Our Lady of Lourdes,Newent
A Community of worship, love and service
Newsletter 20th June 2010
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
Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C 20th June 2010
God is the strength of his people. In him, we his chosen live in safety. Sav us, Lord,
who share in your life, and give us your blessing; be our shepherd for ever.
Diocesan Prayer Link: Stow-on-the-Wold & Bourton-on-the-Water
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Please Pray for the Welfare of our Sick People:- OUR LADY OF
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Gospel Reflection for the Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Christianity Without the Suffering ?
“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks his disciples.
“The Messiah of God,” replies Peter promptly.
How would we answer the same question? Who do you say Jesus is? Is he the Son of God, or a prophet or just a very good man with a talent for story telling and teaching?
“The Son of God of course,” we reply with well-tutored ease. But here comes the sting. Simply recognising that Jesus is the Son of God is not enough. Recognising that Jesus is the Son of God means living life very differently from those around us. “If any want to become my followers,” says Jesus, “let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily.” Suddenly being a Christian, doesn’t sound like much fun. Surely there is a way to be a Christian without the suffering?
It’s only human nature to want to avoid problems. Problems cause us pain and difficulty. It’s only human nature to side step confrontation, to wait for problems to go away of their own accord or hope that someone else will solve things for us. But one of the great lessons in life is that problems are part of our Christian journey. Once we have solved one problem there will always be another on the horizon. The sooner we accept this simple fact of life the sooner we can equip ourselves to cope. There is no use in pretending that problems don’t exist we have to confront them head on, and in confronting them we become stronger and wiser as a result.
Is there am alternative to taking up our crosses? Well yes, we could live frivolous lives refusing to face up to any kind of responsibility. We could bury our heads in the sand and pretend our problems simply don’t exist leaving us weakened and lacking in integrity. Then there’s always the option to mask our problems with alcohol, comfort eating, retail therapy or drugs. Psychiatric clinics are full of people who have tried to escape their problems and end up making things much worse.
Life is full of suffering, but once we make the decision to take up our crosses with good cheer, life is suddenly a lot easier and a lot more fulfilling.
Father's Day - 20th June 2010
Unlike Mother’s Day, Father’s Day does not have its origins in a church festival. So, should it get a mention in our church newsletter?
When Jesus told the story of the prodigal son, in which a father joyfully welcomes home a son who has squandered all that his father gave him, it was to reveal the way in which God (whom Jesus refers to as Father) wants to relate to us. The story also gives us a model for perfect fatherhood …. Unconditional love, forgiveness, and selfless giving.
Let’s celebrate Father’s Day in our churches, honouring those fathers who have shown us something of God’s love. Happy Father’s Day!
Read more at www.cofe.anglican.org/fathersday/article.html
Recycle Week 2010 21st- 27th June
Each year Recycle Week focuses on a particular issue. This year it will focus on- small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
To do:-
- When buying new electronic or electrical items, choose ones which are durable, and which can be upgraded in the future if possible. Consider first if a current item of equipment can be upgraded, rather than being completely replaced.
- If an appliance has stopped working, before discarding it, see if it can be repaired.
- In some areas there are projects which take household furniture and basic electrical equipment such as cookers and fridges to pass on to low-income households. Contact The Waste Watch Wasteline for details.
- Rather than put unusable small appliances in the bin, take them to your local civic amenity site where they can be added to other scrap for recycling. If you have bulky items to be discarded, contact your council to arrange collection.
- If your workplace has computers, mobile phones or toner cartridges which are no longer needed, these can be donated.
PRAYER CHAIN: Sr Elly Maria has a new mobile number as shown in the paper newsletter. Please Take Note Thank you.
‘Parishes in Communion for
Fr Aidan had this message: Bishop Declan invites you to come to the Cathedral to celebrate a liturgy during which you and your parish representatives will receive a copy of ‘Parishes in Communion for
Thank you and everyone who took part in the consultation which resulted in the draft report presented to you last October. As a result of this further consultation and your written feedback important changes have been made to the original proposals.
Our parishes are being encouraged to work more closely with one another in the mission of the Church. All God’s faithful people are being asked to look again at what is the essential role of the priest and the responsibility of every individual Catholic as a member of the Body of Christ.
Tea and coffee will be available from 6.30pm in the Apostle Room for those who arrive early.
I look forward to being with you in the Cathedral.
With best wishes. (Fr) Michael McAndrew
More about our diocesan pastoral guidelines in the ‘Called to be a People of Hope’ section….www.cliftondiocese.com
Location: Clifton Cathedral,
Time: 7.30 pm
Fr Aidan is leaving at 6.00pm sharp! Please share lifts.
(Names on LIST Please !)
Saints Thomas More and John Fisher - 22nd June
Thomas More and John Fisher angered Henry VIII by steadfastly refusing to approve the king’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Anne Boleyn. They further angered the king by refusing to acknowledge him as supreme head of the Church of England. For refusing to compromise their beliefs, both were beheaded.
On this day, we are invited to pray for those who suffer persecution, oppression and denial of human rights.
Collection for weekend 13/6/10 was £335-05.
The Birth of John the Baptist - 24th June.
