Newsletter- 3rd Week of Ordinary Time

January 23rd, 2026

Dear Parishioners

Father Jonathan will return to the parish after his Christmas break this coming Monday, 26th January and normal Mass times and normal opening of the church will resume from Tuesday 27th January.

This Sunday, 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time is designated as Sunday of the Word of God and our readings at Mass this weekend proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, the light of the world: a beacon who draws all peoples to himself. In our first reading we hear that when the old tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali were being deported to Assyria, Isaiah promised that their land, then deeply overshadowed by turmoil and war, would one day witness a great light in their midst. In the Gospel, St Matthew sees the fulfilment of this prophecy. Jesus was, and is, that light. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus settles in Galilee, a region that corresponds to the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. After proclaiming the kingdom of heaven, it is striking that his first action is to call his first disciples. The task of witnessing to the kingdom is not something to be done by Jesus alone. Rather he calls followers to share in and continue this work. In our second reading we are reminded by St Paul that if we are to walk in the light of Jesus, we must always be wary of tribalism, differences, and division. The Responsorial Psalm is an eloquent prayer of trust, where the psalmist calls on the Lord as his light and his help.

This week, we may like to ask the Lord for that light and help in our own lives too. Let us pray that we may find ways of sharing Christ’s light and compassion with all whom we meet in our daily lives, all who may be suffering in any way at this time.

White Flower Appeal 2026: Next weekend 31st January/1st February we will have a retiring collection after all our Sunday Masses for the work of SPUC and the White Flower Appeal 2026. The Society for the Protection of Unborn children (SPUC) and Pro-Life witness is being restricted now more than ever before; please be as generous as you can to help SPUC defend unborn babies and their mothers. Information is now available in the entrance to church from SPUC regarding the White Flower Appeal 2026.

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