Churches & Charities

“The Hidden Gem” (ILMODB)

Visitors to Friars Lane in Brailes will see the Papal flag in the grounds of the chapel and presbytery. 
One of the main reason for it to be flying is that this year the chapel of St Peter and St Paul is celebrating its three hundredth year since its opening in 1726.

 Prior to the Reformation, the village and parish were under the care of the Augustinian Friars who looked after the large St George’s church, and resided at what is now the Old Rectory or Rectory Farm as it was once called. The present chapel is a converted Malt barn.
 Following the Dissolution in 1538, the property was taken over by the Bishop family and, remaining true to their Catholic faith, held secret Masses in the former Rectory, building two Priest hiding holes. The family must have been well liked and respected by the villagers as they were never reported to the authorities for this action. 

On Saturday 27^th June,  the Very Rev Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, celebrated Mass in the chapel, appropriately on the Vigil of the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul. The chapel is named after these great apostles: St Peter symbolising unity with Rome. And St Paul symbolising missionary endurance. As part of the celebration we had a book launch also of “The Catholic Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, Lower Brailes, 1726-2026”.

The book was compiled by four members of the parish and it gives an in depth tour of the present chapel, which will be a useful guide for any visitors in the future. The book is made up of six sections and as well as giving a tour of the chapel, gives a timeline of events in and around the chapel from 1500 to the present day.

It gives an explanation of the founding of the chapel and the challenges faced by its early congregation. It gives a description of what life was like as a Catholic in penal times when Catholic Mass was outlawed and it gives a biography of Dr William Bishop, one of the most significant figures in the chapel’s history. The book concludes with memories and comments from parishioners reflecting on the history of the chapel and the part it has played in their lives.

I do hope that if you have not already taken time to visit the chapel in Brailes, then you will do so in this jubilee year. I do hope that you might think about purchasing this book so that you can become more aware of this wonderful historical chapel-
“A hidden gem,” as one parishioner describes.

And I hope also that it might help you in your own faith journey- drawing on the inspiration of the two great Apostles and the enduring faith of the priests and people of the time when the practice and living of the faith could be punished by death.

We thank God for them and honour them this day.

St Peter and St Paul pray for us.

God Bless, Fr David Tams

St Carlo Acutis (ILMODB)

On September 7^th 2025 year Pope Leo canonised the first millennial saint, a teenager. This teenager is often depicted as wearing tennis shoes with a video recorder or computer in his arms. He is dressed in jeans and trendy top and is a famous web designer who’s site is visited by millions every year.

He was born in London on the third of May 1991. In September of that year, he moved with his Italian parents to Milan where he was raised and attended school. Although he was an average student he liked to read and pursued other academic areas independently, including computer science, so much so that his friends considered him a computer geek due to his passion for and skill with computers and the internet. Before he died, he created a website dedicated to cataloguing each reported Eucharistic miracles. It is well worth visiting as it gives an account of miracles taking place over the centuries in various parts of the world. It was launched in 2004 and unveiled on 4^th October 2006 only a few days before the soon to be a saint’s death.

Carlos Acutis died on 11^th October 2006 from leukemia. He was fifteen. During the sufferings he endured between his diagnosis and death he offered his sufferings for the Pope and the Church. His final words to his mother were: “Mom, don’t be afraid. Since Jesus became a man, death has become the passage towards life and we don’t need to flee it. Let us prepare ourselves to experience something extraordinary in the eternal life.” His witness had an extraordinary effect on his mother who went from being a lukewarm Catholic to a devout one; and who gained a master’s degree in theology after her son’s death.

