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Smarties – thank you to all the children who saved their pennies during Lent in their Smartie tubes.  The money raised was for us to buy something for Chestnut Tree House.  This could buy arts and craft materials, Lego or games, but we want to know what the children would like to buy so please ask them to vote for their preferred purchase and text the choice to Sandra on 07791627368. 

We have heard a lot about ‘LOVE’ in the readings this Eastertide. This coming Sunday, the last before the great feast of Pentecost, is no exception. The love of God is not easy to explain to children since they are not able to see it for themselves. Yes, we tell them stories about Jesus and take them to Mass but the concept of believing in something they cannot see can be very difficult. However, we do try to give them something they can see – we give unstintingly of our love which has no conditions attached, and is always there for them to see and feel. This is how children learn what love is. This week let us imagine God whispering to each one of us “I will always love you and have always done so. I know you by your name so take courage, trust me to guide you along the path of love. Love for me and for all you meet.” Always remember that Jesus prayed for us, loved us and hoped that we will be one with him and live in God’s love. We, too, can pray for His love and that we will never fail or forget Him. Let us all think and do like St. Peter did when he said to Jesus, face to face, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

So, every day, there is something we can all do: Tell him in your prayers 

Continued….

The Tenth Station:  Jesus appoints Peter head of the church.

With the appointment of Peter, an uneducated fisherman, His work on earth is done.  With Peter at its head He commissions the church to carry out His work.  His mandate is clear “good trees bear good fruit, and by your fruits you shall know them”.  There is no magic Formula, and throughout the years there is a very mixed outcome.  So the commission given to the church will be the constant challenge until the fulness of time.  Again there is no magic.

“We love you Lord Jesus and we trust in you”

At the beginning of the first lockdown the divine office was a help and an inspiration to me, summed up in the hymns from Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal.

Come, Holy Spirit, live in us

With God the Father and the Son,

And grant us your abundant grace

To sanctify and make us one.

The Eleventh Station:  The risen Lord sends the disciples to evangelise all nations.

As His mission draws near to its end, Jesus makes it very clear that it is good for us that he should go.  John 16. 7.  “Yet you are sad at heart  because I have told you this, still I must tell you the truth:  It is for your own good that I am going because unless I go, the advocate will not come to you”.

We are very much like the early disciples, a work in progress and some would say without much success.  The question of vocations to the priesthood at this time and the great call of the Second Vatican Council leaves us if we are sincere “calling out for the Holy Spirit to come and refresh us, and the hierarchy.  From the second verse of the Hymn:

May mind and tongue made strong in love

Your praise throughout the world proclaim,

And make that love within our hearts

Set fire to others with its flame.

The Twelfth Station:  Jesus ascends into heaven to return at the end of time.

On His way Jesus said to them “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power from the Holy Spirit when He comes on you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth”.  Truly it is a time to be open to, indeed to implore the Holy Spirit to transform our lives.

Most blessed Trinity of love,

For whom the hearts of man was made,

To you be praise in timeless song,

And everlasting homage paid.

Let us really look forward with hope and confidence.  Next Sunday we will have two of our young parishioners celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation and please God, on Sunday 11th July at St George’s Church and Sunday 18th July at St Wilfrid’s Church we will have celebrations for our return to life in our parish.

Alleluia, Alleluia

Give thanks to the risen Lord

Alleluia, Alleluia

Give praise to his name.

Fundraiser for Pax Christi:
In the week from 15 to 21 May, Pax Christi, the Catholic Peace organisation, will be trying to raise funds to make up for lost income due to Covid19. Fausta is having a dance-a-thon, Bruce is delivering a peace message to foreign embassies in London, Matt is cycling 50 miles visiting peace sites, Pat is going on a walk from Victoria to the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park, Rachel will be cycling for 75 miles, to celebrate Pax Christi’s 75th anniversary. More fundraisers are joining the fun.
Please go to their website www.paxchristi.org.uk/register-you-interest/  for details on how you can sponsor them.

Confirmation – Plans are currently underway to prepare Catechists to undertake Confirmation instruction for children, who will be in year 10 and above, and wish to take the Sacrament in 2022.  More details to follow once a programme has been fully planed by the Catechists and Children’s Liturgy team. 

