Pope Francis asked young people Sunday to reach out to the
elderly, especially those in nursing homes, to send a message of encouragement
amid the loneliness of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In the memory of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of
Jesus, I would like to invite young people to make a gesture of tenderness
towards the elderly, especially the most lonely ones in homes and residences,
those who have not seen their loved ones for many months,” Pope Francis said
after the Angelus prayer on July 26.
“Dear young people, each of these elderly people are your
grandparents. Do not leave them alone. … They are your roots,” the pope added. Pope Francis suggested that young people can use the
“inventiveness of love” to “send a hug” to an elderly person in their community
by making a phone or video call, sending a card, or making a visit when safety
measures allow. The Roman Catholic Church commemorates Sts. Joachim and Anne, the
parents of the Virgin Mary, on July 26. They have been a part of the Church’s
liturgical calendar for many centuries. The pope said that their memorial is an opportunity to give
grandparents “a big round of applause.” Connection with one’s roots is
important, he said, quoting the Argentine poet Francisco Luis Bernárdez, who
wrote: “The blossom of a tree comes from what it has underground.” Reflecting on Sunday’s Gospel, Pope Francis said that Jesus
“proposes to involve us in the building of the Kingdom of Heaven.” He pointed to the example of the merchant who finds the pearl of
great price and the person who finds treasure buried in a field in Jesus’
parables in the Gospel of Matthew. “Both the man and the merchant in these two parables sell
everything they have, thus renouncing their material security,” he said. “From
this it can be understood that the building of the Kingdom requires not only
the grace of God, but also the active willingness of humanity.” “Everything is done by grace, everything! We need only have the
willingness to receive it, not to resist grace: grace does everything, but it
takes my responsibility, my willingness,” he said. Today people’s lives can become “mediocre and dull” when a person
is content with “attractive but fleeting things” and does not go in search of
real treasure, the pope said. “The Kingdom of Heaven is the opposite of the superfluous things
that the world offers, the opposite of a dull life: it is a treasure that
renews life every day and leads it to extend towards wider horizons. Indeed,
those who have found this treasure have a creative and inquisitive heart, which
does not repeat but rather invents, tracing, and setting out on new paths which
lead us to love God, to love others, and to truly love ourselves,” Pope Francis
said. “We are called upon to assume the attitude of these two Gospel
figures, so that we too may become healthily restless seekers of the Kingdom of
Heaven. It is a matter of abandoning the heavy burden of our worldly sureties
that prevent us from searching and building up the Kingdom: the covetousness
for possession, the thirst for profit and power, and thinking only of
ourselves,” he said. One sign that a person is on the path to the Kingdom of Heaven is
“creativity,” the pope explained. “Creativity is what … gives life,” he
said, “And it gives, and gives, and gives... It always looks for many other
ways to give life.” “Jesus, who is the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value,
cannot but inspire joy, all the joy of the world: the joy of discovering a
meaning in life, the joy of committing oneself to the adventure of holiness,”
Pope Francis said.
After his Angelus prayer, Pope Francis said that he was praying
that a new ceasefire agreement concerning the Donbass region “will finally be
put into practice.” There have been more than 20 ceasefires declared since 2014 in the
ongoing conflict between Russian-backed separatist forces and the Ukrainian
military which has killed more than 10,000 people. “While I thank you for this sign of goodwill aimed at restoring
the much desired peace in that tormented region, I pray that what has been
agreed will finally be put into practice, also through an effective process of
disarmament and mine removal. This is the only way to build trust and to lay
the foundations for the much needed and long awaited reconciliation by the
population,” the pope said.
@Catholic News Agency
Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome
WE NOW HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPACES FOR CHILDREN JOINING IN SEPTEMBER! PLEASE ENQUIRE NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! 
ST. AUGUSTINE’S PRE-SCHOOL, DOWNEND 
Welcome! We are a local, independent pre-school based in Downend, catering for 2-4 year olds 
The Pre-School benefits from a team of friendly and dedicated staff who the children love dearly, and is run by a management committee of parents - meaning the children’s best interests are really at the centre of everything this pre-school does. Rated GOOD by Ofsted, the pre-school is totally committed to ensuring the little ones are ready for ‘big school’, and that they thrive in a happy and fun-filled environment, developing in areas such as communication, language and social development, as well as building up the core skills needed for that next step into compulsory education. 
the children benefit from lots of outdoor time 
with sandpit, climbing equipment and lots of outdoor toys and ventures, as well as benefitting from building strong friendships and bonds with the other children and staff in the small key groups.And in amongst all that, we cram in lots of fun involving the grown ups too! 
including events such as sports day, nativity, fundraising events and Mothers/Fathers Day celebrations. It’s not just the kids who get to have the fun! With places available immediately, please get in touch on 0117 956 1166 or email staff@staugustinespreschool.co.uk
a lovely craft area which always has paint, sticking and dough available!
a versatile home area which, on occasions, is turned into a shop 
café 
hospital 
and other settings! 
ICT equipment including Remote control toys 
iPads and much more!
a comfy book area where we can share our favourite stories!
a maths area, where we can support and develop the mathematicians of tomorrow!
a writing area for those budding authors!
a small world area for exploring 
the most incredible outside area which includes climbing equipment and slide, a covered sand pit, water play area 
a popular mud kitchen, an outdoor market shop, a reading area, blackboard, and well-stocked shed filled with fun-filled activities such as trikes, scooters, den building equipment and much more!The children have access to the outside area for most of the session whatever the weather 
so wellies and waterproof suits are always available!And keep your eyes peeled for some changes in the near future...what would YOU like to see added to our lovely pre-school?