We tend, quite understandably, to see John in relation to Jesus, as a kind of subsidiary player in the drama of redemption. But for people at the time of Jesus and the years immediately after Him, John was probably the better known of the two. The gospels present John without explanation, as if everybody should recognize him.
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 spokesperson. 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 a great prophet 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 each of us.
Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) 'Stop Week'
19th - 27th June
The general election will be fresh in our minds, and the
- Take action in Stop Week to put the arms trade at the top of your MP's agenda and to win their support for an end to government support for arms exports.
- Link up with other CAAT supporters in your constituency, and stand together with others across the
- Day of Prayer (20th June) If you are a member of the CAAT Christian Network, join thousands of other Christians to raise awareness about the arms trade in your faith community on this day of prayer.
- Join CAAT’s fundraising day of action on 26th June. Get together with friends or others in your community for a meal, quiz or breakfast and help fund CAAT’s work.
- Find advice and tips in the Stop Week guide (www.caat.org.uk/events/)
Armed Forces Day - 26th June 2010
The UK Armed Forces defend the
Armed Forces Day is Saturday 26 June 2010. The day is an annual opportunity for the nation to Show Your Support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, and from veterans to cadets.
Your support for the Armed Forces provides a much valued morale boost for the troops and their families. Why not take a moment to find out what they are doing and why?
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
26th June
There are lots of reasons why people take illegal drugs. Some take them to escape their problems while others are bored, curious or just want to feel good. People may be pressured into taking drugs to “fit in” with a particular crowd or they may take drugs to rebel or get attention.
Did you know that some drugs are so addictive that they may only be used once or twice before the user loses control? A person crosses the line between abuse and addiction when one is no longer trying the drug to have fun but because one comes to depend on it. One’s whole life centres around the need for the drug.
Read more at:
Also on Sat. 26th June:
Talk on the work of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God in Gloucestershire and the
SALESIAN NEWS: On Sunday 13 June, to celebrate the end of the Year for Priests, groups of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) from Turin, Mornese and Nave (BS) visited Lu Monferrato and Viarigi, the birthplaces respectively of two eminent priests of the Salesian Family: Blessed Philip Rinaldi, third successor of Don Bosco, and Blessed Luigi Variara, apostle of the lepers in Colombia and founder of the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts. The Vocation Chapel at Lu Monferrato records that from this small place in
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A RED LETTER DAY! This morning (Sat 19th June) I had a letter from the Diocese with a cheque for £2,000 for our parish…..a gift from the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom ! I don’t know why we were chosen for this gift but it will be a great help towards reducing the debt on our church. I will let you know as soon as we hear more about this. |
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RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: This is a process of gradually drawing people into an understanding of the truth of the Catholic faith. People are invited to take part, to ‘Come & See’…with plenty of time to ask questions, test the evidence and decide whether what they are hearing is clever salesmanship or the voice of the Holy Spirit calling them into a relationship they never thought it was possible to have with God. We don’t try to convert people …..we simply ask them to allow God to woo them and draw them into an intimate relationship through sharing the sacrifice of the Mass and the Bread & Wine of Comm-union. If God desires to have your heart, can you refuse? It’s your choice! (We’d love to hear from you!) |
This Week Psalter 4
(Recycle & Campaign Against Arms Trade Week)
Mon. 21st June 9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass with Morning Prayer …Adoration till 11.00am
Followed by RCIA until 12.30pm
5.30pm Legion of Mary
-- 7.30pm Parish Finance Meeting (Delayed from May 17)
Tues. 22nd June Feast of Ss Thomas More and John Fisher
9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass …Adoration till 11.00am
-- 7.30pm Seekers Meeting -May include preparing Papal visit
Wed. 23rd June 9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass with Morning Prayer
Coffee ‘n chat ….followed by DVD …we’re back!
NB 7.30 – 8.30pm Cathedral…Parish Council etc
“Parishes in Communion for
Thurs 24th June The Birth of John the Baptist
9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass ……Adoration till 11.00am
Fri. 25th June 9.45am Rosary –Mass with Morning Prayer
And Adoration till 11.00am
8.00pm THE HOOLEYS PARTY …..DON’T MISS IT!
Sat 26th June 8.30am ECUMENICAL BREAKFAST
Armed Forces Day & Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Day for Catechists @ St Bede’s, Bristol
4.30pm Adoration – Reconciliation – Benediction
5.30pm First Mass of Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sun 27th June Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C
Christian Book Club 3.00pm - all welcome
Happy Father's Day!
Sunday is Fathers’ Day. Each one of us has a father and most of us have the good fortune to be able to say that our father was a good man who devoted himself to our welfare. But we live in a society that increasingly undervalues the role of fathers (or dismisses it completely). Despite mounting evidence of children’s need for a father, those who seek to undermine the family continue regardless. We would like to pay particular tribute today to those fathers who saved their children’s lives by their choice, when faced with a crisis pregnancy, to honour their responsibilities and offer support and protection. To fathers everywhere, we say, “thank you, and Happy Fathers’ Day!”
Office Address:
"Drumlanrig",
Ross Road,
Newent,
Gloucestershire,
GL18 1BG