Newsletter- 21st Week of Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners
The Gospel set for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time revolves around two questions.
Jesus first asks his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The answers come quickly: John the Baptist. Elijah. Jeremiah. One of the prophets. The voices of the crowd recognise Jesus as someone extraordinary, but they stop short of the truth. Then Jesus asks a second question: “But who do you say that I am?”
The conversation suddenly becomes personal. Simon Peter answers with words that echo through every generation of believers: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus responds by giving Peter a mission. “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church.”
Matthew’s Gospel is one of only two places where Jesus speaks the word Church – the assembly of God’s people. Faith is deeply personal, but it is never meant to be lived in isolation. Christ gathers us into a community of believers that proclaims his name, celebrates his presence, and continues his mission in the world. Peter’s ministry of leadership remains a visible sign of that unity through the Church and the successor of Peter, the Pope.
The First Reading from Isaiah reminds us that leadership is entrusted by God. The Second Reading ends with St. Paul’s hymn of praise for Jesus Christ:
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen.”
Every generation hears the same question that Jesus asked at Caesarea Philippi. Who do you say that I am?
May our answer be more than words. May it be the faith we profess, the life we live, and the communion we share with the Church that continues to bear witness to Christ in every age and in every situation of our daily lives.
Fr Jonathan – Annual leave: I shall be taking a short holiday away from the parish later this week traveling with a good friend of mine, a brother priest of this diocese. We shall travel to the island of Kefalonia, somewhere I always enjoy for rest and relaxation. We shall be staying close to the small fishing village of Katelios. I shall be away from this coming Wednesday 26th August until Monday 7th September. During my absence Mgr. Hadley will cover all the weekend Masses and there will be a restricted Mass schedule during the week. Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9.30 am whilst I am away and outside of these Mass times the church will be closed.
With prayers for you and for your families during my time away,
Your parish priest and friend,
Father Jonathan
2026 23rd August – Newsletter – Download