God's love for you - 22nd December

Webmaster • December 20, 2024

A Christmas Meditation (2)


Once again, let our thoughts return back to the scene inside the Cave. Joseph already prepared it as comfortably as he can for Mary. As Jesus' Birth soon approached, Mary begged Joseph to do all he can to receive the Child with honour, and invited Joseph to unite his prayer with hers for all those who didn't give Him a place to stay. They bore no hate, no grudges towards others who did not accept them nor complained about the situation they were in. But to prepare with all their hearts and mind for the soon coming of Our Saviour into the world. On that Holy night, Mary was deep in her prayers, supernatural light streamed out from her and filled the cave, her body raised above the ground...then Mary gave birth to the Holy Child. There was no pain, no distress, no tainting of Mary's Virginity. What a lovely sight to see Angels prostrated around Mary who was holding Baby Jesus. And Joseph was so happy yet so humble and full of devotion that it was until Mary urged him again then he embraced the Sacred Infant. Beholding this Baby sweetly lying in the Crib, Mary and Joseph sang praises to God and shed tears of joy... Quite some distance away from the Crib, this silent night became an unforgettable night to some shepherds, as they saw magnificent light shining on the Crib, Angels appeared and spoke to them, and heard the Angels singing the Gloria. Note that the first group of people who received the news of this great Mystery is not the powerful, rich or intelligent ones, but the simple and poor ones, as God Loves the humble and lowly. How blessed are the shepherds who has the privilege to listen to the sweet and beautiful voices of the Angels singing! Yet they are even more blessed that they believed and went to the Crib Cave, and became one of the first people to adore Baby Jesus with their very own eyes! They offered Him gifts of little animals, food etc. What would you like to offer Him this Christmas? May be as Christina Rossetti wrote in her poem: "what I can I give Him, — Give my heart." Dear all, He was born because His Love for you, love Him back is the most pleasing gift you can give Him. May you be united in love with Him this Christmas, have a very Merry Christmas!


(Reference: • Luke 2:8-16 • The life of Jesus Christ and biblical revelations, Volume I, Ven Anne Catherine Emmerich, Tan Books & Publishers, 1986 • The Sermons of St Francis de Sales for Advent & Christmas, "The coming of the Divine Infant", 24 December 1613 • A Christmas Carol, Christina Georgina Rossetti (1872)) 

Peter's Pence

By Webmaster • June 27, 2025
TODAY there is a second collection for Peter’s Pence What is Peter’s Pence? It is an offering that may be small, but is of great symbolic value: It expresses the sense of belonging to the Church and love and trust for the Holy Father. It is a tangible sign of communion with Him, as Peter’s Successor, and also of attention to the needs of the most disadvantaged, for whom the Pope always cares. Peter's Pence's aims ● To support the Holy Father’s mission, which extends throughout the entire world. ● To support the numerous charitable works in aid of people and families in difficulty, populations afflicted by natural disasters and wars,  or who are in need of humanitarian assistance or support for development.

Parish Quiz Night

By Webmaster • June 27, 2025
Come to the Quiz ! The Parish is holding a quiz in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association Wednesday 9th July The Community Hall, Bedford Street 6.30pm Admission fee: £5 Please support this charity. For more information contact Peter on 07906 101015

Congratulations

By Webmaster • June 27, 2025
Congratulations to Fr Chris who is celebrating his 45th Ordination Anniversary this Sunday 29th June.

God's Love for You - Sunday 29th June 2025

By Webmaster • June 27, 2025
Christian Marriage (2) Although Christian Marriage is sacred and its bond is sealed by the Sacrament, yet there is always evil and temptations to try to disturb and even break this bond of love. Jealousy, suspicion, infidelity, a spirit of domination, disparage are some of the beginnings that can lead to hatred and separation. Therefore, Christian Marriage should be built on the help of God's Grace and the faithful married love for the spouse. Since God's Grace can heal the wounds of sins, perfect the couple's love, strengthen their unity, and help them to attain holiness. The conjugal love is a totality love to their spouse, whether it is their appearance, affectivity or will. Thus it is not only a love to becoming one flesh, but even aim to forming one heart, one soul. It is also a love to embrace their entire life, whether it is their past, present or future; open to fertility, total mutual selfgiving and day-to-day fidelity, in order to grow continually in their communion. You may wonder how the Holy Family's life was like, since they are the example for us to follow. According to the Servant of God Mother Maria Cecilia Baij’s personal revelation, sometimes when St Joseph worked very laboriously he would came up to his wife and humbly asked her to sing a God-praising hymn for him to relieve his tiredness. Virgin Mary would then promptly do so, and her singing was so delightful that St Joseph frequently went into ecstasy. He once commented: "My spouse, your singing alone is enough to bring comfort to every afflicted heart! What consolation you gave me through it! What relief for my weariness! What a great joy it is for me to hear you speak or sing!" The Virgin Mary then replied: “God has poured these graces into my heart, in order that you might be comforted and obtain relief in your tribulations and afflictions."  (References: CCC #1606, #1608, #1641, #1643-4. 'The Life Of Saint Joseph' by Maria Cecilia Baij, O.S.B., One Hundred One Foundation, 1997.)

