Upcoming services at St Michael's
Sunday 3 September, 12th Sunday after Trinity
Colour: Green
Intent: Self-dedication
Sunday 17 September, Sancta Sophia (Holy Wisdom)
Colour: White
Intent: Renewal of Heart
Sunday 1 October, Sunday within the Octave of
St Michael and All Angels
Colour: White
Intent: Justice
Sundays with no service at St Michael’s:
Sunday 10 September, Nativity of Our Lady
Colour: White
Intent: Good works
Sunday 24 September, 15th Sunday after Trinity
Colour: Red
Intent: Reality of things eternal
The Journey through the (LCC) month of September
The month of September in our LCC church calendar starts on the 12th Sunday after Trinity with the intent of “Self-Dedication”. This intent is a very useful reminder for us all to revisit, preferably daily, our personal intents that form the basis and direction of our daily activities and experiences. The “self-dedication” part of such a personal daily practice can be as simple and as straightforward as saying to ourselves, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost” on first awakening, which helps to align our actions for the day.
The second Sunday in September is within the Octave of the Nativity of our Lady. This festival links with the symbolic personal spiritual journey of Our Lady that we have been following through July and August, and also links through to the festival of Sancta Sophia (Holy Wisdom) celebrated on the third Sunday of September. The theme of Holy or Divine Wisdom is very much the hallmark of Our Lady and a shared characteristic of our Lord Christ.
The fourth Sunday in September brings us to the 15th Sunday after Trinity with the intent, “the Reality of Things Eternal”. This is designated as a (red) day of devotion to the Holy Spirit, and reminds us that although we may struggle at times with making a meaningful personal engagement with festivals such as the Nativity of Our Lady or Sancta Sophia, the underpinning themes and inner narratives are, actually, “the Reality of Things Eternal”. For myself, linking the themes and narratives of festivals is a way of visualising myself being on a spiritual path, in the Christian tradition.
The last Thursday of September celebrates the festival of Saint Michael and All Angels, which has a special significance for us at Southport! Our Patron Saint is “St Michael and All Angels” and we will celebrate this festival in the Eucharist of the 1st Sunday of October. Patron Saints of churches play a very important role in the spiritual life of the Church and in the daily lives of every member of that Church.
The Grace of God is at an energy level well above the physical and we try to tune into that as best we can. A Patron Saint is more progressed along the spiritual path than we are and can act as our channel to God’s grace. Our Patron Saint, St Michael, can be called upon for inspiration, guidance and advice when we are open to receiving them. By meditation and prayer in a directed way to St Michael we create the opportunity for our hearts and minds to be open to God’s grace, directed to and through ourselves, with the special “flavour” of St Michael.
More travel
On 14 September I will travel to Geneva for a week-long conference and then on to London to visit my son and his family. In Geneva I hope to attend Holy Eucharist at the Old Catholic Church. The Old Catholic Church in Switzerland, as with a number of churches in the “Catholic” tradition, broke from Rome in the 19th century in disagreement with the Roman Catholic dogma of papal infallibility.
While I am away Archbishop Graham Preston will celebrate at St Michaels on Sunday 17 September.
Baptism
On Sunday 20 August I had the pleasure of baptising Charli-Rose Marie Sandling at St Michael’s.
With God's blessing
