Newsletter
THE 12th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
22nd June 2008
CALENDAR
Tuesday - The Birthday of John the Baptist
Friday - St. Cyril of Alexandria
LOURDES AFTER 150 YEARS
In January of 1858 a young teenage girl, one of a local - and notoriously dysfunctional family it may be said, claimed to be having visions of an extraordinary figure in white at a cave in nearby woods - which place (Massabielle) was known variously as where farm animals were occasionally tethered or even as a refuse tip. As the matter persisted, attracted attention and took on a religious significance the town's authorities warned the parish priest to have nothing whatever to do with the whole bizarre episode.
One hundred and fifty years later, in this Jubilee Year, Pope Benedict XVI intends to come as one of eight million or more visitors to the Marian shrine in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Hundreds of people from every part of the world arrive day and night; the sick and disabled are carried and transported, many candles are burning and prayers are offered incessantly. Thousands of gallons of water flow each day from a spot where the visionary, Bernadette Soubirous, once scratched in the earth with her fingers; Moreover, numbers of the most extraordinary cures have occurred at Lourdes that confound all natural explanation.
Ultimately, the reason for Lourdes cannot be any of the things mentioned above - nor it's inevitable shops and souvenirs - hotels and guesthouses - not its churches and basilicas. Lourdes is not about Saint Bernadette or even the Immaculate Mother of God. If Lourdes is about anything it is about ourselves.
Lourdes is either of no particular significance for anyone or it represents an initiative of God's grace on our behalf - to remind us that here is no abiding city and that our true homeland is in heaven - and of the eternal solicitude of our heavenly mother on our behalf. It was a memorable and rewarding pilgrimage that we completed to Lourdes last Friday week.
Fr Bernard
THE JUBILEE YEAR OF SAINT PAUL
A mass to inaugurate the Year of the great apostle Paul, called by Pope Benedict, will be celebrated by the Cardinal in Westminster Cathedral next Saturday afternoon at 3.30p. Parish priests have been asked to publicise the event broadly.
The Birth of John the Baptist - Tues. 24th June.
John's mission had two facets. First of all he called people to repentance and baptism. Secondly he prepared the way for Jesus. In a way he was God's spokes person. But that's not where it all ends. God's project of salvation is still to be carried out and it doesn't necessarily take prophets like John. A prophet is simply a spokesperson, a job each of us could undertake to varying degrees. The ministry of John the Baptist continues in ourselves.
MASS ON THURSDAY
At 2.30pm next Thursday there will be the accustomed afternoon mass this being the final week of the month to which all are invited.
THE WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP
The next meeting will be held next Thursday 26th June at 8pm. in the Parish Centre. There will be a discussion about the Annual Meal planned for Friday 18th July, so please come prepared with ideas on what you would like to do.
Any queries call Betty O'Leary on 
020 8979 7993.
NEW ROTAS:- READERS / EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS/COUNTERS
New rotas commence next week. Would those who have not received their lists electronically please collect their copy from the porch and online
PRACTICAL SKILLS FOR CATECHISTS
On Monday July 7th a training day for catechists has been organised for the Upper Thames Deanery at St. Edmund’s, Whitton. It will take place in the Parish Centre from 7.30 to 9.00pm
Pre-booking is required and the session will be cancelled if too few take up the opportunity of the evening.
Please see the notice board for details and contact 020 8898 9152 or e-mail catadmin@rcdow.org.uk
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking - 26th June
"Illicit drugs destroy innumerable individual lives and undermine our societies. Confronting the illicit trade in drugs and its effects remains a major challenge for the international community." Kofi Annan
Year after year the supply of illegal drugs around the world grows despite billions of dollars being spent on the problem. On International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the UN aims to raise awareness the major problem illicit drugs represents in society.
World Youth Day Sponsorship
Thank you to everyone who has paid their sponsorship money to date. If you have not paid please put the money in an envelope and hand to Fr. Bernard. Thank you all for your generosity and continued support.
Siobhan, Natasha, Emily, Pippa & Joe
'A Missionary Vocation'
A talk by Fr Giuseppe Cardomone for young adults aged 18-38 considering their calling in life in the Hinsley Room (half way down Morpeth Terrace, at Westminster Cathedral) Friday 27th June at 7.30pm.
For further details visit www.free2become.org or call 01277 373848'
CAFOD APPEALS FOR PRAYERS FOR ZIMBABWE
The Catholic Aid organization has circulated parishes throughout the UK (18th June) to report their being banned from Zimbabwe. Their commitment to the people of Zimbabwe remains as strong as ever but they regret the enforced closure of their food aid programme, HIV and AIDS work, water projects and other programmes which have been suspended for the time being.
Celebrating Diversity:
The summer conference(s) 27 / 28 June 2008 organised by the Diocesan Agency for Evangelization stages talks and workshops by way of recruiting for the Catholic Association for Racial Justice. The first is next Friday at London Colney (12noon - 4.30pm) or alternatively another similar is on Saturday at St. Charles Square VIth Form College. (11.00am-4.00pm) See the notices in the Church and make bookings to:- www.rcdow.org.uk/evangelization or call - 020 7798 9150
FORWARD NOTICE:
Garden party in aid of The Passage:
COLLEGE GARDEN - WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Wednesday 23 July 2008
Tickets (£22.00) includes wine, soft drinks and buffet supper with live music and grand raffle.
Admission by advanced ticket only. Please see the notice board for details . Tickets from The Passage, St Vincents Centre; Carlisle Place Tel: 020 7592 1856
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