25th October 2009
THIS SUNDAY: All of Jesus’ miracles can be read in many different ways: there is always a message – almost a parable – behind each one, that tells us something about God, about his care for his people, about Jesus and about the promises God has made to us, his children. Today is no excep¬tion: on the simplest level, we see Jesus offering the greatest gift he could give to Bartimaeus the gift of sight. It shows us Jesus’ love and care for those who suffer. But that alone is not the whole meaning of this story, as the first reading makes clear: there, through Jeremiah, God promises to gather his children into a new and perfect Kingdom, washing away the tears and restoring comfort. So Jesus appears as a fulfilment of this prophecy, as the One who brings this Kingdom into the world. But it doesn’t end there: in our own age we still have the blind, and those who suffer: there are still tears to be washed away – Jesus’ work is begun, but not completed. God’s promises extend to us as well. As followers of Jesus, we should imitate him in doing what we can to bring that comfort which is the Kingdom of God to all in need.
MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY: As we journey towards the end of the month of October, so we journey through the remaining week of the month of the Holy Rosary. Each weekday after the morning Mass we will recite one decade. Do use the rosary in our lives of prayer and journey through the mysteries of the Lord’s life knowing that we walk that journey accompanied by his mother. The Rosary offers us the confidence of Mary’s presence and her prayers; a confidence in knowing that she is praying with us and for us, making our intentions her own.
YEAR FOR PRIESTS: The next Day of Prayer takes place on Friday 6th November. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed after the 9.30am Mass until Evening Prayer at 6.00pm. Please do, once again, sign up for one of the half hour slots to ensure that there is someone in the Church throughout the day. This is a chance to pray for the priests of our Diocese. Do please be generous with the time and prayer you offer.
READERS GATHERING: A session for all our readers takes place on Saturday 21st November from 11.00am. There’s plenty of warning, so please do make sure that date is in your diaries. Our readers only come together once a year and so it makes it all the more important that all our readers make use of this opportunity. Doreen Wyatt from the Diocesan Liturgical Department will lead the first part of the morning.
APF: The annual Mission Mass will be celebrated this year on Friday 30th October at St. Augustine’s, Downend, at 7.30pm. Mass is followed by a short film showing some of the work supported by the APF in Africa. Everyone is welcome, especially those who signed up as members in last week’s appeal.
200 CLUB GRAND DRAW: We are approaching the end of the 200 Club’s year (Dec – Nov). Collette will be contacting all current members inviting them to renew their membership for the next twelve months. The subscription costs £12 for the year and this could reap a harvest through one of the ten £25 monthly draws or a chance of snatching that big prize in one of the two Grand Draws that take place (May & Nov). Half of your subscription goes to support the parish whilst the other half is given out throughout the year in our prizes. The November Grand Draw will take place during the Fish & Chip Supper and Quiz Night taking place on 5th December (albeit a little delayed) beginning at 7.30pm in the Hall. Do put the dates in your diaries and keep it free. This is an evening for all the family – so the more, the merrier. Renewal notices will be sent out over the next couple of weeks. Please do consider renewing your 200 Club membership. Your contribution and membership is much appreciated and valued.
FIRST COMMUNION 2010: Those parents with children in present year 3 with children due to make their First Communion next June are invited along to a get together on Tuesday 24th November at 7.00pm in the Church. This will be an information and registration meeting, so please do come along if this involves one of your children.
NOVEMBER MASSES: The list of Masses for the month of the Holy Souls is on the board in the Narthex for you to allocate a particular mass during that month for those who have died in your families or among your loved ones. If you want to make an offering for the mass, please indicate on the envelope the intention and the date you have requested. You can let FrC have the intention by leaving it in the sacristy clearly marked.
ALL SAINTS: The feast of All Saints takes place next Sunday (1st November) replacing the Thirty First Sunday of the Year. If you are reading next weekend, just be aware that the readings will be of the Feast.
COMMEMORATION OF ALL SOULS: Monday week sees us celebrate All Souls as we begin the month of prayers for the Holy Souls. There will be two Masses next Monday – the usual 9.00am and then one at 7.00pm. It is important that we keep the dead in our prayers. Our prayers for them remind them of our continued love and encouragement as they journey home to be with God.
PARISH MAGAZINE: the next edition should be ready in time for next weekend. Keep your eyes on the table in the narthex and pick up your copy to take away with you.
PRIESTS JUBILEE DAY: This annual event in the life of our Diocese takes place this coming Tuesday at our Cathedral in Clifton at 11.30am. Bishop Declan warmly extends an invitation to the people of our Diocese to come and join those who are celebrating priestly jubilees this year. The priests celebrating this year are:
Diamond – Father Tom Lane, Canon Edmund Murphy: Golden – Father Pat O’Donovan, Canon Vincent Ryan: Ruby – Canon Michael Fitzpatrick, Canon Thomas Atthill: Silver – Father Michael McAndrew, Father Frank Norbury. In this Year for Priests, we keep our jubilarians most especially in our prayers.
A BIG THANK YOU to Alyson and Geraldine for the mighty work they put into making last Saturday’s Dinner & Dance such a memorable and entertaining event. Thanks to those who did a turn in the parish talent spot, too. A hearty thank you, also, to all those who came to support. A good night was had by all.
ADVENT 2009: Frighteningly so, it is only four weeks until we begin the season of Advent. Next Sunday’s newsletter will give details about how we might mark this important season of preparation at home, in our families as well as in our parish.
