Easter to Pentecost: the longest liturgical season in the Church’s calendar.

Easter is the most important Feast in the Church’s calendar and quiet right too, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and therefore His triumph. For the forty days of Lent, our attention has been focused on personal reflection and works of penance and/or charity and looked forward to the joy of Easter. Our churches looked festive adorned with spring flowers and candles ready to welcome the regular parishioners, visitors and those who having been absent during the whole year, return to join in the joy of the Lord’s Resurrection . And in on all this festive joy, we sometimes forget that the celebration continues not only with the Octave of Easter, but for 50 more days!

After his resurrection, Jesus’ mission continued for forty days until the day of his Ascension into Heaven. During this time, He walked again the same paths appearing here and there to different groups of people, talking about the kingdom of God, forming his church, preparing the apostles for the coming of the Holy Spirit and reassuring them that He will be with them until the end of time. Then, he ascended into Heaven in front of his disciples. The angels who were present at the ascension asked a pretty good question: “Why are you looking toward heaven?” (Acts 1:11). It’s a question worth considering today. Frequently, we are more concerned with heaven than with the Kingdom of God. The death of Jesus was not the end, but the beginning, and it is worth remembering that 50 days after his Resurrection, his promise of the gift of Holy Spirit was fulfilled.

This promise is for all of us and maybe, our Easter joy could be followed by further reflection on the meaning of his Ascension and Pentecost. It is the Holy Spirit that continues to open our hearts, to touch our souls and to promise us, if we are open to it, the Kingdom of God will come to us, our families, our parishes and the whole Church!

‘O consuming fire, Spirit of Love, prays St Elizabeth of the Trinity, overshadow me so that the Word may be, as it were, incarnate again in my soul. May I be for Him a new humanity in which he can renew all His mystery.’

Amen!

‘Mary teach us to say Yes to the Lord every moment of our lives.
Mary teach us to say Thanks to the Lord every moment of our lives.’

 CONSECRATION OF OUR PARISH TO OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM

 

Bishop Alan blessed the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham donated by Tom McInally’s family on his memory.	Over 70 parishioners from our three mass centres enjoyed a convivial time in the garden with burgers and sausages provided by Blackwell’s Farm shop and delicious salads and puddings produced by our talented and generous parishioners. Wine, beer and soft drinks were a joyful accompaniment to a sunbathed afternoon
	Leah Clarke entertained us with her warm music and voice.
Our thanks to Blackwell’s Farm Shop from Coggeshall, who donated the BBQ meat and bread. Their professionalism made it a very special occasion for us!	Bishop Alan made a point of speaking to as many parishioners as possible during his time with us!