Newsletter- 6th Week of Ordinary Time
Dear Friends
It is good to be back amongst you again! I am very grateful to those who helped in so many ways to support the worshipping life of the parish during my recent time away recovering from surgery. I am also very grateful for the many lovely cards, prayers and generous and unexpected gifts which I received. Thank you. I was deeply moved by all of your kindness, loving support and generosity to me, and I am happy to report that whilst not yet quite back to “firing on all cylinders” day by day I start to feel a lot more myself again! Pacing myself and resting sadly does not come naturally to me, but I am learning to appreciate that the healing process takes time!
Jubilee of Marriages: On the Sunday closest to Saint Valentine’s Day, (last Friday 14th February) traditionally associated with love, our diocese celebrates all those who are married. This weekend during the Jubilee Year of Hope let us pray for all married couples whom we may know that the Lord will continue to bless them and their commitment. Let us remember too all those celebrating important anniversaries this year, and those whose marriages may need the loving presence of God in a special way. After the Post Communion Collect towards the end of each of our weekend Masses, I will give the Blessing of Married Couples from the sanctuary to all who are married and present at Mass this weekend.
Luke’s ‘Sermon on the Plain’ which we hear as our Gospel for this Sunday, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, is often perceived to be more challenging than Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. Luke’s more ‘edgy’ Beatitudes and Woes in the Gospel this Sunday show a Jesus truly in touch with the plight of the downtrodden, the poor, and the forgotten of society. Not only that, but Jesus is determined that such people don’t see society’s judgment of them as saying something about the judgement of God. Despite even the direst circumstances of their lives, they are not outside God’s grace or His love. The Responsorial Psalm reminds us that Jesus knew, as we do still even today, that not everyone who places their trust in God prospers in all that they do. He also saw that the way of the wicked, far from leading to doom, was sometimes very profitable. But Jesus did want to challenge the commonly held perception of Jeremiah (First Reading), who preached that the cursed are those who have turned from God, whilst those who trust in God are always blessed and fruitful. St Paul (Second Reading) says that the scandalous image of Christ crucified, cursed and parched, never ceased to be the image of the fulness of God’s grace and love. Christ was vindicated in his resurrection, by which the fruitfulness of redemption is made accessible for all.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, let’s pray during the coming week that, like our Saviour, we might also be bearers of hope to all whom we encounter during our daily lives, especially those who feel lost through poverty, through grief, through racial hatred or because of rejection in its many forms.
White Flower Appeal 2025: This weekend after all our Sunday Masses there will be the opportunity to give financial assistance to the White Flower Appeal through a voluntary second collection taken as you leave church this weekend.
The White Flower Appeal is dedicated to protecting unborn children and promoting the right to life in our society. All donations to the Appeal will go directly to SPUC which allows them to continue their tireless work to build a culture of life. SPUC work to educate youth, lobby politicians, mobilise pro-life activities in the community, provide support to students facing crisis pregnancies and much more.
The White Flower Appeal is inspired by the courage of the White Rose Movement during World War II when so many lives were lost. Today, we still need similar courage to stand for the vulnerable among us who are also losing their lives. Your support can change that. Please make the right to life one of your concerns and consider giving as generously as you can to the White Flower Appeal this weekend.
First Holy Communion Candidates 2025: Please continue to keep our First Holy Communion candidates in your prayers this weekend as they take a pause from their catechesis during the half term school break.
With my prayers for you and for your families during the coming week ahead,
Your parish priest and friend,
Fr Jonathan
2025 16th February – Newsletter – Download