The LATIN MASS SOCIETY - CATHOLIC LIFE ARTICLE

Somewhat belatedly we report a useful article explaining the purpose, work and history of the LATIN MASS SOCIETY is published in the December 2009 issue of the illustrated monthly 'CATHOLIC LIFE'. The piece was written by the rep. for North Staffs.

Update: Epiphany Mass

More good news! Alan can now confirm that there will be a Low Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany, 6th January, at 7pm at Oulton Abbey.
Our thanks to Fr. Jan Nowotnik, who will be saying this Mass for us, and to the religious at the Abbey for letting us use the Abbey church.

Christmas Day Mass at Fenton

Great news! There will be a Low Mass (with carols) on Christmas Day morning at 11.15am at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Masterson Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent. Our thanks to Fr. Petroc Howell who will be celebrating, despite the tight schedule he has on this glorious day.

Many of us know this church from the time of Fr. Anton Guziel as parish priest, under whose direction it was transformed (de-reordered!).

Thought for the Approach of Christmas

Here is a thought that is really for all those who are lapsed Catholics, or are among the indifferent, sceptical or hostile concerning the purpose and teaching of the birth of Jesus Christ in a stable at Bethlehem.

The thought originates from the memory of hearing or reading something similar by an unknown priest years ago. It very much reflects something that the social agenda-setters have been trying to stamp out, especially from the minds of children since the sixties: the reflexive importance of 'common sense'. Those who read the writings of the resurgent G.K. Chesterton will understand why he is known as 'The Apostle of Common Sense'.

So here is an important thought for everyone at this time of year:

CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE CHRIST IS LIKE SUNSHINE WITHOUT THE SUN

22 Nov. Mass at Oulton Abbey

We are most grateful to Fr. Jan Nowotnik, parish priest at St. Augustine's, Meir, for celebrating, for the first time in public, Low Mass in the Traditional Rite at the lovely and atmospheric chapel of the Benedictine Abbey at Oulton near Stone, last Sunday. Fr. Jan's modest trepidations at the outset proved groundless as members of the congregation readily attested afterwards. Our thanks to the Sisters and Abbot Cuthbert again for accommodating us and to Beryl Terry for helping in the preparation and in the provision of tea and snacks afterwards (and Joan and Peter!).

In the homily and in conversation later, Fr. Jan reminded us of the importance to the priest as celebrant of the spiritual depth that is to be found in the precious sacred liturgy that is the Traditional Rite, the Usus Antiquior. It is to be hoped that in coming years, in appreciation of and indeed in obedience to the Holy Father's moto proprio, many more priests will come to understand and experience this spiritual depth in offering the sacrifice of the Mass in the Traditional Rite.

Missa Cantata for the Feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury: December 29th

Alan is now able to confirm that the annual Mass at Wolstanton on the feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury will be taking place as usual. It will be a Sung Mass, and will begin at 11am.

As this year has been declared a year for priests, and St. Thomas à Becket is patron of the English clergy, this should be an excellent opportunity to pray for all of our priests.

Sunday 22nd: Change of time

It seems I posted a little too soon, and didn't include all the details.

The Mass on November 22nd will start at 2.30 pm, not 3 pm as normal.

Both my previous update and the November list have been edited to update them.

Update: Nomember 22nd

The November Mass list has been updated.

Oulton Abbey is confirmed as the venue for Sunday November 22nd, and it will be a Low Mass.

Please also note that the Mass will start at 2.30 pm; half an hour earlier than usual.

This will actually be the first public traditional Mass to be said by Fr. Jan Nowotnik, parish priest of Meir.

It's always great to hear of another priest starting to offer Mass according to the usus antiquior, and hopefully many will be able to attend and show support.

Finally, this Mass will commemorate, to the day, the first anniversary of the late Fr. David Higham OSB, a great stalwart of the Traditional Mass, who died at the Abbey. Requiescat in pace.

The Traditional Latin Mass in North Staffordshire

Solemn High Mass at St Joseph's, Burslem - Laetare Sunday, 2011

This is intended to be an introductory post to our local Latin Mass community, for those who are new to the Latin Mass and are thinking about coming along to one of our Masses.

There is a stable group of Catholics, including a number of young families, who attend the Latin Mass in North Staffordshire on a weekly basis. Through the generosity of local priests, both those who say the Masses for us and those who give us permission to use their churches, we have the opportunity to attend a Latin Mass almost every day, and often have more than one Mass to choose from on Sundays.

Sunday Mass is celebrated (usually sung) at 6pm every week at St Joseph's parish church, Burslem, by the resident Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. The friars also have Low Mass at 7.30am every weekday morning (not including Saturdays). We also have a monthly Sunday Mass, beginning at 3.00pm, that alternates between Oulton Abbey near Stone and the famous Pugin church of St. Giles in Cheadle. Take a look at the monthly Mass listings to find out where the next Mass will be held (links on the right hand side of the page). Refreshments are also served after all Sunday Masses.

