Parish News
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross at St. Mary's during Lent are on Mondays at 7:00pm followed by Benediction and on Fridays at 11:30am followed by Mass.
Forty Hours Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
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 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. During the days from Friday, 19th March until Sunday, 21st March, we will have the honour to spend some time with our Lord in what is called the 'Forty Hours Devotion'. For forty hours, the Eucharist will be exposed on the altar in St. Mary's. During that time, you are invited to come and pray. There will be communal prayer services, but also plenty of quiet time, where you may come just to spend time praying before the Real Presence of our Lord and Saviour. If you have never done this before, do not worry. There is not a lot you need to "do". You just need to come and "be" in the presence of the Lord. You may bring a Rosary, Bible or any other devotional aid of your own you find helpful. Will you commit to be present in front of the Blessed Sacrament for a period during the 40 Hours? Please sign the list in the porch.
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.
Lenten Lunch
Lenten Lunch will be held at St. Mary's Hall, Ryde on Saturday, the 6th of March from 11:35am. Come and support this important Catholic charity organised by the Faith Study Group in conjuction with the Isle of Wight Catholic History Society. The event will consist of lunch, a quiz, a bric-a-brac stall and a raffle. Deepen your Faith in solidarity with the persecuted Church through up-to-date information, inspiration stories and testimonies of faith and courage. Proceeds go to "Aid to the Church in Need", a charity that gives a voice to the suffering church today. We are privileged that these humbling examples of Witness to Christ not only inspire action but also help us to deepen our own Faith through prayer in solidarity with them. To help put Christ at the heart of your daily life, Aid to the Church in Need encourages us to grow in the Faith. Please support this Lenten Lunch.
First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Twenty-one children who wish to make their First Confession and Communion in June 2010 were enrolled by Fr. Glaysher during Mass on 17th January. (This is the highest number for eight years). The lessons have now commenced and Father had an informative meeting with the children's parents last week. This year there are new catechists, who will be led by Sarah Dixon. The first lesson was both enjoyable and successful. Father welcomed the children and led prayers. After starting their First Communion books, the children were taken into the church to pray and to learn how to bless themselves, to genuflect and to look at some of the vessels and vestments used by the priest.
All parishioners are asked to pray for the children as they commence their First Communion lessons, that the children will grow to know and to love Our Lord and to understand His great gift of the Eucharist, which He has provided for His children. Photographs of the children can be seen on the church noticeboard. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered by His Lordship the Bishop in June. Application forms are now available at the back of our churches.
First Communion Dates:
| Date(s) | Event(s) |
| February 6 | Lesson |
| February 27 | Lesson |
| February 28 | Children's Mass at 11am |
| March 13 | Lesson |
| April 10 | Lesson |
| April 11 | Children's Mass at 11am |
| May 1 | Lesson |
| May 11 | Parents Meeting |
| May 15 | Lesson |
| May 16 | First Confessions |
| June 1 | Parents Meeting |
| June 5 | Lesson and Practice in Church |
| June 6 | First Holy Communion at 11am Mass |
The lessons and the meetings are compulsory. Please make a note of them in your diary / family calendar. The lessons are in the church hall (9:00am to 11:00am). The Parents meetings are in the convent at 7:00pm.
Divine Mercy Chaplet
This Service of adoration and repentance for the sins of mankind, as promoted by St. Faustina, is held quarterly on the Island. (The dates and venues of these Services can be found in the "Calendar" page). The January Service was held for the first time at St. Michael's, Bembridge in January. A congregation of approximately thirty people were present. The Service was led by Fr. Anthony Glaysher and Deacon David Croucher.
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?
Faith Study Group
Now in its sixth year, this successful group grew from the "grassroots"; a small group of parishioners who wanted to learn more about their Faith and to develop their spirituality. With over twenty members, it is the largest prayer / discussion group on the Island that meets on a regular (monthly) basis. In the recent past the group has discussed the catechism, symbols in the church, Marian devotion, Our Lord's Passion, the Holy Souls, Advent, Lent and the liturgical year, The Eucharist and the Real Presence, the life of St. Therese of Lisieux, First Friday and Saturday Devotions and various extracts from the bible. Why not come along? Meetings are advertised in the church newsletter or contact Carolyn Holbrook (875744) or Gill or Peter Clarke (566740). The Faith Study Group are arranging a Lenten Lunch for "Aid to the Church in Need" (in conjunction with the IoW Catholic History Society) on Sat. 6th March (from 12 noon).
Mass in the Extraordinary Form
From Monday 11th January, Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Latin Tridentine) will be offered in St. Mary's every Monday at 12 noon. Fr. Glaysher has made this decision in response to His Holiness Pope Benedict's appeal in his encyclical, "Summorum Pontificum", (which became operative on 14th September 2007), for a wider use of this Form of the Roman Mass to enable the faithful to appreciate the richness of this Rite which was in general use throughout the world in Pre-Vatican II days.
New Year Masses
Father has announced that there will be an opportunity to see in the New Year with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 11:30pm on New Year's Eve. This will be followed immediately by Mass at midnight (Ordinary Form). During the day there will be Mass at St. Michael's (Ordinary Form) at 10:00am and at St. Mary's (Extraordinary Form) at 12 noon. This will be followed by the usual First Friday Holy Hour with Exposition, Rosary and Devotions.
