Category: Saint George’s latest news

Fr Rory Writes:                                                                               

After the passion and death of Jesus; there was a time of great apprehension, anxiety and fear.  The first words concerning the Resurrection were unclear and very fragmented.  This too is a time of great apprehension; what will happen next to get us out of our situation, is for the time being very unclear.

Returning to scriptures, the early account of the resurrection can be very helpful to us for the coming weeks.  The word has gone from the tomb; Jesus is Risen from the dead.  Peter gives an example at a time of crisis.  He has returned to the day job of fishing         (maybe not open to us at the moment). 

In fact, they fished all night and caught nothing.  Then they were truly blessed – it must be appropriate that at this time we ask a blessing that our faith be revitalised.  Jesus appears to them and instructs them to go out again.  They make a great catch of fish.

The church gives forty days to this truly important time when we celebrate the Ascension.  Please God, these days will be valuable to us, leading us and preparing us for the most powerful and necessary event of all – The Feast of Pentecost.  Up until this time the apostles and the other disciples were very much at odds with life and getting nowhere.  But after Pentecost they are a new force.

Over forty years ago I had; maybe as now, a short sabbatical.  At that time the charismatic movement, role of the laity, ministries, marriage encounter, Taizé etc. were promising opportunities.  But unfortunately, beginning with a real desire for a new Pentecost, and being prepared to be more committed to a life of faith; was not a sufficient priority and so the opportunity was lost.

More than anything we must desire and pray for a new Pentecost.  Hopefully the coronavirus will sow fresh seeds.  The depth of love that is expressed for those who serve, please God, will go on in a church that serves.  Let us cry out to high heavens for a new generation.  For a while now we have been blessed in our parish by having a nucleus giving this their attention.

Please God, that it may grow out to be a fresh stream of life.  It is only through a new Pentecost that this can happen, and now is the time for prayer, for hope and for trust, that like the early disciples we may be prepared by the Holy Spirit to begin again.  Let us continue to pray for a new Pentecost, this may happen.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Charlie Chaplin, an English comic actor, helped to write a song called “Smile”.
Among the lines are these: You’ll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.

Churches Together in Cornwall have asked that all Christians join together in praying the Lord’s Prayer at 11.00 am each Sunday throughout the crisis.  I think it is a lovely thing to do, and somehow enhances and deepens the clapping for the NHS every Thursday.  Please do join the prayer chain if you can.

Thank you:  to everyone who is continuing to contribute to the church, this is very much appreciated at this difficult time.  All monies received will be banked when we are able to resume life.

EASTER GREETINGS TO YOU ALL.

The Triduum- three of the most Holy days- Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Holy Thursday is a glorious Feast Day on which we celebrate the Eucharist, express our gratitude for our ministries and is the day for foot washing. Of course foot washing is only the start. There are other similar examples in the scriptures: how Jesus cried on hearing of the death of his friend Lazarus, how he blessed children when tired, how he witnessed forgiveness in everyday life. in the Gospel for today Jesus said “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should do also.” Let us remember this as we manage our lives in this present time of our struggle with our daily lives and try to become a living Eucharist so as to be like him, making our lives a gift, grace and blessing.

Why do we call Good Friday Good, after all it is the day Jesus was treated as a criminal and tortured and crucified. It has been called Good Friday for centuries. Possibly it was originally called God’s Friday implying that it was a very sacred day. It may have been given the name Good as the crucifixion led to the resurrection and salvation of the world. A Scripture professor said “When we look at Jesus hanging on the cross we should say not only ‘Look how much he suffered’, but, more importantly, ‘Look how much he loved.’” We should surely be asking ourselves every day, not just on Good Friday, how we can make this day good through my Christ-like love for others?

