Our Lady of Lourdes,Newent
A Community of worship, love and service
Newsletter 18th July
Catholic Parish of Our Lady of
and St Michael’s, Blaisdon
Priest in Charge: Fr Aidan Murray SDB,
Drumlanrig,
Phone/Fax: 01531 821647 aidansdb@newentbb.co.uk
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C 18th July 2010
God himself is my help. The Lord upholds my life. I will offer you a willing sacrifice; I will praise you name, O Lord, for its goodness.
Diocesan Prayer Link: St Mary’s, Swindon with Highworth
|
Please Pray for the Welfare of our Sick People:- OUR LADY OF
|
Gospel Reflection for the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - A little Bit of Martha And A Little Bit of Mary
Churches are busy places. There are always one thousand and one things to do. There are youth clubs to organise, pilgrimages to finance, fundraising for the church dry rot repairs, then there’s the toddlers group, the pensioners bingo night, the flower arranging, music rehearsals, the church magazine to compile, quite apart from all the regular book keeping, admin’ and upkeep of registers. For much of its work the church relies on volunteers ….a team of willing parishioners who fit church ministry alongside other pressing work commitments. Without these very busy people, the church would most likely grind to a halt. Martha was on one of these people. When Jesus calls at the home of Martha and Mary we see that Martha busies herself with all the practical arrangements. Meanwhile, here sister Mary takes time out to sit and listen to Jesus. Worse, when Martha complains, Jesus appears to take Mary’s side!
The very great danger in this story is that we feel inclined to take the side of one sister or the other. Surely Jesus wasn’t taking Mary’s side at Martha’s cost. Jesus must have appreciated Martha’s efforts to be a perfect hostess, but he was perhaps pointing out a pitfall to those of us who are overly busy. Sometimes our lives can become so full of practical concerns that we become intellectually and spiritually empty. It’s true that faith is meaningless without the action to back it up, but it’s equally important that actions without Christ at the core can ring hollow. We have to make space in our busy lives for our spiritual and intellectual development or we are in serious danger of becoming busy just for the sake of keeping busy. Before we know it we can be running round in senseless circles. Before we know it we can become exhausted, yet have little to show for our efforts. In today’s gospel, Mary recognised that on this occasion it was more important to develop spiritually than to work in the kitchen, and for this, Jesus commends her for making the better choice.
We are not asked to be more like Mary than Martha. We are not asked to choose a contemplative faith over action and works of charity. The ideal is to adopt a little of both, a little bit of Martha and a little bit of Mary. Two parts of one Way to God.
ONE FOR THE LADIES !
(from Diocesan website)
Our Newent parish held a special day for women on Saturday (10 July). Parish Priest Father Aidan Murray SDB writes with the details for cliftondiocese.com.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church welcomed almost 50 ladies to their special day for women. This was led by Jenny Baker, well known presenter of DVDs by CaFE. She challenged all of the ladies to recognise their true identity and to know that they were chosen by God, created and loved by Him and to hear Him say: “You are my beloved daughter”… and even: “you’re worth it”.
Parishioner, Mary Francis, summed up the day saying: “Sometimes it seems that the Lord opens his hand, and gives us a very special gift simply because of his sheer delight in us. That's how I would sum up the ‘Women's Day of Rest and Blessing’, an event led by Jenny Baker and Rita O'Neill at Our Lady of Lourdes in Newent.
“We laughed and cried, sang, danced and rested in the Lord. Jenny opened up for us, through scripture, tradition and YouTube the power and privilege that resides in our femininity as we reflect and rejoice in the feminine aspect of the nature of our God.
“Rita inspired us to pray for one another and worship the Lord from the heart. Especially powerful was the time of rest when she sang over us, bringing to mind the wonderful promise to us, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem.”
Nelson Mandela International Day - 18th July
The United Nations has declared 18th July “Nelson Mandela International Day” in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.
