Monthly Archives: September 2016

ON PRAYING TO OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS

On 29^th October we celebrated the feast of the Archangels, Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. On 2^nd October we remember our Guardian Angels. St Bernard begins his reflections on their importance in our lives by quoting Ps 90: ‘God has given his angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.’ So, let us pray to our Guardian Angels each day and also teach our children and grandchildren to do the same:

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.

Amen.

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ON PRAYING THE ROSARY

The Roman Pontiffs have continuously and consistently stressed the importance of reciting the Rosary every day. Below are some quotations:

Would you like me to tell you a ‘secret’?  It is simple, and after all, is no secret: ‘Pray, pray much. Say the Rosary every day.’ -Pope Saint John Paul II

How beautiful is the family that recites the Rosary in the evening. -Pope Saint John Paul II

Spread the Rosary, the prayer so dear to the Virgin and so esteemed by popes; by it the faithful can best fulfil the command of Christ: ‘ Ask and it shall be given; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.’ (Mt. 7:7). The Rosary puts all who have trust in it into communication with Our Lady. -Pope Paul VI

The Rosary is the most beautiful and the richest of all prayers to the Mediatrix of all grace; it is the prayer that touches most the heart of the Mother of God. Say it each day.-Pope St. Pius X

The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying. -Pope Leo XIII

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WEALTH EXISTS TO BE SHARED

Riches fulfil their function of service to man when they are destined to produce benefits for others and for society [The Shepherd of Hermas]. “How could we ever do good to our neighbour,” asks St. Clement of Alexandria, “if none of us possessed anything?” In the perspective of St. John Chrysostom, riches belong to some people so that they can gain merit by sharing them with others. Wealth is a good that comes from God and is to be used by its owner and made to circulate so that even the needy may enjoy it. Evil is seen in the immoderate attachment to riches and the desire to hoard. St. Basil the Great invites the wealthy to open the doors of their storehouses and he exhorts them: “A great torrent rushes, in thousands of channels, through the fertile land: thus, by a thousand different paths, make your riches reach the homes of the poor”. Wealth, explains Saint Basil, is like water that issues forth from the fountain: the greater the frequency with which it is drawn, the purer it is, while it becomes foul if the fountain remains unused. The rich man — Saint Gregory the Great will later say — is only an administrator of what he possesses; giving what is required to the needy is a task that is to be performed with humility because the goods do not belong to the one who distributes them. He who retains riches only for himself is not innocent; giving to those in need means paying a debt.

No. 329 from the “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church”, 2004

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PONDERING THE WORD OF GOD

On the Memorial of Saints Cornelius (Pope) and Cyprian (Bishop) last Friday, the Church proposed chapter 4, verses 7-15 from St Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians as the first reading of the day.  There we read, ‘We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure…’

With these words Paul acknowledges that notwithstanding the weakness and fragility of human existence, God longs to abide in us, to infuse us and fill us with the immensity of His power and love.  This divine life and power and goodness which God places deep within us, is to be nurtured and treasured and shared – Not squandered!

In last week’s Gospel parable of the Prodigal Son, St Luke uses the verb “to squander” or, more accurately, “to scatter” when describing how the younger son wasted his inheritance.  This week we hear of the dishonest steward who also “scattered” his rich boss’ possessions.

These parables are relevant to us.  They pose questions for reflection:

What have I “scattered” ?  Have I disseminated or exuded goodness, kindness, love, positive and encouraging words from deep within my being?  Or, from my darkness, have I “scattered”  useless, harmful, destructive thoughts?

Fr Philip Sainter

CHANGE TO FRIDAY MASSES ***  Please note that from the beginning of October 2016,  Friday Masses will be at 9.15am with an additional Mass at 6.00pm on the first Friday of the month.

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TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

THE WORD OF GOD
The Gospel reading is the story of the Forgiving Father, also known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It reminds us that God’s unconditional love and mercy is available to everyone, whatever path in life we might take, and however far we might stray. The Gospel invites us all to reflect on our need for forgiveness and how we might receive and forgive those, perhaps close to us, who have hurt us and who might have lost enthusiasm for the practice their faith. However, such “outreach” presumes conviction, a deeply rooted faith and an adherence to and love for the Catholic Church and all it holds and teaches.

SECURITY AND SAFETY
Prompted by the recent horrific events in Rouen and elsewhere and in the aftermath of several costly thefts from our church and presbytery, we have been working closely with the Police Crime Prevention Officers and Health and Safety officers to improve security at St Mary’s Church and the presbytery. The Diocese has also asked us to review and, where necessary, improve the security and safety of the clergy and the church buildings and to ensure that proper safety systems and procedures are in place. As part of our response to the above we shall soon be installing CCTV cameras and we will advise you of further security measures to be undertaken.
We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of the clergy, the church and the presbytery.

Please Note: From the beginning of October 2016, Friday Masses will be at 9.15am with an additional Mass at 6.00pm on the first Friday of the month.

Fr Philip Sainter

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TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

An extract from a Christian prayer in union with creation

by Pope Francis

Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.

Praise be to you!

Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,

you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.

Today you are alive in every creature
in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!

Holy Spirit, by your light
you guide this world towards the Father’s love

and accompany creation as it groans in travail.

You also dwell in our hearts
and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!

Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,

teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.

Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is …

 Amen

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