Newsletter- 13th Week of Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners
Who do you say that I am?’ This weekend we celebrate the lives of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul. Their transformation from deeply flawed human beings into faithful followers of Christ offers us inspiration to follow their example.
In the First Reading, Peter is consoled and rescued from prison by an angel. Despite persecution, he remains faithful to Christ. The Psalm is a joyful celebration of one who has had their prayer answered. We can imagine Peter praying it during his time in captivity. In the Second Reading, we find Paul reflecting back on the trials he has faced since becoming a Christian. He assures us that Christ will comfort and strengthen all those who call upon him. Paul’s determination to spread the Gospel message is why we are here today, praying together as a community built on a foundation of God’s love. The origins of our Church are described in today’s Gospel. Simon recognises Jesus as ‘Christ the Son of the Living God’, and receives the title ‘Rock’, upon which God’s church will be built. As living stones of the Body of Christ we pray to be inspired by this continuous outpouring of love that springs forth from St. Peter’s declaration of faith 2,000 years ago, and we ask for the grace to be enthused to reach out to others by the example of St. Paul.
Just as our lives are forever united and sustained within the Body of Christ with St. Peter the rock, St. Paul the evangelist and all the Saints, let us pray this coming week for a greater spirit of unity and love within all the expressions of Church in the world of today. May all who face persecution for their faith be strengthened in the knowledge of this unity and may each of us reach out to those who are in need with kindness and compassion and show the loving face of Christ to all whom we encounter in our daily lives during the week ahead.
Visit of the Diocesan Vocation Director: This weekend we welcome Fr Neil Peoples, the Diocesan Vocations Director, and an old friend of mine. Fr Neil and I were curates at the Cathedral together and we have remained good friends since then. I am delighted he has agreed to come to stay over in our parish and concelebrate and preach at all our Sunday Masses this weekend, and to meet members of our parish community.
Michael Furey – Diocesan Seminarian – Pastoral Placement at St Marys – July: Michael will be making his short summer placement from Oscott College here in our parish during the month of July and helping with the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage. During his time in Grantham, Michael will assist with a few pastoral activities in the wider community and shadow me in my pastoral ministry and worship and assist at the Parish Liturgies each day. Please keep Michael in your prayers as he prepares for his placement in our parish starting this coming Friday 3rd July.
Second Collection – ‘Peter’s Pence’ – Peter’s Pence is the name for the financial support offered by all the faithful to the Holy Father as a sign of our sharing in the concern of the Successor of Peter for the many different needs of the Universal Church, and for the relief of those most in need. The offerings this weekend in our Second Collection taken as you leave Mass on Saturday evening and Sunday morning this week go to the Holy Father and are destined to Church needs, humanitarian initiatives and social promotion projects, as well as to the support of the Holy See.
Enabling our Mission Campaign: I hope later in July to be able to present to you some new mission related initiatives which we have been working on as part of the Enabling our Mission Campaign and our Parish Mission Plan, to be launched later in the year and into 2027. I hope to also be able to give a clearer picture of the monies we shall have received back directly to the parish from your great generosity and support of the diocesan campaign and which will be used to help with our missionary endeavours here within our parish community.
With my prayers for you and your families on this joyful feast day of Saints Peter and Paul,
Your parish priest and friend,
Fr Jonathan
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