Newsletter 6th February 2010
Feb 5th, 2010 | By pat | Category: NewsletterDear Friends
Next week our house groups start up again. The theme is Living as One and the books for individual reflection and for group use will be available next week at £1 each. They will focus on the Church, one and holy, catholic and apostolic. Week One of the Lenten booklet will consider who it is that we are called to live in communion with. Then, having asked how we are to live in communion (Week Two), we will explore what is meant when we describe the Church as one and holy (Week Three), catholic (Week Four) and apostolic (Week Five). Finally, in Week Six, we will look to Mary, Mother of the Church and exemplary model of what it is to live in communion with God and man. Why don’t you become part of a group? Contact Judy at judyannmasters@rcdow.org.uk or on 079444 900 72.
The pope has been in the news this week in relation to the UK. This is what he said.
“Your country is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society. Yet as you have rightly pointed out, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs. In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed.
I urge you as Pastors to ensure that the Church’s moral teaching be always presented in its entirety and convincingly defended. Fidelity to the Gospel in no way restricts the freedom of others – on the contrary, it serves their freedom by offering them the truth. Continue to insist upon your right to participate in national debate through respectful dialogue with other elements in society. In doing so, you are not only maintaining long-standing British traditions of freedom of expression and honest exchange of opinion, but you are actually giving voice to the convictions of many people who lack the means to express them: when so many of the population claim to be Christian, how could anyone dispute the Gospel’s right to be heard?
If the full saving message of Christ is to be presented effectively and convincingly to the world, the Catholic community in your country needs to speak with a united voice. This requires not only you, the Bishops, but also priests, teachers, catechists, writers – in short all who are engaged in the task of communicating the Gospel – to be attentive to the promptings of the Spirit, who guides the whole Church into the truth, gathers her into unity and inspires her with missionary zeal.
Make it your concern, then, to draw on the considerable gifts of the lay faithful in England and Wales and see that they are equipped to hand on the faith to new generations comprehensively, accurately, and with a keen awareness that in so doing they are playing their part in the Church’s mission. In a social milieu that encourages the expression of a variety of opinions on every question that arises, it is important to recognize dissent for what it is, and not to mistake it for a mature contribution to a balanced and wide-ranging debate.
Gay campaigner Peter Tatchell said the Pope’s comments were a “coded attack on the legal rights granted to women and gay people”.
“His ill-informed claim that our equality laws undermine religious freedom suggests that he supports the right of churches to discriminate in accordance with their religious ethos,” he said. “He seems to be defending discrimination by religious institutions and demanding that they should be above the law.”
The National Secular Society said it is mounting a protest campaign made up of gay groups, victims of clerical abuse, feminists, family planning organisations and groups supporting abortion choice, among others.
Speaking on the Today programme, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, said the Pope’s words would resonate with many people who felt “uneasy” about the consequences of recent legislation.
He said religious belief and practice had been driven into “the sphere of the private only”, and the Pope wanted to express the “unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities”.
The Archbishop said: “He’s not getting engaged in party politics… but he wants his reasoned voice – formed by the treasures of the Christian heritage which is deeply embedded in our culture – to be heard.” Catholic MP Ann Widdecombe said: “This isn’t a debate about homosexuality, this is a debate about religious freedom.”
Last Sunday’s Collection came to £1186.32
The week before it was £1195.72. The January Standing Orders came to £3915.55 Thank you all
Getting Married?
The next PreMarriage Course for couples marrying within the next 12 months will be 3 sessions in May – Mon 17th, Fri 21st and Mon 24th. To book a place on this contact Fr Pat for booking form.
Are you celebrating 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th 60th
Anniversary of Marriage this year? Archbishop Vincent invites you both to a special Mass of Thanksgiving in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 22nd May at 3.00pm. Please let Fr Pat have your names and contact details so that an invitation can be sent to you.
