February 13th, 2005

First Sunday of Lent

                                         SCRIPTURE READINGS (A) 

Genesis     2:7-9; 3:1-7   The creation and fall of Adam and Eve

Psalm        50                   Have mercy on us, Lord

Romans    5:12 -19          Where sin abounded, grace was even greater

Matthew   4:1-11             Christ in the desert

             

                                ALL THINGS MUST PASS

 

This was the title of George Harrison's first solo album and it was and is enjoyed because of the thoughtfulness of his lyrics, including My Sweet Lord. The theme is, of course, a Lenten one and there is no escaping its sobriety with its note of warning. We are alerted to transience and to decay, none of which appeals or attracts us, yet we have to deal with its reality. Most of the time we put it off but it comes back into our lives, sooner or later. Were it not for faith in God, we would surely despair or live in a dreamworld of denial or escapism.

The Church gives us this time of Lent because she wishes to come to our aid. She knows that we will, all of us, experience a time of interior coldness and deprivation, even of our faith, and that this will cost us. Some people live for years in a Lenten time, with lives of self-sacrifice and self-denial in. say, looking after their parents or children or both. These are not often welcome times and may even be thrust upon us against our wills, but nevertheless they have to be borne. Naturally, we complain and can even become bitter but there is a way out of that, a way of salvation, if you like.

 

Did not Jesus and his mother have to bear many things? If we put ourselves in their shoes, as St Ignatius does in his Spiritual Exercises, what would we make of their lives: Mary, carrying a child, having to move to one place, then another, and then another; suffering the death of her husband, wondering and worrying about what was being said about her son as he was growing up, hearing of the threats against him after he displayed his powers of healing; and Jesus, curing the sick and inviting outsiders to believe that they were very near to God. Good news certainly, but also threatening news to the powerful who thought they knew who God was. Do we think Jesus and Mary did not worry or have to carry many burdens they did not want to?

During this Season, we are now invited to think about their lives and to reflect on our own. As we do, we ask God to give us the grace to connect the two, that our burdens mirror those of Jesus and Mary. In doing so, we are then graced by the knowledge that we too will pass, as they have, but into God's life and not merely into the dust.

 

                                                                    Fr James Campbell SJ

 

 

REPORT ON SRI LANKA

February 13

We await the weekly report issued by the Jesuit Provincial offices in Colombo. Last week's report can be seen on the Archives page.

The Tsunami Appeal - Results

 

Our Tsunami appeal in aid of relief and reconstruction in devastated areas on the island of Sri Lanka resulted in donations exceeding£20,000. To this sum will be added another £4,000 in tax refunds from Gift Aid. Heartfelt thanks are due to all who contributed to this inspiring Christian response. This help has been sent to the Jesuits working in Sri Lanka and we have received a thank you from Fr Chryso Pieris SJ who is the Socius (Assistant) to the Provincial Superior. It might be timely also to add that, quite separately from donations being made through Jesuit organisations, parishes, schools and other works in the UK , the British Province of the Society of Jesus has allocated £250,000 from its own resources for use in Jesuit-led relief programmes in the entire region affected by the tsunami. The parish appeal will continue as long as funds are needed and we are working in partnership with Jesuit Missions, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and Young British Jesuit Alumni (YBJA). Donations are chanelled directly through the Society of Jesus to the locations in Sri Lanka which we have targeted for help.Cheques may be made to Farm Street Church and there are Gift Aid envelopes available. May God continue to bless our efforts.  

 

 AT YOUR WORD LORD

Week 2: “Repentance”

This Diocesan programme of prayer and spiritual renewal has now begun with three groups meeting in 114 Mount Street for an hour or so of Scripture study and a closer look at our Faith and Christian practice. The theme is Repentance and Christian unity: “Together We Can”. This is an excellent opportunity for Lent. If you are interested, it is possible to join at any time; speak to Fr William. Also, you don't have to be a Catholic to take part in this programme – so why not encourage a friend from another Christian tradition? Prayer booklets are available at the doors (£1 please) and anyone can take one to use for personal prayer. Again, you can begin using them at any time during the period of Lent. Take a pink flyer for details and sign-on form.

This programme of prayer and spiritual renewal begins its fourth Season this week. We invite you to use this opportunity for Lent. If you are interested in a small group meeting for an hour or so once a week (or as often as you are able) for Bible study and reflection on the Faith, speak to Fr William or ring Rachel Bischoff: 7221 7328. Prayer booklets are available at the doors (£1 please) and anyone can take one to use for personal prayer. Take a flyer for details and sign-on form.

First Communion

The first meeting of children and parents for all who wish to take part in our First Communion programme will take place on Sunday February 27 th after the 9.30am Mass. Please let Neil or Clare McNamara know in advance if you are coming: 0208 249 2935.  

LAST SUNDAY'S COLLECTION: £2,177.04 Thanks!

From the Parish Priest:

“Philip O'Brien (chairman of the Parish Council) and I joined clergy from parishes in the care of religious orders to meet with the Cardinal on Thursday. One of the points emphasised was the need for our churches to be ‘living communities of Faith' which transcend parish boundaries. As clergy numbers decline, lay initiatives in leadership and ministry must be fostered; the Diocese will take an active part in the formation of lay leaders to keep our churches alive and growing.”

DATES IN LENT

February

Thursday 24 th 7pm CAFOD

Evening: “Make Poverty History” - Fr Peter Henriot and Dermot McNulty

March

Saturday 5 th 10am-4pm Parish Day of Recollection: “Open My Eyes”

Thursday 10 th 7pm Concert of sacred music: The Cardinall's Musick

TALKS IN LENT

FR ANTHONY MEREDITH SJ  Sundays at 5pm in the Church Hall

 “Prayer in the New Testament and Early Church with special reference to the Lord's Prayer”

February 20 th    “NewTestament”

February 27 th    “ North Africa ”

March 6 th          “ Egypt ”

March 13 th        “St Augustine

You are invited to attend any or all of these talks .

There will be extended periods of Confession as we approach Easter. Please do avail yourself of every opportunity to deepen your Faith this Lent and to participate fully in the acramental and spiritual life of the parish.

NOTICES

MEDITATION Every Thursday lunch time you are invited to come to 114 Mount Street for a half hour of silent meditation beginning at 12.30pm . There is a short intro-duction, 20 minutes of meditation, and an opportunity to share your thoughts if you wish at the end. It's often easier to meditate in a group so come and be strengthened in your Lenten journey.

CAFOD Next Sunday, envelopes will be given out to take home and bring back with your donation to the Lenten CAFOD appeal. Family Fast Day is Friday February 25 th and on Thursday the 24 th there will be a special evening in the Church Hall at 7pm with Fr Peter Henriot and Dermot McNulty: “Make Poverty History”.

STATIONS Beginning this week there will be Stations of the Cross at 12.30pm on the Fridays of Lent. This devotion will take a half an hour and replaces the usual period of Exposition.

SPIRITUALITY Personal spiritual direction/accompaniment: would you like to know more about it? Could it be for you? See the flyer from Mount Street Jesuit Centre at the doors.

REQUIEM Fr Tony Metcalfe SJ died this week after a long illness. He worked many years in Guyana and recently helped here in the con-fessional and on Reception. His Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday at 2pm with Fr Provincial officiating. The body will be received into the church at 5pm on Monday. RIP.

REMINDER Fr Anthony Meredith begins his series of Lenten Talks next Sunday at 5pm in the Hall.

AMDG

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