FROM THE PARISH PRIEST
The wonderful celebration of the solemnity of The Ascension seems to give us a ‘soft herald’ of the impending feast of Pentecost where we are promised, by Christ, that he will not leave us orphans and that he will send us the Paraclete to be with us and all the associated gifts that he brings. The Apostles needed this dramatic event to give them strength, awe, fortitude and courage, to embark on their mission to all corners of the earth. They were gaoled, beaten, stoned and mocked yet, through the grace of Pentecost, they clung on and baptised thousands of people, converted whole communities and lands and changed whole nations to convert and believe in the peace of Christ. All, except John, were martyred for the faith and were the forerunners of the many, many martyrs over the centuries – plenty were martyred in this country and continue to be martyred in other countries even today. Just imagine if Christ had not sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen those Apostles or if they had ignored him and continued with their comfortable, safe lives. This is a good time to look at our own lives. Is it too safe? Too comfortable? What do I do that is different, that makes me Catholic? How have I used the gifts that were bestowed upon me when I was Confirmed? Am I a true disciple of Christ? Next Sunday, as we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, I encourage you to wear an item of clothing that is red so that our church looks as if it is full of the flames of Pentecost during Mass. In the meantime, think about your own gifts and the way that you use them to tell the Gospel to the world.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Celia Cooper, Margaret Larkins, Maria Halsey, Joan Macnamara, Richard Skelton, Teresa Fitzmaurice, Bernadette Saunders, Doreen Rockey & daughter Sandra, Pam Thornton, Mary Long, Malcolm Akers, Frances Mack, Amy Heywood & Peter, Cathie Dickson, Carolyn Rayner and her mother Mary Rayner and Alan Ganney.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Jean Graydon-Carter, Mary Sparks, Win Armes, Rosemary Walmsley, Teresa Gray, Christoper Smith.May they rest in peace