St. Mary's Advent Carol Service
Many thanks to all who were responsible for the enjoyable and splendid candlelit service on Advent Sunday 29th December; to the choirs, quintet, soloists and flautist who provided a well sung and varied selection of Advent carols and music; to the readers for their efficiency and clarity in proclaiming the word of God; to the servers and those who gave the worship movement and procession; to our congregation with its several visitors for attending our worship on a windswept evening and for giving a spirited account of the hymns; to those providing the most welcome mince pies and mulled wine after the service; to those who solved the many logistical problems involved in such an event: and, of course to Fr. Anthony for his help and vision and enthusiasm in making the whole act of worship possible. Andrew Duxson, Director of Music.
Christmas
There were good attendances at all the Christmas Masses. Father blessed the cribs at our three churches. There were the usual carols before the midnight Mass at St. Mary's and the Christmas morning Mass at St. Michael's. The Children's Service on Christmas Eve was well attended. (See "Photo Gallery for photographs.) The children processed around the church with candles and left some of their toys at the crib. This year, at the suggestion of Fr. Glaysher, the crib was situated in the baptistery. Children were encouarged to walk in and around the font to view the babe with Mary and Joseph and the shepherds.
Gaudete Sunday
On the third Sunday of Advent, the Rev. Deacon Stephen Morgan (Financial Secretary for the Diocese) came to Ryde. He spoke to the congregation at all the Masses and informed them of the position with regard to our church and convent site. The bishop has decided that the church and presbytery will remain together with a hall / community centre. After that all other church property will be included in plans for the development and therefore could be demolished or renovated.
Deacon Stephen preached to the children at the 11:00am Mass. (See "Photo Gallery for photographs.) He reminded them that Advent was a time of preparation for Christmas. He also spoke about the importance on understanding the meaning of the Incarnation and congratulated the parish on reciting the Angelus before every Mass, as this prayer emphasised the Incarnation when we say "the Word was made Flesh".
Martyrs Mass
On 15th December the Island celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Beatification of the two Isle of Wight martyrs, Blessed Robert Anderton and Blessed William Marsden. Concelebrated Mass was held at St. Mary's and this was offered for their future canonisation. (See "About us" page for the life of the two martyr-priests). The Prior Administrator of Quarr Abbey, Fr. Finbar Kealy, was the preacher. In his sermon he reminded the congregation that Christian martyrs follow the example of Jesus Christ. "Their giving of their lives, their sacrifice of them selves, is founded on the love of God and the love of their fellow human beings. Their love is brought about by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and nourished by prayer and self-denial. How deprived this country would be today had martyrs such as Robert Anderton and William Marsden taken the easy way out and failed to declare their faith and their priesthood. How deprived this country will be in years to come if we succumb to pessure and give in. With the grace of God we can conquer hatred with love and make our world, our island, a better place."
Enid Eastwood's 90th birthday
Congratulations to Enid Eastwood who was presented with a papal blessing at Mass on Sunday, 6th December on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Enid and her two daughters, June and Glynnis, are well known parishioners of St. Mary's. They always attend the Sunday 11:00am Mass. (See "Photo Gallery for photographs.)
The Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation at West Grinstead
This is the most important shrine in honour of Our Lady, south of London. The church was built in 1876 but Mass was offered in the attic chapel above the presbytery (originally a barn) throughout the penal times by recusant priests; some of whom became martyrs for the Faith. Hence we can say that in this beautiful rural setting south of Horsham, not only was the Faith never lost, but it is very evident today. Fr. Glaysher went to the shrine on the Feast of St. John of the Cross, and offered Mass in the attic chapel. (See "Photo Gallery" for photographs.) It was here that our own Isle of Wight martyrs, Blessed Robert Anderton and Blessed William Marsden, were probably heading when they were caught in a storm in the Solent in 1586 and subsequently martyred for the Faith here on the Island. The parish-priest / custodian of the shrine, Fr. David Goddard is well known to many of us in the parish. He came to advise us on the removal of the old pipe organ in St. Mary's in 2006. He also talked to the Catholic History Society about the history of the Shrine at West Grinstead. It was Fr. Goddard's son, Matthew, who came to Ryde on the Feast of St. John the Baptist 2009, to celebrate the Solemn High Mass, within only a few weeks of his Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. On several occasions St. Mary's Parish has travelled on pilgrimage to West Grinstead to pray at this historic shrine. In 2003 a coach of 50 people went for Solemn High Mass on 16th July, which marked the 50th anniversary of the death of the great Catholic literary figure, Hilaire Belloc, who is buried in the adjacent churchyard.
There are similarities between West Grinstead and Ryde. Both have beautiful, historic churches dedicated to Our Lady. When England was re-dedicated to Our Lady in 1893 and consequently churches were encouraged to develop chapels, shrines and grottoes in honour of Our Lady; it was West Grinstead that was the first to have a Shrine solemnly dedicated to Our Lady (the first such solemn crowning and dedication in England in the post Reformation era). Likewise it was Ryde in 1893 that was one of the first to have a separate chapel constructed in honour of Our Lady. Today it is one of the finest Lady Chapels in the Diocese. For further information on West Grinstead visit http://consolation.org.uk.
| © Copyright 2009 St. Mary's, Ryde. All Rights Reserved. | Designed by Michael Acain. |
