Somerset’s Opportunity for Saintly Readings

27 June 2009

Parishioners in the Catholic communities of the Taunton deanery have been given the opportunity to play an important spiritual part during the visit of relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux.  The Little Flower comes to St Teresa of Lisieux Church in Taunton in September.

All parishes have received a letter on behalf of Canon John Cunningham, Taunton’s Parish Priest and Dean, and the parish community of St Teresa of Lisieux in Taunton.

The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux are visiting this country in September and October.  The people of Taunton are delighted and honoured that the relics are to visit St Teresa of Lisieux Church in Taunton on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September - one of only two venues in our diocese, and the only one in Somerset.
 
After the reception of the relics on Friday 18 September at 3.30 pm with a welcoming liturgy, there will be Mass at 7.00 pm followed by a Holy Hour between 10.00 pm and 11.00 pm.
 
From midnight until 8.00 am on Saturday there will be readings on the hour, every hour.  The readings will be given by two readers who will stay and pray until the next readers arrive an hour later.  Everyone will have the opportunity and privilege of keeping vigil with St Thérèse throughout the night.  All are welcome to come, pray, be silent and leave as they wish during this grace-filled time. 

A number of parishioners throughout our Taunton deanery have expressed a wish to be involved, and this is a wonderful spiritual opportunity for people to take an active part in this very special event.  Canon John and the people of Taunton are therefore asking for every parish in the local area to provide readers to cover the period from midnight until 8.00 am on Saturday.

If you are interesting in this once in a life invitation speak with your local parish priest and write to Sister Margaret Mary at St Teresa of Lisieux Church, Eastwick Road, Taunton TA2 7HF by Wednesday 15 July 2009.

The schedule of the visits for our diocese is detailed below:

St Teresa of Lisieux, Eastwick Road, Taunton TA2 7HF
3.30 pm Friday 18 September to 10.30 am Saturday 19 September
Contact: Canon John Cunningham 01823 272700

St Teresa of the Child Jesus, Gloucester Road North, Filton, Bristol BS34 7PL
2.00 pm Wednesday 23 September to 10.00 am Thursday 24 September
Contact: Father Tom Finnegan 0117 983 3938

More information about the visits can be obtained a special website set up by the Catholic Communications Network - catholicrelics.co.uk. 

Parish Priests are reminded to contact Ronnie Mitchinson at our Department for Adult Education and Evangelisation when organising their visits.  This enables Canon John and Father Tom, as hosts, to ensure all visits are undertaken in a respectful and dignified manner and to make sure they can best welcome all those wishing to be present.

As we look forward to the visits cliftondiocese.com will bring you a series of podcasts where we will meet people with a special affinity with St Thérèse of Lisieux.  Check our 'News and articles' section for the latest.

Many preparations for the visit are already underway.  An expert on the saint's life has visited us and spoke to many people to help us prepare, and top London film makers have been to Somerset to make a video about this extraordinary event.