Parish News 2010
Requiem Mass for Fr. John Dunne
This Mass was offered on 1st September in St. Mary’s by Fr. Glaysher and Fr. Nicholas OSB from Quarr Abbey. Fr. Glaysher reminded the congregation of the important work of restoration which Fr. Dunne undertook whilst parish priest. “Whilst I have tweaked here and there with a few things over the past two years, it was Fr. Dunne who laid the foundation of what we have here in St. Mary’s today, and for that we must all be grateful” In his sermon Fr. Nicholas spoke of his admiration for Fr. Dunne; “he restored and beautified this church not as a museum or some sort of memorial, but so that it was a fitting place in which to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Fr. Dunne was first and foremost, a priest, and it was the care of souls that was his priority”.
The County Press (20th August) carried an article on Fr. Dunne outlining his achievements as a priest here in Ryde. May his soul rest in peace.
Novena of Masses to pray for the Pope's visit to England
Fr. Glaysher will be offering a Novena of nine Masses (Extraordinary Form) for the success of the Pope’s visit, starting on Sat. 4th Sept. and concluding at Holy Cross, Seaview on Sun. 12th Sept.
The Parish Council, Liturgy Committee and Finance Committee
These three groups have met over the past two weeks to discuss relevant matters. The minutes of the meetings (when approved) are available in the blue folder at the back of the church.
Fr. John Dunne. R.I.P.
The death has occurred of Fr. John Dunne, parish priest of Ryde, 1989-1995. Father died at Kiln Green Convent, near Reading, where he had been staying since his retirement last year as parish priest of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church, Southbourne.
Fr. Dunne came to St. Mary’s, Ryde in April 1989 with an instruction “to restore the church” after it had endured several poorly executed re-ordering projects in the wake of Vatican II. Within five years he had restored the interior of the church to its original Victorian beauty (in so far as the liturgical changes of Vatican II would permit). The Lady Chapel had been re-painted and the Countess of Clare’s Chapel was restored as a place of prayer and devotion.
The parish hall consisted of several classrooms and was unsuitable as a parish centre. Fr. Dunne had the interior walls demolished to make one large hall. All this work was not in place of the spiritual development of the parish. He made it clear that parishioners’ spiritual nourishment was his first priority, and to this end, he arranged a Mission soon after his arrival. It was only a few days ago that the parish received a letter from Fr. Dunne accepting an invitation to the Requiem Mass to mark the centenary of the death of Bishop Cahill (a former parish priest of Ryde). Fr. Dunne loved his priesthood. He was a kind, humble and gentle man. He always had time for people. No one ever spoke unkindly about him. He had great respect from his parishioners and was held in high esteem by everyone.
He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on 7th June 1969 and he came to Ryde from Hedge End Parish in 1989. After six and a half years here this parish, he spent fourteen years in Southbourne. He was also the Chaplain and Spiritual Director of the Diocesan Catholic Women’s League; a post that was very dear to his heart. It was only last year that St. Mary’s welcomed him back, at the invitation of Fr. Glaysher, for a Mass to celebrate his 40th anniversary as a priest. Please remember Fr. Dunne in your prayers.
Requiescat in pace.
Centenary of the death of Mgr. John Baptist Cahill (1841 – 1910)
August 2010
On 2nd August the parish remembered the centenary of the death of Bishop John Baptist Cahill (Parish Priest 1868-1900 and 2nd Bishop of Portsmouth 1900-1910) with a Mass in the Extraordinary Form offered by Fr. Simon Leworthy FSSP. Present in the sanctuary for the Mass were Frs. Angelo and Thomas (visiting priests) and Fr. Anthony Glaysher, who preached. In his sermon he reminded the congregation that we are the recipients of the worked of Bishop Cahill, who in his 32 years in Ryde, worked tirelessly, with the support of the Countess of Clare, to make St. Mary’s the beautiful and attractive church that we have inherited. Together they planned and commissioned our stained glass windows, Lady Chapel and Sacred Heart Chapel. Bishop Cahill was instrumental in bringing the Benedictine monks to Quarr and and nuns to St. Cecilia’s Abbey. He also purchased the property next to the church and brought the Sister of Mercy to reside in the convent.
