Latest News from Members

On 28th March the members of Cottingham Section  organised, prepared, cooked and served the parish’s Annual Passover meal, which we initiated some years ago.  The Passover Meal for Christians aims to show the context in which Jesus and his disciples celebrated His Last Supper.

The meal was part o f the Jewish festival of Passover recounting the Exodus from Egypt where the Jewish people were treated like slaves.  A parishioner and his wife plus the leader of our music group lead us with songs, bible readings and Jewish prayers, showing certain Jewish customs.  We eat the bitter herbs reminding us of the blood smeared over their doorways and the bitterness of slavery, we eat the unleavened bread reminding us of the dough baked without yeast because the Jews were in a hurry to pack and be ready to leave Egypt.

The unleavened bread is a sign of holiness – yeast is a symbol of sin.  The boiled egg is in remembrance of gifts offered in the Temple.  Red wine or a red non-alcoholic drink is poured and drunk at set parts in the service and also with the main meal, which consisted of roast leg of lamb (with mint sauce or red currant jelly), baked potato (with butter) and mixed vegetables, followed by apple crumble and cream, and of course time to eat and chat.

The unleavened bread, which has been set on one side, is now distributed, each taking a piece whilst 1 Corinthians chapter 11 verses 23-24 is read.  Jesus at His Last Supper (the Passover Meal with his disciples) said “This is my body”.

The four chalices of wine are passed round, each taking a sip whilst 1 Corinthians Cap 11 verses 25-26 is read, reminding us that Jesus passed the cup saying “this is my blood”.  The commemoration of Passover has now been completed.  As we have been permitted to observe it, may God grant that we may be worthy to fulfil its meaning.  45 attended.  On Holy Thursday we have the Mass of the last Supper, the institution of Holy Communion` and later in the year the feast of Corpus Christi, both celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion which Jesus gave to us.

The members of St Robert’s Morpeth Section celebrated Burns Night Yesterday evening. The Haggis was piped in, and the Chairman then addressed the Haggis and stabbed the Haggis several times, it was then served up with tatties and neeps and washed down with a wee dram. The tables were cleared and the dancing started .  A good night was had by all.

On Saturday 18th November Portsmouth Branch of the CWL came together to celebrate the Centenary of Portsmouth City Section. Canon Dominic Golding, Canon David Mahy and Fr Ansel D’Mello concelebrated Mass, which can be viewed on Portsmouth Cathedral websitewww.portsmouthcatholiccathedral.org.uk by looking for recording of live Mass at 12.15pm.
The plaque shown here was blessed and unveiled by Canon Dominic and is now in the Cathedral Hall.
Many thanks to Gabriel Lorimer, Monica Madigan and all the Section members for arranging lunch for members and guests.