The Solemnity of St Peter & St Paul

By Webmaster • June 27, 2025
Saints Peter and Paul are considered the foundational pillars of the Church. Peter represents the stability of the Church and the office of the Vicar of Christ. Paul represents the mission of evangelization that was entrusted to the Church by Jesus Himself. He was also the Church’s first theologian, which is seen in his numerous letters that expound on the Gospels. Though unlikely, one tradition states that they were both martyred on June 29, in Rome, making them twin martyrs. Their twin martyrdom reminds us that the Church must be both stable and mission-oriented. It must remain grounded in the ancient Truth, yet grow and flower with an ongoing understanding of the mysteries of faith. As we honor these two pillars of the Church, recall the fact that, though they are great saints, they were also ordinary men called to extraordinary vocations. They responded and God used them in ways they could have never imagined. Ponder your own calling in light of theirs and resolve to lay your life  down for the Church, joining yourself to these two men so that God can continue their holy mission through you. (Source of content: mycatholic.life)

Sunday 29th June 2025

By Webmaster • June 27, 2025
“...you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 16:18-19) O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul give us the noble and holy joy of this day, grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teaching of those  through whom she received the beginnings of right religion. 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.

Blessed Antonio Rosmini - 1st July

By Webmaster • June 27, 2025
Feast of Blessed Antonio Rosmini 1st July Born at Rovereto in 1797. He accepted the call of God while still a young man. He became a Priest in 1821. He placed himself and his extraordinary physical, intellectual and moral talents at the service of God and the Church. Pope Pius VIll in 1829 pointed out to him that God wished that "you should write books...your task is to lead people to religion by means of reason". He was faithful to this task even in difficult circumstances. Certain people urged him to found a religious Congregation. Having received certain signs of the will of God, he began this in 1828 on Sacro Monte Calvario looking over Domodossola. The Institute of Charity, as he called it, later simply called "Rosminians", received pontifical approval in 1839. Rosmini formed its members, and looked after its spirit, organisation and development. With loving care he also looked after that of the Rosminian Sisters of Providence. He was an esteemed master of the spiritual life; all his writings showed his genuine adherence to the Gospel and religious tradition. He died at Stresa in 1855. There will be a Mass celebration in honour of the Founder on the 1st July at 10am, followed by refreshments.

God's Love for You - Sunday 22nd June 2025

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
Christian Marriage (1) When it comes to Vocations, it is very easy to link this word to Priests, religious brothers and nuns. But do you know, marriage - a union between a man and woman, is also a Vocation too. In fact, this is the first vocation in human history. Because after God created the first male and female, He blessed and said to them: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it..." (Genesis 1:28). So this is the first 'Mission' He gave to human - 'a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.' (Genesis 2:24) Moreover, this union through the 'covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a Sacrament'. (CCC 1601) During this Sacrament, in front of God and His Church as their witnesses, the man and woman declare their consents and enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, to have and to hold each other from that day forward, and till death do they part.  Therefore, Christian marriage should not be a moment of impulse, nor it is only just 'be together in sexual love and have children'. It is a life-long commitment and a sacred union involve a solemn promise to each other. Yes, a good Christian Marriage is the summit of love

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most profound and deeply cherished celebrations within the Catholic Church. This feast invites us to contemplate the immense love of Christ, taking Jesus Christ’s physical heart as the representation of His divine, infinite, compassionate and unconditional love, as well as His long-suffering towards humanity. In contemplating the Sacred Heart, we are reminded of God’s unwavering commitment to us, despite our failings and sins. This devotion calls us to a personal relationship with Jesus, encouraging us to open our own hearts to His transformative love. It is through His heart that we understand the depth of His passion, His compassion and His ultimate act of salvation on the cross. It is also an invitation to live in a state of grace, love and mercy, reflecting Christ’s heart in our interactions with others

Sunday 22nd June 2025

By Webmaster • June 20, 2025
O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,  God, for ever and ever. Amen
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