Prayer for Peace
From 6.30-7.30pm this Friday (27th) there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in our church followed by Evening Prayer, all joining in on the Pope's Prayer for Peace in the Middle East.
The central event in Rome is an hour of prayer at 6pm in St Peter's Square.
The central event in Rome is an hour of prayer at 6pm in St Peter's Square.
This year we will be selling packs of Christmas cards on behalf of St Augustine's Church, with any profit made going to the Friends of the Earth Charity.
The cards will feature a photo of the beautiful icon hanging in our church, of St Francis with the child Jesus, painted by Patrick Tossell.
They will be packs of 10 cards for £5. (This may be limited to 2 packs per household)
Look out for them on sale at our Countdown to Christmas event on Saturday 18th November, from 12noon until 3pm in the school hall.
"Seen // Sent" is a formation day for young people by the Department for Adult Education and Evangelisation.
We invite any 14 - 17 year olds (Year 10-12) to come and join us at St Johns Parish Hall in Trowbridge on 18 November from 10am – 4pm for an opportunity to personally encounter Christ in, through, and with those around them.
The day will focus upon developing our personal and communal view of Jesus, in the context of new and existing friendships and social contexts through inputs, shared personal experiences, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In group settings, our young people will be led by young adults to recognise and share their encounters in Christ, and reflect upon the mission Jesus gives to them.
There is a limit of 50 participants, so parishioners need to register ASAP to secure their place. Lunch will be provided.
To register, or to ask questions, please email youth@cliftondiocese.com or call the Department of Adult Education and Evangelisation between 8.30am and 4.30pm at 0117 902 5595.
https://cliftondiocese.com/news/diocesan-youth-day/
Not So Young Club
On Monday 23rd October, 40 members of the Not So Young Club enjoyed a brilliant visit to the Houses of Parliament.
Superb tour guides showed them around the various chambers and, importantly, the cafe!
I like to imagine the Not So Young Committee members taking up the various seats for a good old debate! ORRRDAAAAAH, ORRRRDAAAAAAAAH! Sadly, no photos are allowed in the main chamber so we'll never know!
Thanks to all involved for organising such an amazing trip.
Please bring item to Mass or to the parish office.
Many thanks!
Many thanks!
Thanks Deacon Vincent, for you reflections for Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
1st Reading from the book of Exodus 22: 20-26.
Moses, having received the Ten Commandments, is teasing out finer details, and this section is dealing with damaging to persons or property. In my translation it is not strangers but immigrants; reminding Israel that they were once immigrants in Egypt, themselves. It is an appropriate reminder for our age as well. It is fascinating how there is so much to be gleaned from the ancient writings of scripture. The exploration of lending and taking material pledges, could have been written yesterday. These instructions were designed to prevent major gaps between rich and poor, encouraging respect for everybody and reduce the chance of conflict within the community of God’s chosen people. God is always on the side of the oppressed and downtrodden, so we need to remind ourselves to be full of love and kindness to our fellow people. We are all God’s creation.
Psalm 17: 2-4, 47, 51.
This song is based on the words of David on the day he was delivered from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. God always looks after those whom he loves. It is a song to be sung when we are saved from an impending disaster of major or minor proportions. We should remember to “Thank God” constantly for his goodness to us.
2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 1: 5-10.
Letters in the ancient world tended to have a “Thanksgiving”, after the introduction. Paul’s thanksgivings tend to be longer than was customary. Paul, however, uses the thanksgiving section to outline the theme or themes that he wishes to explore during the letter. Such themes in this case might include, waiting for Jesus’ return, and that Jesus will deliver us from the wrath that is coming. This is only a small fragment of this “Thanksgiving”, so there are more themes to be explored. It is worth reading beyond this to discover just how broad Paul’s themes will encompass.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 22: 34-40.
This is the third attack Jesus had to endure from the main wings of the religious establishment, and it comes from his most vociferous opponents, the Pharisees. They send a scribe to enquire of Jesus what he considered the most important of the 613 precepts of the Torah. This was a common question among Jewish thinkers of the time. In Mark’s Gospel, the scribe and Jesus are in common agreement, which was most unusual, but Matthew has none of that. Matthew has Jesus reply crisp and to the point; the first and most important command is from Deuteronomy 6: 5, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The second is from Leviticus 19: 18. “You must love your neighbour as yourself.” Jesus concludes, “On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.” With this crisp retort Jesus shuts them up. Matthew affords no response from the scribe of the Pharisees. It illustrates the way the relationship has changed since Mark’s Gospel, which is considered by the experts to be the first gospel, and Matthew’s Gospel, which follows the expulsion of the Christians from the Temple and Synagogues. It is a timely reminder for us to remember that Christians are spiritual Jews, as we are now part of the Covenant by our Baptism. We are viewing not just the obstinance of the Jewish people, but it also illustrates the way we ignore Jesus’ teachings and pick and choose our own bits. A good time to reflect upon just how much we love God and our neighbour and lets really be honest with ourselves.
May God inspire us the Thank & Praise The Lord our God always and love our neighbour as ourselves, as instructed by His Holy Word, Jesus.
Deacon Vincent
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