Current Newsletter
15th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
13th JULY 2008
SEA SUNDAY
CALENDAR
Monday - St Camillus de Lellis
Wednesday - Our Lady of Mnt. Carmel
GOSPEL REFLECTION - Listen, Reflect, Respond
Today's gospel presents a challenge to each one of us. The reading focuses on how we listen, and more importantly how we respond to God's Word. Moreover the story had to be explained by Jesus to his own disciples!
The parable of the sower and the seeds illustrates the different ways in which God's Word is received or not received. The seed sown on the path that grew quickly but was stolen by the birds represents those of us who hear the Word but fail to understand it. The Word eludes us. The seed sown on the rocky ground represents those of us who hear the Word and receive it at once, but because the seed has no roots it is short lived. When trial and tribulation rear their ugly heads our commitment to God's Word is abandoned because our faith wasn't deep rooted to begin with. The seed sown among thorns represents those of us who hear the Word and would like to act upon it, but are so overwhelmed by worldly anxieties and diversions that the Word bears no fruit. Lastly, the seed sown in rich soil represents those of us who hear the Word, act upon it and realise results.
It's obvious that a seed needs fertile ground to grow. Similarly, it's obvious that we need fertile hearts and open minds for God's Word to seed and bear fruit. Today's challenge is to listen with an open mind, reflect and respond.
The Apostleship of the Sea
Sea Sunday is a day set aside annually for the remembrance and prayer for all those who are mariners, fishers, port workers together with their families and dependents. This is therefore an opportunity for us to remember the issues that seafarers daily confront in undertaking their professional and seafaring life in the context of the pastoral care of the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) throughout the world. Please support the AOS this Sea Sunday with your donations and prayers.
St Camillus - Monday 14th July
Camillus de Lellis was a soldier at Lepanto (1571) and was invalided out due to injury. He had become a beggar on the streets of Naples when he asked to be admitted as a religious brother with the Capuchins. Although handicapped by his own injuries he gave himself completely to the care of the sick and subsequently founded his own order of religious dedicated to this cause.
He pioneered the concept of a field hospital for those injured in battle and was declared patron of the sick and of all medical workers by Pope Leo XIII
Make Poverty History"
The Poverty of this world is its estrangement from God and from his grace. The one who came into this world and who made its poverty history was born in a stable and died on a cross.
WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008 - The Basics
World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in Sydney from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 July 2008.
Organised by the Catholic Church, WYD brings together young people from around the globe to celebrate and learn about their faith on a more regular basis.
In his message for WYD, Pope Benedict writes, "Many young people view their lives with apprehension and raise many questions about their future. They anxiously ask: How can we fit into a world marked by so many grave injustices and so much suffering? How should we react to the selfishness and violence that sometimes seem to prevail? How can we give full meaning to life? How can we help to bring it about that the fruits of the Spirit mentioned above, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
We shall give our own five travellers a welcome home and hear from them their account of all that happened in Sydney on Sunday 23rd September at 10.30am mass and afterwards.
Fr. Bernard.
VIGIL OF PRAYER AGAINST KNIFE CRIME AND VIOLENCE AT WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
Friday 18th July 9.00am - 4.30pm
"Pasture" is a group of London Catholic citizens who have requested this occasion and invite all who can to participate by their own intercessory faith and love to God.
Please see leaflet & notice board for details
eMail: pasturecarmel@yahoo.co.uk
HOLIDAY NOTICES
As has been the practice over 3 years
Sunday 5.00pm Mass will lapse through August and will be re-inaugurated on September 7th
Father Robert Okongwu is due on Friday 1st August and for the whole of the month.
(This Parish Newsletter will be available until
July 26th/27th and will recommence in September)
THE 'CAFOD' CAKE SALE
Thank you for making short work of the cakes that we were selling last week in support of their international relief effort on behalf of the poor. The final tally came to £63.83p. Well done.
Dee Cobley
CONFERENCES AT BOARBANK HALL, CUMBRIA:
Holiday location for spiritual reflection for young adults - July 19th/25th & Aug 30th/Sept 6th
See porch advert and all details from:- www.boarbankhall.org.uk/events.htm
GARDEN PARTY IN AID OF THE PASSAGE
College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Wednesday 23 July 2008 from 5.30 to 8.30pm. Tickets £22.00 See the noticeboard for all details.
Business as Usual - Adopters needed.
The Catholic Children's Society, Westminster, is keen to hear from married couples or single people who would like to learn more about the possibilities of adopting. Children needing adopters today are in the care of local authorities. There are children of all ages waiting for new families with the greatest need being for those aged between five and seven. Full preparation and support is given during the assessment process and afterwards once a child has been placed. To find out more contact us on
020 8969 5305, or e-mail paulinem@cathchild.org.uk or visit our website: www.cathchild.org.uk
NOTICE TO ALL SCHOOL WORKERS
Bishop Alan Hopes invites everyone working at any school (Catholic or non-catholic) in the Upper Thames Deanery to come to St Edmund's, Whitton, on Monday September 29th for a Mass at 4.30pm. He will be delighted to meet you and to hear and speak about the work that you do.
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