Our Faith - Religion - Prayer
St Patrick's Church Walcha
For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Monsignor Ted Wilkes 67784070.
Monsignor Ted Wilkes would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.
Term 3 Mass Dates
*Friday 6th September: Mass at 11.30am
*Friday 20th September: Mass and Blessed Exposition at 11.30am
Reflection
On this day in 1741 a bent figure - looking older than his years - was seen to be moving slowly and unsurely along a dimly-lit street in London. The man was ill and depressed and was struggling with his life, especially as he had suffered a stroke a few years before, paralysing his right side, affecting his walking and writing.
This was the great composer George Frideric Handel, who was the king’s chief musician. Feeling in despair he heard some words as he passed a church: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. These words of a psalm touched him deeply. He returned home and began to write some music. From this day, August 22nd, until September 14th he wrote his music almost non-stop, sleeping and eating little. What he wrote is now worldfamous and is called “The Messiah”. On finishing this masterpiece, he slept for 17 hours. “The Messiah” is an opera in which singers present the life of Jesus from his birth to his death and resurrection, and so the music of Handel’s “Messiah” is often sung, especially at Christmas and Easter.
When King George II attended a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” he was so impressed and touched by the “Hallelujah Chorus” that he stood up. The audience saw the king and felt that if he stood up, then they should, too. In every performance, now, of Handel’s “Messiah”, all the audience stand up throughout the “Hallelujah Chorus”
Handel was a committed Christian, and all performances of his music whilst he was alive were in aid of charities of his choice. The “Messiah” was first performed in Dublin, in aid of some charities which included “poor and distressed people who were in prison for debt”. Whilst talking about the time he was composing the “Hallelujah Chorus”, Handel is reputed to have said: “I thought I saw all heaven before me, and the great God himself.”
Handel was completely blind for the last 6 years of his life. He died in London in 1759, and the last musical performance he heard was a week earlier, and it was his “Messiah”.
Prayer
God our Father,
I thank you
that many people have used
their gifts well
and have helped me
and inspired me
and brought cheerfulness
and joy in my life.
May I, too, live in such a way
that I bring blessings to others
by my attitude
and actions
and my presence with them.
Remain with me and lead me
to that final day when
I, too, will be able to say:
“I see all heaven before me and the great God himself.”
Amen.
First Reconciliation
Earlier this week, families of all eligible candidates for First Reconciliation received information concerning the preparation program that is set to begin shortly. The document detailed all relevant aspects of the program. Should you have any questions or inquiries regarding the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Hyatt.
Sacrament Dates for 2024
2024 First Reconciliation: Date has been set for our Catholic students in Years 2 and 3 for Friday 1st November 2024.
Catherine McAuley
Catherine’s spirituality was centred on the mercy of God…prayer in action…action in prayer.