Preparing for Sunday

To help us prepare for the weekend Masses we could:

• Read the readings and reflect on them using this resource.
• Click here and then on the box for the weekend of 1/2 February to listen to an audio reflection.
• Read this seventh century sermon for the feast.

This week and next the newsletter will be sent by email and posted online on Saturday rather than the usual Thursday.

Teaching Posts

Some teaching posts in Catholic Schools are being advertised - no room in newsletter but details here.

How to evangelise

This week my homily was about about evangelisation, sharing the good news of forgiveness. Here is another homily on the same subject from Father Stephen Wang, a very gifted preacher. I came across it on  Father Wang's blog, Jericho Tree, which is worth a visit for its perspectives on faith and life.

 

I came across this...

... when going through the filing cabinets in the presbytery. We remembered Fr Peter's anniversary last week and here he is again! I found it fascinating to reread some of my own words at his funeral Mass. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Newsletter for 25/26 January - Sunday 3(A)

Click here to read this week's newsletter.

Memorial of Blessed Cyprian Tansi

Blessed Cyprian,
during your life on earth
you showed your great faith and love
in giving yourself to your people
and by the hidden life
of prayer and contemplation.
Look upon us now in our needs,
and intercede for us with the Lord.
May he grant us the favours we ask
through your prayers. Amen.


More about Blessed Cyprian here.

Sentimental?

In my homily this weekend I referred to the old anthem 'All in the April Evening.' It is very sentimental music and, in many ways, not to my taste. However, it strikes me that it moves us on from a sentimental pastoral scene to the stark reality of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who offers his life to take away the sin of the world. What John the Baptist says is so important that his words are echoed at Mass in the Gloria, the Agnus Dei, and in the invitation to Holy Communion. I stressed two essential truths: sin is real; God offers us forgiveness for our sins.

Here is the anthem, with a few noises off! What do you think?

 

Preparing for Sunday

This year, nearly all the Gospel Readings at Sunday Mass during Ordinary Time are from St Matthew's Gospel. The second Sunday of the Year, however, has a Gospel Reading from St John in all three years. It always reinforces themes we have met at Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord.

In preparation why not look at the Gospel Reading, and maybe the other readings with this resource.

And/or simply turn over these words in your mind: Look, there is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. These are words which are echoed in every Mass?
What do they mean?
What do they mean to me?

Newsletter for 18/19 January - Sunday 2(A)

Click here to read this week's newsletter.

Apparently some people have had problems with the links to the newsletter and other documents. Please let me know of any difficulties. I have asked advice on this, and apparently it can be down to which internet browser you are using. If you are having this problem, it could be worth updating your browser to the latest version, trying another browser (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari and Firefox are all widely used) or following the link on your mobile 'phone or tablet computer. 

Father Peter Tierney RIP

Today I have been praying for Father Peter Tierney, who died eight years ago today. Here is a photo taken on his Golden Jubilee in 2001. May his dear soul rest in peace. Amen.

Baptism of the Lord - today's homily

A number of people commented on Deacon Andrew's wonderful homily this morning and some asked if it could be published so they could study it further. Deacon Andrew has been kind enough to type it up for us and you can read it here.

The Baptism of the Lord

Of cradles and converts

Sometimes 'cradle Catholics' and 'converts' tease each other, usually harmlessly and in a spirit of love. As a 'convert,' I found this post very interesting. Please, especially if you are a 'cradle Catholic,' don't be put off by the title! It's worth reading to the end of what turns out to be a very balanced piece.

Newsletter for 11/12 January - Baptism of the Lord

Click here to read this week's newsletter.

If you would like a copy of the newsletter to by email each week, please email Fr Colin. Even better, submit your email address using the box in the right hand column on this site, click the link on the confirmation email you will receive. You will then get an email each day that this site is updated, and never miss the newsletter or any other item of parish news.

Newsletter for 4/5 January - Epiphany

Click here to read this week's newsletter.