The church choir formed a schola for the occasion and sang the Requiem Mass for the repose of the Bishop’s soul. Requiescat in pace.
On the Feast of the Transfiguration, the annual Mass at St. Dominic’s Priory, was celebrated by Fr. Anthony Glaysher and Fr. Angelo, (who was ministering that week at the adjacent Verbum Dei convent). The priory was the first Catholic monastic institution to be established on the Island since Pre-Reformation times. In 1869 it became the first Catholic monastic institution to receive a royal in recent years, when Queen Victoria, came from Osborne House to visit the nuns. After 123 years the Dominican nuns left the priory, but, thankfully, it is still in Christian hands as it is now an Anglican Healing and Pastoral Centre. Island Catholics are pleased to be allowed back annually to offer Mass and to visit the nuns’ cemetery in the priory garden. (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.) After the Mass Fr. Galysher blessed the graves while Fr. Angelo and Fr. Jonathan Redvers-Harris (Vicar of All Saints, Ryde) led prayers.
The New Parish Office
The Parish Office is now situated in the old convent building. The office is usually manned on weekday mornings. There is a new telephone no. It is 01983 812127. The email is stmarysryde@aol.com. The parish secretaries have access to the parish priest’s diary, so they can arrange meetings and appointments, book a Mass for a special intention, deal with most queries and give guidance and advice on most parish matters. With the parish priest’s many commitments and his busy schedule, it is often quicker and easier to deal with the parish secretaries in the first instance.
Centenary of the death of Mgr. John Baptist Cahill (1841 – 1910)
Parish Priest of Ryde 1868 – 1900
Bishop of Portsmouth 1900 – 1910
The centenary of Bishop Cahill's death is being remembered with a Sung Requiem Mass (Extraordinary Form) on Monday 2nd August at 6-00pm. Celebrant – Fr. Simon Leworthy FSSP. Preacher – Fr. Anthony Glaysher (parish priest).
There will also be a Mass (Ordinary Form) offered by His Lordship Bishop Hollis on Saturday 11th September at 11-00am. This will be followed by prayers at the bishop’s grave in Ryde cemetery. For more information about the life of Bishop Cahill see "About us" page on this web site (further Reading section).
Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to England.
Those wishing to attend the Vigil Mass in Hyde Park on Sat 18th September or the Beatification of Cardinal Newman on Sunday 19th September are asked to fill in one of the forms at the back of the church or telephone the parish priest (01983 562171) or the Parish Secretary (01983 812127) immediately.
There is likely to be some alteration to the normal Mass times for that weekend (see noticeboard nearer the time) as there is also a Pastoral Area celebration at Christ the King College in Carisbrooke.
Ordinations to the Holy Priesthood
There was special interest in the Ordinations this year as they included James McAuley who spent the Summer of 2005 here in the parish as part of his Pastoral Training under the guidance of Fr. John Catlin. James was ordained by Bishop Hollis together with Philip Harris, on 24th July. Both were trained at the English College in Rome. Over fifty priests from the Diocese were present for the Ordinations. The bishop reminded them that the Priesthood was a commitment for life, - not a nine to five job with a final year pension. It was a vocation to service to Almighty God and the Church. Both Philip and James publicly resolved to celebrate the Mysteries of Christ faithfully and religiously; to exercise the Ministry of the Word worthily and wisely; to preach the Gospel and the Catholic Faith. (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.)
Philip Harris will be based at the cathedral, while James is going to Jersey. He will be returning to Ryde (probably in late September) to offer Mass at St. Mary’s and to give the traditional newly-ordained priest’s individual blessing to parishioners. Please continue to pray for Fr. James and Fr. Philip as they commence their priestly ministry.