Finally, to address some common questions/misconceptions about the Latin Mass:

'Why attend the Latin Mass? Isn't it just the same thing, but in a language I don't understand?'

Low Mass at St Joseph's, Burslem

The Traditional Latin Mass is not simply the same thing as the modern Mass, but in Latin. When the New Order of Mass (Novus Ordo Missae) was brought in at the end of the 60's, more than just the language changed. In fact, it is possible (albeit rare) to find the modern Mass celebrated in Latin, but even that is rather different from our weekly Masses (comparison here).

The traditional Mass is, many would argue, a much richer and fuller expression of the Catholic faith, and particularly of the Church's teaching on the Sacrifice of the Mass and the Eucharist. It was the main expression of the Mass in the Western Church for the greater part of Christian history, and the Mass that so many of the saints would have known and loved. It is also of immense cultural significance, having inspired some of the greatest cultural achievements of western civilisation. There isn't space here to go into all the reasons why but, for those that are interested, more can be found here.

'But I don't know Latin...'
It doesn't matter! Not many people who attend the Latin Mass do. Of course, if one attends regularly, one tends to pick up the basics. The greater part of the Mass remains unchanged from week to week, so it is relatively easy to start to understand (easier than you might think). Plus, English language translations are readily available (you can find one to copy, paste and print here) to help you follow along. Finally, participation at the traditional Mass tends to be chiefly interior, as opposed to exterior, and this has many advantages; allowing each person to follow along at their own pace and join their prayers, silently, with those of the priest at the altar.

'Is this really an accepted option for Sunday worship for a Catholic?'

Yes, absolutely. Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, stated that the traditional Latin Mass has never been abrogated, and Catholics who wish to attend may do so. Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, during his visit to England during which he celebrated a traditional Mass in Westminster Cathedral, made the Holy Father's wishes clear. In a press interview he said that the aim of the Motu Proprio is for the Traditional Mass to be offered in "All the parishes. Not many - all the parishes..."

The provisions of Summorum Pontificum were then clarified and strengthened in the 2011 instruction Universae Ecclesiae.

Attending these Masses fulfils your obligation to attend Mass on any Sunday or Holy Day. Our Masses are all said by ordinary priests in good standing within the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

All are welcome!

All who wish to are welcome to attend these Masses. Holy Communion is, of course, reserved to practicing Catholics in a state of grace (as at all Catholic Masses). Nobody will look down on newcomers who don't know exactly what to do, just copy everyone else in the congregation and you'll be fine. Just find out where the next Mass will be held and come along. A warm welcome awaits you!

(Updated: 03/11/2011)

Masses in January

Here is a list of Masses due to be celebrated in January 2010.



1st St. Wulstan's, Wolstanton 7pm Sung/Low Mass
3rd St. Peter's, Waterloo Road, Cobridge 3pm Low Mass
6th Oulton Abbey 7pm Low Mass
10th Oulton Abbey 3pm Sung/Low Mass
17th St. Giles, Cheadle 3pm Low Mass
24th St. Peter's, Waterloo Road, Cobridge 3pm Low Mass
31st St. Giles, Cheadle 3pm Low Mass

Masses in December

Below you can find the times of Masses scheduled for December.

Alan has pointed out that we should pay particular attention to the Masses around Christmas time, as there may be some changes later on. This list will be updated, so check back later.



4th St. Wulstan's, Wolstanton 7pm Low Mass
6th St. Peter's, Waterloo Road, Cobridge 3pm Low Mass
13th St. Dominic's, Margaret Street, Stone 3pm Low Mass
20th St Giles, Cheadle 3pm Low Mass
25th Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Fenton 11.15am Low Mass
27th St Peter's, Waterloo Road, Cobridge 3pm Low Mass
29th St. Wulstan's, Wolstanton 11am Sung Mass

Masses in November

Here is a list of all Masses scheduled to take place in November.

Clicking on the names of the churches should take you to google maps, with directions to the church.


1st St Peter's, Waterloo Road, Cobridge 3pm Low Mass
2nd Our Lady of Sorrows, Knutton 6pm Low Mass
6th St Wulstan's, Wolstanton 7pm Low Mass
8th Oulton Abbey 3pm Low Mass
15th St Giles, Cheadle 3pm Low Mass
22nd Oulton Abbey 2.30pm Low Mass - updated
29th St Giles, Cheadle 3pm Low Mass

First Post

Welcome to the new blog!

This is still very much a work in progress, but I'll try to add some useful information as soon as possible.

Hopefully, if we can keep it regularly updated, it will be a useful resource for everybody.