St George’s First Holy Communion – We are delighted to confirm that on 27^th June three of our children will share Communion for the first time at St George’s Church.  We hope to be able to welcome as many parishioners as possible to attend this service, priority will be given to the families’ guests, but there will be space for others. If you wish to attend please contact Margaret Piegrome or Sandra King.  Please keep the children and their families in your prayers at this very special time in their Faith Journey.

St George’s Children’s Liturgy:  We are delighted that Children’s Liturgy has now returned bi-weekly in St George’s Hall.  The dates we will be in session are as follows: 9^th May, when we will discuss the day’s Gospel with the children, when we hope to make a crown of flowers and Crown Our Lady’s Statue in the memorial garden; other dates  –  23^rd May, 6^th June, and 20^th June.  We may return to weekly from July but will be guided by the Covid-19 changes.   All children are welcome to the sessions but you must book in advance by contacting Sandra by email at [email protected] or phone 07791 627368. 

Introduction: Today in America they thank their mothers, pray for them, and honour them by celebrating Mother’s Day offering our mothers on the altar of God.

Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948) first suggested the national observance of an annual day honouring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis gave a carnation (her mother’s favourite flower), to each person who attended. Within the next few years, the idea of a day to honour mothers gained popularity, and Mother’s Day was observed in a number of large cities in the U.S. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. He established the day as a time for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” By then it had become customary to wear white carnations to honour departed mothers and red to honour the living, a custom that continues to this day. Proverbs 31:10-31 offers us God’s description and estimation of what a godly wife and mother looks like.

This is a day to admit gratefully the fact that none of us is able to return, in the same measure, all the love that our mothers have given us. Their influence on their children is so great that it affects the children throughout their lives. Our mothers not only gave us birth but nursed us, nurtured us, trained us in their religious beliefs and practices, taught us good manners and ideal behaviour, disciplined us as best as they could, and made us good citizens of our country, our Church, and our society. There is a beautiful Spanish proverb: “An ounce of mother is better than a pound of clergy.” Hence, it is highly proper for us to express our love and gratitude to our mothers by our presence (if possible), gifts, and prayers on Mother’s Day. We offer this Eucharistic celebration on Mother’s Day for all the mothers in our congregation, whether they are alive here or have gone for their eternal reward.   The word “Mom” is synonymous with sacrificial, agápelove in its purest form, as commanded by Jesus in his farewell speech:   “Love one another as I have loved you.” Hence, let us lavish our love on our mothers and express our gratitude for them in the form of fervent prayers offered for them before God.

Remember that a Christian has two mothers: On Mother’s Day, let us acknowledge the truth that we have two mothers: our earthly mother and our Heavenly Mother, the Mother of Jesus. The Catholic Church proclaims the great nobility of the Mother of Jesus, Mary most holy, and presents her as the supreme model for all mothers. On this Mother’s Day, presenting all mothers on the altar, let us sing the beautiful song we sing on the Feast of the Presentation, “Gentle woman, peaceful dove, teach us wisdom, teach us love.” Let us show our love and appreciation for both of our mothers and let us ask our Heavenly Mother to take care of our earthly mothers. We need to be persons for others, sacrificing out time, talents, and lives for them as our mothers are now or have been.

Ascension Day Mass:  Thursday, 13th May – at St George’s & St Wilfrid’s, The Ascension of our Lord both at 10.00am.  Booking is still essential, so please contact Margaret on 870990, [email protected]. to book for St George’s.  For St Wilfrid’s please either book online through our website or contact Jackie on 841504.  Thank you.  We look forward to worshipping  with you on this important day in the church’s calendar – remember to spread the good news to all our parishioners.

St George’s and St Wilfrid’ Churches –  two communities, one parish. As we move out of lockdown and look towards the future, we can anticipate sharing events and news once more. This has not been possible for many months, because of staying at home, social distancing  – designed to beat the virus that has ravaged the world.  Father Rory has worked unstintingly to maintain the status quo in both churches and now there is a chance for us to thank him, by re-forging the links that tie us.  There is talk of post-lockdown           gatherings, to remember those who sadly have died, to praise the Lord for the miracle of vaccination, whilst enjoying food and drink   together. Let us unite in prayer and praise as one parish in appreciation of our Readers, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, Stewards and all have who have worked through the pandemic, with the constant support of Father Rory.