Eileen Fry (1915 – 2010)
The death has occurred of Eileen Ethel Vera Fry, a former organist of St. Mary’s Church. Eileen died p;eacefully in her sleep on the Feast of St. Henry, 13th July, at the Elms Nursing Home, Bembridge.
Many parishioners and friends will remember Eileen as a stalwart member of the parish community. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League, the Mother Teresa Group, the Isle of Wight Organists’ Association, an Oblate of St. Cecilia’s Abbey, Secretary of the Island Latin Mass Society and a founder member of the Isle of Wight Catholic History Society.
Her Funeral Mass is on Wed. 21st July at 10-00am at St. Mary’s followed by burial at Binstead Cemetery. Donations if required to “Aid to the Church in Need”.
Requiescat in pace.
Ecumenical Safari Supper
The annual Safari Supper organised by the Churches Together in the Ryde Area took place on July 3rd in 3 local churches, the Methodist Church, Garfield Road, All Saints Cof E, Queen's Road and St Mary's RC in the High Street. For a mere £6 we were treated to cutlets of pork and four vegetables, an assortment of wonderful puddings with large amounts of cream and dessert wine, finishing with cheese, biscuits, fruit and coffee.
About 60 people took part, 15 from St Mary's. Special thanks to all the cooks and 'preparers' including Anne Doran and Heather Driver at St Mary's and to Lyn Perren of Garfield Road who organised the whole event.
Confirmation / Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
On this feast His Lordship Bishop Hollis administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 23 young people in the Isle of Wight Deanery. (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.) All the Island priests were present and St. Mary’s was packed for the occasion. Afterwards a barbecue was held in the church garden and presents were given to the confirmandi.
Earlier in the day Fr. Glaysher offered three Masses for the solemnity (one at St. Mary’s School). In his sermon at the midday Mass he reminded the congregation that these two great saints of the church, whose statues are in niches on the sanctuary wall, shed their blood for the love of Christ. Through the grace of Almighty God, Peter found the strength to overcome his weaknesses and become a great leader; Paul found the strength to convert, and from attacking Christians, he spent the rest of his life preaching the Gospel message.
July 2010
A very busy and an exciting month for the parish. Twenty three children received Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion for the first time. The children made their First Confession in April and for both Sacraments of the Church they have been excellently prepared by the catechists, very ably led by Sarah Dixon. On Sunday 20th June the whole group came together for the final celebration at the 11-00am Mass with the theme "Going forth..." (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.) Afterwards there was a party in the church hall. Our Confirmation candidates attended Mass on June 13th for their Rite of Election and they were confirmed by Bishop Hollis during Mass in St. Mary’s on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.)
A significant development in the parish recently has been the formation of a Schola Choir which sang the Mass of Pentecost (Extraordinary Form). The celebrant was Fr. Armand de Malleray, Superior of the Society of St. Peter in England. It is hoped that we can develop the Schola, under the direction of Andrew Duxson, and that a Missa Cantata can be arranged every three months.
The Feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated on the traditional day with a Latin Mass, Procession and Benediction, while on the following Sunday it was celebrated again with a procession after the 11-00am Mass into the church garden where Benediction was given. (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.)
One of our senior altar boys, Joseph Trafford, received the silver medal of the Guild of St. Stephen, having completed ten years loyal service at St. Mary’s.
Two further celebrations this month were the Patronal Feast of St. Mary’s on 12th June. This is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mass was followed by a Social in the church hall. St. Mary’s is the first church in England to bear this dedication. After Mass devotions in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Litany of Our Lady were recited at the Lady Chapel.
Secondly, on 22nd June we celebrate the Feast of Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More, two of our saints from the Reformation period, who put Almighty God and His Church before the wishes of Henry VIII. This year marks the 75th anniversary of their canonisation by Pope Pius XI. Solemn Concelebrated Mass will be offered in St. Mary’s at 6-00pm. In his sermon Fr. Glaysher reminded the congregation of the courage of these two great saints. This undoubtedly inspired and encouraged others in Elizabethan times to offer themselves as priests to bring the Sacraments to the people of England. Fifty years after their martyrdom, our own two Isle of Wight martyrs, Blessed Robert Anderton and Blessed William Marsden, gave their lives for the One True Faith. The Mass was offered for their future canonisation.
