January 23, 2005

Third Sunday of the Year

SCRIPTURE READINGS (A)

Isaiah 8:22-9:3    A prophecy: a great light will shine from Galilee

1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17   Paul calls for unity among Christians

Matthew 4:12-23   Christ begins his Galilean mission: the call of the disiples-17

From the Parish Priest: The Tsunami Appeal - Results

Last Sunday saw the great generosity of our Farm Street congregation in the face of a world catastrophe: our Tsunami appeal in aid of relief and reconstruction in devastated areas on the island of Sri Lanka resulted in donations approaching £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. But who can speak on behalf of the thousands of victims who in due course will benefit? As we create a new spiritual bond with those unseen brothers and sisters of ours on the other side of the globe, we might consider how we shall all meet “merrily in heaven” one day. Perhaps a great part of the joy of that meeting will be the shared gratitude we shall have for one another – for all the countless acts of kindness that have woven our lives into the “seamless robe” of Christ. 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 immediate 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.        

REPORTS FROM JESUITS IN SRI LANKA

We will soon have a separate page for reports on relief and reconstruction.

In the meantime this is a digest of news issued from Colombo on:

JANUARY 22

COLOMBO   The relief operations under the auspices of the Sri Lankan Province of the Society of Jesus are directed by Fr Anton Pieris SJ , appointed by Father Provincial for this task. A special office has been set up in to co-ordinate these efforts. The team includes Fr Louis Prakash SJ, experienced in disaster management.

BATTICALOA (from Fr Paul Casperesz SJ):: Purchase of pick-up trucks; essential supplies for the care of orphaned children

GALLE (from Fr Kurukulaaratchi SJ) Re-starting and re-supplying St Aloysius College has begun (books, equipment, clothes, food) where 880 pupils and their families have been devastated, with loss of life among staff; trauma counselling; visits to inspect wotk in Matara, Tangalle Hambantota; furniture supplied in affected villages; co-operation with local Muslim and Buddhist communities.

KIRINDE-TANGALLE: (from Fr Ashley Samarasinghe SJ) Kirinde Muslim and Sinhala schools: fitting pupils with shoes; temporary shelters for 150 families with CARE; working with Anglican church in Tangalle to look after needs of pupils there.

SATYODAYA (from Fr Paul Casperesz SJ) Tea plantation workers, peasant farmers and villagers helped; Satyodaya Community is an NGO project bringing together Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher members.

TRINCOMALEE (from Veeasan Yogeswaran SJ) Immediate needs have been met: food, dry-rations, clothes, medicines; next step is to provide temporary shelter for those returning to their villages from the displacement camps; 200 bags of cement received for rebuilding (providing employment for casual labourers); the English Jesuit Academy providing books and other materials to local children.

LEPROSY  The annual appeal for LEPRA takes place next Sunday. There will be a collection at the doors.

For information about the continuing effects of this disease and its treatment, see the posters.

SUNG MASS The Gregorian Association (founded 1870) under the direction of Peter Wilton of the Farm Street Choir will be singing English and Latin chant at the 6pm Mass on Saturday January 29th.

AT YOUR WORD LORD This programme of prayer and spiritual renewal for the Diocese of Westminster involves six weekly metings of small groups to pray, reflect on Scripture and share the meaning of our Faith. The new season is on Reconciliation and begins on February 6th. Please see Fr William if you are interested in being in a group.

READERS' DAY   All readers at Mass (including week-days!) and anyone interested in becoming a reader, please put Saturday February 12th (10.30am-3pm) in your diaries. This will be a special half-day of study, reflection, prayer and practical skills. More next week.

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