God's love for you -17th November

Webmaster • November 16, 2024

The Holy Souls


They are the souls in Purgatory who are going through purification. But Purgatory is not just a waiting place for the Holy Souls to go to Heaven, because they do suffer, you may seen burning fire in a lot of images which artists portrayed Purgatory, but how is it like? As St John Henry Newman's poem mentioned 'the flame of Everlasting Love doth burn ere it transform...', it also said the two most painful sufferings for those poor souls are the longing and yearning for God but could not see Him; and at the same time the shame of self at the thought when seeing Him because their being as been so vile and want to hide themselves from His sight. The period in Purgatory is different for each Holy Souls, it could be days, months or even years. And the worse thing is, they can no longer help themselves as they cannot gain any merits once their lives ended. However, we could help them to leave Purgatory earlier by offering our prayers for them, and the best prayer is the Holy Mass - the Eucharistic Sacrifice. We are also encouraged to almsgiving, gain indulgences and do works of penance on their behalf. What is more, Our Lord is also very pleased that we do so, because His Love urges Him to release the Holy Souls. Jesus once explained to St Gertrude that if a merciful king's friend was found guilty and sent to prison because of justice, the king will be longingly waiting for a noble to beg for him and give some offerings for his freeing. So the king will then happily, release him. Likewise, Our Lord is extremely pleased to accept what is offered to Him for the Holy Souls, since He has such great desire to have those souls whom He has paid with such a great price to be close to Him again.


(Sources & References: The Dream of Gerontius, St John Henry Newman, 1865. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs # 1032 http://www.catholictradition.org/Gertrude/saintgertrude7.htm)

Bambinelli Sunday

By Webmaster • December 5, 2025
The third Sunday of Advent is also called ‘Gaudete Sunday’. ‘Gaudete’ means ‘Rejoice’ in Latin. We rejoice because during the Advent season, as our hearts are in the middle of this longing, waiting and penitential period; Our Saviour who we are expecting is fast approaching. As today’s Reading said: “The Lord is at hand”. Therefore, the third candle we light up this weekend, as well as the Priest’s and Deacon’s vestments change from purple to rose colour, to reflect the rejoicing spirit in our hearts. Today is Bambinelli Sunday too. It is a tradition initiated by Pope St John Paul II. On this day in Rome, many people bring in their Baby Jesus figures (Bambinelli) to St Peter’s Square to be blessed by the Pope. In our Parish, you are all invited to bring your Baby Jesus figures from home or from your Nativity Crib to the Church this weekend to be blessed by the Priest during Mass, and take this Christmas Blessing back to your home and family.

God's Love for You - Sunday 5th December 2025

By Webmaster • December 5, 2025
Child: But this totally shattered the image of a God in my mind! Shouldn't God be in Heaven, like a King, enjoying all He has, looking down from above as a ruler of us all, charging His Angels and receiving our offerings and worship? Why did He do this? Mother: Because He is our Saviour. It is Love which driven Him to do that. His Love made Him forget Himself and lost Himself...Because of Love, from having everything He became poor, from the Almighty He became powerless, from being the Ruler He became subject to human, from the majestic rank He became the lowliest form of human beings, became a helpless babe. Through His humble Birth, He gently showed us how much He can sacrifice for us, how deep His Love can do for us. Child: I see. So because of Love, there is nothing that He will not do for us. Even if it means ‘losing’ His power, dignity and life? Mother: Yes, darling. But do we realise this? Do we appreciate it? He is the Love who seeks love - the love from our hearts. This is His time, His Birthday...The day He came to look for His Love ones – every single one of us. So next time when you go to the Crib, instead of just looking at a baby being born, try to think about who He really is and why is He there. Because without Christ, there is no Christmas.

Sunday 7th December 2025

By Webmaster • December 5, 2025
“‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’... ‘I baptise you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire…” (Matthew 3:2,11) Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,  God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St Peter's Christmas Masses

By Webmaster • December 5, 2025
The Rosminian Fathers would like to invite you to join their Chr istmas Masses:

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By Webmaster • December 5, 2025
Monday 8 December Mass at 10am  All are welcome! “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

By Webmaster • November 21, 2025
In Pope Pius XI’s encyclical letter, he mentioned “[Christ’s] empire includes not only Catholic nations, not only baptized persons…but also all those who are outside the Christian faith; so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Jesus Christ.” “Nor is there any difference in this matter between the individual and the family or the State; for all men, whether collectively or individually, are under the dominion of Christ. In him is the salvation of the individual, in him is the salvation of society” (Quas Primas #18). “When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony. Our Lord’s regal office invests the human authority of princes and rulers with a religious significance; it ennobles the citizen’s duty of obedience” (#19). As we celebrate this glorious solemnity, the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year, deepen your faith in the mystery it celebrates, and strengthen your resolve to embrace the Kingship of Christ in your life, so that through you, His Kingdom will become all the more present in the world all around you.

Family Mass at St Peter’s Sunday 23rd November 2025

By Webmaster • November 21, 2025
Family Mass at St Peter’s is this Sunday at 9.30am led by St Peter’s school children

Sunday 23rd November 2025

By Webmaster • November 21, 2025
“‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:42-43) Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Rite of Chrisitian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

By Webmaster • November 15, 2025
Journey in Faith Also known as the RCIA, this is a course that started on Thursday 30th October, in the parish for any who wish to consider becoming a Catholic. Some brochures are available. As an approach to this faith journey, We really recommend watching the excellent free YouTube series on the life of Jesus called The Chosen. On prayer and devotion watch the free sessions of Sycamore.fm as an introduction to a life of faith.  These are quality resources for any parishioner but especially those seeking to deepen their faith.

St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)

By Webmaster • November 15, 2025
The SVP is asking for the following donations of food to help the poor; cooking oil, tuna, beans, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, long life milk, Weetabix, coffee, tea, drinking chocolate, biscuits, soup, tinned tomotoes, rice pudding & sugar.  The 16th November is “The World Day of the Poor” and we are asked to love not only with words but with deeds.