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Today (Sunday) – 2nd
collection for our Maintenance Fund. 2nd Collection next
Sunday (27th) for Seminary Fund – apologies for the confusion.
Also Traidcraft Goods on sale after all Masses.
‘Many independent studies have shown that
Fairtrade makes a very tangible difference to the lives of 1.4 million
farmers and workers across 70 countries, as well as to their families and
communities. Tackling poverty and global injustice that is brought about by a
deeply unfair international trading system is a complex task. More must be
done for wage workers, who are the poorest and perhaps most difficult to
reach group. (If a product carries a Fairtrade mark)........those producers
get a Fairtrade Minimum Price (or higher), which acts as a vital safety net
and gives them the stability to plan for the future.’
(Barbara Crowther, Head of Policy and
Public Affairs, Fairtrade Foundation- letter in this week’s Tablet.)
After the 11 am Mass we have the
(now) annual Fun Run followed by picnic/barbecue and garden party in the
garden. All most welcome. It will (I am told!) include a farewell to
Teresa and myself (although next Sunday, 27th will
be my last here as priest-in-charge0.
Several parishioners are unable to be
here today and have sent greetings and gifts. Teresa and I thank them all,
with an assurance of our prayers.
We are delighted that Fr. Tom
Cooper is with us today (11am Mass), and also Deacon Duncan Aitkins.
Don’t forget the Teddy Bears’ Picnic (Monday- 21st
from 3.15pm- parish garden. In aid of CWL charities. (poster on porch
board).
NB Mass on Wednesday at 10am (St
James’ School Leavers Mass).
And please get your Mass
intentions in as soon as possible! Please mark your brown envelope
very clearly, (esp. living or departed.).We should like to set up the whole
of August, if not beyond- thank you.
And now my last full week in the
parish....so many memories (mainly happy!)...a bit more to say next week.
Every blessing to you all for this coming week- especially those off on
holiday- don’t forget your Sunday Mass!
Fr. Bryan.
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One of the great truths about the
Catholic Church is that we are a community of saints - and sinners!
The ‘good seed’ sown in us by God at our baptism needs to grow, so that we
become mature and strong in our faith. But sadly we are born into an
imperfect world, and often we find that ‘darnel’ (sin) has been sown among us
and perhaps in us. And very often we are all too apt to judge the sins of
others (rarely our own) and we are tempted to dismiss them, to ignore people
or treat them with contempt.
But this is not the way of Jesus.
The church of Jesus – the Catholic
Church- is radically inclusive, not exclusive. We are not a sect but a
community, which is large (and mature) enough to welcome all into her bosom-
saint and sinner alike. Jesus caused scandal in his day because of this
attitude- freely mixing with those on the edges of his society, people who
were usually ignored, treated badly and often with contempt. And he came in
for a load of stick for acting like this.
And so will we - but there you
go, that’s the gospel ! Good people, bad people, gay people, straight
people, black people, white people, sky blue pink people, left wing people,
right wing people, religious people, anti/non religious people, lazy people,
hard-working people.
God’s vision is incredibly wider than
ours and his love is for all human beings, without distinction.
Pope Francis tries to live this out in his unique ministry as Bishop of Rome,
and so must we.
There will, of course be a reckoning. But Jesus’ story
today teaches us that this will be God’s reckoning, God’s
judgment, not ours. We have to bide God’s time, to live in the midst
of it all, with all the mess, the ambiguity and the questions.
Just like Jesus did.
If we can do/negotiate this, perhaps this
is what being a saint, or holiness, is all about? Engaging with life, living
out the wonderful grace of baptism, and not jumping to quick fix answers- and
above, all, being patient. Trying to see things from God’s perspective
and not just from our own (often jaundiced) one.
‘Your sovereignty (God) over all makes
you lenient to all...you are mild in judgment, you govern us with great
lenience......you have taught us...to be kindly to our fellow men (and
women)...and that...after sin you will grant repentance.’
(From today’s 1st reading Book
of Wisdom.)
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Thank you all so much for
the celebration last Sunday of our 75th parish anniversary! It was
a great occasion, and Archbishop Peter thoroughly enjoyed his time with us.
Receiving the Live Simply Award was a great moment for the parish and our
thanks must go to the LS team who have headed up the project over the past
two years. The garden looked fantastic, and will be a great prayerful resource
in the years to come.
But we were also delighted to witness the
presentation, by the Archbishop, of the Diocesan Medal to Sheila Simon.
You will be very sad to hear of Sheila’s
death on Friday afternoon, in the PRUH. Sheila died (after several along
illnesses) with Frank at her bedside, and fortified by the rites of the
church. The Mass at 9.30am yesterday (Saturday) was for Sheila, and our
prayers and support are now with Frank. More details in due course. We shall
all miss Sheila who was part of the St. James story for a long time, and who
worked tirelessly for the parish in so many ways. May she rest in peace- and
rise in glory.
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