Newsletter
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
20th April 2008
CALENDAR
Monday - St Anselm
Wednesday - SAINT GEORGE
Friday - Saint Mark the Evangelist
Gospel Reflection: Jesus Is The Way
If you have faith in the triune God, you also have faith that Jesus is preparing a place for each and every one of us. So how do we find our way to that place? Jesus' only advice is, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." To the early disciples Jesus must have sounded like he was talking in riddles, but to have tied up all the loose ends for the early disciples would not have helped us future generations. We have to find our way to the Father through Jesus without maps or answer books. How could Jesus have left specific answers two thousand yeas ago on subjects like embryology for instance, cloning, or IVF? Jesus simply trusts us to work things out in the light of his teaching and the inspiration of divine grace, just as he trusted his first disciples.
"No one comes to the Father except through Jesus." This has often been used as a weapon against those of other faiths, but we need to step back and remember that God is nobody's property. There are many rooms in God's house ... room enough for everybody who acts in good faith .... room enough for everyone who lives their life the way Jesus has taught.
CONFIRMATIONS 2008
Would those who are to receive the sacrament in May please be ready next Sunday after 10.30am mass to travel over to Seymour Road, East Molesley for the 'Away Day' beginning at 12.00 noon. Everyone due back at Station Rd by 4.30pm
Please remember in your prayers the repose of the soul of Gabriela Nolan who died Mon. 14th April
St Mark the Evangelist - FEAST - Friday 25th April
The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who, in the New Testament, is sometimes called John Mark. He is supposed to be the man who ran away naked at the taking of Jesus (Mk.14:51-52) Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there.
St. Mark wrote the second Gospel, probably in Rome sometime before the year 60 A.D.; he wrote it in Greek for the Gentile converts to Christianity. Tradition tells us that St. Mark was requested by the Roman Christians to set down the teachings of St. Peter. This seems to be confirmed by the references to Mark in the letters of Peter and by the position which St. Peter has in Mark's Gospel.
Various arguments have been attempted to prove the gospel could not have been written by any close friend and companion of Peter. These have been countered by modern scholarship and authorship by Mark is not now seriously contested by anyone.
MASS FOR THE ELDERLY
Thursday 24th April at 2.30pm
ANNUAL MEETING OF CATECHISTS
The meeting called for today to take place after the 10.30 am Mass (See Church Door notice) is for all workers with the vulnerable. Youth Workers, Senior Altar Servers and carers for the vulnerable please also attend if possible.
Dr. Lynch.
The Catholic Priesthood - The Challenge
There will be a weekend for men at Allen Hall Seminary, 3rd-4th May designed for those who may be considering a vocation to the priesthood. Details and Booking Forms are available from Fr. Chris Vipers 
020 7798 9083 or e-mail chrisvipers@rcdow.org.uk
RACE FOR LIFE - Sunday 18th May - Deer Park, Richmond
Cancer Research UK holds another fundraising event similar to last year in support of its hugely important work. In last year's walk I raised £300.00 and would like to invite your sponsorship again this year. Thanks for your wonderful support last year. Donate on line at: www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/margaretbeirne
Margaret Beirne 020 8941 6438.
Global Education Action Week - From 21 to 27 Apr 2008
A campaign that demands that politicians keep their promises to achieve universal primary education by 2015.
The Global Campaign for Education promotes education as a basic human right, and mobilizes public pressure on governments and the international community to fulfil their promises to provide free, compulsory public basic education for all people; in particular for children, women and all disadvantaged, deprived sections of society.
For further information visit the campaign website at:
NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM
Saturday 26th July 2008 led by the Bishop of E. Anglia with the blessing of The Pontifical Council for the Elderly. See advert in the porch.
Catholic Singles
We meet the last Wednesday of the month 7.30pm. Bring as many friends as you wish. Meeting Point: Angel in the fields near to St. James's Church, 37, Thayer Street, W1
Church cleaning!!
Don't let the numbers of those who keep the church neat and tidy drop down.
The work is not heavy and presently any team is called on only five times a year. If YOU are able to fill a team vacancy that has occurred please do contact Mrs Christiane Naylor on 020 8941 1179
Mass for Migrant Workers in the Capital
If you know of anyone who might benefit from attending a Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Monday 5th May at 11.00am please tell them they will be made most welcome and will find an opportunity to make valuable contacts.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
The Diocesan Pilgrimage by air, train or coach for the 150th celebrations is from 19th - 26th July and booking forms are available from the Presbytery with the costs starting at £382.00 pp.
Fr. Bernard
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