"We had a wonderful celebratory Mass on 2nd July for our 21 children receiving their sacrament of Communion.
It was very important as it marked their initiation into the Eucharist, making their connection with Jesus and the Church even stronger. Before the big day, the children had preparation sessions and teachings, which made them think about the significance of the sacrament. They grew to appreciate the whole ritual and its meaning on a deeper level.They have worked so hard this year learning about the Mass and exploring their faith. As part of this the children participated in Sunday masses: taking up the offertory and doing the readings. They have been brilliant throughout and it has been a joy to see so many smiling faces each session.
The First Holy Communion Day itself was a great day for our children. We had a fantastic celebration with our families and the community and it was such a joyful event. Everyone came together to show their love and support for their children as they continued their spiritual journey. The atmosphere was truly remarkable, filled with love and excitement as the children took this big step in their faith. It was a day to remember and we look forward to the next steps on their journey with us all and their families and friends."
~ Ursula and Fabiola ~ Leaders of the Sacramental Preparation Course.
Photos courtesy of Stewart Clarke Photography
Thank you Deacon Vincent for you Reflections for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
1st Reading from the first book of Kings 19: 9, 11-13.
Elijah is frightened by Jezebel who was married to Ahab the king of Irael. Hey both worshipped Baal a perverse idolatrous sect. Elijah had outwitted the priests of Baal and had them executed. Jezebel having heard of it swore to have Elijah killed, so Elijah had escaped to this cave and he stayed hidden there for fear of Jezebel. God invites Elijah to meet with him and this is the extract that we have today. Elijah’s encounter with God. Before the Lord there came a mighty wind but God was not in the wind, then the earth shook and trembled at the coming of the Lord but God was not in the earthquake, then fire followed but God was not in the fire. After the fire there was a gentle breeze, and the Lord came in the silence of the gentle breeze. Elijah covers his face and goes out to meet with God. Maybe we have to seek for God in the silence of the gentle breeze, in the silence of a noisy and busy world that has become obsessed with distractions both noisy and absorbing. We might consider whether they have become our gods. It could be time to step outside of this busy din and visit his quiet shrines and listen for God to speak to us.
Psalm 84: 9-14.
This is a song praying for God’s blessing, and again this section guides us to listen for God. “ I will hear what the Lord God has to say. The great sign of God is peace. This peace is not just an absence of war but an inner peace that God alone can give to us. We need to listen for God.
2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 9: 1-5.
This is a very important extract of scripture for those who have an inclination to anti-Semitism to read carefully and absorb how we should always be grateful to our “Elder brethren in the Faith” We know that Paul does not lie, so when he says he would willingly be cut off from Christ if it would mean that his fellow Jews would take up their rightful place in God’s dispensation, then Paul really means it. Paul then lists why there should be NO ANTI-SEMITISM within the Christian community. Their privilege of being Israel; of being “sons and daughters of God.” Of being present at the Glory of God at Sinai, witnesses to the covenants with Abraham and Moses. Being instructed in how to worship God, and of course the giving of the Twelve Patriarchs, but best of all they produced Jesus Christ. For Paul this is their greatest gift. Like Paul, we should always be grateful for the Scriptures and their struggle to follow God’s way, which we are privileged to share through our Baptism, which Jesus purchased for us by his death and resurrection. Christ broke down the barrier between Jews and Gentiles so we should always be respectful to our elder brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 14: 22-33.
Here we see how the disciples get into a mess without Jesus, but although Jesus has gone alone up the mountain to pray, he has kept an eye on his flock. Jesus comes across an impossible route to save them, but they think it is a ghost and scream out in fear. Peter brashly challenges Jesus to prove himself by letting Peter come to him across the sea. Peter starts to walk but as the wind buffets him he loses heart and cries out to be saved by Jesus, who immediately reaches out and saves him. When Jesus and Peter are in the boat, Jesus calms the storm, and they worshipped him, saying “Truly, you are the Son of God.” This is very much like us. We get in a mess without Jesus, but then, like Peter we need proof, but are not strong enough to find or achieve it, without Jesus’ assistance. Then we get it right only when we worship Jesus as the Son of God. Our worship takes us into the heart of God who can then teach and grant us his PEACE, an inner peace that God alone can grant us. We sometimes think Jesus is not keeping an eye on us and we get in a mess, but we need to remember, “Do not be afraid; it is I, have courage.”
