Newsletter

Dear Friends, It’s great to be in the parish again this year (my fourth year doing this), whilst Fr James takes a well-deserved break. Firstly, it’s pleasing to see that England is getting a little better at cricket (thanks to an Aussie coach),……. Valiant effort this year, BUT we’ve still got the Ashes!! My mother’s grandfather was born and baptised in 1853 at Woodbastwick, … [Read more...] about Newsletter 22.09.19.

Dear Friends, In today’s Gospel St Luke addresses the tensions in the early Church. Some in the brotherhood had problems mixing with converts with a pagan background and did not accept them as true Christians. Luke is saying that any kind of exclusion or intolerance is not in line with gospel teaching. Each year the Church in England and Wales celebrates Home Mission … [Read more...] about Newsletter 15.09.19.

Dear Friends, Today’s Gospel contains the call to radical renunciation: the giving up of possessions, family and personal ambition. How are we to understand this? To this day some take the call literally - members of religious orders who give a powerful witness through their vow of poverty. For us it is more about an attitude of mind whereby we put the Lord at the centre of … [Read more...] about Newsletter 08.09.19.

Dear Friends, Today’s second reading presents a wonderful picture of the heavenly Jerusalem with the angels and the whole church gathered in worship and praise. As members of the Body of Christ we already have our place in the heavenly liturgy. This weekend there is an appeal for Survive-Miva. This is a Catholic lay association. Its aim is to provide transport for the … [Read more...] about Newsletter 01.09.19.

Dear Friends, Jesus does not promise a quiet life to those who choose to follow the one who speaks the truth of God: discipleship can bring hardship and division. The Christian call is not based on an ’easy ride’, it is based on recognising in Christ our true destiny regardless of what that entails. Christians do not opt out of life and its struggles, rather they recognise … [Read more...] about Newsletter 18.08.19.