Newsletter- 23rd Week of Ordinary Time
This coming week I shall be away with the bishop and our diocesan “Under 10’s” group of clergy from Monday 11th September and I will be back in the parish during the afternoon of Thursday 14th September. The “Under 10’s” comprises those diocesan priests who have been ordained for less than 10 years. It is an important time for us all to pray and reflect together and to spend time with the bishop and it forms an important part of our on-going formation. During my absence Mgr. John Hadley has kindly agreed to offer Mass on Wednesday 13th September at 9.30 a.m. and Thursday 14th September at 11 am. There will be no Public Worship on Tuesday 12th September and the church will remain closed on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th September. I am very grateful to Fr John for offering Mass cover during my absence and to Andrew Wakely for kindly preparing for these Masses and locking and unlocking the church. Please do keep me in your prayers during my short time away from the parish.
This Sunday, 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time we keep Education Sunday. The bishop has prepared a Pastoral Letter which will be read out in place of the homily at all our Sunday Masses this weekend. There will also be a Second Collection to help support the work of our Diocesan Education Service.
The readings this weekend at Mass challenge us all to look beyond our own happiness and embrace a deeper sense of responsibility for one another. If our focus remains solely on our own interests, we miss the core message. The call to assist those in need resonates strongly, urging us to extend a helping hand when others require support.
Equally significant is our obligation to confront corruption and injustice. Silence in the face of wrongdoing implicates us in it, both individually and as a society. This duty to voice our dissent applies not only to personal interactions but also to our engagement with broader societal issues. To uphold moral integrity, we must not shy away from declaring, “that is wrong.” This principle extends beyond personal encounters, reaching into the fabric of our communities and political systems. This resonates with our individual responsibilities and our role in shaping the collective moral compass. In essence, these teachings urge us to cultivate a culture of accountability, where the pursuit of justice and righteousness prevails.
Parish Confirmation Course 2024 – You will find an advert in this week’s Bulletin about our next Confirmation course. We are limiting places to 30 candidates and applications will be taken on a “first come first served basis.” I am very grateful to those parishioners who have already volunteered as catechists; however, it would be good to have a few more volunteers to help support our young people. If you would like to assist, please come, and speak with me informally and I will put you in touch with Mary Peeling who is heading up our Parish Confirmation Catechist Team.
With my prayers for you and for your families during my time away this week,
Fr Jonathan
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2023 10th September 2023– Newsletter – Download