MESSAGE ON THE 30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YR A)
Friday 23rd October 2026.
My dear people,
I would like to start my message this week by bringing to your attention again, the matter of punctuality when it comes to attending Mass. Several months ago, you will recall I preached about different items of etiquette for Mass and punctuality was one of them. I think it is timely to give a gentle reminder of the importance of being in church before the Mass starts.
As I said in my homilies that weekend, it would be good to be seated in the pew five minutes before Mass starts. This will enable the recollection of our thoughts and focus our attention to what we are about to do. When we are seated in the pew, the only person we should be talking to is Jesus Christ. It is important to remember that the sacrifice of the Mass starts with the sign of the cross, and when we are not there for the sign of the cross, we miss the opportunity to recall to mind the mystery of our salvation through the mystery of the cross, and bringing to mind the Holy Trinity, the God in whom we believe.
From that moment starts the Liturgy of the Word, which is integral to the proper celebration of the Mass. I must reiterate something very important: that Mass is composed of both the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. If we do not hear the Gospel at Mass, then we have not been to Mass that weekend and will need to find another time to attend Mass to fulfill our obligation.
As you no doubt realise, this is a matter of the highest importance and significance for faithfulness to what Holy Mother Church asks. I know that getting small children ready for Mass on a Sunday morning or a Saturday afternoon can be nothing short of a battle and I acknowledge that. If I may offer some advice, it is to work out the amount of time it takes to get everyone ready for Mass, then, start the process a bit earlier to ensure that there is plenty of time for the car to be parked and for everyone to be in the church seated five minutes before Mass starts.
You may remember the analogy I gave about going for an appointment with a specialist or having to fly. We know what time check-in closes and would never get there five minutes late, but certainly before. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is much more important than any specialist appointment or any flight we take. At the other end of the Mass, it is of vital importance to keep in mind that Mass does not finish with the reception of Holy Communion or with the Prayer after Communion, but when the Dismissal has been given so we should not leave before then. I bring this matter to our attention with a great note of urgency.
This evening, we will continue the Vigil of Prayers for the reparation of all the harms caused by sin. As we know, the Church has had this custom for many years and it is indeed important to pray that the damage caused by sin be repaired. This year, we pray particularly in response to the appeal made by Our Lady when she appeared in 1925 in Pontevedra to St Lucia who had previously witnessed the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima. We will start with the rosary at 6:30pm, followed by Mass at 7pm. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from 7:30pm until Benediction at 11:50pm. The Sacrament of Confession will be available during the time of Exposition. There will also be prayers from 7:30pm until Benediction.
On Monday evening, 26th October, we will hold our monthly Ablaze Women Group. It will start at 7pm and end at 9pm. Ablaze Women group is a place for prayer, scriptural reflection, adoration, guest speakers, small group sharing and fellowship will be the focus of the ministry. All women are cordially invited to attend.
We continue turning to our patron saint and we ask for her intercession.
St Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Fr Richard Rosse PP