Weekdays of Christmas Time
Thursday 5 January 2023
Tomorrow is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord and a Holyday of Obligation. Masses
Thursday
7.00 pm Vigil Mass at St Oswald’s
Friday
9.15 am School Mass at St Oswald’s (in church)
11.00 am Mass at St Benedict’s
2.00 pm Mass in St Benedict’s School
Wednesday 4 January 2023
A beautiful tweet on today’s Gospel from Raymond Friel OBE:
“The first words of Jesus in the gospel of St John speak directly to the heart of every human being, “What are you looking for? (1:38).” Where do you live, we ask. “Come and see” is the answer. God is friendly to us, hospitable, despite our best efforts to suggest otherwise.”
Tuesday 3 January 2023
Thoughts from Pope Francis
“God loves us so much that He shares our humanity and our lives. He never leaves us alone either in joy or in sorrow because He is the Emmanuel, the God with us, the light that illuminates the darkness and the tender presence that accompanies us on our journey” (29 December 2022).
“When we have strong feelings of doubt and fear, and we seem to be sinking, we must not be ashamed to cry out like Peter: “Lord, save me” (Mt 14:30). This is a beautiful prayer! And Jesus immediately stretches out his hand” (3 January 2023).
Monday 2 January 2023
Image (c) Vatican News.
Thousands of people are queuing in the Vatican today to pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who is lying-in-state in St Peter’s Basilica.
Father, eternal shepherd,
hear the prayers of your people for your servant Benedict,
who governed your Church with love.
In your mercy, bring him with the flock once entrusted to his care
to the reward you have promised your faithful servants.
May he who faithfully administered the mysteries
of your forgiveness and love on earth,
rejoice with you for ever in heaven
In your wise and loving care,
you made your servant teacher of all your Church.
He did the work of Christ on earth.
May your Son welcome him into eternal glory.
May your servant whom you appointed high priest of your flock
be counted now among the priests in the life of your kingdom.
Give your servant the reward of eternal happiness
and let your mercy win for us the gift of your life and love.
We entrust your servant to your mercy with faith and confidence.
In the human family he was an instrument of your peace and love.
May he rejoice in those gifts for ever with your saints.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Archbishop Malcolm has paid tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict:
“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is in my thoughts and prayers as I remember a gracious, kind and gentle man who was courteous and welcoming to all he met. Qualities which shone through his Papal ministry and in his years of prayerful support for the Church following his retirement in 2013. He was a great theologian who opened the words of scripture to many.
His visit in 2010 will be remembered for the joy he brought to the Church and the support which he gave to people throughout our country.
May the Lord now reward his servant for his faithful ministry among us.”
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – 1 January 2023
Mass sheet we will be using in church:
Solemnity of Mary Mother of God Sheet 2023
Pastoral Letter from the Archbishop:
Pope Emeritus Benedict
Funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict
Pope Emeritus Benedict’s funeral will take place at 9.30 am (8.30 am UK time) on Thursday 5 January in St Peter’s Square presided over by Pope Francis. As of Monday morning, 2 January, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can pay their respects.
For further information:
Pope Benedict XVI Archives – Catholic Bishops’ Conference (cbcew.org.uk)
O God,
from whom the just receive an unfailing reward,
grant that your servant Benedict, our Pope Emeritus,
whom you made vicar of Peter and shepherd of your Church,
may rejoice forever in the vision of your glory,
for he was a faithful steward here on earth
of the mysteries of your forgiveness and grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(From the ‘Order of Christian Funerals’)
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
Saturday 31 December 2022 – New Year’s Eve
Image (c) Vatican News
Pope Emeritus Benedict has died
The Vatican has released the following statement: “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”
Funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict
Pope Emeritus Benedict’s funeral will take place at 9.30 am (8.30 am UK time) on Thursday 5 January in St Peter’s Square presided over by Pope Francis. As of Monday morning, 2 January, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can pay their respects.
For further information:
Pope Benedict XVI Archives – Catholic Bishops’ Conference (cbcew.org.uk)
O God,
from whom the just receive an unfailing reward,
grant that your servant Benedict, our Pope Emeritus,
whom you made vicar of Peter and shepherd of your Church,
may rejoice forever in the vision of your glory,
for he was a faithful steward here on earth
of the mysteries of your forgiveness and grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(From the ‘Order of Christian Funerals’)
Friday 30 December 2022 – Feast of the Holy Family (A)
Today is the Feast of the Holy Family.
