Newsletter_Jan04

Today we celebrate the Epiphany. The English bishops have transferred it from its traditional date so that more people may observe it on a Sunday. It is a feast from the east, more ancient than Christmas. Its Greek title means Manifestation, God making his Son known to the world, beyond Israel to the Gentiles. You could think of it as God's PR. The writer of the gospel ascribed to St. Matthew may have lived in Syria , so east of the Holy Land . Here at the start of his gospel the wise men (magi or Persian priests) represent the Gentiles for whom he is writing, just as at the end of his gospel the Risen Christ says to the apostles: "Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations."

It is typical of the richness of Eastern Christian thinking that three events are intertwined in their celebration of the Epiphany. There is the coming of the Magi. Drawn by their knowledge of astronomy, the event is also influenced by Old Testament passages that speak of a star. There is the Baptism of Jesus (which we celebrate next Sunday) in which the Father's voice from heaven makes His Son known:"You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you." There is also the Marriage Feast at Cana in which the first miracle of Jesus, turning water into wine - with all the deep symbolism that involves - reveals his glory to the disciples. It also shows us how Our Lord and his mother place everything in the Father's hands, his hour, which will become the hour of the Cross.

There are many vivid images here through which God reaches out to our hearts and our imaginations. Just as Eastern Christians see the divine reaching out to them through pictures, icons. We can learn a lot from them. Pope John Paul II spoke of the Church "breathing through two lungs, the East and the West." This imaginative thinking has influenced our Catholic liturgy too. There is an Epiphany antiphon in the Breviary which places all these pictures one upon another, like coloured transfers mingling together.

"Today the Church has been joined to her heavenly bridegroom, since Christ has purified her of her sins in the river Jordan : the Magi hasten to the royal wedding and offer gifts; the wedding guests rejoice since Christ has changed water into wine. Alleluia."

SPUC

Next Sunday we will have our annual White Flower appeal on behalf of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. This is an issue of deep concern to the Church and to society and we hope that you will be able to support the appeal generously.

PULPIT SWAP

January 18 th � 25 th is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. On Sunday the 18 th at the 11am Mass we will have our traditional �pulpit swap� with the vicar of Grosvenor Chapel, our neighbouring Anglican church. We welcome Fr Mark Oakley who was installed in the Chapel this October.

RELIGION AND POLITICS

IThe guest speaker at the Churches Together in Westminster AGM will be Stephen Bates, Guardian religious affairs correspondent and author of God's Own Country . He will be speaking of the role of religion in US politics. All are invited: 6pm January 26 th at Westminster Central Hall.

A BIG THANK YOU!

The clergy team and members of the Jesuit Community wish to thank all of those who so kindly expressed their Christmas wishes with cards and gifts. As it is not possible to acknowledge this wonderful generosity in writing, please accept this heartfelt message of gratitude. Also, a big Thank You to the donors of flowers for the church � much appreciated by all our worshippers and visitors!

AMERICAN STUDENTS

If you would like to welcome a visiting American student from the Jesuit University of Fordham ( New York ) with a home-cooked meal in January, please let Fr William know. Many of the newly-arrived students will be at the 11am Mass on Sunday January 25th and in the Hall for coffee afterwards. Do come and meet them.

DIOCESAN DIRECTORY

The 2009 Westminster Yearbook is available in the bookshop (and in the Hall during coffee). This is a treasury of useful information. Only £4 a copy.

READERS: THE NEW ROTAS ARE READY IN THE SACRISTY.

MOUNT STREET

JESUIT CENTRE

114 Mount Street

The Centre is offering a great variety of lectures, courses and workshops in 2009, for example: A Portrait of Jesus, Liturgy Course, 12-Step Group Meeting, St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila , Discernment in Everyday Life, The Sacraments, Myers Briggs and Prayer, and Sadhana. Please pick up a leaflet or a copy of the programme. We are blessed to have this concentration of expertise in theology, Scripture, spirituality and other area of Christian life and learning. The formation of the laity is a fundamental need of the Church in her mission to the world. Consider the ways that you might benefit from this opportunity.

Upcoming courses:

The Good News of Jesus Christ: Reading and Praying the New Testament, eight Wednesday evenings 7-9pm presented by Brian Purfield beginning on January 7 th .

Really Useful Psychology , a two-part course: Saturday January 10 th and Saturday April 4 th , 11am to 4pm. presented by Fr Roger Dawson SJ, clinical psychologist and chaplain to the University of Oxford .

To book or make enquiries please

e-mail lynne@mountstreet.info

or ring 020 7 495 1673

PLEASE REMEMBER

Mass Intentions are always welcome!

PARKING REMINDER

Resident Parking applies 24/7. Parking is "Pay by phone" only and is free only on Sundays and from Monday to Saturday after 6:30pm. Congestion Charges apply from Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm. Please bear in mind that the Traffic Wardens are very �pro-active� in this area.

GIFT AID

Please use the Gift Aid envelopes at the church exits if you are a UK taxpayer for all your donations. If you are not sure of the code you have been allocated, please complete name and address or contact the parish office. Thank you