Foodbanks:
If you are still able to donate non-perishable food and money to the foodbanks over the coming months. There are opportunities to donate online, or our website to make this easier for people. Immediate food needs for Hailsham Foodbank are tinned tomatoes and vegetables, this will probably change week to week. For more updates visit www.hailsham.foodbank.org.uk
JOKE OF THE WEEK
A priest spied a parishioner enjoying some tasty smoked sausage on Friday during Lent — a strict no-no in the Church. The priest, being a pragmatic soul, told the man for his penance he was to bring a load of lumber to the church to help repair the roof. The man grumbled but went off to do his penance. He arrived at the church on the next Friday and proceeded to dump a huge load of sawdust into the parking lot. “What’s this?” the priest wanted to know. “I told you your penance was a load of lumber, not sawdust.” The man replied cooley, “Well, if that sausage I ate was meat, then this sawdust is lumber.
POPE FRANCIS SAID
Tonight before falling asleep think about when we will return to the street.
When we hug again, when all the shopping together will seem like a party.
Let’s think about when the coffees will return to the bar, the small talk, the photos close to each other.
We think about when it will be all a memory but normality will seem an unexpected and beautiful gift.
We will love everything that has so far seemed futile to us. Every second will be precious.
Swims at the sea, the sun until late, sunsets, toasts, laughter.
We will go back to laughing together.
Strength and courage.
Fr Rory Writes: The Bigger Picture
See and Read Psalm 91
At our last Hailsham Minister Fraternal, David Bourne led our time of prayer. It was a true Godsend, at a time in an hour of need. It was a real tonic for me, a grace and a blessing. Above all a source of inspiration for us all, through the trials that are about to afflict us. He based it on Psalm 91, and I am hoping to draw inspiration from it throughout the weeks to come.
“whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.”
As David expressed …. it’s a really beautiful Psalm and is full of re-assurance, promises of safety and victory pour out verse after verse.
But the really big question, “To whom are these promises given?” . The obvious first answer may appear to be to everyone, but that really misses the mark by a mile.
Yes, the promises remain and are genuine. But in order to avail of the fruits, then something very different is required.
Our more normal selves can be much more resistant to these promises than we would like to think. It is easier to see other people’s faults, at this time when the church is in lockdown and many of the means that we thought were guarantees to God’s favour and most acceptable to him are not open to us.
Please God, that time of prayer and teaching was a very genuine moment for me. Why was it? and why do I remain so apprehensive, so anxious, and as I have come to recognise, so vulnerable. It may be a good time for us all to address your human situation at the moment.
If you read the readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent I am sure you will notice notice that the readings make no mention of a woman. Surely the mother of the sons would have been involved in the welcome home and would certainly have been a key player in the preparations for the party. I am sure you all know that this Sunday is Mothering Sunday. Mothers, we honour you this day and every day. We thank you, and we thank God for giving you to us and for endowing you with the spirit of giving, caring, nurturing, loving, and (when necessary) letting go.
There is a prayer which is one you can say at any time, but, it is very appropriate for Mothering Sunday, while quietly giving thanks for your own mother. “God our Mother and Father, rid our hearts and minds of all feelings and attitudes which do not reflect your loving kindness. Bless all mothers. Reward them for their sacrifice and their faithfulness to your image. We thank you for our mothers and for that part of you we have received through them. Finally, we pray that you will never let us forget how much our mothers and wives have given us. We ask this, emboldened by your Holy Spirit, through Christ our Lord. Amen”
Bonus Ball:
Please be advised that the Bonus Ball will be suspended from now until further notice. Thank you.
An urgent call for prayer and support for Christians in Bethlehem has come from charities which are warning that coronavirus lockdown could plunge the faithful into desperate poverty. The Palestinian Authority has declared a state of emergency and put Bethlehem in lockdown. All tourists are banned and the Church of the Nativity and other places of worship in Bethlehem remain closed. Tourism is Bethlehem’s main industry and is the lifeline of the city’s economy with around two million visitors last year, but now the streets are empty. Please pray for all the people of Bethlehem who have been indirectly affected, those losing their jobs, for the many families who, in an already difficult and precarious situation, are now facing even greater economic and social difficulties.
St George’s Church – A big thank you to the cooks, the helpers and all who attended our two Lenten Lunches. Through your generosity, hard work, great cooking and friendship, you have raised £191.18. for your chosen charities. It is sad that we cannot carry on with the lunches, but let’s look forward with hope to next year. With love and thanks, Margaret.
Deacon John Writes:
During Lent we will hear Jesus say these words: “If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
Fr.Kenneth E Grabner wrote the following about these words: “When two people deeply love each other, they never want their love to end. I think that’s one of the best experiences we can ever have. It’s open to every one of us! It is a sign of a vibrant love, one that reaches out to heaven. It’s also a sign of the way God loves us. God desires to be with us in an intimate relationship that will grow and never end. Our resurrection is the way God brings this about. There is a sign which reads: “This life is good, but the best is yet to come.” Never forget those words. God offers us a resurrected future full of incredible beauty and joy. But then, what else would you expect a loving God to do?”
He concludes with this little prayer: “Thank you, Lord, for your incredible, unending love.”
With my love and prayers for each one of you.
St Wilfrid’s Penitential Service: Tuesday 31st March at 6pm. Please come and support our 13 First Communion Candidates as they take their First Confession. This is a very important step for them, please remember them in your prayers, and if you have not been to our Penitential Service before, it is a very interesting and moving experience – one that should be witnessed and enjoyed.