The resolution was adopted last year by the 192-member General Assembly to commemorate the Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s long-standing commitment to promoting conflict resolution, race relations, human rights, reconciliation and gender equality.
The Day will be observed annually on 18th July, Mr. Mandela’s birthday, starting in 2010 when the former anti-apartheid leader will turn 92 years old.
By adopting the resolution, the UN expressed its appreciation for a great man who had suffered for the sake of people everywhere, said Assembly President Ali Treki, recognizing Mr. Mandela’s 27-year imprisonment, most of which was spent in the notorious Robben Island detention centre off the coast of Cape Town.
After his release from prison in 1990, Mr. Mandela became the first President elected in a fully representative democratic ballot in post-apartheid
Read 'Higher Than Hope,' the Authorized Biography of Nelson Mandela.
Take A Green Summer Holiday
Few holidays are 100% green. Most trips involve taking some form of motorised transport and unavoidably contribute to carbon emissions. ‘Greentraveller’ is a website that provides information on how to have a green holiday, and can show you how to plan a break that keeps emissions down to a minimum. It features lots of amazing trips that can be conveniently reached by train, as well as a range of green and gorgeous places to stay in the
Who Was Mary Magdalene?
Controversy over the identity of St. Mary Magdalene has continued since the early Church. In the Gospels, there are three particular "characters" involved in the controversy: Mary Magdalene, a follower of our Lord (Jn 20:11-18); the anonymous penitent woman (Lk 7:36-50); and Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (Lk 10:38-42). In the West, particularly since the time of Pope St. Gregory the Great, the three characters have all been identified as St. Mary Magdalene. However, in the East, the three characters have remained separate, with St. Mary Magdalene and "St. Mary of
The collection for weekend 4/7/10 was £223-75.
The collection for weekend 11/7/10 was £348-27.
The collection for the A.O.S. on 11/7/10 was £137-12.
Forthcoming Courses
Pastoral Liturgy Certificate
Are you interested in liturgy? The Department for Liturgy runs a course in Pastoral Liturgy designed to provide formation and education in the field of Liturgy. No previous qualifications are required, just a love of the liturgy! The Course is designed to run over two school years, studying one module each term over 4 Saturdays. Provisional dates : 25th Sept, 9th Oct, 23rd Oct, 4th Dec. 2010...plus:15th
Jan, 5th Feb, 5th Mar, 26th Mar, 9th April, 14th May, 4th &18th Jun. 2011
Rooted in Christ…based in Filton
This course seeks to root and ground people in the faith that has been handed on to them, offer them confidence in what they believe as well as answering some of the questions they may have about their faith.
The course is not designed to be in lecture-style but offers the people of our parishes an opportunity to engage in rich catechesis so as to deepen their lives of faith... something they may not have had chance to engage in for some time. First session starts 12th October 2010.
Catechetics Certificate
The Catechists' Course that flowed from Called to be a People of Hope successfully came to a conclusion in May of this year as Bishop Declan presented 75 people from around our diocese with certificates upon completion of the course. Owing to its success, the second course will begin in January 2011 and will, once again, help people understand what the ministry of the catechist is and give them a firm foundation in Scripture and the Catechism.
There continues to be a great need in our parishes for good sacramental preparation and this course will provide skills and resources for those involved in Children's Liturgy, First Holy Communion and Reconciliation, Confirmation and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
As we grow to depend on catechists more and more in our parishes, it is essential that they are well formed for the task entrusted to them.
There are only 75 places available. ….THINK ABOUT IT !
Forms and posters in porch for all three courses.
12/7/2010 - Haiti – Don Bosco, a presence and a source of hope
(ANS – Fort Liberté) – On Thursday 8 July on its way from the Dominican Republic, Don Bosco’s casket arrived in Haiti. The Provincial of the Antilles (ANT), Fr Víctor Pichardo, solemnly handed it over to Fr Ducange Sylvain, Superior of the “Blessed Philip Rinaldi” Vice Province of Haiti.
