February 6th, 2005

Fifth Sunday of the Year

SCRIPTURE READINGS (A)

                   

           Isaiah    58:7-10           Your integrity will go before you  

           I Corinthians   2:1-5     Faith does not depend on human philosophy

           Matthew 5:13 -16         You are the salt of the earth,

                                                         the light of the world

 

“For your penance, please say one Hail Mary.” How often have you heard those words, or words very like them? Usually the priest gives a simple penance, one that can be accomplished before leaving the church, one that brings “closure” to the process of confession and absolution. In one easy and familiar prayer our reconciliation with God and the Church is brought to completion.

 

The sacrament of penance was not always so simple. On Ash Wednesday we will be reminded of the great public penances of yore when the sinner expiated his guilt through suffering and humiliation. Henry II was publicly whipped by the monks of Canterbury for his part in the murder of Thomas Becket. Mediaeval penitential books describe decade-long fasts, weary and dangerous pilgrimages, the wearing of sack-cloth and the putting on of ashes.

 

Today the church is more lenient but also more reasonable. Penances may be imposed that invite the penitent to a deeper union with God. The priest may suggest a Scripture reading or an act of mercy; something positive. Sometimes there may be a situation to deal with, a wrong to be put right. The “firm purpose of amendment” looks to the future, to opening our lives more and

 

more to God's grace. The “avoidance of the occasions of sin” is our undertaking to work with God's Spirit, not against it. The sacrament is not about looking back or dwelling on the past. That is why “sorrow for sin” can even – if wrongly cultivated – lead away from God: I remain fixated on my past, my sin, my -self. Most importantly, we should be ready to make amends, to repair the damage we have done, to be reconciled with those we may have harmed or who may have harmed us.

 

Of course it's not always possible to put things right again and a good old-fashioned penance might be a salutary lesson. Once, the village gossip went to confession to make her Easter duties. After recounting all the reputations she had successfully demolished, she received her penance from the priest: “Buy a chicken from the village market and take it to the next village - going on foot - and give it to the first poor person you see.” (“Not too bad”, she thought.) “You must pluck out all its feathers one by one as you go.” (“Peculiar”, she thought, “ but not too hard.”) “Then,” said the priest, “you must return the same way you went – and collect every feather!”

  

Fr William Pearsall SJ

REPORT ON SRI LANKA

February 6

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

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.. 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: £2,146.70 Many thanks!

DATES FOR LENT

February

Sunday 6 th Start of the At Your Word Lord season (Reconciliation)

Tuesday 8 th 7.30pm Concert of Sacred Music by the Cardinal Vaughan Schola Cantorum

Wednesday 9 th Ash Wednesday: Masses at usual times

Saturday 12 th 10.30am-3pm Day of Recollection and Study for Readers (open to those interested in joining)

Thursday 24 th 7pm CAFOD Evening with guest speakers Fr Peter Henriot and Dermot McNulty

March

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

Thursday 10 th 7pm Concert of Sacred Music by the Cardinall's Musick

Sunday 20 th is Palm Sunday and will share the Blessing of Palms once more with our Anglican neighbours from the Grosvenor Chapel.

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 “The New Testament”

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 sacramental and spiritual life of the parish.

NOTICES

SHROVE TUESDAY You are invited to a concert of sacred music by the Cardinal Vaughan School “Schola Cantorum” in the church this Tuesday February 8 th at 7.30pm . This is to celebrate 25 years of work for the homeless by The Passage. See notices on the boards for details and ticket information.

LEPRA The leprosy appeal last Sunday raised £1,050.97 towards the work of LEPRA throughout the world. Many thanks to all who contributed!

TSUNAMI A cheque for just over £20,000 has been sent on behalf of Farm Street Church to the Jesuits working in affected areas of Sri Lanka . Another £4,000+ will be added to this when we receive gift-aid tax refunds in March. We are sent weekly reports of progress in the area and these are posted at the doors of the church and on our website. Thanks to everyone for this tremendous effort.

READERS' DAY To all readers at Mass (weekdays included) and to anyone interested in becoming a reader: There will be a Day of Recollection and Study on Saturday February 12th ( 10.30am-3pm ). This will include a talk from Fr William on the ministry of the Word, a sharing of experiences and needs, Mass together in the Sodality Chapel, a practical session in the church (microphone use) and time for individual prayer and silence. Please bring sandwiches and a drink for lunch. There is no need to let us know beforehand if you are coming but please come!

FAST Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence as are the Fridays in Lent. Family Fast Day is Friday February 25th and there will be a CAFOD collection that week-end as well as a special CAFOD evening in the Hall on the 24th .

AWAY Fr James will be away for a post-Christmas break until February 12 th . We wish him a happy holiday!

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