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SCRIPTURE
READINGS
|
Daniel |
12:1-3 |
| Psalm |
15 |
| Hebrews |
10:11-14, 18 |
| Mark |
13:24-32 |
PRAYING
FOR THE DEAD
November
is the month traditionally devoted to remembering
those who have gone before us. We do this in two
ways: by offering Mass on their behalf and by praying
for them. This practice is based on our Catholic
belief in Purgatory as a part of the process by
which we are made ready to enjoy the fullness of
life in Heaven.
Purgatory
as a doctrine allows for the possibility of further
growth as we leave this world – and our own “flesh”.
It is about purification, not punishment. Images
of punishment are not really appropriate, especially
if they are based on traditional images of hell.
In our progress towards God after death perhaps
we have a voluntary part to play in that purification,
for we shall find ourselves before the loving gaze
of Christ and we shall know our true condition.
We shall desire to be made whole. We would welcome
even the pain of such a moment. If there is pain
in Purgatory then it is the pain of purification.
The Catholic view allows for the prayers of the
living to be a comfort for the dead, and for their
prayers to be intercessory on our behalf. Those
in Purgatory are “saints in the making” and fully
a part of the Communion of Saints. This great Communion
of Love forms the Church and we on earth are also
“saints in the making” and are spiritually united
with our brothers and sisters on the other side.
The acts of remembrance which we celebrate throughout
this month should give us joy and courage. We cannot
see ourselves as saints – but God already does!
Fr
William Pearsall SJ
CARDS
AND CANDLES
Today
we will be promoting the Catholic Children's Society
with our annual sale of cards, courtesy of the Hunter
family. This is one of our special charities. On
the same day, we will be selling festive candles
in aid of L'Arche, the communities founded by Jean
Vanier for people with learning disabilities.
TRADITIONAL
HANDWORK OF BEDOUIN WOMEN
St
Catherine's Monastery located in the Sinai Peninsula
in Egypt support the poor Bedouin tribes' women
and their families, those with serious medical problems
and they also help with food and housing. These
women have a long tradition in needlework and textiles,
and produce a variety of bags, wallets and other
textiles to sell to help themselves to survive in
the desert. There will be a selection of their products
on sale in the hall after Mass today. Please give
your support if you can.
FAIR
TRADE / TRAIDCRAFT
It's
back! Traidcraft products will be available in the
parish on a regular basis and it starts today. Please
continue to give your support as Fair Trade does
make a difference.
REMEMBRANCE
Names
of departed family and friends may be written in
the Book of Remembrance at the back of the church.
They will be prayed for at the altar every day and
the 12:30pm
Sunday Mass will be offered for them throughout
the month. Pages from the book will be placed on
the altar as soon as they are full. Please remember
that individual Masses can also be requested and
there is space available on the Mass intentions
list.
MEET
THE NEIGHBORS
Our
next visit to a local church will be this Wednesday,
November 18th at 6:30pm
at St James's, Piccadilly. This is Christopher Wren's
only church in the west end of London
and features outstanding
altar decorations by Grinling Gibbons. No need to
book, just come along. Sponsored by Churches Together
in Westminster .
OUR
CATECHISTS
Today
at the 9:30am
Mass we will be formally commissioning our team
of catechists. We extend to them our heartfelt thanks
for all their hard work and dedication in helping
our children to grow in faith.
FAITH
MATTERS
"FUNDAMENTAL
OF FAITH"
A
lecture series at Vaughan
House, behind Westminster Cathedral
7pm
– 8:30pm
November
18 th : Presented by
Fr John Hemer, MHM. Theme: Catholics and the
Bible.
November
25 th : Presented by
Fr Steven Wang. Theme: The Catholic
Moral Vision: a guide to finding true happiness.
December
2 nd : Presented by Fr
James Hanvey, SJ. Theme: God, Creation and Ecology.
December
9 th : Presented by Mgr
John Armitage. Theme: Catholic Social Teaching:
a guide in troubles times.
Registration
necessary. Please e-mail faithmatters@rcdow.org.uk
or call 0207 931 6078. £2 donations suggested.
LIVING
STONES PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
15th
to 26th JUNE 2010
A
pilgrimage for Farm Street Parish and friends led
by Fr Tony Nye SJ and Deacon Duncan Macpherson of
Living Stones. A unique opport-unity to meet and
worship with our Christian brothers and sisters
in the Holy
Land
and to experience spiritual renewal in the land
where Jesus walked. For further information contact
Fr Tony Nye SJ tel 0207 493 7811or by e-mail: tonynyesj@jesuits.net.
Please
use Gift-Aid envelopes for your donations if you
are a UK
Tax-payer .
MOUNT
STREET
JESUIT
CENTRE
114
Mount Street , London W1
For
bookings and information:
Lynne
Galloway 020 7495 1673
lynne@mountstreet.info
THE
CATHOLIC DEVOTIONAL LIFE
A
Series of Talks on Sundays, 5-6pm
15th
November: Devotion to Mary , presented
by Canon Stuart Wilson
22nd
November: The Sacred Heart , lead
by Fr Dominic Robinson SJ
“WHAT
DID VATICAN
II SAY?”
Fr
Dominic Robinson SJ will be finishing his series
of talks on November 26th , 7pm-8.30pm
.
THE
GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST
Continues
November 21st, 11am - 4pm
Presented
by Brian Purfield. How did the Gospels come to be
written? Why is there not just one account
of Jesus? To what audiences were the Gospels
addressed? What are the unique perspectives
of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? We shall
look briefly at the writings of St Paul and the
letters to the early Christian communities.
PRAYER
IN THE CITY
Each
Thursday from 12.30-1pm
a member of the Mount Street Jesuit Centre team
will lead a brief period of prayer in the Meeting
Room at 114, Mount Street
. On each occasion we will
introduce a different experience of prayer. Take
a break and put prayer at the centre of things once
more.
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