May God open our eyes and hearts to his saving grace.
Deacon Vincent
*I fully acknowledge the assist given me by Nicholas King’s Study Bible in this and all my reflections. For his insight into the books and writings of the Holy Bible. He has been my inspiration and insight into the wonders of Holy Scripture. *
1st Reading from the first book of Kings 19: 9, 11-13.
Elijah is frightened by Jezebel who was married to Ahab the king of Irael. Hey both worshipped Baal a perverse idolatrous sect. Elijah had outwitted the priests of Baal and had them executed. Jezebel having heard of it swore to have Elijah killed, so Elijah had escaped to this cave and he stayed hidden there for fear of Jezebel. God invites Elijah to meet with him and this is the extract that we have today. Elijah’s encounter with God. Before the Lord there came a mighty wind but God was not in the wind, then the earth shook and trembled at the coming of the Lord but God was not in the earthquake, then fire followed but God was not in the fire. After the fire there was a gentle breeze, and the Lord came in the silence of the gentle breeze. Elijah covers his face and goes out to meet with God. Maybe we have to seek for God in the silence of the gentle breeze, in the silence of a noisy and busy world that has become obsessed with distractions both noisy and absorbing. We might consider whether they have become our gods. It could be time to step outside of this busy din and visit his quiet shrines and listen for God to speak to us.
Psalm 84: 9-14.
This is a song praying for God’s blessing, and again this section guides us to listen for God. “ I will hear what the Lord God has to say. The great sign of God is peace. This peace is not just an absence of war but an inner peace that God alone can give to us. We need to listen for God.
2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 9: 1-5.
This is a very important extract of scripture for those who have an inclination to anti-Semitism to read carefully and absorb how we should always be grateful to our “Elder brethren in the Faith” We know that Paul does not lie, so when he says he would willingly be cut off from Christ if it would mean that his fellow Jews would take up their rightful place in God’s dispensation, then Paul really means it. Paul then lists why there should be NO ANTI-SEMITISM within the Christian community. Their privilege of being Israel; of being “sons and daughters of God.” Of being present at the Glory of God at Sinai, witnesses to the covenants with Abraham and Moses. Being instructed in how to worship God, and of course the giving of the Twelve Patriarchs, but best of all they produced Jesus Christ. For Paul this is their greatest gift. Like Paul, we should always be grateful for the Scriptures and their struggle to follow God’s way, which we are privileged to share through our Baptism, which Jesus purchased for us by his death and resurrection. Christ broke down the barrier between Jews and Gentiles so we should always be respectful to our elder brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 14: 22-33.
Here we see how the disciples get into a mess without Jesus, but although Jesus has gone alone up the mountain to pray, he has kept an eye on his flock. Jesus comes across an impossible route to save them, but they think it is a ghost and scream out in fear. Peter brashly challenges Jesus to prove himself by letting Peter come to him across the sea. Peter starts to walk but as the wind buffets him he loses heart and cries out to be saved by Jesus, who immediately reaches out and saves him. When Jesus and Peter are in the boat, Jesus calms the storm, and they worshipped him, saying “Truly, you are the Son of God.” This is very much like us. We get in a mess without Jesus, but then, like Peter we need proof, but are not strong enough to find or achieve it, without Jesus’ assistance. Then we get it right only when we worship Jesus as the Son of God. Our worship takes us into the heart of God who can then teach and grant us his PEACE, an inner peace that God alone can grant us. We sometimes think Jesus is not keeping an eye on us and we get in a mess, but we need to remember, “Do not be afraid; it is I, have courage.”
May God open our eyes and hearts to his saving grace.
Deacon Vincent
*I fully acknowledge the assist given me by Nicholas King’s Study Bible in this and all my reflections. For his insight into the books and writings of the Holy Bible. He has been my inspiration and insight into the wonders of Holy Scripture. *
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