Newsletter- 26th Week of Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners
This Sunday, the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B we are reminded in today’s readings how God’s spirit works in unexpected ways. Anyone can be chosen to share God’s message, even those who do not follow the way of Jesus. We are all called to live justly and work together in loving support of one another and to learn from one another too. Accepting our differences and looking instead for all that can unite, build up, and make us stronger as individuals and as a faith community.
Just as the Lord shared the spirit that was on Moses with the seventy elders in the tent, his spirit also rested on two who were not present. Joshua objected to these two men prophesying, but Moses declared that anyone speaking the word of the Lord should be allowed to do so. (First Reading). We see a parallel to this in the Gospel. Jesus rebukes John for being concerned about someone outside their group casting out demons in Jesus’s name. But Jesus teaches his disciples to be open and inclusive, instructing them not to hinder anyone doing good. They, too, are part of his mission. Jesus uses strong metaphors to emphasize the importance of avoiding sin and wrongdoing. St. James (Second Reading) warns about the misuse of wealth and exploitation of workers. Helping those in need is a key part of living out our faith in the world as Christs modern day disciples. The Responsorial Psalm sings of the gift of God’s law. The law of love revives the soul, gives wisdom and creates joy in the heart.
In seeking God’s closeness, and with the law as our guide, we can truly live lives of loving service and deep faith and find peace too within our hearts and in our daily lives. This week let’s pray for the grace always to be open and receptive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and to recognize and support Gods work in others around us too.
Note of Thanks: Last Friday we welcomed Bishop Patrick to St Mary’s to confer the sacrament of Confirmation to our thirty one candidates. It was a very joyful Mass, and it was good to see so many regular parishioners there to support our young people in this important next step in their faith journeys. A chance to celebrate together with their families and friends. My sincere thanks to all who worked so hard to make this such a joyful evening in our parish. To our parish catechists for giving of their precious time in spending the past year helping to prepare our young people for this important day in their lives; to our retired clergy for coming to concelebrate Mass with the bishop; to deacon Andrew for his assistance both as a catechist but on the day for helping me with all the liturgical arrangements; to our loyal band of volunteer servers; to our musicians for giving of their time and talents to come to animate the liturgy; to our parish volunteers who helped to arrange the refreshments after Mass; to our flower arrangers for preparing such lovely arrangements both in church and in the parish hall; to Jennie and Ewa for all their hard work over many weeks and months behind the scenes organising and sorting so much for the Confirmation Mass and to all who in anyway helped on the evening or in the days before, thank you your kindness generosity and support which helped to make last Friday such a special and memorable evening for all who came to worship in our parish and support our young people in receiving the sacrament of Confirmation.
Congratulations: We congratulate not only all our young people on their Confirmation, but also as I mentioned last week Mary Peeling (our lead catechist for Confirmation). Mary received the St Hugh of Lincoln Medal last Friday night from bishop Patrick at the end of the Confirmation Mass. It is a special award given by the bishop on behalf of the diocese of Nottingham to recognise an individual’s long-standing commitment to serving the people of God and His Church. Thank you, Mary, for all you have done and continue to do for our parish community here at St Marys it is greatly appreciated by us all.
Changes to the Mass Schedule for the coming week:
I shall be away in Walsingham – Monday 30th September – Wednesday 2nd October at the “Under 10’s gathering with the bishop and those priests who have been ordained for less than ten years.
Tuesday 1st October – Church Closed No Public Worship
Wednesday 2nd October – Church Closed No Public Worship
Thursday 3rd October Church Open – Normal Mass Times Resume – Mass 11 a.m. today
Looking Ahead:
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY – Friday 4th October – This Friday is CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY Envelopes to put your donations in are now available as you come into church. You can put these in the collection plate throughout the month of October when all donations will be sent directly to CAFOD.
I shall be taking some annual leave away from the parish from Monday 7th October until Thursday 17th October. Deacon Andrew will be your first point of contact please in an emergency during my absence as he will be able to put you in touch with a priest. For all other non-urgent parish matters I ask please that you wait to contact me until my return. Mgr. John Hadley will be offering the normal weekend Masses during my time away and Deacon Andrew some services of The Word and Holy Communion and a Holy Hour with Benediction during the week.
Schedule of Liturgies – Monday 7th October – Thursday 17th October
Tuesday 8th October – 6 p.m. Exposition – 6.30 p.m. Benediction – 7 p.m. Service of Word and Holy Communion
Friday 11th October – 9.30 am Service of Word and Holy Communion
Saturday 12th October – 6 pm. Vigil Mass
Sunday 13th October – 9.30 a.m. Parish Mass
Tuesday 15th October – 6 p.m. Exposition – 6.30 p.m. Benediction – 7 p.m. Service of Word and Holy Communion
Friday 18th October Normal Mass times resume – Mass celebrated at 9.30 a.m.
Please note the church will be closed outside of the Liturgies listed above. The church will be open again throughout the day from 8.30 a.m. until dusk from Friday 18th October.
With my prayers for you and for your families during my time away at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham this coming week,
Your parish priest and friend,
Fr Jonathan
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