LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR
‘Practise what you preach’. ‘Walk it as you talk it’. These are sayings we use to highlight that words and actions in our Christian life should harmonise.
‘Love is shown in deeds, not words’ is the ending of the Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises.
This is the criticism of Jesus about some of the Pharisees: they preached intolerable burdens of the law, and did not observe it themselves, nor help anyone to do so.
We find out how to be a follower of Jesus by watching him in the gospel, by hearing his word, and by living a life of love and compassion as best we can. We learn from how to relate to others by how he does this himself.
Every religion can get lost in the visible signs of it. Titles in parish or a diocese can take over from the service requested from us. Shows of piety can lead to the self rather than to God. All in our religion should come from the life of Jesus and return to him. ‘You have one teacher, the Christ’.
Maybe today we pay tribute to the teachers among us, especially those who have taught us about our faith and guided us in the ways of faith.
Lord, teach me your ways, your truth
and guide me into your life.
NEWS FROM GAZA – A Sister at Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic parish complex – now caring for many more people following the bombing of the local Orthodox church – has made a heartfelt plea for peace. Speaking with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) by telephone, Sister Nabila said she is extremely worried. The parish has no electricity or running water and has resorted to drinking water from a well – which they fear could run dry at any time – or bottled mineral water, which costs three times its original price.
Sr Nabila expressed particular concern for around 100 traumatised children they are caring for and who have known nothing but war throughout their lives. She said: “We just want peace, peace. We have had six wars in Gaza. Children only know war”.
Holy Family parish has been providing aid and shelter to wounded and displaced Christians affected by the ongoing violence over the past two weeks – most of whom have lost their homes. Along with another six religious Sisters and a Catholic priest, Sister Nabila has been working tirelessly to support the almost 700 displaced persons that they are caring for – including 50 persons living with disabilities.
The number of those taking refuge in the Holy Family’s complex increased by around 200 after the compound of St Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church was hit by a missile that killed 18 people. Among those killed when the Greek Orthodox compound was hit was a teacher who taught at Rosary Sisters’ school, where Sister Nabila is principal, along with her entire family. Other children who had been attending parish catechesis also died. Despite the shelling, Sister Nabila remains resilient, saying that “staying busy and helping others is the best way to cope with the devastation”.
Sister Nabila told ACN that spiritual support for the people is providing hope. Mass is celebrated twice a day, and people have been constantly praying the Rosary – seeking peace through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. She concluded: “Peace, peace, we want just peace. There is so much evil, so much suffering. It’s terrible. Right now, we only have God.”
In the meantime, if people would like to give directly to FHL here are the Bank details.
A/c Name – Friends of the Holy Land, with NatWest Bank plc Sort Code 60-05-41 A/c number – 24591211
SICK & RETIRED PRIESTS’ FUND – Our second collection today will be in support of the Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund.
Thank you for your generosity and please remember to pray for our clergy, in active ministry, retired or ill.
MASS INTENTIONS – We are booking Masses for December. Please note that if you asked for an intention on a specific date and a funeral is subsequently arranged on that day, the intention will be moved to the next available date.
CHURCH CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK
Thursday 9th November The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Friday 10th November St Leo the Great
Saturday 11th November St Martin of Tours
BAPTISMS – Please ring the Parish Office on 0208 888 2390 to arrange a time to come and meet with Fr Perry.
WEDDINGS – If you are planning to get married either in St Paul’s church or elsewhere, the Diocese requires the minimum of 6 months in order for preparation and paperwork to be completed. We will be running our pre-marriage course in the new year. Please register with Fr Perry as soon as possible.
HOLY COMMUNION & ANOINTING OF THE SICK – If you become seriously ill and unable to come to Mass, please contact Fr Perry if you want to be visited at home.
CONTACTING FR PERRY – The best time to ring is between 8am – 9am Monday to Thursday. At other times, if he isn’t available you can leave a message.
Please ring the Parish Office for times to see Fr Perry. The best times to ring are
Monday to Friday between 10am – 2pm
MEDITATION – our St Paul’s meditation group meets each Wednesday evening at the Parish Centre from 7pm – 8pm. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to find out more, please contact Joan on 07956 641 685
THANK YOU FOR THE COLLECTION OF – Sunday 29th October – Total £1402.44 (Loose £556.69; Envelopes £845.75). Contactless £335.
NOVEMBER DEAD – During the month of November we pray for the Holy Souls. If you wish to write a November list, please take one of the sheets and return them in the envelops provided. Holy Mass will be offered each day during November for all those whose names are written on the November Lists. Our annual Mass for all those whose funerals took place here at St Paul’s will be on Sunday 12th November at the 12 noon Mass.
DAVID BREEN RIP – We pray for the repose of the soul of David Breen who died on 27th September. His requiem Mass is on Tuesday 21st November at 10am. May he rest in peace.
MICHAEL JOHN ELGAR NICHOLSON RIP – we pray for the repose of the soul of Michael Nicholson who died last week. We keep his family in our prayers. May he rest in peace.
WELCOME SPACE 2023/2024
The Welcome Space reopened on Wednesday 1st November and will run each Wednesday until March.
You are invited to come along to the parish hall from 12 until 3 and enjoy a warm drink, a light lunch and some great company. Do come and join us and bring your friends. If you would like to help please contact the parish office by phone or email and one of the Welcome Team will be in touch with you.
DAD’S GROUP – Before the Pandemic we had a regular meeting for Dad’s in our parish. It would be good to resume these gatherings. Any Dad’s who are interested, please have a word with Fr Perry.
PARISH SAFEGUARDING – A reminder to parents that they should accompany their children to the toilets. Before and after Masses please don’t allow your children in the school playground. It is dangerous with cars coming and going.
PARKING – Please be considerate in how you park your car in the school playground and be patient when trying to leave after Mass.
NOTE TO ALL PARISHIONERS – The climbing frame in the playground of St Paul’s School is OUT OF ORDER and awaiting repair (extremely dangerous). NO children are allowed to use the climbing frame. The school cannot be liable for any accidents or injuries that occur outside of school hours. Thanking you for your co-operation.
POPES INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER – For the Pope – We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfills his mission, may he continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
| PARISH DIARY Sunday 5th Nov Refreshments after 10am Mass Tuesday 7th Nov Refreshments after 9:30am Mass + Church Cleaning 7pm ALPHA Wednesday 8th Nov 12 noon to 3pm Welcome Space 7pm Meditation Group 7:30pm First Holy CommunionParents | Friday 10th Nov 10am ASCENT Group Saturday 11th Nov 10am First Holy Communion Sunday 12th Nov Refreshments after 10am Mass NEXT SUNDAY 12TH NOVEMBER IS THE 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1st Reading Wisdom 6:12-16 2nd Reading 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Gospel Matthew 25:1-13 |