford Mail: "An Oxfordshire councillor has complained about women having to travel outside the county for abortions. Cllr Dave King said he felt doctors working for the National Health Service should be required to provide abortion. A spokesman for Oxford hospitals said that some doctors working for the NHS in Oxfordshire had expressed objection to carrying out abortions, and the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust had contracted out abortions to the Marie Stopes organisation. The nearest clinics were in London and Reading, meaning that women travel out of the county. The latest statistics say that 80% of the abortions carried out on Oxfordshire women have taken place in Reading and London. [29 February]"

The John Radcliffe Hospital advertises its grim 'service' of 'early terminations', so the real complaint of Cllr King must be that not enough abortions are done in Oxfordshire, not that none are done here at all. Nevertheless, this is a good thing and long may it continue. The easier abortion seems, the more likely women are to resort to something which harms both them and their unborn children.