Monthly Archives: May 2017

Newsletter for Sunday 28 May 2017

26 May

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

Forty days after his Resurrection we celebrate the ASCENSION of Jesus into heaven.  In the Scriptures many ancient holy figures were said to be taken up to heaven especially Enoch (Gen 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:1-14). Later, other great figures joined them in being raised to heaven, such as Baruch, Ezra and Moses. 

The Ascension of Jesus marks the final event of Jesus’ earthly ministry – the day on which Jesus, in his glorified body, took his seat at the right hand of God. From this day forward the disciples – and now we his modern-day disciples – will know and experience his abiding presence in a new and dynamic way.  Jesus said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you.  And know that I am with you always; yes to the end of time.’ 

Thanks be to God!

Fr Philip Sainter

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Newsletter for Sunday 21 May 2017

19 May

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

As we look forward to THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD and PENTECOST SUNDAY perhaps we could ask ourselves: What can I be doing now, by way of preparation? What should I be doing NOW to prepare myself to receive the Holy Spirit, so that I too can go about my daily life in the power of the Paraclete, as did the Apostles?

I believe we need look no further than to Psalm 50 v 6 where the Psalmist prays:

A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me …
Give me again the joy of your help;  with a spirit of fervour sustain me …

Others may prefer to pray the first line of our second reading: Let us reverence the Lord Christ in our hearts (1Pet 3:15)

If we really do love him and reverence him, we will “keep Jesus’ commandments”:  we will keep our eyes focused on him; we will be attentive to him and to what he says to us through the scriptures and in the teachings of the Church.  Didn’t God say to us in Deuteronomy 6:4-5:  

Listen, Israel:  The Lord our God is the one, the only Lord.
You must love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength.
Let the words I enjoin on you today stay in your heart.
You shall tell them to your children, and keep on telling them …

Yes! It’s all there! By keeping all his laws and commandments, that is by reverencing the Lord God in our hearts and minds, we will live and be filled with divine life!

Fr Philip Sainter

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Newsletter for Sunday 14 May 2017

12 May

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS

In today’s first reading from Acts of the Apostles (6:1-7) Luke writes about diakonein trapezais – literally ‘to serve table’, that is to give sustenance to the needy, and points to the importance of that ministry within the nascent Christian community. 

Thus, to better serve the needs of the early Christian community in Jerusalem, whose numbers were increasing every day, the apostles gave seven men called deacons (literally ‘servants’) a share in their ministry by the laying on of hands (ordination).

Today as then, there is an urgent need for priests, deacons and religious and we, like them, should “select from among yourselves … [young] men … of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and wisdom” who will become our future priests and deacons.

Therefore, we urge you to pray individually and collectively that one of your family will respond to God’s call. 

What better way of expressing your love and tender affection for your children than to “lay your hand” on their head or shoulder and using your thumb, to mark them with the sign of the cross? And whilst doing that, pray that God will call them to the priesthood or religious life.

Fr Philip Sainter

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES

Sunday 28th May:  The Ascension of the Lord
Sunday 4th June:  Pentecost Sunday – only one International Mass at 11.00am     followed by a shared table of finger food in the Parish Hall
Saturday 17th June: First Holy Communion Mass at 3.00 pm
Sunday 18th June: Corpus Christi – with procession after 11.00am Mass

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Newsletter for Sunday 7 May 2017

5 May

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY  –  VOCATIONS SUNDAY
PRAY FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE

Please pray fervently in public and privately, individually and as a family for vocations to the priesthood and religious life from our own homes: 

LEADER:  Please kneel for our prayer for vocations.  Let us ask God to give worthy Priests to His Holy Church and Brothers and Sisters to Religious Orders.

ALL:  O God, we earnestly beseech You to bless this diocese with many priests, brothers and sisters, who will gladly spend their entire lives to serve Your Church and to make You known and loved.

LEADER:  Bless our families. Bless our children.

ALL:  Choose from our homes those who are needed for Your work.

LEADER:  Mary, Queen of the Clergy!

ALL:  Pray for us. Pray for our priests and religious. Obtain for us many more. Amen.

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IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES
Thursday 12 May:  Confirmation Mass with Bishop Patrick. All parishioners  welcome.
Sunday 28th May: The Ascension of the Lord.
Sunday 4th June:  Pentecost Sunday – only one International Mass today at 11.00am
Saturday 17th June:  First Holy Communion Mass at 3.00 pm
Sunday 18th June: Corpus Christi

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