And Now, for something slightly different.

Not too drastic though, as it's still Gregorian Chant!

Having over -sung the Missa Orbis Factor in recent times, I've decided to give our little Schola something else to sing this weekend. As it's Quinquagesima, I've discounted Missa de Angelis as it's far too festal in nature [in my opinion anyway!]., and it also overdone, more so than Orbis Factor. I've come across people - who ought to know much better - who think it's the only chant Mass there is, as it's the only one 'they know'!

I'll refrain from naming names here though.... ;-)

Also discounted for this Sunday is the Mass for Sundays in Advent and Lent, as we're not in Lent yet...

So, what Mass to sing? Answer: Mass IV, or to give it its proper title, Cunctipotens Genitor Deus. I heard this sung for the first time in nearly 20 years by the wonderful monks of the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem over in West Yorkshire on the Sunday after Christmas. quite frankly it's stunning, so that's what we're going to do, minus the Gloria of course, as it's Septuagesima Season.

For those of you able to come along to English Martyrs' Church this Sunday evening, we are also going to sing the Propers, Credo I [not III, again most people I know seem to think that Credo III is the only one that exists. Credo I is actually the setting that should be used most Sundays. There are, to my knowledge, 7 - yes, seven, chant Creeds!] the Ave Maria, Anima Christi and the solemn setting of the Ave Regina Coelorum.

We still don't have a regular organist. Please let me know either via the Rudgate or Middlesbrough LMS links on the right if you can/would like to play or know of someone who could. We would be most grateful. Whilst on the subject of volunteers, if there are any Tenors or Altos reading this who fancy singing, then again I should be grateful if you could get in touch via the aforementioned links.

Many thanks,

Mike

Mass at Scarborough

This is how the sanctuary looks at St Peter's, Scarborough; and here is a view of the congregation before Mass

Mass at Scarborough

The Mass at Scarborough yesterday evening was a great success. There was a congregation of at least 150 which made the church of St Peter look quite full.

Fr Charlton celebrated a votive Mass of the Apostles, so we had red vestments, which looked very well on the superb sanctuary at St Peter's Church in Scarborough. The parish priest, Fr John Loughlin had temporily removed the modern "versus populum" altar which normally stands at the foot of the altar steps, allowing the sanctuary to be seen to full advantage.

The high altar is made of white stone and is of a good size. Behind it is an elaborate reredos incorporating the tabernacle and monstrance throne. On the wall behind and above are spectacular paintings reaching up to the high ceiling. The three altar steps are of white marble and the sanctuary is spaceous. It was most pleasing is to see that the stone altar rails, complete with gates, had been retained.

We are looking into the possibility of another Mass after Easter.

Get the Guardian Today.....

Now you won't hear this very often... In Today's Guardian Newspaper there is a splendid double page colour photograph of Pope Benedict celebrating Mass ad orientem in the Sistine Chapel.

An Appeal from Juventutem Kenya

JUVENTUTEM KENYA,WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN.

Dear friends,

Receive Christmas and New year greetings from Juventutem Kenya Members.

Juventutem Kenya is a group of young kenyans,catholics aged between 15 and 36,who are interested in the Extra-ordinary rite of the Mass and other traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.It was founded by Rev.Fr.Charles Mwongera,who after attending the Juventutem 2005 in Germany for the WYD,came with the good idea.
We are affilliate member of the International Juventutem Federation.

After many struggles and challenges to get the young people who are COMMITTED,we are proud to have around 20 who are serious.We are able to meet occasionary and pray together.Still we have problems with the Latin language because we have never studied Latin in our Schools here in Kenya.

Now,we are interested in joining the rest of the Juventutem from other countries all over the world for the WYD,Sydney 2008.

We are humbly appealing to well wishers both locally and internationally to help us so that afew of us can travel to Australia next year July for this holy Pilgrimage.

The most intimidating challenge remaining is geting the money to care for the AIR TICKET.
According to the International Airlines,Route,NAIROBI-SYDNEY,the cost of the lowest economy class,Return Ticket is around 2,500 USD,or 1,300 Sterling Pounds.This you can confer from the international carriers like,Virgin Antlatic,Kenya Airways,Emirates,KLM Royal Dutch and others.

May God continue to bless us all and remember each other in prayer.

In Domino,

Juventutem Kenya.

If you would like to help please mention in the com box and I will see what can be done.

Mass at Scarborough

There is to be a Low Mass in the usus antiquior at the church of St Peter in Scarborough on Wednesday 23rd Jan at 7pm. Fr Charlton will be the celebrant.

This Mass has been arranged by the Latin Mass Society at the invitation of Fr Loughlin, the parish priest.

Depending on how many attend,we will decide whether there can be a regular Mass in the old rite in Scarborough.