The image above is of the beautiful statue of the Holy Family commissioned in 2000 for the refurbishment of the Church of the Holy Family in Boothstown, Worsley. It was crafted by Butzon & Bercker in Kevelaer, Germany.
What do you notice?
Notice the curves – Mary holding her Son, Jesus, under the protection of Joseph.
Look closer and notice the chisel marks too – symbolising the rough and tumble and sufferings of life.
Notice the youthfulness of the couple – Mary would have only been about 15 years old and, Joseph, not much older. How many of our Cribs portray Joseph as a balding man in his sixties?
Notice the simplicity of the statue which just adds to its beauty.
O God,
you cradle us at the beginning of life
and embrace us at our journey’s end,
for you love us as your own.
Bind our families together
and deepen our faith,
that, like the Holy Family of Nazareth,
we may grow in wisdom,
obedient to your word.
Through Christ our Lord.
Thursday 29 December 2022 – Feast of St Thomas of Canterbury
Thomas Becket was Chancellor of England during the reign of King Henry II. Henry and Thomas became great friends, so when the See of Canterbury became vacant in 1162, Henry saw an opportunity to gain more control over the Church in England by appointing Thomas as Archbishop. However, in his new position, Thomas changed. He resigned as Chancellor and dedicated himself to serving the Church. Arguments ensued and Thomas ended up in exile in France.
Six years later, in December 1170, Thomas returned to Canterbury. While he was greeted with great celebration by the monks of the Cathedral and the people of Canterbury, the authorities loyal to Henry were less than pleased. Before the year was out, four knights travelled to Canterbury to arrest the Archbishop. The monks begged Thomas to hide in the Cathedral for safety, but the knights followed him. Thomas clung to a pillar to avoid being dragged from the building. It was then that a knight struck Thomas’ head with a sword. A second strike followed. The third strike killed the Archbishop.
In their shock and grief, the monks of the Cathedral placed the body of their Archbishop in the crypt. As word of his murder spread, people gathered at the Cathedral to pay their respects. Such were the crowds, that the monks had to move the Archbishop’s body into the Cathedral. Within days, there were reports of miracles attributed to the Archbishop. Word spread to Europe and people flocked to Canterbury. Within three years, the Pope canonised Thomas – one of the fastest canonisations in history! A year later, in 1174, Henry undertook public penance for his role in the murder of the Archbishop.
Wednesday 28 December 2022 – Feast of the Holy Innocents
Matthew 2: 13-18
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loudly lamenting:
it was Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
Pope Emeritus Benedict
Image (c) Vatican News
At his General Audience today, Pope Francis asked for prayers for his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict:
“I would like to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who in silence is supporting the Church. Remember him – he is very ill – asking the Lord to console him, and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end.”
Almighty and eternal God,
you are the everlasting health of those who believe in you.
Hear our prayers for your sick servant, Benedict,
for whom we implore the aid of your tender mercy.
Through Christ our our Lord.
Amen.
Tuesday 27 December 2022 – Feast of St John, Apostle & Evangelist
“Something which has existed since the beginning,
that we have heard,
and we have seen with our own eyes;
that we have watched
and touched with our hands:
the Word, who is life –
this is our subject.”
(1 John 1: 1)
Monday 26 December 2022 – Feast of St Stephen, First Martyr
Christmas Message from Pope Francis
Christmas Message from Archbishop Malcolm
Text: Christmas Message 2022
Audio:
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 2022
A very Happy Christmas to you all!
Mass sheets we will be using in church
4.30 & 6.30 pm at St Oswald’s on Christmas Eve:
8.30 am at St Benedict’s on Christmas Day:
Christmas Dawn Mass Sheet 2022
10.30 am at St Benedict’s on Christmas Day:
Christmas Eve
BBC Radio 4 will be broadcasting the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge, at 3.00 pm (repeated on BBC Radio 3 on Christmas Day at 1.00 pm).
BBC Radio 4 will also be broadcasting Midnight Mass from Leeds Cathedral at 11.30 pm.
Christmas Day
Mass will be livestreamed at 11.00 am from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral on YouTube:
Sunday 25 December 2022, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord – YouTube
And finally a little humour:
God bless you,
Fr Dave
Fourth Week of Advent
Friday 23 December 2022
Thursday 22 December 2022
Something that will make you smile…
Wednesday 21 December 2022
Pray for Peace in Ukraine
“On the Feast when God became a child, let‘s think of the Ukrainian children suffering so much because of this war. Let‘s think of the Ukrainian people deprived of the basics to survive, and let us pray together to the Lord that He might bring them peace as soon as possible.”
