Mass for Deceased Wives, Storrington, 15 July 2012

Yesterday saw the annual Provincial Mass for Deceased Catenian Wives take place at the Catholic Parish of Our Lady of England in Storrington.  The parish is served by the Norbertines and the church forms part of the Priory of the Norbertine Community (also known as Premonstratensians or "White Canons"). It is a lovely place as the photos show.  Do visit their website for more information about the Priory and the Norbertines.

Below is the church; above you can see the current priest in charge (who I believe is named Fr John Wisdom O.Proem and is "on loan" from the Norbertine Community at Chelmsford; my sincere apologies to him if I have got his name wrong) leading us in procession up the hill to the outdoor shrine of Our Lady of England at the end of Mass.  The weather was unusually kind for the time of year (!) and the views over the gently rolling countryside beautiful as we gathered in a semicircle around Our Lady's statue to recite an Angelus led by the Provincial President, Bro Joe Fackler.

The Mass was as ever a beautiful and moving celebration of the lives of those who were once known and loved so well and who will be known and loved once more in Heaven.  Having spoken of our happy duty to pray for the deceased and support each other in grief, Fr John in his homily also reminded us, as individuals and as the Catenian Association, of our duty to know our faith and to proclaim it to others in the light of two thousand years of Church tradition.

Afterwards everyone gathered for tea and biscuits in the refectory, cloisters and the enclosed cloister garden.  The lovely surroundings and the sunshine made an excellent setting for an afternoon of convivality, as the photos show; a time to catch up with friends from other Circles and make new ones.

Conspiracy?  Thankfully Bro Philip Gidman has got it
all under control.  Just listen carefully...

Bro Mike is equally struck both by the beauty of Our Lady
in her tranquil garden and the fact that the sun is shining!

Faith and friendship

More conspiracy??!!  Maybe Bro Philip's plans have been rumbled

There's nothing like a good bit of gossip with the girls...

...or the boys!

Saint Who?  Never heard of her

No amount of pretend halos will ever see Saint Anneli of Horsham figure in the canon, I'm afraid, but this was such a moving and meaningful occasion that perhaps we all came away just a little bit better for having attended.  A big "thank you" to the parish and Priory at Storrington and to all who helped organise this poignant but also enjoyable event. I hope that it was a time of comfort for many as well as a way of contributing to the spiritual welfare of the deceased who, as Fr John remarked in his sermon, will surely thank us for our prayers when we meet again and who remain forever a part of the Catenian Association.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord

And let perpetual light shine upon them.

 May they rest in peace.

Amen.