Newsletter- 29th Week of Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners
‘Pray always and do not lose heart!’ Today’s readings at Mass speak about prayer, faith, and trusting in God’s help. Something each of us needs I feel sure to remember at times in our lives when things are hard or we feal overwhelmed, despondent or a ‘little at sea’. The readings urge each of us to stay in close relationship with God, who always listens to us and who always wants the best for us. God understands all our needs, and His great love for us will bare us gently forward into the future, whatever the future may hold in store for us.
The First Reading tells how the Amalekites are defeated through Moses’s prayer for his people. His raised hands, supported by others in his community, symbolise dependence on God, so that faith and perseverance may be rewarded. This is echoed in Jesus’s parable of the widow, who persists in seeking justice from the unrighteous judge (Gospel). Aware how easy it can be for us to lose heart, Jesus wants us to be like the widow and persevere in our own prayer, trusting deeply that God hears us; confident that every prayer we offer is always heard, even if the response is not immediate. God is always faithful, and we can always depend upon him for guidance and support. The Responsorial Psalm is one of trust, hope and praise reflecting the Lord’s constant care. He guards us, always protecting and watching over us. St. Paul (Second Reading) tells us to stay rooted in the wisdom and guidance of the Scriptures, which are inspired by God.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, we continue to pray for peace and justice in the world. Let us ask that the Holy Spirit will guide our prayers, and that we may be given the strength to persist when times are hard and when we are tempted to become despondent or to lose heart. Let us allow God who is the source of all Love to take control of our hearts and our lives, that we may we know His presence close beside us when we are worried or afraid and as we enter a new week and face all the challenges this coming week may bring.
Today we keep World Mission Sunday and we will be having a 2nd Collection at all the weekend Masses. On this day the whole Church unites in prayer for its missionary activity, and in collecting funds to support Catholic communities across the world living in situations of grave poverty and privation.
Looking ahead to November: Month of the Holy Souls – on Monday 3rd November – All Souls’ – at 6.45 pm, we will celebrate a Requiem Mass to commemorate All the Faithful Departed. There will be a period of Exposition at 6 pm, as we pray for our own dear dead before the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with Benediction at 6.30 pm. The November Dead List Envelopes, and printed sheets for writing the names of deceased family members and friends to be included in the envelope with a donation are now available in the entrance as you come into church. Your completed envelopes can either be given to me or dropped through the letter box of the Rectory. The names of your deceased will then be placed in a basket close to the Altar throughout the month of November, after which I will divide the names up into special Masses for the intentions of ‘The Holy Souls – November Dead List.’ These Masses will be offered by me throughout the year. On Sunday 9th November, at 2 pm – Blessing of Graves – I invite you to come and join in a simple liturgy of prayer and intercession for the dead as we bless the Catholic graves with holy water in our local cemetery. Please meet promptly at 2 pm by the stone archway as you enter the main cemetery gates.
With my prayers for you and for your families during the coming week ahead,
Your Parish Priest and friend,
Fr Jonathan
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