Please pray for Brian Gilshenan age 87 of St George’s Nursing Home whose Funeral Mass will be at 10am on Wednesday 10th Feb and Eileen Collins age 95 of Malcolmson House Tachbrook Estate whose Funeral Mass will be at 12 noon on Mon 15th Feb. and David Millar age 96 of Peabody Avenue whose funeral Mass will be Tuesday 16th Feb at 10.00am and Vincent Groden age 73 of Kent House Tachbrook Estate whose funeral Mass will be on Wed 17th Feb. May They Rest in Peace.
Readers Training Day next Saturday 13th February in the Parish Hall from 10 till 1.00pm.
Day for Dads (there will be one for mums later). This will be at Allen Hall Seminary 28 Beaufort Street SW3 (just leading onto Battersea Bridge) from 9.45am till 4.00pm on Sunday 28th February. More details from Fr Pat. Please get in your booking as soon as you know you want to take part
- get it from Fr Pat onPimlico@rcdow.org.uk
St James the Less, Open Door Meal, will need volunteers on 11 and 25 Fenruary. Help one hour or more. Contact Jerry Kearns 01763 246 110.
Sim Card found in Church– contact Fr Pat
Small House Groups Living as One start the week of 15 Feb. Sign up in the Porch for those not yet enrolled. Come explore contemporary Christian issues, get to know the Community in a relaxed informal enviorment. Various Days and Times. Call Judy 020 7834 6965.
Our Lenten Initiative LiveSimply starts again with Ash Wednesday. Look out for Posters with the theme for each week. Collection Boxes will be at back of church.
UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS’ MEETING
Next meeting of the Union of Catholic Mothers this Thurs, Feb 11th at 7PM in the White Room. we hope to have a brain-storming session to come up with ideas on the way forward for our group for the rest of the year. We will also discuss CRB vetting which enables one to look after children and help out at school and in the Parish. Catherine MacGillivray of the Diocese of Westminster will talk to us about the vetting scheme, how it works and how to go through it. New members welcome. Contact Nicol at Nicoldynes@aol.com or 07774581159 – or just come along on Thursday!
Domestic Position Kensington – full time – live out – long term – family with 3 children (taken care of by Nanny). Must speak English – good character – non smoking –mlegal – references. Professional Domestic only, no students. Call 0785 843 0058
Mass and Anointing of the Sick Sat 13th Feb at
Westminster Cathedral. If you are sick and want
to be anointed please give Fr Pat your name and contact details in an envelope for the Cathedral.
Westminster Cathedral – Assistant to the Sub Administrator (internship) – See Advert in the Porch Starting Sept 2010.This 1 year role would suit a gap year student, looking to gain experience and grow his CV with an internship. The intern will live and work in the Cathedral Clergy House with the Cathedral Chaplains. approx 35 – 40 hours per week (flexible) Allowance: an allowance of £84 per week be paid plus full board and lodgings Closing date: 30 April 2010
Sothwark Notre Dame Association is holding its Annual General Meeting on Sun 7th March from 10am till 5pm. The day includes both Social and Spiritual Activities and will be held in the school at St george’s Rd SE1. All former pupils and staff of Southwark or other Notre Dame de Namur schools are welcome to . Further details from 01322 553 850 0r 01992 814 717 before 28th Feb.
Pimlico Playtots – Tuesdays Setup/cleanup volunteer(s) needed urgently. Playgroup time has changed: Setup 9:30, Open at 10:15, Clean-up 11:15, Sing-along 11:20 – 11:30
A Lenten Preparation – A Day Retreat
Given by Pere Martin Sabathe csj – Saturday 20th Feb – 9.30 a.m. Mass 10.00 Registration
10.30 First Talk 11.30 Coffee
12.00 noon Second Talk 1.00 p.m. Lunch
2.00 Third Talk 3.00 Adoration
4.00 Tea 5.00 Final Talk
Contact Julian 020 7735 4866
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Wed from after the 9.30am Mass till 1.00pm. – also Saturdays from 5.00pm till 5.45.
Free Lending Library is now located at the back of the church in the end confessional. BOOKS* VIDEOs* DVDs Any donations to Priest House.
Eucharistic Ministers Training Day
There will be a training day for all Eucharistic Ministers old and new on Saturday 6th March from 10am – 1.00pm here in the Parish Hall – led by Fr John Hemer MHM – Professor of Scripture