Most parishioners are aware of the proposed “One Island Parish” project from the various meetings that have taken place. His Lordship the Bishop visited the Island on 13th May to hear reports on this development and to encourage the faithful in this work. However the Bishop decided to reject the present proposals. The timescale will now be re-appraised as His Lordship decided that the project required greater time to evolve. Consequently the move to a “One Island Parish” will now not take place in December 2010, as originally envisaged. The bishop will return next year to appraise the situation further.
Pilgrimage to West Grinstead
A successful pilgrimage to the Church and Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation at West Grinstead took place on 18th May. West Grinstead was an important centre for the Church during penal times. The faith was never lost thanks largely to the Caryll family who were a wealthy landowning Sussex family who built the "priest's house" (now the presbytery) in the mid 16th century. During penal times most priests who secretly returned to England from abroad, headed for this West Grinstead House, ideally situated deep in the wooded area of West Sussex. Our own two Island martyrs, Blessed Robert Anderton and Blessed William Marsden, were probably heading for West Grinstead when they were caught and executed in 1586.
West Grinstead’s seclusion in the beautiful Sussex countryside and the well planned secrecy with priests disguised as servants and farm workers meant that no priest was ever caught here. This we know from the fact that the house has survived, as it was the custom for the authorities to burn down any house where a priest was found. From W. Grinstead priests were sent to different parts of the country to minister in secret to the faithful. In the house is a secret hiding hole for priests and a chapel in what used to be the hay loft where secret Masses were said.
After Mass offered by Fr. Glaysher and Fr. David Goddard, parish priest and custodian of the shrine, the pilgrims from Ryde had lunch and then listened to a talk on the history of the shrine given by Fr. Goddard. They then visited the secret chapel and viewed the priests’ hiding holes. After the rosary and Benediction, the group departed for a brief visit to the nearby Carthusian monastery at Parkminster. In the extern chapel a brief meditation was led by the Vicar of All Saints, Ryde. We were pleased to have Rev. Jonathan Redvers-Harris accompany us on our pilgrimage. On the return journey we stopped to visit Arundel Cathedral, designed by Joseph Hansom in 1873 (who also designed our own St. Mary’s in Ryde in 1844). A most enjoyable and spiritually uplifting day!
Holy Week / Easter Services at St. Mary’s Church 2010
There were good attendances at St. Mary’s at all the Holy Week / Easter Services. It started on Palm Sunday with the blessing of palms in the church garden and the procession into church whilst the choir and congregation sang "All glory, praise and honour to Thee Redeemer King". The following day Fr. Glaysher led the final Stations of the Cross for Holy Week with the Vicar of All Saints, Fr. Jonathan Redvers-Harris. This concluded with Fr. Simon Leworthy giving Benediction and incensing the pieta. This statue of Christ’s lifeless body is a poignant reminder of Our Lady’s sadness at the suffering of her Son, Jesus.
On the morning of Maundy Thursday, Fr. Glaysher offered Mass at St. Mary’s School and then went to St. Michael’s, Bembridge to preside at the Ecumenical Schools Service. The children of Bembridge C.E. School read the lessons and sang hymns. At the end the Vicar of Bembridge, Rev. Andrew Menniss joined Fr. Glaysher to give the blessing. In the afternoon the Funeral Mass of Elizabeth Foley was held in St. Mary’s and by the evening the church had been suitably decorated with flowers for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the Mandatum. Afterwards there was the usual procession to the Altar of Repose with the Blessed Sacrament and "watching" until night prayer at midnight. An additional feature this year was the official stripping of the altar according to the Old Rite.
On Good Friday the Children’s Service drew over a hundred parents and children. This Service comprised meditations and readings on the Stations concluding with the children lighting candles at the high altar which was now stripped bare. Afterwards about a dozen parishioners joined Fr. Glaysher outside Somerfields in the High Street for an Ecumenical Service of Witness with readings and hymns.
