Category: Saint George’s latest news

Sunday 23rd May at St Wilfrid’s was Confirmation Day for 2 young parishioners – Tania and Megha.  Fr Rory was given permission by our Bishop Richard, to confirm them.  Under the limited circumstances (covid) it was a truly special occasion.  The girls, dressed in long red dresses, did the readings – very clear voices and with one volunteering for reading in the future.  Amazing flowers of red and white, beautifully arranged. And of course Fr Rory looking so smart in his red vestments.  All in all a great celebration to the Holy spirit who’s feast we were celebrating.  What joy at last, we can mix together again, although limited, things are easing and we can reconnect with each other and hopefully soon to be able to get together over a cuppa in our Church Hall.  This is the thing that has been missing, socialising is a must for all.

This weekend we have Trinity Sunday which to us mortals is about something we cannot understand. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons all in one God. We call this the Holy Trinity. We know that 1+1+1=3 but in this instance 1+1+1 =1. Why do we believe it? Well – Jesus clearly taught it and it was recorded by the Evangelists. Many have tried to explain it over the years but it has been defined by the Church as something that everyone must believe – it is a part of our Christian Faith.

We start to pray with “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” and end with “Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. All the sacraments are administered in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We bless ourselves, and the priest blesses us, in the Name of the Holy Trinity.

This means that in real life, our lives, we must respect ourselves and others because everyone is the temple of the Holy Spirit where all Three Persons of the Holy Trinity live. He is the source of our hope, courage and strength, and that He is our final destination. Families should all live in love and unity  because by Baptism we become children of God and members of God’s Trinitarian family. 

St. Patrick, the missionary patron saint of Ireland, used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.  One day his friends asked Patrick to explain the Mystery of the Trinity.  He looked at the ground and saw shamrocks growing in the grass at his feet.  He picked one up one of its leaves and asked if it were one leaf or three.    Patrick’s friends couldn’t answer – the shamrock leaf looked like one but it clearly had three parts.  Patrick explained to them: “The mystery of the Holy Trinity – one God in Three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – is like this, but more complex and unintelligible.” 

Augustine wrote: “You see the Trinity, if you see love.”  According to him, the Father is the lover, the Son is the loved one and the Holy Spirit is the personification of the very act of loving.

There is this story which is really about family life. One day, while he was walking with God in the Garden of Eden Adam said, “Excuse me God, can I ask you a few questions?” God replied, “Go on Adam, but be quick.  I have a world to create.” So, Adam says, “When you created Eve, why did you make her body so curved and tender unlike mine?” “I did that, Adam, so that you could love her.” “Oh, well then, why did you give her long, shiny, beautiful hair?” “I did that Adam so that you could love her.” “Oh, well then, why did you make her so stupid?  Is that too because I should love her?” “Well, Adam, no.  I did that so that she could love you.” 

St Wilfrid’s Children’s Liturgy will restart in September: 

St Wilfrid’s First Holy Communion Introductory meeting will be in September.  If your child would like to receive their First Holy Communion 2021/2022 please email your name, child’s full name and contact details to the church email. Any queries please see Annette or Teresa.

Mary Kenward’s Funeral Service will be held at 12 noon, on Wednesday, 2nd June 2021,  at Horam Cemetery.  All parishioners are welcome to the Service and, afterwards, to The May Garland pub in Horam to celebrate Mary’s life.

This Sunday is called Pentecost Sunday.  Pentecost literally means 50th. It is a feast celebrated on the 50th day after the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus by Christians.

There were 4 important and unique events which happened on the day of Pentecost: 

1. The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary as fiery tongues.  The frightened apostles were      transformed into fiery preachers and evangelisers and were given the gift of tongues by a special anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

2. The listeners experienced a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit through the apostles’ gift of tongues: they heard Peter speaking in their native languages. 

3. The early Christians became powerful witnesses and brave martyrs for their Faith in Jesus.

The Holy Spirit plays a huge role in our lives as Christians. Some of these roles are:

1. As an indwelling God, the Holy Spirit makes us His Living Temples (I Cor 3:16). 

2. As a strengthening God, He strengthens us in our fight against temptations and in our mission of bearing witness to Christ by our transparent Christian lives.

3. As a sanctifying God, He makes us holy through the Sacraments: Through Baptism He makes us children of God and heirs of Heaven. Through Confirmation, He makes us temples of God, warriors, and defenders of the Faith. Through the Sacrament of      Reconciliation, He enables us to be reconciled with God by pardoning our sins. Through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, He gives us spiritual nourishment by converting bread and wine into Jesus’ Body. Through the Sacraments of Ordination and Marriage, He makes the Church community holy.

4. As a teaching and guiding God, He clarifies and constantly reminds us of Christ’s teachings and guides the Church in presenting Christ’s teachings correctly. 

5. As a listening and speaking God, He listens to our prayers, enables us to pray, and speaks to us, mainly through the Bible.

6. As a Giver of gifts, He gives us His gifts, fruits, and charisms, thereby enriching the Church.

2021 – A year of opportunity
An online talk with Christine Allen, Director of CAFOD
26th May at 7.30 pm, Cost £5

This year the UK will host two major international gatherings: the G7 and the Climate Conference (COP26). Christine Allen will explore ways in which these events could make a difference to our world, especially to the lives of people who live in poverty. She will reflect on the impact of COVID-19 and draw lessons for the future for our interdependence with one another and with our natural world as we seek to recover and heal after the pandemic. You can book online or T: 01428 642161

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 

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.