(Pope Francis, 21 December 2022)
Tuesday 20 December 2022
Advent Penance Service
There will be a Service of Reconciliation at St Oswald’s this evening at 7.30 pm. All are welcome.
Monday 19 December 2022
Rwanda Deportation Scheme
I am shocked that the High Court has deemed that it is legal for the UK Government to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. I feel deeply ashamed that the UK is prepared to do something so immoral and inhumane.
Has Suella Braverman ever met and talked with those who come to our shores? Has she heard the horrendous, heart-breaking accounts of what people have been through? If she had, perhaps she would feel what so many ordinary people in the UK have felt and who have made space in their homes and communities for these vulnerable people who are scarred, broken and crying out to us for help.
The problem is not the people coming to our shores. The problem is the failure of Government to give people a safe way to seek asylum in the UK. This is a basic human right which the Government continues to fail to offer those seeking asylum. The majority who come to our shores are not fraudulent but desperate. Ask any of the many religious and non-religious communities who have been reaching out to them for years.
4th Sunday of Advent (A) – 18 December 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Advent 4A)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Advent 4A)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-advent-4-a-2022r
PRAY FOR UKRAINE
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Third Week of Advent
Thursday 15 December 2022
A little thought…
Wednesday 14 December 2022
A Simpler Christmas
At his General Audience today, Pope Francis said:
“Let’s renew our closeness to the battered people of Ukraine, persevering in fervent prayer for our brothers and sisters who are suffering so much. Let us celebrate Christmas in a humbler way, with simpler gifts, and let us send what we save to the Ukrainian people who need it.”
Tuesday 13 December 2022
Tomorrow is the memorial of St John of the Cross…
Monday 12 December 2022
A little known Christmas song that you might enjoy. I first heard it on the Terry Wogan Breakfast Show when it was released in 1984.
‘A Song for Christmas’ by John Springate
“A Song for Christmas” 1984 Music Video – YouTube
3rd Sunday of Advent (A) – 11 December 2022
Gaudete Sunday
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Advent 3A)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Advent 3A)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-advent-3-a-2022
PRAY FOR UKRAINE
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Second Week of Advent
Thursday 8 December 2022
“In the Bleak”
Another classic from The Marsh Family premiered this evening:
“In the Bleak” (Official Music Video) – by The Marsh Family – YouTube
Image (c) 2022 Marsh Family Songs
Wednesday 7 December 2022
Advent Carol
A beautiful Advent Carol from Ely Cathedral:
Of The Father’s Heart Begotten (Sir David Willcocks) Ely Cathedral Choir – YouTube
Tuesday 6 December 2022
Advent Thought from Pope Francis
“I wish you all a good Advent journey made up of many small gestures of peace every day: welcoming gestures, gestures of understanding, closeness, forgiveness, and service… Gestures from the heart, like steps towards Bethlehem, towards Jesus, the King of peace.”
(Pope Francis, Twitter, 6 December 2022)
Monday 5 December 2022
Lord Jesus,
in this Advent season we wait eagerly for your arrival.
Come fill us with your hope, your peace, your love and your joy.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Lord Jesus,
the world isn’t what you created it to be.
We don’t always love each other as you love us.
Come and help us to change.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Lord Jesus,
fighting and war fill our world.
We even find it difficult to get on with our families and friends at times.
We need you, Lord Jesus.
Come and show us how to live in peace.
Come, Lord Jesus.
2nd Sunday of Advent (A) – 4 December 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Advent 2A)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Advent 2A)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-advent-2-a-2022
PRAY FOR UKRAINE
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
First Week of Advent
Friday 2 December 2022
Advent Music
Late in the evening, I often listen to Choral Evensong from Canterbury Cathedral on YouTube. It’s beautiful, prayerful and relaxing. Last Sunday, they had a beautiful Advent Carol Service. Why not check out their channel:
Canterbury Cathedral – YouTube
Thursday 1 December 2022
At his General Audience yesterday, Pope Francis offered this thought.
“A daily examination of conscience is so important: before ending the day, stop a moment. What happened? Not in the newspapers, not in life: what happened in my heart? Was my heart attentive? Did it grow?”
Wednesday 30 November 2022
Tuesday 29 November 2022
Archdiocesan Online Advent Calendar
This Advent, the Archdiocese is running an online Advent Calendar which will feature daily videos from various people across the Archdiocese. The videos will include reflections, an insight into what Advent means to them, and their plans for Advent.
