Janet said "I'm honoured to be invited to attend this Sunday Mass and very proud to be part of the service and witness to the blessing. Our parish council were happy to offer help for the purchase of this AED and the lifesaving asset it will be for our community."
We have also had a 'bleed kit' fitted by Heartsafe during the week so we are able to offer 24/7 access to that emergency medical kit as well to help within our area if ever needed. We are very grateful to them for this free equipment.Thanks to the team who worked hard to make this happen and to all within our parish community who fundraised and donated to reach our goal, especially Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council.
Please come along to an awareness session in our parish hall on Sunday 17th March at 10.45am where we will share a training video on how to help in the event of a cardiac arrest and showing in detail how the AED works.
Mike Procter RIP
We are so sad to hear of the death of Mike Procter at the weekend. As you'll remember, our parish supported the Gloucestershire cricketer's South African children's charity as one of our parish projects just last year and it was wonderful that Mike was able to visited us and joined in with our Summer event. (see picture)
His Foundation sent the sad news to the charity's supporters and announced online saying that he died in hospital near his home in Durban after relatively routine surgery but suffered a heart attack afterwards. His family were able to join his bedside before he died. Foundation trustees were together only two weeks ago with new sports coaches at a new school
"It was Mike's wish that the Foundation supports this vision after he is gone. The Trustees are committed to making this happen and to do Mike proud."
Please pray for Mike's family, friends, Foundation colleagues and all who are supported by his charitable works.
May He Rest In Peace.
https://mikeprocterfoundationuk.org/
We are planning an appeal for later in the year, but we encourage you to visit their website to see for yourself the work they do to help around the world, and especially at this time, in the Holy Land.
Reflections for Second Sunday in Lent Year B from Deacon Vincent
1st Reading from the book of
Genesis 22: 1-2, 9-13, 15-18.
We have this famous story of the Patriarch Abraham;
being tested in the most terrible way by God. God requests Abraham’s only son
as a sacrifice. Abraham trusts the Lord so much he does not hesitate to follow
the Lord’s instructions. On the third day Abraham spots the place designated
for the sacrifice. He sets the altar, lights the fire and draws his knife to
strike Isaac, but the Lord sends an Angel to stop him striking the boy. Abraham
finds a ram caught by its’ horns in a bush and sacrifices the ram in place of
the boy. One can view it as an early example of how God draws his people away
from human sacrifice or as many Christians saw a parallel between how God saved
Abraham from a sacrifice that God himself would make with Christ, who was God’s
only Son. God, having tested Abraham, shows Abraham’s descendants exactly how
much he loved us, by making that sacrifice to bring us into God’s kingdom. God
has proven exactly what lengths He will go to, to save his creation, in Christ
Jesus our Lord. We begin to visualise the full magnitude of sin, when we view
the sacrifice required, to negate it.
Psalm 115: 10, 15-19.
A selection from a song of “thanksgiving”, which we can imagine Abraham singing on his return journey from the harrowing test he had undergone. It is a song we might call to mind after any stressful experience.
2nd Reading from the letter of St. paul to the Romans 8: 31-34.
We have a very small selection from one of Paul’s
longest letters, but it is such a joyous message for us it is worth shouting
from the rooftops. “If God is on our side, who is against us?” What a wonderful
thought to ponder during our Lenten reflections. “Christ Jesus is the one who
died …. Was raised…He is the one who is at God’s right hand. He is the one who
intercedes for us.” Who can help but be buoyed up by the poetical certainty of
Paul’s optimism.
The Holy Gospel according to Mark 9: 2-10.
Jesus takes his most trusted disciples, Peter James
and John up to a high mountain privately, on their own. This is a very private
revelation for them. Suddenly Jesus is “transfigured” and we glimpse the truth
about him. His glory is revealed, but more than this, Moses and Elijah appear
and are in conversation with Jesus. We are looking at the Law and the Prophets
accepting Jesus, at least, as their equal. Peter is overcome and wants this to
go on, so he offers to build three tents for them so they can stay a while. But
now we witness the descent of the cloud, and the voice of God is heard. “This
is my Son, the beloved. Listen to him.” The disciples are terrified, but when
they look up there is only Jesus with them. They receive their instruction to
say nothing till Jesus be raised from the dead. They obey the instruction but
talk amongst themselves what “Rising from the dead could mean.” This vision can
only be understood in the light of Jesus’ death and resurrection. These three
disciples will be very important in the post resurrection story. This vision
will help them through the traumatic events of “Good Friday”. It is good from
time to time to reflect upon Jesus’ glory. He is the light that draws us like
moths to the candle. We need to be dazzled by him and then allow his words to
sink deep into our souls. Jesus is our guide so let us get as close to him as
possible this Lent, lest we lose sight of him in the business of our lives.
May God keep us close to Jesus this Lent.
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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