18th Sunday of the Year B

Pope Francis Prayer Intention for August
For political leaders
We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs

​Consecration Candles in St Alphege Church
The more eagle eyed may have noticed that two of the consecration candlesticks in the Church are missing. You will see on the left and right of the Sanctuary that there are two carved stone consecration crosses set into the wall with holes above them where the candlesticks should be. In the walls of the Church you will find another ten crosses each with a candlestick. I found one of the two which are  missing while rooting around in the backs of sacristy cupboards, but sadly the 12th is lost.  Having spoken with the Fabric Committee I have asked Ironart of Bath of make a copy so that we can again complete the set.
 
Why does this matter?  Well on the 7th of October 2024 we will celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the Consecration of our Church.  More details to follow but there will be a Mass on the Monday evening with a simple reception afterwards in the Church Hall.   While the consecration Mass in 1954 started at 0900 and lasted until 1400 we won’t take that long!
As we celebrate this Jubilee the 12 consecration candles have an important significance.  The Rite of a Dedication of a Church says that “The anointing of the church signifies that it is given over entirely and perpetually to Christian worship. In keeping with liturgical tradition, there are twelve anointings, or, where it is more convenient, four, as a symbol that the church is an image of the holy city of Jerusalem.”.
 In her history of the Church Caroline Shaw writes that “Twelve new consecration crosses had been carved in stone specially for the occasion … each cross had been paid for by a family or an individual in the Parish.  The Bishop anointed each consecration cross with holy oil… .. and as he did so he intoned the words “let this Church be sanctified and consecrated”. A candle was then lit in front of the cross as a sign of this.
So on the 7th of October these candles will all be lit again as a sign and reminder of the dedication of our Church and its community to Christ, and also as a sign of the light of Christ in the world. 
 
The cost of the new candlestick will be £200; if anyone wants to make a donation towards this as the families of our parish did before, it would be greatly appreciated. Their names are recorded in a book held in the display case at the back of the Church which would be updated.
And as we move towards the Jubilee Year of Hope we will be asking how the light of Christ may burn more brightly within our lives as individuals and as a parish community.   Part of the Jubilee Year Hymn says  “Like a flame my hope is burning, may my song arise to you: Source of life that has no ending, on life’s path I trust in you …. Every nation, tongue, and people find a light within your Word.
 
May these candles, restored to their proper place help us give thanks for the inheritance we have received, and inspire us on our pilgrim journey, that we may grow in faith, hope, and love and be led to know how we may better share our faith in Christ with all whom we meet.