Newsletter- 23rd Week of Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners
‘True discipleship’ – The readings this week at Mass are all about allowing God’s love to guide every aspect of our lives. By turning to God for guidance, he will always keep us on the right path and will continue through all the twists and turns of our life to support us with his love.
The First Reading shows the gulf between God’s ways and the ways of the world. We are reminded of the importance of staying connected to God’s will and wisdom and encouraged that this will be revealed to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Responsorial Psalm reminds us that the natural order of the world holds both beauty and disorder, death and renewal. In the same spirit, no matter what our faults and failings, God is infinitely patient and forever inviting us to return to him. His mercy and love will endure. St Paul writes to his close friend, Philemon, in the Second Reading. Paul’s heartfelt appeal on behalf of Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, reveals the new order of the Christian mission: that all are equal in the eyes of God. In the Gospel, Jesus highlights to his followers that the path of the Lord is not without suffering or sacrifice. It requires patience and courage, and an ability to put God’s love above all things.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, we are reminded that God is full of mercy and compassion. May this week’s readings inspire and encourage us to take responsibility for understanding, upholding and sharing our Christian mission in all we seek to be and do during the coming week ahead.
The National Walking Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope – St Mary’s – Welcoming the Pilgrimage from Norwich to Nottingham – This week on Thursday 11th September we shall welcome the three Perpetual Pilgrims (Fr Peter Wygnaski, Terence Cavanagh and Patrick Lovett) to our parish along with possibly some Day Pilgrims walking the 20 miles from Dyke to Grantham. The Jubilee Pilgrimage will conclude at St Barnabas Cathedral on Saturday 13th September, on the eve of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Please keep the Perpetual Pilgrims and those joining them each day in your prayers during the coming week ahead.
Thursday 11th September
From 5 pm – Simple Refreshments for all Pilgrims who have walked from Dyke to Grantham – Link Room – (served by parishioners).
7 p.m. Mass in the Parish (Mass of the Holy Year) – offered for the Pilgrimage – (all parishioners welcome to attend) – N.B. There will be no morning Mass today at 11 am.
Fr Jonathan will give a special Blessing to the Pilgrims from the Altar at the end of Mass.
Friday 12th September
9 am – Departure – Day Pilgrims and Perpetual Pilgrims to Bingham – Departure from the front steps outside St Marys church. Walking onwards to Bingham (17 miles) – Destination Bingham Methodist Centre.
Education Sunday – 13th /14th September – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – At all our Sunday Masses celebrated over the weekend of 13th and 14th September we shall also be keeping Diocesan Education Sunday. St Marys Catholic Primary School will help to animate the Sunday Liturgy on 14th September at 9.30 am, assisting with the Offertory and Reading for us at Mass. The young pupils are encouraged to come to Mass on Saturday and Sunday in their school uniforms please do make them and their families welcome at Mass. At Mass this coming weekend we will be praying for our Diocesan Education Department and for all who work and study within our Catholic Schools throughout the Diocese of Nottingham. We remember all our young people as well within the parish continuing in education. It is hoped that the Head of St Mary’s Catholic Primary (Miss Tyres) will offer a few words to the congregation at the end of Mass on Sunday 14th September.
With my prayers for you and for your families during the coming week ahead,
Your parish priest and friend,
Fr Jonathan
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