Newsletter

THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

11th MAY 2008

CALENDAR

Tuesday - OUR LADY OF FATIMA
Wednesday - St. Matthias (Apostle)

Gospel Reflection - "Empowered in the Spirit"

'A fire that descended' was the expression used by those who described the event of the first Pentecost. It was figurative of its nature but conveys to us ideas of an overwhelming force beyond all telling. So how do we tell or speak precisely of the Coming of the Spirit so that we can be readily understood?

In so far as it is a flourishing of an abiding trust in the promises of Christ then Pentecost is something accessible only to the faith of Christians. Moreover, that is typical of the situation we encounter at any time when we doubt the truth of another's narrative. We are challenged immediately with that first and primary face-off of life, as Pilate put it to Jesus, 'What is truth?' ...nor did Pilate wait for a reply.

In a secular society we are wasting our words when we speak of The Holy Spirit. Moreover, a generation that looses its faith in God quickly looses faith in itself. The last sanctuary in the age of individualism is the individual herself/himself and it is to save the individual from the isolation of their self-centredness that makes crucial the renewal of faith

The Spirit that descends at Pentecost is a seven-fold gift for every human creature. The human person, like the Person who gives all existence, is one who is enabled to give and to receive by nature; that is our enfolding and defining truth. To be empowered by God's spirit is willingly to give love and to receive love in return for all eternity. The Confirmation of our Christian Baptism is our 'recreation' in the image and likeness of that God of Love who brought us life in the very crucible of our redemption on Calvary.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

In the days following the Feast of Pentecost here at Saint Theodore's we will be welcoming the Bishop for our confirmations for 2008. Next Friday at mass at 6.00pm twelve young people from the parish will receive the sacrament for which they have been preparing several months. There will be no other mass next Friday at St. Theodore's and there is an invitation to parishioners to come to this mass.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Next Sunday, at Mass at Mid-day, twenty-one children will be making their First Holy Communion.

Please do remember the children and their parents in your prayers - that it will be a fine day and, first of all, a celebration of God's grace when Jesus in the beauty of his Eucharistic Gift is received for the first time by these happy children - all of whose photographs may be viewed in the porch.

RECITATION OF THE ROSARY

Each weekday evening though May at 7.00 o.clock

The Human Embryology Bill - What does this historic bill entail?

If passed in a few weeks time Parliament will certainly have allowed:

- more abortions; more destruction of human embryos; human and animal embryos to be created and donor siblings for the availability of their blood and tissue parts;
optional Fatherhood.

What is introduced will reduce immeasurably ordinary respect for human life which will come to be regarded as little other than animal for our disposal.

If sufficient opposition is voiced it is possible parts of the bill could be de-listed from the debating schedule.

The National Lobby of Parliament is on Wednesday 12.30pm and onwards. See the noticeboard for details.

Take a copy of a letter that can be signed and posted to Mr. Vincent Cable MP at the House of Commons.

WORLD YOUTH DAY SPONSORED WALK

We completed the sponsored walk over 10 bridges two weeks ago! If you kindly agreed to sponsor us in our fundraising efforts we will be happy to collect all promised donations today. Thank you all for your continued support.

Siobhan, Natasha, Emily, Pippa and Joe.

PARISH COUNCIL AGM 15th May - 8.00pm

Please take note of the date of the forthcoming meeting at which amendments to the Parish Constitution will be tabled and voted upon.

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.

THE HAMPTON BOWLING CLUB

The Club at Carlisle Park, Wensleydale Road is seeking new members and offering free tuition - Four Sunday mornings May 11th; 18th; 25th May & 1st June. Bowls are provided but please wear flat shoes!