Already then, we can begin to appreciate the extraordinary in this young saint’s life. Indeed, after receiving First Holy Communion at the age of seven he was a daily communicant, cajoling and encouraging the other family members to attend Mass with him.
                                                      
What was so wonderful and inspiring about Carlos was his real love and life-giving relationship with Our Blessed Lord. He saw, in cataloguing the Eucharistic miracles, the hope of leading others to discover that life-changing encounter with the Lord that he enjoyed in his short life: He left large portions of theological notes on his computer: The longest are on the Eucharist, the sacrament that Carlo called the Highway to Heaven. He wrote:

“And so the Eucharist, which is a second incarnation, truly becomes not so much a Sacrament in the ritual sense but rather a Sacrament in the supernatural sense. For this reason, when we take Communion, Jesus pauses among us for fifteen minutes; hidden in the form of bread and wine, substantially present, truly residing… He shares this day with us and continues, after the forms of bread and wine have decomposed, with His grace, His residence with us. So, we become his house, his home, and so Jesus, present, alive, and real, is not only a fact of faith, not only a fact of sacramentality, but a fact of Life!”

Blessed Carlos Acutis remember us and pray for us in heaven this day.

God Bless, Fr David Tams

Celebrations (ILMODB)

At the beginning of the year Pope Leo XIV declared this year to be a Jubilee year of St Francis of Assisi: This was to honour the 800^th anniversary of the saint’s death. Coincidentally, my parish in Kineton which is named in honour of St Francis, celebrated the jubilee of its opening fifty years ago. This was marked officially, by a service of opening and dedication by the then Archbishop of Birmingham, George Patrick Dwyer, on 8^th April 1976; even though the church had been in use from October 1975. Twenty-five years later, in October 2000, the church was consecrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols. The consecration normally takes place once the debts of the church have been paid off, and it was wonderful that parishioners from both these celebrations were present when we had the Golden Jubilee celebration on the 15^th May. Hymns and readings for the Mass were taken from the 1976 service, with hymns dedicated to the saint, and with prayers from the feast of St Francis of Assisi which is on 4^th October. The Rt Rev Mgr. Canon Danny McHugh was the main celebrant, with parishioners and friends from the village attending. It was a wonderful Mass with the celebrations continuing in the village hall afterwards.

Closer to home, at my other parish, which incorporates Shipston and Brailes, we are preparing to celebrate the tricentennial of the opening of the Brailes chapel of St Peter and Paul in 1726. You may have discovered this from a recent article in the Stratford- upon- Avon Herald in February where the remarkable story of the chapel and its functioning was reported. As part of the celebrations we are hoping that the present Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Rev Bernard Longley, will be the main celebrant for our celebratory Mass to coincide with the feast of St Peter and St Paul in June. Part of the tricentennial celebration is to provide an updated book which will continue to reveal more details about this remarkable place of prayer and worship. It is hoped that this book will also provide a useful guide for the many pilgrims and visitors the chapel attracts throughout the year.

Below the chapel building is the croft, formerly the kitchen for the Old Rectory. Last year, when the chapel was being redecorated, we celebrated Mass there. Hopefully, at some point, we shall be able to put on display our 17^th century vestments, together with some historical documents about the chapel, and also the life of the villagers over the past three hundred years. If you have not yet been to visit the chapel, it is well worth doing so and I hope that you will have the opportunity to do so during this jubilee year. I shall keep you informed of any celebratory tricentennial developments. Best wishes for the month ahead.

God Bless, Fr David Tams

Happy Easter! (ILMODB)

By the time of publication Easter will be over five weeks long. But I am writing this at the start of the season during what is known as the Easter Octave (the first eight days of Easter). The season lasts fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday on 24^th May. On the fortieth day after Easter Sunday the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated on Thursday 14^th May.

Our Lenten season finished on Thursday of Holy Week (Maundy Thursday) when the Church began what is known as the Sacred Triduum: “Three Days” that spans from the Evening Mass of the Lord’s supper on Holy Thursday to the evening prayer on Easter Sunday representing one continuous liturgy.

On Maundy Thursday evening we celebrated the institution of the Eucharist by Our Lord in the Upper Room at the Last Supper. At the Mass we had the washing of the feet, also with the reminder that those who were having their feet washed represented the twelve disciples. We celebrated also the institution of the priesthood praying especially for priests entrusted with the privilege of celebrating Mass. The Mass was a joyful celebration. But then after Holy Communion the atmosphere changed as the Blessed Sacrament was removed from the tabernacle and taken to the altar of repose. It was as if we joined Our Lord as he left the Upper room to go to the Garden of Gethsemane where he suffered his agony before his arrest and trial. We watched and prayed with the Lord.

