Newsletter
SAINT PETER & SAINT PAUL
29th June 2008
CALENDAR
Monday - The First Martyrs of Rome
Thursday - St Thomas
Friday - St Elizabeth of Portugal
GOSPEL REFLECTION - Wanted:- Fearless Christians
Over the years the Catholic Church has laid itself bare to criticism. Sometimes this criticism is underserved, but sadly at other times it is. At certain times in history the Church has been guilty of making mistakes, and doubtless it will continue to make mistakes in the future because we are all human. There are those who complain that the Church is out of step with an increasingly secular world. There are even those who point to diminishing Mass attendances and predict that the Church is living on borrowed time. The bottom line however is drawn in today's gospel. Jesus turns to Peter and says, " You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church." Whether Jesus' idea of 'Church' is our idea of 'Church' is debateable, but one thing is for sure, Jesus intended to leave behind a group of followers initially led by Peter, united in their belief of Jesus and God until the end of time.
Because Peter recognised that God was acting through Jesus he was entrusted with the job of leading the rest of us. The Church today is a testimony of Peter's faith; it exists because Peter and others like him trusted and believed in God. It exists because Peter and people like Peter lived according to their faith despite hostility and persecution. Fortunately today Christians don't get thrown to the lions any more. However, we face different problems. Today we face lethargy, conflicting secular values and the complexities of the scientific debate. The Church cannot be silenced. Fearless Christians like Peter and Paul are still needed to carry the baton.
THE YEAR OF PAUL
28th June 2008 - 29th June 2009
Pope Benedict XVI has decreed a Year in celebration of St Paul to run from this weekend until the same feast next year marking the 2000th anniversary of the saint's birth. The Pope has stated, "Meetings for study will be promoted. There will be special publications on Pauline texts to promote the immense richness of the teaching contained so that all may treasure the same and recognise in them "...the true patrimony of humanity redeemed by Christ."
The attached leaflet is the ground work necessary for further reading on Paul's life, his writings and missionary work. (Promote your understanding of St. Paul
and his writings at www.cts-online.org.uk )
COLLECTING FOR PETER'S PENCE
Today's is a traditional collection and will be taken up to coincide with the Feast of Ss Peter & Paul in support the charitable works maintained by the Holy See throughout the world.
LINACRE CENTRE - 'DAY FOR LIFE'
England & Wales - Sunday 6th. July 2008
Day for life 2008 will focus on mental health. The aim of the day is to help raise awareness of the needs of those affected by mental health, their friends, their family and their carers and the support that the parish community and professional services can bring. One in four people will be affected by mental health difficulties at some stage in their lives. The materials for the day have been developed jointly with the Bishop's Conferences of Scotland and Ireland. See the attached leaflet.
THE TABLE TOP SALE JUST GONE!
Many thanks indeed to everyone who came along last week for our Saturday-morning sale in the parish centre. Apart from £110.00 for the church funds the event raised £73.00 for the young people who are travelling to the World Youth Day event in Australia and a further £100.00 for the Street children of Columbia. Well done! K Wren
NEW ROTAS - READERS / EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS/COUNTERS
New rotas begin this weekend. Would those who have not received their lists electronically please collect their copy from the porch. Thank you. B. Hannigan
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. I you would like to go please contact me or the organiser directly.
Please see the notice board for details and contact 
020 8898 9152 or e-mail catadmin@rcdow.org.uk
Fr. Bernard
SYDNEY
Please cover with silver!!
Pippa; Emma; Joseph; Natasha; Siobhan
Please do help one final time on our Australian venture to the World Youth Day event which is now just days away. - - Very many thanks.
The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome - Monday 30th June
The People we honour today had one thing in common. They gave up their lives for Christ. They were martyred because they were followers of the Lord Jesus. By the year 64, Emperor Nero's human rights violations had reached proportions beyond description. When a fire broke out in Rome on July 16, it was commonly believed that the emperor himself was responsible. As two-thirds of Rome lay in ruin, resentment grew. Nero became fearful. He needed a scapegoat. He blamed the fire on the Christians whom he then cruelly had hunted down and brought to the Roman arenas for sport and slaughter.
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
Click here to download this weeks Newsletter in PDF format. Click here for last newsletter.
You may need to download and install a free application called Adobe Reader to open these files
Click here to view archive of previous Newsletters