Extraordinary

We were surprised on Tuesday morning - during our farewell breakfast for Edna - by Fr John Parsons, a friend of Fr Alexander's from seminary. He was making an impromptu call on his holiday.

Fr John regularly offers Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, according to the provisions made by our Holy Father in his letter Summorum Pontificum. Never slow to take an opportunity to learn more about the richness of our Faith, particularly one so fast-growing yet about which we may know little, we invited him to give a lecture on the history of the Mass, and how to pray along with the Extraordinary form. We were then especially privileged to pray the Mass as he offered it.

Thank you, Father John, for helping us to more of the depth of our Catholic Faith.

St Therese of Liseux

Last month, we were privileged to spend time with the relics of St Therese of Liseux. St Therese was a French Carmelite who did not travel after leaving Carmel, yet is Patroness of Missions. Aged only 24 when she died, her short writings and prayers — often described as a shower of rose petals — have led millions towards the God whom she sought so completely.

We led an hour of reflective music and readings when she was at the Carmelite Church; had time in silent prayer with her at Westminster Cathedral; and took part in the Youth para-liturgy on the final night of her tour.

New Year

The new SPES year is upon us, and our new students are here already, beginning their journey together with the Lord. Lectures this week and last have focused on prayer.

Above is a photo from dinner last week with Mark Brenninkmeyer from the School's Board of Management. L-R: Vincent, Aisling, Mark, Mirka, Lissette, Edna, Christina, Deanna. Not in photo: Linda. Full introductions to follow!

We have been busy this week with St Therese's visit to London. We have been privileged to spend two eveings with her so far; on Sunday at the Carmelite Church in Kensington, and Westminster Cathedral last night. We will also be going to the Youth Vigil on Wednesady night. Reports and photos to follow!

Past Student Update: Steve White

From Steve White, SPES Alumnus 2004:

Habemus infantem!

Little Chiara was born on Sunday August 16. She and her mother are doing very well.

SPES and all the work of the parish remain in our daily prayers.

I was blessed enough to spend eight months at SPES from 2003-2004 (it was called COMMISSION back then). My time in St. Patrick’s changed my life. Ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you the same. I went there looking for a way to do some good while I figured out what to do with myself after college.

What I found was a profoundly deepened love of Christ. Encountering Christ always demands of us a response. SPES was not easy. In fact it was in many ways the most spiritually challenging time of my life. Yet for those eight months I was given the great grace of living in a community that was truly Christ-centered, not just as an idea, but as a matter of fact. Christ was literally and physically the center of everything we did.

Daily Eucharistic adoration and Mass are the engine of SPES. It was there that I came to understand what it means to call the Eucharist the true “source and summit” of the life of the Church. It was there that I experienced what I already thought I knew: that without Christ we can do nothing.

SPES didn’t make me a saint…just ask my wife. But it did convince me beyond all doubt that being with Christ is worth striving for, worth fighting for every stumbling day, even if it costs me everything. No doubt it will.


Steve White

Summer work

Summer is generally quiet for SPES and St Patrick's - but not this summer! Roadworks in front of and to the side of the Church provide a noisy backdrop for our liturgical life and office work. Jackhammers and tarmac cutters sometimes make it difficult to hear readings during Mass. As if that weren't enough, preparatory work for the parish's renovation project - set to begin properly later this year - has started within the church itself. The photo above shows a plastic 'room' in the nave, enclosing the excavations. As you can see, it rather obscures the sanctuary, so we've had Mass at the Sacred Heart altar for a few days - rather fitting for the Year of The Priest.

New Classroom!

Does this room look familiar to anyone? For those of you that don't know - this is the old SPES Classroom where all the lectures happen throughout the year! We are now preparing for a new, temporary classroom - this time next week there will be a big hole in the wall preparing for an archaeological dig (just in case!). The classroom next year will be just down the road - and more on that to follow!

We are busy preparing for a new group of young people coming in ... and also very happy for new parents - Barbara (2005/06) and Terry Toolan of Joseph Daniel and also congratulations to new parents - Misha (2003/04) and Danko of Kamil! Here is a photo of happy parents and baby Kamil!

Graduation Mass!!