On Good Friday we returned to church at 3 o clock in the afternoon, the traditional hour (the ninth hour) when the Lord died on the Cross. We commemorated Our Lord’s Passion and death on the Cross, listening to the Passion account in St John’s gospel in which the divinity of Christ is emphasised. The covered Cross was then taken into the church and gradually unveiled, allowing the congregation to come forward in silence to venerate it. The service concluded with Holy Communion with the sacred hosts consecrated at the Maundy Thursday Mass. The liturgy was simple and austere.

On Holy Saturday evening we gathered in the darkness to celebrate the first Mass of Easter, known as the Easter Vigil. The newly blessed Paschal Candle was lit and brought into the church, symbolising Christ risen from the dead. And the Church was gradually illumined by the individual candles lit from the Easter flame, reminding us that Christ is the Light of the world, and that we share in that life and light through our baptism. We listened to the Word of God in which we were reminded of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness throughout the ages, culminating in the new and eternal covenant given to us by Our Blessed Lord. It was appropriate at this Mass to renew our baptismal promises and to be reminded of the saving waters of baptism as we were blessed by it. The first Mass of Easter concluded with the reception of Holy Communion and the most powerful reminder that we continue to be nourished and fed by God through the Eucharist. It was lovely to celebrate with so many the Lord’s resurrection and the first Mass of Easter.

Likewise, on Easter Sunday also when the church was full to capacity. It was a reassurance of people’s faith and trust in Our Lord as the Way, the Truth and the Life. It was a lovely way to enter in to the Easter season. I do hope that the Easter season brings you many graces and blessings and that we continue to celebrate and remember with joy our Christian faith and calling. God bless. Fr David

God Bless, Fr David Tams

A few of My Favourite Authors (ILMODB)

Looking back on nearly forty years of priestly ministry, perhaps the most influential person that has helped me in my preaching and ministry is Bishop Fulton Sheen. He is widely regarded as being a pioneer for the church in radio and television, dating back to the 1930s-50s when he had a regular radio programme, and then in the 1950s and 60s when he had a regular television programme that attracted many millions of viewers earning him an Emmy award.

An American Bishop, and then Archbishop, Fulton Sheen was born on May 8 1895 in El Paso, Illinois and was ordained priest for the Diocese of Peoria on 20^th September 1919. After his ordination he was assigned as curate at St Patrick’s Parish in Peoria before embarking upon a university chaplaincy and teaching role. His autobiography “Treasure in Clay” is well worth reading no matter what your beliefs.

I think I first came upon his works when EWTN  (Global Catholic Television Network) started to show his television programme “Life is Worth Living” from the 1960s. It was amazing how this “caped crusader” could captivate his audience with his monologue and blackboard for so many years. Some of his programmes are still available on You Tube and his “Miracle in Lourdes story” is an incredible tale, revealing a great faith and trust in God as well as a great devotion to Mary, the Mother of God.

Bishop Sheen spent one hour in prayer before the Blessed sacrament every day of his priestly ministry and went on to write some 73 books as well as leading retreats and preaching throughout the world. His work with the Missionary Church (Association for the Propagation of the Faith) raised millions of dollars and his continuing royalties are given to the APF, since his death in 1979.

He has remained an inspiration and help to me in my priestly life and I hope one day he will be canonised as a saint in the Church. I shall always be thankful to him for his recommendation of William Barclay (a Methodist) for his scripture commentaries. And even though there are some areas of theological differences, Barclay’s books remain a great source of reference and elucidation.

Two more contemporary scriptural authors who are well worth looking up are Scott Hahn and  Brant Pitre. Their scripture insight into the Last Supper is truly amazing and life changing if you are a follower of Christ. I have already mentioned Jeff Calvins in my last VFTP and his great biblical knowledge and teaching skills continue to help millions of Christians deepen their faith and understanding of God. 