You can view the Calendar here:
Archdiocese of Liverpool – YouTube
Monday 28 November 2022
An Advent Prayer by Henri Nouwen
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do
seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things
look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways
long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy
seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people,
walking in darkness,
yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
Amen.
1st Sunday of Advent (A) – 27 November 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Advent 1A)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Advent 1A)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-advent-1-a-2022
Pastoral Letter: Pastoral_Letter_Advent_2022
PRAY FOR UKRAINE
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday 24 November 2022
Wednesday 23 November 2022
Red Wednesday
Today is ‘Red Wednesday’ when we come together globally to “Break the Silence” on the persecution of Christians and those of other faiths.
The Catholic charity, ‘Aid to the Church in Need’, organises Red Wednesday as a way of standing in solidarity with persecuted and suffering Christians.
Bishop Tom Neylon, the Lead Bishop for Asia, said:
“Pope Francis reminds us that God created all human beings equal in rights and that freedom of conscience and religious freedom are inseparably linked to our innate dignity. He emphasises that this is not limited to freedom of worship alone, but the right of all to live in accordance with their religious convictions.
“Aid to the Church in Need has continuously shone the light on persecution of Christians across the world, including in parts of Asia where I have heard, first hand, about the threats and violence that people experience daily. On Red Wednesday, let us pray for all those facing persecution and everyone working for change.”
For more information: Aid to the Church in Need | #RedWednesday 2022 (acnuk.org)
Red Wednesday events: RW.Events-Information
Tuesday 22 November 2022
Monday 21 November 2022
ARCHDIOCESAN WEBSITE
Today, the Archdiocese has launched a new website. It’s at the same address: The Archdiocese of Liverpool (liverpoolcatholic.org.uk)
The new website comes a year since the launch of our Pastoral Plan which maps out the future of the Church in the Archdiocese. As we journey towards the future, a new website will help us grow and enhance our online presence and communicate and share the Good News from across the Archdiocese.
Features on the new website include:
- A map of churches with Mass times
- A map of schools and contact details
- Helpful resources including prayer and sacrament details
- Contact details of the departments and teams in the Archdiocesan office
- A donate button to help support your local parish
- Details of events from across the Archdiocese
- The latest news stories… plus lots more
The Archdiocese would be delighted to receive feedback about the new website. Please email: [email protected]
Solemnity of Christ the King (C) – 20 November 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Christ the King C)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Christ the King C)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-christ-the-king-c-2022-1
WORLD YOUTH DAY
Today is World Youth Day when we celebrate the presence and contribution of young people in the life of the Church. You can find out more about World Youth Day here: www.worldyouthday.com
Week of Prayer: youth-sunday-Week-of-Prayer
Resources: Stand up you are appointed as a witness (worldyouthsunday.com)
PRAY FOR UKRAINE
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday 17 November 2022
De Profundis
Kevin Nichols (1930-2006)
Hear this appeal, Master of my life,
out of the darkness where my spirit dwells
hopeless, unless you turn your gaze
attentively towards me.
If it is my sins that catch your eye
truly, my case is desperate;
but yours is a forgiving love
therefore, though fearfully, I come to you.
In you, Lord, is my hope,
at your word my spirit quickens.
As the weary watchman on the ramparts
strains his eyes for daybreak,
more eagerly than he my sleepless heart
awaits your coming –
because your name is mercy
and all your ways compassionate,
because the sins of your people
dissolve in your healing love.
This is a translation of Psalm 129/130 by the late Fr Kevin Nichols, the author of some well-known hymns, including ‘In Bread We Bring You’.
Wednesday 16 November 2022
Tuesday 15 November 2022
Remember the People of Ukraine
In an interview with Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, Bishop Nowakowski talks about the devastating impact of the war but also the solidarity and welcome many people have shown throughout the UK to Ukrainians fleeing the war.
Click on the link below for the video:
Don’t underestimate the long-term impact of the war in Ukraine, says Bishop – YouTube
Monday 14 November 2022
Prayer of St Augustine of Hippo
God of our life,
there are days when the burdens we carry
chafe our shoulders and weigh us down;
when the road seems dreary and endless,
the skies grey and threatening;
when our lives have no music in them,
and our hearts are lonely,
and our souls have lost their courage.
