Category Archives: Weekly newsletter

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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TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles (ταπεινος) himself will be exalted

 The author of our first reading – Jesus ben Sirach – was a scribe and teacher who lived in Jerusalem around 180 BC.  His literary style was very much that of the earlier wisdom writings such as The Book of Proverbs.  He, like them, was concerned about peoples’ interior attitudes which should be reflected in their outward behaviour: attitudes such as sincerity and humility.

Today’s Gospel also focuses on humility and challenges us to re-examine our ways of thinking and living.  Interestingly, in both readings the teaching on humility concerns those who will hold or already hold positions of power in society: ‘The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself’ (Eccles. 3:18).

The English dictionary definition of what humility means is ‘not proud or arrogant.’ But humility, according to the thrust of our scriptural texts, means to be aware of both our human limitations and our inability to have all the answers and the presence of someone (God) who is greater than us and who is the source of power, strength and knowledge.  It’s a word that is etymologically linked to the Latin word humus, meaning ‘earth’ or ‘soil’.  Thus, just as the earth provides the conditions for growth, so too, humility creates the capacity for true development.

You might find it interesting to learn that the + in front of a bishop’s name isn’t a cross!  It is the Greek letter τ (tau = ‘t’) the first letter of ταπεινος (tapeinos) … ‘humbly’, ‘humble of heart’.  Sincerely,

τ Fr Philip

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TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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