Don Bosco arrived in Haiti six months after the earthquake devastated the country, and was welcomed by a people full of life, of joy, of hope, in spite of all the difficulties of the recent months.
Emphasising the importance of the presence of Don Bosco’s casket in Haiti, especially for the young, Fr Sylvain said: “My dear friends we are here to welcome to our country the relics of Saint John Bosco. It is a great joy for the Salesians and the Salesian Family to savour this moment, a dream which today has finally become reality. With Don Bosco, you too are all welcome to this country so beautiful and so loved, where Don Bosco has been at work since 1935, with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and since 1936 with the Salesians.”
Addressing Don Bosco he said: “You are here in this Haiti so terribly wounded, exploited, humiliated abandoned by her own children; this Haiti which seemed to collapse, but which little by little is picking herself up thanks to the efforts of those who love her only because they love God and their neighbour.” Referring to the words of the Rector Major Fr Pascual Chávez, who was in Haiti between 12 and 15 February Fr Sylvain renewed the appeal: “Haiti must be born again”.
The presence of Don Bosco’s relics in Haiti, which will end on 17 July, is a sign that is meant to nourish the hope and the faith of the people and above all of the young. The Salesian Family has been preparing spiritually for the arrival of the casket since 29 June, organising in every community a novena in honour of Saint John Bosco.
StumbleUpon Star approval for Singing Nun's CD (Gloucestershire ECHO)
CINDERFORD'S own singing nun,
Friends of
"I have been to see him several times and he always says 'come and see me afterwards'," she said. "He tries to embarrass me from the stage and last time I went to see him in Bristol he gave me a big bouquet of red roses. "He's a lovely man who really cares for his fans. I think he will be surprised to see the CD."
Friends spent nearly two years persuading her to record a collection of the hymns she sang to children for nearly 40 years.
The soprano only agreed after learning Our Lady of Victories Roman Catholic Church in Cinderford is desperately in need of cash for repairs. She also decided it would be a good way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of St Anthony's
The Glasgow born nun was only 23 when she arrived in the
Songs Of Love And Praise costs £9.50 and is available from the Forester offices or Bom Dia in Cinderford
This Week Psalter 4
Mon. 19th July 9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass with Morning Prayer …Adoration till 11.00am
Followed by RCIA…….. ready to celebrate Finale!
5.30pm Legion of Mary
7.00pm RCIA Celebration
Tues. 20th July 9.40am Rosary
10.00am Mass ……Adoration till 11.00am
7.30pm Seekers Meeting “Open to the Spirit”
Wed. 21st July 9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass with Morning Prayer
Coffee ‘n chat ….followed by DVD (Promise!)
Thurs 22nd July Memorial of St Mary Magdalene
9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass ……Adoration till 11.00am
7.30pm FILM: NO GREATER LOVE………
“Small Buffet” provided by Brian & Caroline !
Fri. 23rd July; Feast of St Bridget, Patron of
6.00pm Adoration/Reconciliation/Prayer
7.00pm Mass
Sat 24th July 12.00noon Baptism
4.30pm Adoration – Reconciliation – Benediction
5.30pm First Mass of Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sun. 25th JULY: Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time year C.
DAY FOR LIFE…..SECOND COLLECTION
JULY 26 TO 30: FANNING THE FLAME – YOUTH CAMP
BOOK NOW !
HOPE… Question of the Day:
What word of hope do I have to offer others?
What word of hope do we have to offer to the millions of people in the world who see no meaning in their lives?
For most people in the world the question is not, "Is there a life on the other side of death?" It is, rather, "Is there life on this side of death?" Until we Christians give evidence that there is life on this side of death, the world has no reason to believe our dogmas or our giant churches. It doesn’t need our words of hell. It needs some evidence of heaven.
Adapted from Radical Grace: Daily Meditations
now available in both online and hardcopy formats!
Office Address:
"Drumlanrig",
Ross Road,
Newent,
Gloucestershire,
GL18 1BG