Another contemporary theological author I would really recommend is Ronald Rolheiser who as well as writing a weekly column for many years with the Catholic Herald newspaper, has written some wonderful books including “Forgotten Among the Lilies”, “The Restless Heart” and “The Sacred Fire”. Rolheiser continues to be a source of help and inspiration for my homilies and again, is well worth reading to help you with any spiritual direction. It was Rolheiser who put me in touch with my final author of choice, Christopher de Vinck who was described in the Library Journal as “Having the knack of taking ordinary occurrences of life and showing how they reveal what is really important”. A committed Christian and family man, his books are a gentle and heart-warming read that give a wonderful insight into the human condition; drawing on his many experiences as a teacher, author, son, husband, brother and father.

I hope that you have the time to look up and read some of the above mentioned. I am deeply thankful to them for helping me on my journey of faith. I hope that you also have people in your life, whose words, faith and example help you and inspire you to be the person God created you to be. I pray that you receive many graces and blessings in the month ahead. 

God Bless, Fr David Tams

The Bible Alive (ILMODB)

I have great respect and admiration for those people who have read the bible from cover to cover. It is something I have attempted several times in my younger days but getting beyond Numbers and Chronicles was impossible for me. Now in fairness, given the amount of times I have listened to and proclaimed the Word of God at Mass, and then the prayers that have been recited from the breviary, there is a fair chance that I have achieved this feat without knowing. That said, there is something quite satisfying knowing that the Bible has been read from cover to cover.

Four years ago I discovered a wonderful app called “Hallow” It is a subscription app that provides wonderful prayers and talks about the catholic faith. It also has a comprehensive music selection which I listen to on a regular basis. Included in the app is “The Bible in a Year” by Father Mike Schmizt. He is an American Catholic priest who uses the “Great Adventure Bible Timeline” created by Jeff Calvins, an eminent catholic theologian. This breaks down the Bible into different timelines, so that 12 bible periods are assigned a unique colour to help you remember the narrative. In a Bible timeline chart the 14 Narrative books tell the story of salvation history and the other 59 books are placed in their historical context. It provides a wonderful and dynamic way of reading and understanding the bible, and Fr Mike reads passages from the Bible each day and gives an informative and brief commentary on the passages that have been read.

It means in the space of a year the entire bible is read and listened to. He uses the RSV catholic edition and it is an excellent way of reading and listening to the bible cover to cover. In my first year I used a different bible translation that often varies in its text but is manageable and interesting in seeing how different the translation can be.

This is my third year of doing this exercise, but this year I am using Fr Mike’s own app, which is free. It is called “Ascension” and as well as giving us the “Bible in a Year” gives other interesting talks and catechesis that are well worth listening to.

On the subject of Apps the Jesuits provide another free app called “Pray as you go” and it uses their specific spirituality in praying the scriptures. It is a useful tool and well worth starting your day with, if you are struggling to get into any form of prayer life.

By the time this article is in print the season of Lent will have begun. Given that Ash Wednesday  (18^th February) is not a holy day of obligation for Catholics (when you are expected to attend Mass), nevertheless, there will have been a large attendance at Mass, when ashes are placed on the forehead with the call to “Repent and return to the Gospel” It is a sure sign of a person’s willingness to begin Lent with the firm intention of growing in the faith and being more disciplined in living the faith and applying the faith in one’s daily life. At the end of the Lenten journey (5 weeks) we enter into what is known as the “Sacred Triduum” (three days) when on Maundy Thursday (April 2^nd) we celebrate Mass of the Lord’s Supper. On Good Friday (April 3^rd) we commemorate the Passion and death of Our Lord and then on Holy Saturday (April 4^th) celebrate the Lord risen from the dead and the first Mass of Easter.  The times of each service are below, together with the times of Masses celebrated on Easter Sunday. I hope that you will receive many graces and blessings in the month ahead.

Maundy Thursday- Our Lady & St Michael’s Church Shipston 7.30pm
Good Friday: St Francis of Assisi Church Kineton and Our Lady and St Michaels, Shipston 3.00pm
Holy Saturday: Our Lady & St Michael’s Church, Shipston 8.00pm
Easter Sunday (5^th April) Our Lady & St Michael’s 9.00am St Francis of Assisi 11.00am

God Bless, Fr David Tams