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Empowering Vulnerable Children (EVC) Uganda

We were overwhelmed by the reception we were given in St George’s and St Wilfrid’s Churches. Special thanks go to Fr Rory and all the parishioners for the very warm welcome. The amount raised to date is £647.48 with Gift Aid. We are also grateful for the interest shown in child sponsorships. The money will go directly towards our projects in Uganda and will make a real difference to the education and lives of the children. Be assured of the children’s prayers. God bless. Phil and Gordon on behalf of EVC Uganda.

Deacon John Writes

3 thoughts for the week

The Pharisees are in for a bit of stick in all three thoughts!

1. Almsgiving.  We give alms to others in order to bring glory to God. We should naturally and generously help the poor as an expression of our sharing love and in thanksgiving for the blessings we ourselves have received from God.  The Pharisees showed us how not to do it. Namely not to show our generosity to others in order to get popularity.

2) Fasting becomes pleasing to God when we do it: a) to experience what the real hunger of the poor is, b) to help the poor by giving the price of what we do not eat to feed them, c) to discipline ourselves in eating and d) to appreciate better God’s blessings of good health, and generous provision of food. Fasting solely for show, as the Pharisees did, is wrong and sinful.

3) Prayer: Prayer is opening our connection to God by talking to Him and listening to Him, convinced of His holy presence within us and around us. a) By prayer we acknowledge our dependence on God, drawing from Him our daily spiritual strength, and recharge our

spiritual batteries from God’s power. Long, noisy, repetitious prayer performed in public solely for show as the Pharisees did, is not prayer at all.

On a lighter note to end: There was to be a Baptismal party for the new baby of a soldier and his wife at their home on an Army base. Before the ceremony the chaplain took the new father aside. “Are you prepared for this solemn event?” he asked. “I guess so,” replied the soldier. “I’ve got two hams, pickles, bread, cake, cookies……” “No, no!” interrupted the chaplain. “I mean spiritually prepared!” “Well, I don’t know,” said the soldier thoughtfully. “Do you think two cases of whiskey are enough?” 

St Wilfrid’s Centenary Celebration

We are hoping to form a choir to support the congregation at the 11am Mass on the 13th August.    We shall be singing hymns and parts of the New Celtic Mass.  There will be two evening rehearsals on August 3rd and 10th to prepare for this.  You do not have to be able to read music, just love to sing.  Please contact Pat Gaglione or David Hoad at St Wilfrid’s and Shirley at St George’s for more information and any queries you may have.  We welcome your support.

Dawn Mass

Dawn Mass, Friday 24th June, Seaford Head Car Park 4.50am:  To Offer Mass for an End of War and a New Dawn of Salvation for the Church and World. 

Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist, The Dawn of Salvation.  Followed by shared breakfast (Please bring something to share).

Fr Rory Writes

“Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.  As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, neither can you unless you remain in me. John 15”.

Last Sunday on the Feast of the Holy Trinity, the readings were particularly inspiring and nourishing, it is how we continue to draw life from God.  Now we are particularly called to respond to our vocation and to give life to our world as we witnessed to God through our life in the church.  A body made up of many parts working together will experience much more life, and will bear great witness to the love of God.

After the pandemic, and with a focus and inspiration from the Synod we have a great opportunity to renew our lives, and the life of our communities.  We have made a good start, grateful for focus that Bob Waters provided, so now is an important time to make further steps together.  Two important images I continued to highlight.   In the building trade; laying a good foundation, in the gardening work; planting and sowing.  Let the building commence and let the garden grow.

As providence has it, I am away for three weeks for a necessary break.  Please God, keep me in your prayers; but it is most important that you now get on together with the proposed Parish Meeting.  This is a good opportunity.  As we plan our way ahead and focus upon the many different ministries needed to build up our celebration of Sunday Mass and to develop our communities.  The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of lay movements from the past to draw from A) Welcomers; hospitality the Knight of St Columba B) Readers; the great tradition and apostolate work of “The Legion of Mary”  C) For the ministry of the eucharist; the St Vincent de Paul for the music.  D) For the music with the cantor playing an important role, a long history and a rich tradition.

The World Meeting of Families

The World Meeting of Families – 22-26 June 2022  Pope Francis said “there is no such thing as a perfect family, there are always buts”. In his prayer intention for June, Pope Francis focused on the upcoming World Meeting of Families. He said “The family is the place where we learn to live with one another, to live with young people and with those who are older. And by being united in our differences—young people, the elderly, adults, children—we evangelize with our example of life.” He reminded us that God is always with us  “He remains with us at all times in the swaying of the boat tossed by the sea: when we argue, when we suffer, when we’re joyful, the Lord is there and accompanies us, helps us, and corrects us.” As we draw closer to the celebrations on the 10th World Meeting of families let us recall our inner sense of holiness.” Let us pray for Christian families around the world. May each and every family embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives.”  To find out more about the World meeting of families go to W: World Meeting of Families 2022 Rome – #WMOF22 (romefamily2022.com)