Last time, we looked at the window above the side altar to the left of the sanctuary. That window depicts (as we said) the Annunciation. Today, we’ll look at the window behind the side altar on the other side of the sanctuary. In his Gospel account of Our Lord’s crucifixion and death, the apostle John … [Read more…]
Saint Mary’s Heaton Norris is graced, as I said, by some fine stained-glass windows. So far, we’ve looked at the three situated at the far east end of the church, which were already in place when the church opened in 1897. Either side of the sanctuary stands a side altar – and each of these … [Read more…]
Either side of the east window at Saint Mary’s, we have a pair of windows mirroring each other. Yesterday, we looked at the one to the east window’s right, portraying two saints associated with England: Pope Saint Gregory, and Saint Augustine of Canterbury. When Saint Mary’s church was opened in 1897, its congregation, as with … [Read more…]
Our tour of the stained-glass windows here at Saint Mary’s church Heaton Norris began with the east window – which depicts the Calvary scene. Either side of it we discover a pair of windows which mirror each other. Together, they acknowledge the English and Irish origins of the parish – one portraying two saints associated … [Read more…]
Here, following on from yesterday, are a few more personal thoughts about the east window here at Saint Mary’s Heaton Norris. As I was saying, many churches have a depiction of Calvary for an east window, just above the action of the Mass taking place on the altar. They were installed to remind us that … [Read more…]
Mortem nostram moriendo destruxit et vitam resurgendo reparavit. “By dying He has destroyed our death and by rising again He has restored us to life.” The statues are unveiled, the altar dressed, and all is ready for the Mass of Easter Day. A happy and blessed Easter to you all!
Saint Mary’s Heaton Norris is graced by some fine stained-glass windows. Up above the altar at the east end is one that depicts the Calvary scene of Our Lord’s crucifixion and death. This window is original to the church, which opened in 1897. God, of course, is everywhere (as the answer to question 21 of … [Read more…]
The Good Friday Liturgy of Our Lord’s Passion begins at about three o’clock in the afternoon – because that’s the ninth hour of the day by ancient reckoning, the hour of Our Lord’s death (see Matthew 27, 46-50). The Liturgy consists of three parts: readings & general intercessions, veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. … [Read more…]
Today is Maundy Thursday, with its evening Mass. This Mass has two themes: the first is Our Blessed Lord’s institution of the Holy Eucharist, on the evening before he was handed over to be crucified to redeem us; the other theme is “how perfect Our Lord’s love was”. The first theme is reflected in the … [Read more…]
Here is a pastoral letter published recently by Bishop Egan of Portsmouth. 29th March 2020 Bishop Philip writes… I want to offer a few reflections on our situation. I address these thoughts to all of you in our Diocese of Portsmouth, clergy, religious and laity, along with my prayers for you and for speedy resolution … [Read more…]