SCRIPTURE
READINGS (A)
Zechariah
9:9-10 Your
King comes to you humbly
Psalm
144
I will bless your
name forever
Romans
8:9,11-13
Live spiritual lives
Matthew
11:25-30
Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart
THE
CHURCH IS YOUNG - OFFICIAL!
On
the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, a sung Mass was celebrated
at Farm Street in honour of the newly-elected Pope, Benedict
XVI. This was an occasion to remember the apostolic foundations
of the Church and to call to mind the long and unbroken
communion of Christian Faith which extends from the apostolic
age to our own time. The solemn chanting of the Te Deum
at the conclusion of Mass invoked an inspiring image of
the Catholic Church, a Church which spans the world and
the ages, and which transcends time and space itself to
include the Church triumphant in Heaven: “Angelic choirs,
heavenly heights, celestial powers praise You!...The
company of the Apostles, the prophets, the white-clothed
martyrs praises You!”
The
elaborate liturgies and traditional ceremonies which surrounded
the passing of John Paul II and the inauguration of his
successor, brought the whole world into touch with the
beauty of this ancient Faith and its rich heritage. But
it would be wrong to think of Catholicism as primarily
the repository of a past inheritance, however splendid.
We must not think of the Church as old at all – after
all, what are a mere two thousand years of history compared
to the long, long way that lies ahead for the human race?
Are there
two thousand more years to come? Why not two thousand
million? Life on earth is, after all, sustainable for
as long as the sun continues to shine. Pope Benedict has
put this thought into a handful of words to be found in
the opening paragraphs of the sermon given at his inaugural
Mass. The words are: “The Church is young!” Whether this
is meant to be taken in a purely historical or in a more
ontological sense is not clear, but the idea is invigorating
and may help put into a much wider perspective some of
the “merely” contemporary debates which so acrimoniously
divide Catholics.
“In
this moment, weak servant of God that I am, I must take
up this enormous task, which truly exceeds all human capacity…I
do not carry alone what in truth I could never carry alone.
All the Saints of God are there to protect, to sustain
and to carry me…The Church is alive! This is the wonderful
experience of these days…And the Church is young! She
holds within herself the future of the world and shows
each of us the way to the future. The Church is alive
and we are seeing it: we are experiencing the joy which
the risen Lord promised his followers.”
Fr William Pearsall SJ
PARISH
PICNIC
This
popular event will take place in Hyde Park (what's left
of it) on July 17 th immediately following the 11am Mass.
More in next week's newsletter.
CHILDREN'S
LITURGY
As
we develop the 9.30am Family Mass, we are seeking people
to help with the Children's Liturgy (their special session
together). We hope to have two separate age groups: 4-7
and 8-13 yrs. We need volunteers. No previous experience
is necessary since we would provide training and support.
If you are interested
Simon Lawless simon@slawless.wanadoo.co.uk
or
speak to Fr William. Thank you.
SEA
SUNDAY
Next
Sunday we remember the seafarers and their families and
those who minister to them. Much heroic and hidden Christian
work is done among these good people. Please take an envelope
from the church doors and return it with your gift in
support of the Apostleship of the Sea. Thanks!
WELCOME!
We
welcome to the clergy team Fr Brendan Horan SJ, who will
be filling in for Fr James Campbell during the months
of July and August. Fr James completes his final year
of Jesuit formation this summer. Fr Brendan is from the
Jesuit Province of Maryland and is studying law at Oxford.
TODAY!
CAKE
AND JAM SALE FOR THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE
Please
come and enjoy the goods on offer (home-made cakes of
all sizes, home-made jams, marm-alade, chutney, etc) in
the Church Hall today from 10.15am to 1pm. Proceeds go
to the support of AIDS orphans in East Africa. This is
a chance to meet JRS volunteers and to learn about this
vital work.
TYBURN
CONVENT CONTEMPLATIVE AFTERNOON
The
Benedictine nuns of Tyburn ( Bayswater Road , near Marble
Arch) ofFer an afternoon of prayer and reflection today
from 2pm to 5pm . There will also be a talk on the Catholic
martyrs followed by tea and Vespers. Come and visit this
historic site.
DAY
FOR LIFE
In
response to the call of the late Pope John Paul II, the
churches of the United Kingdom and Ireland are keeping
a day for life with emphasis this year on the elderly.
Please pick up a leaflet at the doors and please consider
ways in which we as a church can do more for – and with
! - our “seniors”.
CATHOLIC
CHILDRENS' SOCIETY
This
is a charity which Farm Street has supported faithfully
over the years. It meets the needs of London 's many poor
and vulnerable children. Take an envelope from the church
doors and support the summer appeal to give these children
a decent start in life. There is also a sponsored run
today with a husband and wife teame from our church taking
part.
Back
to the Homepage
