Wednesday 12 December 2012

Immaculate Conception Feast Day

Rosary in front of the big Monstrance at Ss Peter Paul and Philomena : Canons Moor (Parish Priest) and Montjean (Rector of the Shrine) praying together with numerous parishioners.


Monday 26 November 2012

Right Rev. Mark Davies' pastoral Letter for Advent


PASTORAL LETTER

On New Evangelisation

to be read in all churches and chapels of the Diocese

on the First Sunday of Advent

2nd December 2012


My dear brothers and sisters,

The Christmas celebration reminds us that Christianity lies at
the foundation of our nation’s life. And yet, we are also aware
that, of those 72 per cent of British people who declare
themselves as “Christian,” so many are no longer actively part
of a church or share a living faith. We see the Christian
foundations of our society being challenged as never before,
whether on questions concerning the sanctity of human life or
the very identity of marriage.
Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, invites us to respond to this
challenging situation by nothing less than a New
Evangelisation. This may seem a surprising phrase; it evokes
the “first evangelisation” which continues both at home and
overseas where the Gospel is announced for the first time.
What, then, is new about the new evangelisation? It speaks to
a new situation, the one we often meet today in our families,
parishes and society. One Archbishop of Paris famously asked
to be reminded - whenever he was in a crowded church - of the
many people who were not there. At Christmas time, we cannot
fail to think of many people who received the great inheritance
of the Christian faith, but in whom
“the light of faith has grown dim” (Pope Benedict XVI,
Closing Homily Synod of Bishops, 28th October 2012).
The need to announce anew our Catholic faith in Christ does
not mean that the past work of our parishes has failed. New
Evangelisation recognises that, together, we face a changed
situation, one which demands a new response from us all.

The Second Vatican Council, meeting fifty years ago, drew
attention to the fact that most people would only hear the
Gospel and know the Catholic Church through the members of
Christ’s faithful whom they meet. In other words, each one of
you listening to my letter today! I am often reminded of this in
conversations with people outside the Church who immediately
tell me of the Catholics they themselves know. The New
Evangelisation involves us all.
Blessed John Paul spoke of new evangelisation as being new
in its ardour, new in its methods and new in its means of
expression. It is no coincidence that he spoke first of a “new
ardour,” which means a renewed love for Christ and His
Church. New evangelisation begins in our hearts, because
without such love there will be no new energy to bring others to
know Christ. The Catechism puts this very simply:
“from the loving knowledge of Christ there springs up in
the believer the desire to evangelise and catechise, that
is, to reveal in the Person of Christ the entire design of
God and put people in communion with him”
(Compendium of the Catechism n. 80).
So, new evangelisation is not primarily about having new plans
or new strategies. New evangelisation flows from renewed
love, which in turn leads us to seek new ways of giving
expression to our Catholic faith, new methods by which to
communicate to our contemporaries the unchanging Gospel,
the faith of the Church in all its fullness. As I look to the years
ahead as your bishop I realise this is no small task. Pope
Benedict describes this as:
“the urgent need to proclaim Christ anew in places
where the light of faith has weakened, in places where
the fire of God is more like smouldering cinders, crying
out to be stirred up, so that they can become a living
flame that gives light and heat to the whole house”
(Closing Homily Synod of Bishops, 28th October 2012). 

In the Diocese, we are setting up new commissions, and
organising courses and conferences to help us meet this
challenge. I realise, however, that what matters most is the
influence of the lives of each one of you, and how you give
witness to your Catholic faith amidst the difficult circumstances
of our time. This must surely begin with prayer, much prayer.
Indeed, Our Lord reminds us on this First Sunday of Advent,
“stay awake, praying at all times …” (Luke 24:34).
It is why, since becoming your bishop, I have emphasized the
need to put prayer first. The prayer card for the Year of Faith
reminds us that the new evangelisation begins in prayer.
At the time of year which stirs the embers of the memory of
Christian faith in our country, we desire that all may come to
know the light of the
“Saviour who has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord”
(Luke 2: 11).
Wishing you the joy of Advent and a truly happy Christmas,
+ Mark
Bishop of Shrewsbury

Saturday 24 November 2012

Vespers and Benediction with Bishop Mark Davies


Right Rev. Mark Davies gives the Benediction 

after Vespers with priests friends of the Shrine


Friday 23 November 2012

Msgr Wach's visiting Shrine

Msgr Wach, Prior General of Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest,

after the Solemn High Mass, 18th November, wtith canon Hoban, who preached during the Mass.


Wednesday 10 October 2012

New blog site for the Institute of Christ the King in England


With great joy and solemnity, the Shrine Church of Ss. Peter and Paul and Philomena officially opened on Saturday, March 24, the anticipated feast of the Annunciation. Holy Mass was celebrated at 10:30 AM by Monsignor Gilles Wach, Founder and Prior General of the Institute, in the presence of His Lordship, the Rt Reverend Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury, who preached the homily. Located in seaside city of New Brighton, Wirral, this is the first shrine church in England entrusted to the care of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, and dedicated to the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, including all the sacraments.

For this special occasion, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI offered a papal blessing with an attached plenary indulgence to all who assist at this special opening Mass, as follows:

The Apostolic Penitentiary, empowered by a faculty granted to it in a special way by our Holy Father Benedict XVI, by Divine Providence Pope, happily grants his Lordship the Most Reverend Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury, that, on the 24th March next, on which the pastoral care of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul and St Philomena is solemnly entrusted to the members of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, after the offering of the Divine Sacrifice, he may impart to all the faithful present, who, their souls entirely separated from attachment to sin, take part in the sacred mysteries, a Papal Blessing with an attached Plenary Indulgence, which may be gained under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and Prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff).

This papal decree was an added blessing to an event already overflowing with infinite graces, and the effect was keenly felt by the large crowd. Exceeding the original expectation of 400, approximately 1,100 souls came to the Mass which re-opened this beloved landmark.

Beautifully decorated with ivy and floral arrangements, the shrine church was the prefect setting for the majestic Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form which heralded its new mission.  A choir of the Sister Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus chanted the propers of the Mass for the feast of the Annunciation, honoring both the Incarnation and the fiat of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Known as the "Dome of Home" because its large green dome was a visible sign of home to the sailors at sea, this landmark church had closed its doors in August 2008. Since its erection as a shrine church by Bishop Davies last October, it had taken many months of repair work to make it suitable for the celebration of Holy Mass at its High Altar.

The symbolism of a beacon—of hope and of home—had been repeatedly attached to the new Shrine Church of Ss. Peter and Paul and Philomena. Bishop Davies concluded in his homily: "We wish to recognise in this Shrine Church set high on the Wirral horizon not simply a landmark but a beacon announcing hope to passing generations. So above the mists of confusion which obscure our vision, the storms of controversy which unsettle us we may turn our gaze always towards Christ, loving and redeeming us, in the Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Altar."

It is the aim of this Shrine Church that progressively more Eucharistic Adorations will be offered, to eventually reach the goal of perpetual adoration. In only one week since the opening Mass, telephone inquiries have multiplied, with many requests for baptism, confirmation, and confessions. Please join the Institute as we joyfully serve Christ the King in this new venture, and in our prayers for the full restoration of the Shrine Church of Ss Peter and Paul and Philomena.