What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries now for them, no prayers nor bells; Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, – The shrill demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires. What candles may be held to speed them all Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds..
Anthem for Doomed Youth: Wilfred Owen
One ever hangs where shelled roads part. In this war He too lost a limb, But His disciples hide apart, And now the soldiers bear with Him.
Near Golgotha strolls many a priest, And in their faces there is pride. That they were flesh- marked by the Beast By whom the gentle Christ’s denied
The scribes on all the people shove And bawl allegiance to the state, But they who love the greater love Lay down their life, they do not hate
At a Calvary near the Ancre Wilfred Owen
At our Parish Forum next Sun 18th Nov at 11.15am, our Vision Group will again help us to offer further wise advice in our journey towards a Vision Statement for the Parish. It will be an opportunity to review & consider the implications of all our individual contributions so far, to take in, & to begin to identify the significance / implications of what’s there for our future. The Group would appeal to anyone who hasn’t yet provided their input (or who would like to provide more) to do that in readiness for the Forum, either by placing a card on the wall in the Hall, or by completing & returning a questionnaire please keep the Group & all our Parish in your prayers at this liminal moment for our future.
Could I bring to your attention an event in Newcastle on Mon 12th Nov at 6pm at the Life Centre, close to the Central Station? It is a Q & A event “Can we Brexit proof the North East?..... the role churches play in supporting neighbourhood resilience & helping communities to change in the face of uncertainty & unpredictability.” Easy access by train from Thirsk. An opportunity to measure the potential damage to the Common Good of the Gospels by Brexit. Please try to go.
Perhaps a moment to pause, celebrate & give thanks for the diversity of our Catholicism since the summer holidays, when we have celebrated Harvest Festival (& in SBPS), Rosary under the Cross (for victims of abuse), All Saints School Mass, All Saints & All Souls Parish Masses, SBPS Staff Spirituality, Village WW1 & Remembrance Sunday, & Ampleforth Catenians Mass for deceased members & families. Thank you to those who came, & to those who remembered from home. With love & prayers, Fr Bede.