The church was packed at 3-00pm for the Solemn Passion Service. Afterwards Father went to St. Michael’s, Bembridge for the Stations and the veneration of the Cross.
On Holy Saturday there was a good number of children for Confessions. This was most encouraging, especially at a time when many do not avail themselves of this Sacrament. In the evening the Easter Vigil started with the lighting and blessing of the new fire at the back of the church (inclement weather prevented this taking place outside). The pascal candle was blessed and carried in the procession whilst Father sang "Lumen Christi" and incensed the candle before the cantors sang the "Exultet". After the usual Reading the parish had the privilege of welcoming into the Church four members of the Green family who were baptised and three others who were received, Peter Trafford, Ruth Taylor and Paul Singleton. The Mass continued and the bells were rung and all the church candles lit at the singing of the Gloria.
On Easter Sunday there was a good attendance at the 7-45am Mass and the 11-00am Mass was packed to capacity. Father spoke to 67 children seated on the sanctuary steps and explained the significance of the Easter egg; how it represents new life, and that it is the new life of the Risen Lord that we celebrate at Easter.
In his Easter sermon Father reminded the faithful that the resurrection is an essential aspect of our faith. "We believe in the resurrection because one way or another in our lives, we have encountered the Risen Lord. The job of the disciples, and our job today, is to proclaim the resurrection. We can be that stone that rolled away for the people around us. The stone draws us in; it makes people look in and see that there is no body; that Jesus has disappeared. The disciples believed because at that moment they remembered what Jesus had said; the lack of a body suddenly made sense, because he had risen just as He said he would and just as the scriptures had foretold. The scales were lifted from their eyes and they believed. Let us be that stone for others... We are here today because we are celebrating the greatest event in the history of the universe, celebrating the fact of our redemption". (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.)
A Tribute to Beth Foley from Friends in St. Mary's Parish
Your charitable prayers are requested for the eternal repose of the soul of Beth Foley, a prominent supporter of the Latin Mass Society, who died on the Feast of the Annunciation. In seems most appropriate that Beth should depart this life on a feast day of Our Blessed Lady, as she had a great devotion to Christ's mother. She loved St. Mary's and did all she could to increase devotion to Our Lady. This included sponsorship of "Our Lady's Light" with the large candle burning at the statue of Mary at the church door. For over twenty years she and her husband Peter, welcomed people into their house every Tuesday afternoon for the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and other devotions. We have all benefited from Peter and Beth's prayers. Beth was a founder member of the IoW Catholic History Society, a member of the Faith Study Group and a flower arranger at St. Mary's. She had a close association with St. Cecilia's Abbey. One of the nuns, Sister Bede, had been a friend since their days at Surrey Art School. In 1953 she was a bridesmaid at Beth and Peter's wedding on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Beth lived her life for the Faith. She had a great concern for the future of the Church and in particular for Catholic education and the passing on of the One True Faith to future generations. She had a great devotion to Our Blessed Lord in the Holy Eucharist, and she would be frequently observed in prayer and meditation at Exposition especially at the First Friday Holy Hour. She believed that the most efficacious prayer is that in the Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament which releases the power, blessings and graces of Almighty God. She would have delighted in being present at the recent 40 Hours Exposition; both in quiet meditation and in joining others making a fervent act of love to Jesus exposed on the altar for all to see.
Beth had a long association with St. Mary's Church and she attended the Convent school next to the church in the 1930s, when it was run by the Sisters of the Cross (now at East Cowes). How appropriate that Beth's Funeral Mass should be on Maundy Thursday, the day of the commemoration of the institution of the Holy Eucharist; the day of the Last Supper; the day of the first Mass; the Eve of the Passion of the Crucified Saviour. These two singular events, the most significant in the Catholic Church, represented a strong yearning of Beth's devout heart and an inspiration for her final journey.
Requiem aeternam dona ea Domine; et lux perpetua luceat ea.
