16th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 20th July 2014

Dear Parishioners

The holiday season has begun and I wish all parishioners a restful break and safe travel.

Today the Church in the British Isles celebrates its annual ‘Day for Life’ dedicated to celebrating and upholding the dignity of human life while respecting all God’s creation.
Pope Francis tells us what being a protector of life is: “protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world… It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live.” The pope speaks of “protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about.” He emphasises the importance of the family, “husbands and wives first care for each other, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents.” He also stresses the need for us to care for society by “building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness. In the end, all creation has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it.”
Today we pray that we may prove to be builders of a better world and protectors of life. There is a retiring collection at Mass to support this work and prayer cards are available for you to take.
I write this on the eve of the Falconer debate in the Lords. An international survey by The Economist in 2010 ranked Britain top among 40 nations, including the United States, for quality of end-of-life care. What is needed is to ensure that everyone has access to the best palliative care available. In contrast, assisted suicide is a counsel of despair. No one should ignore the fact that every organisation and lobby group representing the disabled in this country is totally opposed to this bill and we pray that it will be defeated.


When parishioners ask me for a character or a faith reference I’m happy to oblige, provided that I know the individual. However it may be many months before a school or whatever actually makes a request. So, to jog my memory and help me provide an honest and full reference I have produced a form for those seeking a reference. Needless to say, no one should give my name as a referee without consulting me first.


The 99 group (evangelisation) please meet on Thursday at 8pm in the Presbytery.                                                    

Fr John

 

Posted in Weekly View.