Fr Geoffrey White (7 July 1928- 17 October 2022)
Jesu mercy – Mary pray
Following his stroke Fr Geoffrey spent several weeks in hospital and in a nursing home in Market Harborough but has been steadily declining, particularly in the past two weeks. He only attended St Andrew’s regularly for a few months but his gentle smile and sense of humour endeared him to many people.
His funeral is likely to be in London on 17th November, where he spent a considerable part of his life. We will remember him and pray for the repose of his soul at St Andrew’s on All Souls Day at the Parish Requiem at 7pm. Please join us if you can.
Are you new to Leicester (or don’t know your way round that well)?
Laura and I talked to some people at church who were fairly new to Leicester and realised that there are some burning knowledge gaps! As both of us are immigrants to Leicester, incredibly streetwise and also of very different age (and thus like very different things), we thought we together could offer 3 dates for a little city tour tackling questions like:
- what’s the history of Leicester and why do so many people come here from all over the world?
- where can you buy good and cheap food?
- what are reliable and good restaurants?
- where are the theatres and the cinemas and what else is there to see and do?
- what do you do when you are off work and your friends have to work (and you don’t want to spend a lot of money)?
- where can you buy nice clothes?
- where do you need to be careful?
Feel free to bring your friends to this – whether they come to church or not is completely irrelevant. If you are curious about Leicester and want to find out more, please meet us in the Parish Hall at St Andrew’s on Gateway Street on either
- Thurs 27th October, 6pm
- Thursday 10th November, 6pm
- Tuesday 15th November, 6pm
We aim to be back around St Andrew’s around 8.30pm.
There is no need to sign up or let us know whether you are coming, but there is a little flyer as a reminder in church on Sunday.
Upcoming Events
All Saints Day
Tuesday 1st November, 7pm, All Saints Church, Narborough
There is an 8am Mass at St Andrew’s on All Saints Day, but we are invited to join the congregation in Narborough for their evening Mass together with the Diocesan Catholic Fellowship. This is their Patronal Festival on this day and we are invited to celebrate with them and to support their new Parish Priest, Fr Stewart Betts.
Celebrant: Fr Christopher Johnson, Associate Vicar, Wigston.
Preacher: Fr David Jennings, Canon Theologian Emeritus.
If anybody would like a lift in my car, please talk to me!
All Souls Day, Wednesday 2nd November, 7pm
This year the Cathedral Choir is coming to St Andrew’s on All Souls Day to perform the Durufle Requiem – which is a wonderful piece and very much worth listening to. It will be sung during our Requiem Mass on the evening and will set the reflective tone as we remember those who have died and pray for the repose of their souls.
Compline & Benediction, Sunday 6th November and 4th December, 7pm
As mentioned previously I would like to try out a new, simple, short and meditative service once a month on a Sunday evening (followed by a drink in the pub). We have done Exposition and Benediction many times before, but not regularly. This is a service of Night Prayer followed by some time of silent prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Come and find out!
German Academy St Martin’s Service, Saturday 12th November, 6pm
St Martin is a big event in Germany, particularly for people of Kindergarten and Primary School age. I am delighted the German Academy is coming again to St Andrew’s for their service with traditional song, lantern procession, St Martin’s fire and seasonal St Martin’s pastry. If you find all this strange and bewildering and are curious to see what it is about – please join us!
Remembrance Sunday, 13th November, 10.30am
As every year we will include an Act of Remembrance at the Mass on the Sunday closest to Remembrance Day, commemorating all who have fallen in wars of the past and present – with a particular focus on praying for Ukraine and Iran.
Advent
I know – it’s still a while off, but some dates are worth noting.
Compline and Benediction, Sunday 4th December, Advent 2, 7pm
see above – the second in this mini-trial for a new service pattern.
Leicestershire Chorale Christmas Concert, Saturday 10th December, 7.30pm
Many will remember their beautiful concerts from the last two years – their Christmas Concert has now become a tradition in our December diary.
De Montfort University Carol Concert, Tuesday 13th December, 4pm
I am delighted this returns to St Andrew’s this year – please join the Vice Chancellor, students and staff for this traditional Carol Service.
Advent Meditation with music and readings, Saturday, 17th December, 4pm
Come along for an hour of music, poetry and scripture readings celebrating Advent and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of St Andrew’s – followed by a drink and a mince pie.
Carols, Beer & Christmas Cheer!
Wednesday 21st December, 7.30pm in the Sir Robert Peel Pub
Join us for your favourite carols with a drink around the piano in the Sir Robert Peel on Jarrom Street. Christmas jumpers and hats are particularly welcome!
Let’s decorate the church! Thursday 22nd December, 4pm to 7pm
Please give us a hand to decorate the tree and the rest of the church and get everything ready for Christmas! Obviously some serious work needs doing, but this is an occasion for all the family. I can also promise an abundance of cake and mince pies for this one!
Christmas Service Schedule:
Christmas Eve, Saturday 24th December, 6pm: 1st Mass of Christmas with Choir
This is a full choral Mass for Christmas, not a service specifically designed for children. Nevertheless, it’s sufficiently short and varied to be suitable for all the family. The service should be over by around 7pm and is followed by a glass of celebratory Prosecco (or alcohol-free Nosecco).
Midnight Mass @ St Mary de Castro, Castle View, Leicester LE1 5WH, 11.30pm
You are most welcome to join St Mary’s congregation for their Midnight Mass with choir. They are keen for people able to support their choir for the night – please have a word with me if you would like to sing!
Christmas Day, Sunday 25th December, 10.30am: Mass of Christmas Day
Please join us for the Solemn High Mass of Christmas Day. As everybody wants to open their presents there won’t be any hospitality offered after Mass.
New Years Day, 1st January, 2023, 10.30am: Mass of Mary, Mother of God
The days following Christmas are crowded with feasts and celebrations – as a parish with a particular devotion to Our Lady we keep the feast of the Θεοτόκος – the Mother of God or the God-bearer.