Newsletter- 16th Week of Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners
Today’s Gospel is the second part of a three-part focus on Matthew chapter 13 – the central teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God by way of parables. Through these vivid stories, Jesus invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery of God’s Kingdom.
Last Sunday, the Gospel focused on planting the seeds of the Kingdom. This Sunday, the focus is on growth. The parables remind us that doing God’s work is not without challenges. As Jesus explains, there will always be those who try to sabotage what God is doing. The Church itself is a mixed body that includes both saints and sinners: the wheat and the weeds growing side by side. Yet the presence of weeds does not prevent the wheat from growing. No matter how small our efforts may seem, God’s Kingdom continues to flourish. That is where the yeast comes in. The First Reading from the Book of Wisdom helps us understand this more clearly.
God’s patient and loving presence is the leaven that allows the Kingdom to grow. The Second Reading at Mass expands on this teaching. It is the Holy Spirit who leavens our efforts at building the Kingdom of God. The Spirit works within us even when our faith feels small, our prayers seem inadequate, or our efforts appear insignificant. And the Spirit remains with us even when we encounter opposition or discouragement along the way.
The growth of God’s Kingdom pertains not only to its growth in numbers, but also to the growth of that tiny seed planted within each of our hearts. Our capacity to grow in God’s love has no limits if we allow the Holy Spirit to shape and transform us. Like yeast hidden within the dough and a seed buried deep within the earth, the Spirit is at work even when we cannot see it. God’s Kingdom grows quietly, heart by heart and act by act, until in God’s time the harvest reveals what the Spirit has been nurturing all along. Now that’s Good News!
Michael Furey – Note of Thanks – This week on Thursday 23rd July we say goodbye to Michael Furey, who will be leaving us to assist with the “We believe” Festival at St. Mary’s Oscott, his seminary in Birmingham. I would like to thank Michael on your behalf for all he has done in the short time that he has been with us. I think especially about his excellent work in the local prison, St Mary’s Primary School, assisting with the young people’s part of the diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes and for his prayerful presence at all our liturgies in the parish when he has offered us some lovely thought-provoking meditations at Mass. I have given Michael a little token of our thanks to him for his hard work over these past few weeks here. It has been a great pleasure for me personally to host him at the Rectory during his placement in Grantham. Michael has been a very easy guest to have to stay! Please keep him now in your prayers as he continues with his seminary formation. God willing in a few years’ time we shall with great joy welcome Michael to the presbyterate as a new priest for our diocese!
School Leavers Mass 10 am – On Tuesday 21st July – This week we shall host St Mary’s Primary School for their leavers Mass after which they will have their end of term Prize giving in church. All parishioners are warmly invited to attend.
With my prayers for you and your families during this coming week
Your parish priest and friend,
Fr Jonathan
2026 19th July – Newsletter – Download