The newsletter - and Father Martin's homily - talked about the different postures in the liturgy. Sitting, a bodily prayer of receptivity; standing as a sign of respect, honour towards the Gospels; and kneeling as a bodily prayer of adoration. This was followed by an explicit encouragement of kneeling, together, during the whole of the Eucharistic Prayer. (Before Mass, the dozen or so altar servers were being shown how to come round to the front of the sanctuary and kneel on the step.) I suspect a previous practice of standing, or, at least, a mixed practice arising from the different cultures and nationalities represented in the parish community.
The newsletter also contained the programme for their Christmas retreat, with an invitation to take part in as many of the events as possible.
Monday 22nd December: 7.30 pm Reconciliation Service
Tuesday 23rd December:
11.00 am First Talk (Parish Centre - upstairs)
12,00 pm Holy Mass (St Margaret's)
3.00 pm Second Talk (Parish Centre - upstairs)
Wednesday 24th December:
11.00 am Third Talk (Parish Centre - upstairs)
12.00pm Holy Mass (Advent Mass - St Margaret's)
3.00 pm Fourth Talk (Parish Centre - upstairs)
7.30 pm: Carol Service
8.00 pm: Christmas Eve Mass
11.30 pm Carol Service
12.00 am Midnight Mass
Thursday 25th December: 10.00 am and 12.00 pm Christmas Day Masses
The newsletter also offered the possibility of eating lunch with the community on each day of the retreat, though this needed to be arranged in advance with the guest master of the community. What a wonderful way to begin celebrating Christmas.
Now, isn't this a parish you want to be part of! I had a nice chat with Fr Martin after Mass. And a conversation with one of my AS Physics students from school ...
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