Social evening in parish room

Last night there was a very successful and enjoyable social event in the parish room thanks to Darren Brooks who organised a Family Bingo Night. Two dozen parishioners gathered for a couple of hours to raise money for the parish with the chance of a cash prize for each 'line' or 'house'. At times the excitement was palpable as we waited for a last number to be called to make a winner of someone in the room. At the end of the evening £155 was raised for parish funds. Thanks to Darren and to those who provided refreshments to keep us going through the evening.

Diocesan Administrator

In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Canon Law the College of Consultors met today and elected Monsignor Canon Thomas McGovern, Protonotary Apostolic as the Diocesan Administrator.

Monsignor Tom was appointed Vicar General by Bishop McGuinness in 1997 and has continued in that office throughout Bishop Malcolm's episcopate. As Diocesan Administrator he now has the task of leading the College of Consultors in governing the Diocese of Nottingham until the Holy Father, Pope Francis, chooses a new bishop for us.

Sede vacante

The See of Nottingham is vacant. For the first time in seventy years the Diocese of Nottingham has no bishop. The last vacancy began with the death of Bishop John Francis McNulty, the sixth Bishop of Nottingham on 8th June 1943 and ended on 1st May 1944 with the episcopal consecration of Father Edward Ellis as the seventh Bishop. Since then the diocese has been led by a bishop; Bishop Ellis handing on to Bishop James McGuinness at the end of October 1974; and Bishop McGuinness handing over to Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP on 8th December 2000.

Today in a ceremony lasting over two hours in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool, our Bishop Malcolm became Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, ninth Archbishop of Liverpool. In addition to most of the archbishops and bishops of England and Wales, two from Northern Ireland, and no less than three cardinals, priests of the Archdiocese of Liverpool were joined by many priests from the Diocese of Nottingham and from a number of other dioceses who are friends of Bishop Malcolm. Great numbers of Dominicans, priests brothers and sisters were also present as there were in St Barnabas Cathedral in December 2000, making this a family event on many levels. Archbishop Malcolm's family were present among the congregation thronging the 'iconic building'.

Archbishop Malcolm has adopted a new coat of arms today:

Those familiar with the arms he has used as Bishop of Nottingham will recognise various elements but may also note the changes. On the left side of the shield is a pale blue field with the pallium of the archbishop with a golden anchor charged with a red rose above. The right side of the shield still bears the black and white Dominican symbol, while the chief above is now red, but still bears the dove and fleurs-de-lys of Bishop Malcolm's previous arms. The green galero above the shield now has four rows of fiocchi hanging to either side indicating his rank as archbishop, as does the two-bar archiepiscopal cross behind the shield. Archbishop Malcolm has chosen to keep his motto unchanged 'Non nisi te'  (None but you).

We wish Archbishop Malcolm well in his new responsibilities as Archbishop of Liverpool and assure him of our prayers. We also ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon those who will choose our Diocesan Administrator in the next few days who will lead the Diocese of Nottingham during the vacancy while our new bishop is selected.

Meet the Seminarians

Last night I treated the Nottingham Seminarians at Allen Hall to a meal out.

From left to right, Daniel Palmer (4th year), James Noakes (1st year), Fr Philip, Kevin Athide (5th year), and Deacon Kevin Gradwell. (Jonathan Whitby-Smith (2nd year) was away visiting family and sadly could not join us.)

During my Sabbatical the students have welcomed me to Allen Hall for the celebration of Holy Mass and a meal on a number of occasions.

New Cardinals

Today Archbishop Vincent Nichols was among the nineteen bishops to receive a scarlet biretta from Pope Francis making him a Cardinal of the Catholic Church. This is an historic event as it is the first time that two Archbishops of Westminster are alive and both are members of the college of cardinals. Archbishop-Emeritus Cormac Cardinal Murphy O'Connor was the first Archbishop of Westminster to live long enough to retire in office and now that he has passed his eightieth birthday and is no longer able to vote in conclave, the way is clear for Archbishop Nichols to receive this honour.

During the consistory in the Vatican Basilica of St Peter in Rome this morning, Cardinal Nichols received a ring and the distinctive scarlet biretta from the hands of Pope Francis and is now entitled to wear the scarlet robes of his rank and use a new coat of arms, like the one below.

His titular Church in Rome is Sanctissimi Redemptoris et Sancti Alfonsi in Exquiliis (The Most Holy Redeemer and St Alphonsus)

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

This weekend the crib scene has changed from:

with three shepherds visiting the new-born Christ-child in the stable at Bethlehem,

to:

as the Wise Men arrive to pay homage to the infant King of the Jews.

As well as these visitors from the East, we welcomed Fr Simon Gillespie, assistant priest at St Thomas More, Knighton, (somewhere to the West) to celebrate Mass this weekend.

We are continuing to explore the implications of Bishop Malcolm's consultation '"You are Living Stones" and we shall be seeing more of Fr Simon and also Fr Michael Moore, parish priest at St Thomas More over the coming weeks in Oadby.

MARY MOTHER OF GOD

THEOTOKOS

 

Today is the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, or Theotokos in Greek. This ancient title of the Blessed Virgin goes back to the early Councils of the Church where the teaching was established that Mary was truly Mother of God and not merely Mother of Christ, as some Christians were proposing. It is not some play on words, but by our belief that Mary is Mother of God we confirm our belief at the same time that Jesus Christ is God. This feast reminds us that our Saviour is truly human and truly divine.