The "working" part of the Conference has been carried on through classes adapted to various different needs. The first three days focussed on the celebration of Mass. Several of us took small groups of "beginners", going through the Mass carefully, and explaining and demonstrating the rubrics of Low Mass. Another, larger, group has been learning how to sing the various parts of the Mass.From yesterday afternoon, we began with other sessions, looking at the sacraments, the breviary, Latin, the calendar, funerals, vespers, and benediction. The priests could sign up to whatever they wanted and the various tutors have shared out the classes (hence a brief break for this blog today!) Yesterday afternoon, I went through the sacrament of Baptism with a group of about 25 priests.
Everyone has commented on the really good atmosphere of the conference. The priests have enjoyed being together, celebrating the Liturgy, learning more about it, enjoying some good laughs and swapping stories about parishes and dioceses. I have been through Low Mass about a dozen times with different priests either in group or individually. There is a real sense of joy in the priesthood and hope for the future of the Church.
Off to Mass now... more later.
5 comments:
God bless you all Father, it sounds very much like you are all benefiting from the fruits of the Holy Spirit :)
I was cycling round the reservoir when the thought came to me ' what about the Mass?' & there Fr Tim had already answered by the time I got back. My guardian angel is working overtime these grace-filled days!
Thanks for the update. Let's hope for all our sakes that somewhere off in another setting there are NOT groups of priests learning how to make tortilla altar bread, felt banners and how to sing Kumbaya with the proper "feeling."
Karen
May God Bless you all abundantly! I am sure that what you are doing through the medium of this very special conference will have beneficial repercussions for the Catholic Church in E&W for Decades to come.
Rest assured that all of you good Fr's are in our prayers. Thanks for keeping us informed of developments via the blog - it must be difficult to find 'time out'. the pics are coming out really well. You are obviously also enjoying the warmer weather that had finally (at last) come to this 'green and pleasant' land.
Let's hope for all our sakes that somewhere off in another setting there are NOT groups of priests learning how to make tortilla altar bread, felt banners and how to sing Kumbaya with the proper "feeling."
Karen... unfortunately, there are! They're in the other settings called "seminaries" !!
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