All good things must come to an end and so it is that my former fellow Rep, Nick Ross, moved with his wife Kerrie to Nottinghamshire on 7 March. He served for the last time on Ash Wednesday, the evening before the day of the move, and was thanked by Fr Matthew Goddard, FSSP for his work as both Diocesan Rep and that of MC at our Sung Masses. Nick went out on a high, in that the Mass on Ash Wednesday was attended by some 120 people, the most we have had at Bedford to date. Nick hopes that this Mass will not be his last, as he hopes to visit Bedford from time to time and has kindly offered to help out with the serving if needed. Meanwhile he has been enlisted as Rep for Hallam, where he will work to build up the Latin Mass in that part of the country. Another good thing which has come to an end in the last few months is the monthly Friday evening Mass at Shefford. We are grateful to Canon Bennie Noonan for celebrating this Mass over the years. Apart from Bedford, the other remaining Mass in Northampton South is at Chesham Bois every Sunday at 8 am.
We are grateful to the FSSP based at Reading for providing celebrants both at Chesham and at Bedford each Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, the latter of which there are, of course, several this summer. Sunday Masses at Bedford continue with around 80 - 90 people each week. The first Sunday in the month is usually a Sung Mass with the Schola. On the third Sunday of the month and normally one other, Matthew Schellhorn, our Director of Music, plays and sings at the Mass. In Lent, apart from Laetare Sunday, he has been singing unaccompanied in the sanctuary. Our series of First Sunday Family Catechism Days at Christ the King, Bedford are being well attended, with sessions for the under 8s, under 16s and adults, led by Fr Patrick O’Donohue, FSSP. Fr O’Donohue is giving some fascinating talks to the adults about the background to the various parts of the Mass and the significance of what happens in the sanctuary. Regina Caeli, the new Bedfordshire-based homeschooling academy, held an Open Day on 13 April with opportunity to enroll for the autumn term, when the Academy opens its doors for the first time. Full details can be found at 0www.rcahybrid.org.uk.
Following the success of last year’s Mass of Reparation, we are starting to plan for a second visit from the Latin Mass Society to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Church of the Holy Child and St Joseph, Bedford, probably in November. For details of all our activities, as always please see our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/bedfordlatinmass.
T: 01234 340759