Our Lady of Lourdes,Newent
A Community of worship, love and service
Newsletter 6th 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
Solemnity of The Body & Blood of Christ, Year C 6th June
The Lord fed his people with the finest wheat and honey; their hunger was satisfied.
Diocesan Prayer Link:
Salisbury St Gregory & English Martyrs
Bitesize: In order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.
Henry Christopher Bailey
Gospel Reflection for Corpus Christi
The Real Miracle.
As children we marvel at the story of the feeding of the five thousand. Like an enthralled audience tying to spot the mechanics behind a lady being sawn in half, or doves appearing mysteriously from the sleeves of a magician, we try to work out how Jesus might have worked his miracle. But to focus only on the mystery behind the miracle would be to trivialise the real importance of today's gospel. This story is not just about Jesus miraculously feeding a bunch of hungry people. In the context of today’s solemnity, today’s gospel reading links the ordinary food that God provides at our regular meals to the truly miraculous food we receive in Holy Communion.
The feeding of the five thousand is prophetic. Jesus is showing us that God’s reign is about satisfying both human spiritual and physical need. The importance of the miracle is not so much about the multiplication of food, but the message that God can provide for all. This claim might ring hollow in the third world, but the truth remains; God has provided for all It’s left to us to make sure it is shared fairly around the world. Today’s real miracle would be in the change of our materialistic attitudes. The real miracle would be a change that would enable us to eradicate poverty and hunger simply by organising a system of sharing. The scale of the problem the disciples faced on the day of the feeding of the five thousand must have seemed impossible, but the message that they should get on with the job of sharing and leave the rest to God, could be as miraculous today as it was then.
Jesus was all about sharing. He gave his time, his love and finally his body and blood. When we receive Holy Communion in Mass our action is twofold. The Eucharist is a banquet for the multitudes in which we remember Jesus’ sacrificial self-giving. More than this, we remember the promise that anyone who eats his bread and drinks his blood will share eternal life.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with an awareness of how much God loves each one of us, personally….and then respond with a sincere: I LOVE YOU TOO !
Pope Benedict’s Prayer Intention for June 2010
Respect for Human Life
"I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full," says Jesus to those who are his (Jn.10:10)
Faithful to Jesus’ teaching, the Church has always defended the life of human persons, from its beginning, before birth, to its natural end. To ensure this respect for human life is the Pope’s' concern in this month's intention. "As far as the right to life is concerned, we must denounce its widespread violation in our society: alongside the victims of armed conflicts, terrorism and the different forms of violence, there are the silent deaths caused by hunger, abortion, experimentation on human embryos and euthanasia.” Pope Benedict invites us to join his prayer intention for June, “……. That every national and transnational institution may strive to guarantee respect for human life from conception to natural death.”
Peace Actions for June
- 14-20th June is ‘Refugee Week’. Wherever you can, aim to make refugees in this country feel welcome and safe.
- Sunday 20th June 2010 is Day of Prayer against the Arms Trade. Contact the Campaign Against Arms Trade Christian Network for resources.
- Remember in your prayers all those who suffer in prison for their beliefs and support what your local Amnesty International group is doing for such prisoners of conscience. (22 June is the feast of
World Oceans Day - 8th June
Recently, Maude Barlow, Senior Advisor on Water to the President of the UN General Assembly said: 'We have our oceans to thank for making life possible. Their waters cover nearly three quarters - more than 130 million square miles - of the planet's surface. They host a vast array of life and power climactic cycles that support and sustain everyone and everything on Earth. Indeed, one could make the case that without the oceans all life here would dry up and die out.
'Unfortunately a tide of exploitation and pollution is running against these great bodies of blue. The clutches of greed have foisted upon them an array of wasteful and inefficient technologies, questionable uses and poor management. To one degree or another, the push is on to take control of these vast waters meant to be public resources and, instead, give them to private hands bent on maximizing profit at the expense of all else.
If you are passionate about the state of our oceans, there IS something you can do to help. Right now, awareness is key.
For more information about the Ocean Project, and what you can do to be involved in your area in the 2010 World Oceans Day, go to their website
The Sacred Heart of Jesus - 11th June
If you grew up in a typical Catholic home you might have fond memories of the religious imagery that was part and parcel of growing up a Catholic; statues, crucifixes, religious pictures, bottles of holy water, and most important of all a large picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In that painting, we see the heart of Jesus surrounded by a crown of thorns, behind which lay a burning fire of love. The imagery might seem odd to non-Catholics, but for Catholics, the symbol of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a powerful image of the love of God. The heart itself is the very core of a person. In the Gospels, when Jesus was challenged to summarize the law of God, he stressed loving God with all our heart and our neighbour as ourselves. The New Testament stressed love as the way to life, "God is Love," wrote
World Day Against Child Labour - 12th June
Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.
What can you do?
- Shop responsibly, avoiding retailers you know to be using sweatshop labour.