On Holy Saturday we hear that those who followed Jesus became fearful after the loss of their friend and teacher through the crucifixion. Much of that fear is surrounding us today as we think about the virus that is in our world at present. It is a negative influence on our lives as we forget that we have the risen Christ to help us endure whatever comes our way. He is “hiding in plain sight”, waiting for us to look for him. He is always there. We have only to turn our heads to find him standing next to us, bringing peace to all who seek him. The next day, Easter Sunday, we know that Jesus is risen and he has conquered sin and death for ever. So my message for Easter is that whatever trial may be afflicting you, be assured Jesus is risen! It is not fake news, it is the real news, and it is Good News!

May God give you gladness by his blessing. May he make you heirs to an eternal inheritance. May the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit come down on you all and remain with you for ever.

Fr Rory and Deacon John

Deacon John Writes:                                                                                 

Well, Easter has arrived. We should remember that Easter is not a one day wonder! Easter is a whole season and we are an Easter people! Alleluia. Alleluia. In these disturbing times we may well have some extra time on our hands but they need not be idle hands. We may feel the weight of the world upon us but we have Scripture to help us and there are a variety of resources on offer through radio, television and the internet. This last week, for instance, Tessa and I enjoyed watching Joseph and his Technicolour Dream Coat on the internet. This was put on as a special due to the virus and there are many other ‘specials’ there for us. I know there are daily masses on the internet from Sacred Heart Church, Hove and from St. Mary of the Angels in Worthing. Various radio stations carry Sunday Mass from Ireland. We can all remember that, no matter what the trials of this virus bring to us, Jesus secured victory for us and we must live our lives with Easter joy in our hearts and deepen our relationship with God and with one another. Alleluia! Happy Eastertide to you all.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers.  The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone.  An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and order three more.  This happens yet again.

The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times.  Soon the entire town is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers.  Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town.  “I don’t mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?”  “Tis odd, isn’t it?” the man replies, “you see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia.  We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond.”  The bartender and the whole town was pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet, even to the extent that out-of-towners would come to watch him drink.  Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers.  The bartender pours them with a heavy heart.  This continues for the rest of the evening – he orders only two beers.  The word flies around town.  Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers.  The next day, the bartender says to the man, “Folks around here , me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your Brother.  You know-the two beers and all…..” The man ponders this for a moment, then replies, “You’ll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well…… It’s just that I, myself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent.”

Fr Rory Writes:                                                                               

Psalm 91 continued….. On Our Way

              He will cover you with his feathers,

              and under his wings you will find refuge;

              His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

              You will not fear the terror of night,

              nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Recently we hear a lot about signs and disturbances.  Some churches give them a lot of attention and with lots of events, plagues of locusts in Africa, our own Corona Virus,  with oceans of evidence of global warming, it is important to stay focused. 

God is my safe place; God is our safe place.

Yes, it is important that we take care of our health.  To this end, trips to the gym and any array of medicine and other activities can be conducive to good health.  So many other activities add to the cares of our lives, that we can lose sight of what is most important.  In the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24, even with all the signs Jesus councils us:  the end is not so soon and that no one knows, only The Father in heaven, when this will come to pass.  It is for us to remain focused upon Jesus.  The more we come to rely upon Him this will influence our response to this crisis.    

Isolation will bring a lot of suffering, and a very special place in our prayers must be for those in very difficult situations, with mental health, and other social issues.  Prayers also for families with small children, confined to very small and inadequate space for homes. 

Pray constantly and never lose heart, and because I am speaking to the converted, grace and peace be with you at this time:

But the last words belong to the distressed and those greatly afflicted, Jesus be with them in their hour of need.  As you were consoled in the Garden of Gethsemane, send your Holy Angels to watch over them that none may be lost and all will be saved.

St Wilfrid’s Children’s Liturgy – Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus we are unable to meet until Masses are resumed and so we are making lessons available online through items that you can read and lesson activities you can do at home.  If your children would like to show their work to the rest of the congregation who view the site from their homes, if you could email a copy to Sophie at [email protected] .   Please visit our Church Website at https://saintsgeorgeandwilfrid.co.uk/

The Rosary:

The Rosary will be said every Monday at 2.30pm.  Please join us in saying the rosary from your own homes to help us all stay connected.