Ave Maria gratia plena; Dominus tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei. Ora pro nobis peccatoribus.
Nunc et in hora mortis nostri.
40 Hours Exposition
The 40 Hours Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Mary's was a great success with good numbers attending especially at the start of the 40 Hours on the Feast of St. Joseph and at the conclusion on Passion Sunday. (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.) The greatest gift to our Church is the presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. The Christ we receive in the Eucharist at the Table of the Lord is the same Christ we meet in our brothers and sisters. That same Christ is present with us in the 40 Hours and at all other times of Exposition.
The Eucharist is the source of life and spiritual nourishment for us as Catholics. We have great joy in Christ's abiding presence among us, in this most Holy Sacrament.
During the 40 Hours there were novenas and meditations that were led by twelve of our parish groups / societies. St. David’s Parish from East Cowes, also attended and led music and mime in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. We were pleased to welcome Fr. Jonathan Redvers-Harris, Vicar of All Saints, Ryde, who led a meditation on the Saturday reminding us of Christ's Passion and suffering.
The 40 Hours was a familiar devotion in all Catholic parishes in years gone by. In the wake of Vatican II , and like processions, it seemed to lose its impetus. Thankfully, there is evidence that this devotional side of our life as a "Worshipping community" is returning.
Feast of the Annunciation
The Annunciation of Our Blessed Lady is one of the oldest Marian feasts and has special significance in St. Mary's. Elizabeth, Countess of Clare, who founded this Church in 1844-46 was born on this feast day in 1793 and she had a great devotion to Our Blessed Lady. On her 75th birthday she attended Solemn High Mass in the presence of His Holiness Pope Pius IX, with her niece and family at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. To commemorate the centenary of her birth in 1893 the painting (copy) of Guido Reni's Annunciation was donated to the Church by a benefactor. You can see it over the sacristy door. The original is in the Quirinal Palace in Rome. It was on this day in 1858 that Our Blessed Lady uttered the immortal words to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, "I am the Immaculate Conception".
Mass (Ordinary Form) will be offered at the Lady Chapel in St. Mary's at 10-00am followed by Devotions in honour of Our Blessed Lady. Mass (Latin – Old Rite) will be offered in the Countess of Clare's Chapel at 6-00pm.
On this Day - the Feast of the Annunciation – 25th March:
St. Catherine of Siena was born on 25th March 1347.
St. Margaret Clithero was martyred on 25th March 1586, - Same year as our own Island Martyrs
Blessed John Bird was executed at Winchester on 25th March 1593.
Rev. Henry Edward Manning resigned as the Anglican Archdeacon of Chichester on 25th March 1851.
Within 14 years he was to become the Archbishop of Westminster.
Mgr. James Danell was consecrated as the second Bishop of Southwark on 25th March 1871.
Mgr. Peter Amigo was consecrated as the sixth Bishop of Southwark on 25th March 1904.
Pope Pius XII published his Encyclical "Sacra Virginitas" on 25th March 1954.
The first Mass at the Church of the Holy Cross at Seaview was offered on 25th March 1957.
Pope John-Paul II consecrated Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on 25th March 1984.
Visit of the Isle of Wight Embroiderers' Guild
This group came to St. Mary's on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. After morning Mass and Marian Devotions at the Shrine of Our Lady, the guild came to view some of the church vestments. A variety of chasuables, with matching stoles, maniples, burses and veils were exhibited as well as copes and humeral veils. This also attracted a number of parishioners as well. (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.) Tea was served afterwards in the church crypt.
St. Mary's Crypt
This is the only "open" church crypt on the Island. Conveniently situated underneath St. Mary's Church in Ryde High Street, it has a tea room, charity shop (with books, bric-a-brac, household objects, etc.) and an interesting little museum which gives a pictorial history of the Christian and the Catholic Faith on the Island. It has recently been renovated and the displays upgraded. There are photographs and reports of many parish events and activities. The crypt is usually open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. Why not call in?
Parish News 2009
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