- Poverty is the main reason children are forced into labour. Consider a sponsorship scheme that is targeted at children and immediate family.
GRATITUDE FROM OUR HOME & AWAY CHARITIES 2009
The Medical Foundation
On behalf of the clients and staff of the Medical Foundation, THANK YOU for the generous donation of £1700 from Our Lady of Lourdes, Newent and St Michael’s Blaisdon.
As torture continues to be widespread throughout the world we have continued to see a high demand for our work over the last year. Having fled persecution, survivors are left psychologically and emotionally scarred and left isolated in a new country where they are desperate to rebuild their lives. With an increased pressure from the government to assess Asylum seeker applications faster, it is vital that we are able to identify survivors of torture and support their needs as soon as possible. The threat of detainment or deportation can have an overwhelming effect on our clients who are already heavily traumatised.
We are very grateful for your support which will make an incredible difference to torture survivors from all over the world.
Kindest regards, Mandy, Community Fundraiser
Patrons Include: Tom Conti, Simon Rattle, CBE, Claire Rayner OBE, Brian Keenan CBE, Sir Tom Stoppard CBE FRSL, Glenys Kinnock MEP, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, John le Carre, John McCarthy MBE, Dame Helen Mirren, Michael Palin CBE
Gloucester NightStop
Please also accept our thanks for choosing NIGHTSTOP. It is so heart-warming when our work is acknowledged by local communities. Donations like yours are used to assist young people with essential items like clothing, food, income, travel, toiletries etc. When young people move on into more permanent accommodation, we provide bedding and small household items to get them started… So thank you on behalf of Nightstop and the young people who use our service.
Yours sincerely, Sue, Linkworker.
Prayers for the World Cup
The Church of England's Bishop Baines, a
1. "Lord of all the nations, who played the cosmos into being, guide, guard and protect all who work or play in the World Cup.
May all find in this competition a source of celebration, an experience of common humanity and a growing attitude of generous sportsmanship to others. Amen."
2. "God of the nations, who has always called his people to be a blessing for the world, bless all who take part in the World Cup.
Smile on
3. "Lord, as all around are gripped with World Cup fever, bless us with understanding, strengthen us with patience and grant us the gift of sympathy if needed. Amen."
The bishop said: "More than half the population pray at some time and everyone will be affected by the World Cup in one way or another, so it makes sense to have some prayers for those that want to use them.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Liam Fanning O.M.I. He died on Sunday 30th May at Inchicore,
At Coleford Friday 11th June there will be a Mass for him at 7.30pm….followed by tea in the Hall….All welcome.
MARY WHITEHOUSE:
After decades of battling against her views, Dame Joan Bakewell conceded this week that Mary Whitehouse may have been right all along. In a remarkable U-turn, broadcaster Dame Joan has suggested the results of sexual liberation in the 1960s may not have had a positive effect for a later generation.
And she’s in good company: back in 2004 Roy Hattersley wrote ‘Forty years ago I dismissed Mary Whitehouse as a bad joke. I hate to say it but I was wrong’.
You can read the full story here:
|
PARISH 200 CLUB: 2010 May winners. 1. £35 No. 008 Maria G 2. £25 No. 003 Christine R 3. £15 No. 041 Basil W 4. £10 No. 168 Pauline G 5. £ 5 No. 045 Helen H
Congratulations to all winners and many thanks to all our loyal supporters….maybe your turn next month?
|
Mon. 7th 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
Tues. 8th June World Oceans Day
9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass …Adoration till 11.00am
Wed. 9th June 9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass with Morning Prayer
Coffee ‘n chat…followed by DVD
Hereford Conference Prayer Group at Ledbury 7.30pm
Thurs 10th June 9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass ……Adoration till 11.00am
NB 4.30pm Strawberry Party….it’s for YOU! Bring a friend
Fri. 11th June Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
NB Celebration of Priesthood/Mass at Cathedral 11.00am
See Fr Aidan if you’d like to be there…….
6.00pm Adoration/ Reconciliation/ Evening Prayer
7.00pm Mass
Sat 12th June World Day Against Child Labour
4.30pm Adoration – Reconciliation – Benediction
5.30pm First Mass of Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sun 13th June Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C
|
DAVID PAYNE @ BROCKWORTH 7.00pm – WED. 16th JUNE Food for Body & Soul Specific INVITATION to all who seriously care about what our Faith is all about… It’s free…but may have a retiring collection PLEASE PUT YOUR NAME ON THE LIST |
|
BEGGING BOWL ………Our Social event; See Silvana if you are able to help the Strawberry Party….in any way….setting up…providing puddings etc. FUNDRAISING EVENT: THE HOOLEYS…..POSTPONED ONE WEEK…TO FRIDAY 25TH JUNE AT 8.00PM…TICKETS ASAP. |
Office Address:
"Drumlanrig",
Ross Road,
Newent,
Gloucestershire,
GL18 1BG