Newsletter_Jan18

The consoling words of today's psalm invite us to consider the graciousness of the call of God, at once Creator of the universe and yet Father to us all. How strange it is that One most powerful treats us mere mortals as persons who can address Him: "You do not ask for sacrifice.. .but an open ear" and "You do not ask for holocaust and victim. Instead, here am I". God truly offers us our freedom and seeks, unbelievable as it may seem, our co-operation, without force or fear or guilt. More often than not, however, we, poor creatures that we are, align ourselves with other attractions; objects, things and even persons whom we allow to block that lightness and wonder of God, so much so that we can lose sight of Him and busy the days, months, years and even lifetimes in the pursuit of created matter and, sadly, miss the Creator Himself. And yet this is no bar to God's constant and faithful seeking us out and helping us to experience that metanoia; that change of heart and mind which can give us His peace in following His will, as the psalmist says, "... in the depth of my heart".

Is not this the most important thing to attend to? And given all that continues to happen in the world, whether economic worries, fear of the future, never-ending violence and war and so on, we are privileged indeed to be offered what always remains an invitation and supreme gift.

We hear in today's readings God's call addressed to, first of all, Samuel in the 1 st Reading who mistakes this voice as belonging to Eli, such is its reception in his hearing that it seems as if it is a human utterance. It takes Samuel no less than three encounters with God's voice and his questioning of Eli before he eventually realises it is the Lord, "the voice he did not know", as another psalm points out. The Gospel then gives us the account of Jesus inviting the disciples to "Come and see" where he lives. This invitation may strike us as a mere meeting between potential friends but, as with all such texts, it signifies much more. In essence testifies to a force, a revelation of divine energy or grace, which attracts these strangers to Jesus; no-one just meets another person and simply goes after them because of a few words. Not at all. These strangers sense something much deeper and personal in Christ's few words but it is only Andrew who is given to understand exactly who it is who is addressing him and who then tells his brother of this, that "We have found the Messiah". Let us then learn to be more attentive to God's call for us and seek a greater clarity and depth in our hearing.

God's call involves kindness, compassion and forgiveness in a society which can trample and ignore such important traits. In putting on, within our hearts and minds, the garment of these gifts of the Holy Spirit, these sacramental qualities, we can be sure that we are heeding the call of God. We can then follow in the way of Christ and so bear witness to him by entering into that continual change, that purification, which gives us a quieter and deeper quality of life. We can then know we are held within the life of God where we can find rest for our souls as our time here on earth runs like sand through an hourglass.

PULPIT SWAP

We welcome today as guest preacher at the 11am Mass, Canon Mark Oakley, recently installed vicar of Grosvenor Chapel, our neighbouring Anglican church. This marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Fr William will be preaching at the Grosvenor Chapel at the same time.

RELIGION AND POLITICS

The guest speaker at the Churches Together in Westminster AGM will be Stephen Bates, former Guardian religious affairs correspondent and author of God's Own Country (2007 ) . He will be speaking on the role of religion in US politics, its historic background and the present significance of fundamentalism and evangelicalism. There will be opportunity for questions. A supper follows. All are invited: Monday January 26 th at 6pm at Westminster Central Hall (facing Westminster Abbey). We hope for a good turn out from Farm Street .

LIFT NEEDED

Mr John Tabor is mobility-impaired and would welcome a lift to Mass from Fulham Broadway. Contact Fr William.

FR STEPHEN PATTERSON

It is with considerable sadness that we say goodbye to Fr Stephen as he departs for mission work in Guyana . Stephen was ordained in November and we have been delighted to have him as a priest at Farm Street during his first months of ministry. We thank him and we wish him every blessing.

REGISTRATION

2009 Registration forms are available at the doors. If you are a regular worshipper at Farm Street , you are entitled to be on the church register. This is for administrative purposes only � you will not be put on a mailing list! We will however be contacting parishioners in the coming months in order to bring our records up to date. Many Farm Street regulars are still not on the church register. Please sign on!

FORDHAM STUDENTS

We still need six more volunteers to be host for our visiting students from the Jesuit University of Fordham in New York . We are hoping that our hosts can welcome a student for a home-cooked meal and a taste of London hospitality. Please contact Fr William.

SPECIAL MASS

February 2 nd is the Feast of the Presentation (�Candlemas�). In recent years we have chosen this event in the life of Mary as the occasion to offer a special Mass for those who have been affected by the loss of a child in pregnancy or in neo-natal care. This includes miscarriages, still-birth and terminations. There is a grief which is rarely acknowledged in these losses and we have found that this chance to come together at a special Mass has helped many men and women to find healing, consolation and spiritual peace. The Mass will be offered at 7pm by Fr William in the House Chapel at 114 Mount Street with a little gathering over coffee in the Hall afterwards for those who wish. Please ask Fr William if you desire more information or enquire at massfortheunborn@jesuit.org.uk

GREETERS AND COLLECTORS

We are looking for volunteers to help as greeters and collectors at Sunday Mass. These are relatively easy ways of serving the Church but they make a big difference. If you would like to learn more about being a greeter please see Fr Tony Nye. Potential collectors should contact Fr James Campbell.

WORK IN THE CHURCH

Work resumes in the Sacred Heart chapel to restore the altar and decorative features to their original beauty. If you wish to see the contrast between old and new, have a look while work is in progress. Afterwards we will turn our attention to the statue of Our Lady at the front of the sanctuary and the elaborate canopy which adorns her. If you wish to make a special contribution to any of this work, please contact Fr William.

MOUNT STREET JESUIT CENTER

114 Mount Street

To book or make enquiries please e-mail lynne@mountstreet.info or ring 0207 495 1673.

LITURGY COURSE

Six Thursday evenings, January 29 th till March 12 th , 7 to 8:30pm .

This course, presented by Frances Novillo (member of the Westminster Diocesan Music Committee), is designed to inform our understanding of the liturgy, its historic development, the celebration of the Mass and our role within it. There will be a strong practical element aimed at acquiring skills to prepare and participate in special liturgies, with scope for participants to reflect on their own ideas and experience. Pick up a leaflet for more information.

Also It's not too late to begin:

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

To book or make enquiries please

e-mail lynne@mountstreet.info

or ring 020 7495 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