New BBC series on the History of Christianity

Welcome to our links panel The Church Mouse Blog, voted 'highly commended' in the Christian Website of the year awards.

Here you can read what Mouse has to say on the BBC's 'major new series' on Christianity.

Summer at St Laurence's

This week we’ve responded to the statement from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York by following their advice to suspend the administration of the chalice at the Eucharist. The Blessed Sacrament is being administered in one kind only, and we will receive the Host (consecrated bread) in our hands. More details were handed out yesterday, and spare information sheets covering questions about this are at the back of church. Suffice it to say here that theologically it makes no difference and we have fully received communion in this way. Meanwhile, our prayers are with those who are affected by illness at this time.

On a lighter note (pun intended!) there’s a chance to vote for possible replacement panels which will be installed in church as part of the new lighting scheme. There are “mock ups” of two of the alternatives in church now to help us decide. I quite like the shiny one, but keep changing my mind!

From now until the end of August, weekday masses will be on Tuesdays (7.30pm) and Wednesdays (10.30am, followed by coffee). The next healing mass will be on Tuesday 4 August, and the next choral evensong on 6 September (no Sunday evening prayer during August).

Elvis returns to Catford!

Phew, it is hot in the office!

There's plenty going on, as usual, so remember to check our calendar from time to time (click on "What's on" under "Links" to the right). In the meantime though here's a plug for one of the highlights of the Summer - 'Elvis' will be performing here at St Laurence's on Saturday 11th July, and tickets are on sale now!! You can read more about him by clicking on the title of this post.

We had a brilliant evening last time he came here, so do come along if you can. The money raised from the ticket sales is the start of our fundraising efforts for the Christmas Day Party that we put on every year for the benefit of the people of Catford (you can find out more about last year's below).

See you on the 11th!

Parish pilgrimage holiday

A number of St Laurence's congregation joined together with All Saints', Blackheath for their annual pilgrimage earlier this month. This year the venue was Aosta, the birthplace of St Anselm and the most completely surviving Roman garrison town in Europe (and also, incidentally, visited by the Archbishop of Canterbury 10 days before our visit!).

John took photos of the presentation to the Bishop (Fr Charles Pickstone of St Laurence's on the left, Fr Nicholas Cranfield of All Saints' on the right).



I've heard that a good time was had by all, and hopefully someone will write an account of their visit for the next parish magazine (hint, hint).

Concert on Saturday

Our next organ recital will be this Saturday, 9th May at 11am, at which
Michael Bonaventure will play music by Kenneth Leighton:

1. Paean (1966)
2. Improvisation (In memoriam Maurice de Sausmarez) (1969)
3. Festival Fanfare (1968)
4. Veni Creator Spiritus - Prelude (1987)
5. Prelude, Scherzo and Passacaglia (1964)

Michael was invited by the Edinburgh Society of Organists to give a recital to mark the 80th anniversary of Kenneth Leighton's birth. At St Laurence, Michael will play an abridged version of the programme he presented at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh on 10 January this year.

Free entrance, coffee and biscuits afterwards, and retiring collection for St Laurence choir bursary fund.

Blessing the palms

Holy Week and Easter services

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, when we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week. The 10 o'clock mass begins in the church hall, where palm crosses are distributed and blessed, and we process into the church.

Please click on the link on the right for our Holy Week and Easter services (click on "services and events" and then on "Holy Week and Easter").