Dear Friends,
In today’s Gospel reading St Luke joins together the call of the first disciples and the miraculous catch of fish. The ministry of Jesus and the mission of the Church are intimately bound together. The light of salvation shines on the world, and the first Christian community, born on the day of Pentecost, preaches the Gospel.
Jesus sends his followers as fishers of men: they themselves have first been caught by his word. They will now run the adventure of faith, leaving the security of the harbour, to go wherever the Spirit blows them. First caught as fish, now they must become a different kind of fishermen, putting out into the deep water.
We are planning to begin the Confirmation course this month. Enrolment forms can be found in each of our churches.
I am grateful to all who responded to my request to come and support the families at the funerals of those who have died recently. Your prayerful presence was greatly appreciated by them.
Father James
The Journey in Faith group will meet today, Sunday at 6pm in the presbytery.
Tuesday this week is a Day of Prayer for Victims of Trafficking and Those Who Work to Combat it.
Friday is World Day of Prayer for the Sick
Next Sunday is Racial Justice Day
Holy Hour & Eucharistic Adoration is on Thursdays at St Helen’s, at 3pm – a time for quiet reflection, meditation and contemplation
Message from family member following Derek Palman’s Requiem Mass. “The family would like to thank everyone who attended Derek Palman’s funeral service and sent their kind wishes”.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Monica Hawley, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton and Patricia Newton.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: André Boucher, Anna Simpson, Agnes Clark, June Trafford, Audrey Greensword, Louise Woodroff and Roy Wassell. May they rest in peace.
The diocesan newspaper is now available free of charge. Please help yourself.
Copies of the Synodal questions are in your church porches for you to give your answers and there are boxes in which to leave your responses. You can also respond online. Simply go to the diocesan website which gives a direct link to the online survey: https://www.rcdea.org.uk/bishop-alan-to-launch-synodal-pathway-online-survey/ We are all encouraged to take part in this global consultation process as requested by Pope Francis.
