Good news this week with the appointment of Bishop Stephen Wright as our new Bishop. We offer him our prayers and support. There is a Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Malcolm being read out at all Masses this weekend, explaining more on the appointment of Bishop Stephen. Congratulations to Fr. Tony King, who celebrated his 60th Anniversary this weekend. Fr. Tony was such a great guide during our Pilgrimage to the West of Ireland a few years back. Well done and congratulations to all our First Communicants from our three primary schools. Thanks to all who assisted in bringing the children to this day. Weren’t we lucky with the weather too!! Next Saturday morning, 24th June, at 10.00am in the Jubilee Room at St. Joseph’s there will be a gentle presentation and discussion on Priesthood and Church. The title of the main presentation will be ‘Presiding in the Midst of the Baptised’ by Prof. Tom O’Loughlin. Its simply an historical perspective on the role of the Priest, and its changing role in the life of the Church and Parish. Tom will be joined by myself and John O’Brien, Spiritan, who worked as a Missionary in Pakistan for over 30 years. It will not be an academic exercise, but an effort to take a practical look at the evolving role of priesthood from 40 years in the vineyard. Tom and I were ordained together on 12th June 1983. And whilst on the subject of my 40th Anniversary of Ordination, can I thank you for the many gifts and cards I received to celebrate the occasion.
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- Jun 9, 2023
A big weekend for the Eucharist. Besides our own Mass attendance, we have the first of our First Holy Communion Celebrations this Saturday at St. Joseph’s church for children from both St. Joseph’s and St. Thomas More schools. Next Saturday, the second celebration takes place in St. Godric’s church, and it will be the children from St. Godric’s school who receive Holy Communion for the first time. A big thank you to all involved. As it’s the Feast of Corpus Christi this weekend, can I invite all Ministers of the Eucharist to renew their commitment at all Masses. A special thank you to you for your great support. “Only when we recognise the rich network of connections between the Eucharist and our life in the world can the Eucharist be ‘worldly’ and our life ‘Eucharistic’ Henri Nouwen There are two more important events this week. First, our International Meal which takes place after our 11.00am Mass at St. Joseph’s this Sunday, and on Thursday afternoon, we have the SVP Summer Party for the elderly of the parish. Thanks to all involved in organising these two wonderful occasions.
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- Jun 2, 2023
‘Succession’ is a hugely popular television series and in the news of late with the departure from the series of Logan Roy, played by the great Scottish actor, Brian Cox. However, succession at parish level is impacting in a different way. Succession means being replaced with a plan. The dictionary tells us the literal meaning of the word – “a number of similar events or people that happen, exist etc., after each other.” This implies a natural course of events. Sadly, Covid, and changing times generally, tell us that it is not quite as easy as that. Numerous activities in the parish such as the Wednesday Lunch Club, Memory Café, Childen’s Liturgy, all struggle with succession – ie. there isn’t a natural replacement for roles of volunteers able to commit. I am appealing again for volunteers in every sector of parish life. I am also hoping that we can soon return to Communion under both kinds, and this will need the return of more Ministers and new volunteers. Leaders of Communion Services will also need more volunteers to ensure that we don’t lose sight of roles firmly embedded in our parish life before Covid. I would appeal to present volunteers to assist with Succession. Thanks again. We had a warm and joyous celebration of the lives of those deceased relatives and friends last Saturday. Stories shared amidst laughter and tears over tea and cake afterwards was a joy. All facilitated by our Bereavement Group, who regularly offer support to those who are grieving. A special thank you to them.
To be of Use by Marge Piercy
The people I love the best jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals bouncing like
half-submerged balls. I love people who harness themselves,
an ox to a heavy cart, who pull like water buffalo,
with massive patience, who strain in the mud and the muck
to move things forward, who do what has to be done, again
and again. I want to be with people who submerge in the task,
who go into the fields to harvest and work in a row and pass
the bags along, who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm when the food must come in or the fire be put out.
The work of the world is common as mud. Botched, it smears the hands,
crumbles to dust. But the thing worth doing well done has a shape that satisfies,
clean and evident. Greek amphoras for wine or oil, Hopi vases that held corn,
are put in museums but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real.
Marge Piercy, “To be of Use” from Circles on the Water
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