Posts by Fr Neil Chatfield

Eastward facing?!

Monday 4 January 2016

In the light of my own priestly formation, and the publication of the Ordinariate missal, can the eastward celebration of mass be justified? Let’s be clear that despite what many think Vatican II didn’t rule out eastward facing celebrations of the mass. It is true that the question was raised as to whether facing East […]

The Calais Jungle

Saturday 21 November 2015

On Saturday 10th October I made a visit with a friend to the migrant camp in Calais called the Jungle and a return visit was made on 7th November. I had heard much and read lots of contradictory things about this camp via the media. The Jungle is not a new phenomenon. I made contact […]

Jesus taught as one who had authority: Homily for 1st February 2015.

Sunday 8 February 2015

In our modern tech world, those who shout loudest and those who with great emotion speak about the cause close to their hearts often sway opinion. Anyone who might think other wise is often in danger of being dismissed and shouted down. A passionate, emotional stance on any given subject can be mistaken as an […]

Homily for Easter 4: Encountering Christ, preaching the Gospel.

Monday 19 May 2014

We encounter the preaching of the Apostle Peter following his incredible encounter with the Risen Lord, the breathing of Jesus upon them with the words “Receive the Holy Spirit” and the manifestation of that Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This series of events transform the fearful disciples into Apostles, the denying Peter into the Rock on […]

Homily from Easter 3: Seeing the Risen Christ at the breaking of bread.

Friday 16 May 2014

In the Gospel we encounter the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Their journey was taking them away from Jerusalem and the temple which was a vivid sign of God’s presence in the midst of this people. Why they were travelling this road is not clear. However, there is a powerful symbolic gesture in […]

The Seven Last Words 6: “It is Finished.”

Thursday 17 April 2014

When Jesus has received the sour wine, he said ‘It is finished’ and bowed his head and gave up his spirit. After receiving the sour wine in fulfilment of the scripture, Jesus utters the word “It is finished.” One, with some sympathy, may think that, in the light of the terrible suffering that he has […]