Flood the path with light,
turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise;
tune our hearts to brave music;
give us the sense of comradeship
with heroes and saints of every age;
and so quicken our spirits
that we may be able to encourage
the souls of all who journey with us
on the road of life,
to your honour and glory. Amen.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (33C)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (33C) 2022
Reflection on the Readings: prego-sunday-33-otc-2022
WORLD DAY OF THE POOR
Today is the sixth World Day of the Poor. In his message for the day, Pope Francis invites us to greater solidarity and responsibility for the poor. This “is precisely what solidarity is: sharing the little we have with those who have nothing, so that no one will go without.”
Message from Pope Francis: World Day of the Poor 2022 Pope Francis
PRAY FOR UKRAINE
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Friday 11 November 2022
World Day of the Poor
Sunday will be the sixth World Day of the Poor instituted by Pope Francis. In preparation for the day, Pope Francis blessed a new sculpture in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday that highlights the plight of the homeless.
‘Sheltering’ is a life-size bronze sculpture showing the figure of a homeless person being covered by a blanket pulled over them by a dove in flight. The sculpture is the work of Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. His work ‘Angels Unawares’, about migrants and refugees, was installed in St Peter’s Square in 2019.
Source: Independent Catholic News (www.indcatholicnews.com)
Thursday 10 November 2022
Wednesday 9 November 2022
A Poem for November – All Souls
So what is heaven?
In each year’s eleventh month we ask: so what is heaven?
(And on the eleventh day at the eleventh hour reply: An end to war, at least!)
We ask this not abstractly but from the place of loss.
Unlike the case of Christ, we don’t proclaim the death of those we’ve loved
to be the source of life; yet we profess their resurrection, too.
The Afterlife is, as seen from here, an act of trust,
a surrendering to Love and to Eternity of those who’ve gone before.
So what is heaven? Better say what it is not:
not an everlasting frigid calm, all white robes, harps and halos;
nor a reward for lives spent ‘being nice’ and minding ‘p’s and ‘q’s.
Ask Jesus what it’s like, and he replies with tales of harvests, parties, feasts:
the gathering up of all that’s been, shorn now of hurt,
the remembering of the unloved and forgotten,
the pardoning of what we’d not forgiven,
the welcoming of things that did not fit.
So what is heaven? This:
an arc of covenant that spans all vales of tears,
the Beyond that touches our today with peace,
the assurance that what we’ve lost is found,
now home and safe, at one with God.
© Rob Esdaile, 2022
Source: Independent Catholic News (www.indcatholicnews.com)
Tuesday 8 November 2022
Capitular Mass and Installation of New Canons
The Archbishop will install four new Canons at the Cathedral today during Mass at 12.15 pm.
The Mass will be livestreamed here:
Tuesday 8 November 2022, Capitular Mass and Installation of New Canons – YouTube
The order of service is here:
Tuesday 32nd Wk Ord Time Yr II – Installation of New Canons
Monday 7 November 2022
COP27
The COP27 climate conference has started in Egypt with calls for leaders to act after a year in which the destruction caused by the climate crisis has become even more stark.
The summit comes 12 months after leaders left Glasgow at the end of COP26, where governments took some steps to move away from fossil fuels but failed to commit to the deep and rapid emissions cuts required to keep global temperature rises below the catastrophic 1.5C threshold.
The need for governments to act has been made even more urgent after a year in which millions of families have been pushed to the brink of starvation in East Africa and millions in Pakistan have lost homes and livelihoods to monumental floods.
Campaigners are demanding rich countries commit at COP27 to set up and contribute towards a ‘loss and damage fund’, meaning the countries that have historically polluted the most provide financial support to countries that have contributed least to the climate crisis but are being hardest hit.
Polling undertaken ahead of COP27 shows that a majority of people in the UK feel the government must do more to tackle the climate crisis. The poll, conducted by YouGov on behalf of CAFOD, showed that nearly six out of 10 people feel the government has done too little to tackle the climate emergency.
Bishop John Arnold, Chair of CAFOD, said: “The environment cannot be isolated from our relationship with God. We are blessed with stewardship over the earth, but with this comes the responsibility to protect our planet and preserve it for future generations. For too long, we have been reliant on fossil fuels which are causing devastation to communities around the world. As the world’s eyes descend on COP27, I pray the government and world leaders will seize this opportunity and invest in renewable energy so we can protect our planet for future generations.”
Prayer
God of blessings,
the universe sings of your glory.
Deepen our gratitude for all you have made
and awaken in us a renewed commitment
to care for the earth and each other.
Inspire world leaders at COP27,
with openness to listen to those most affected by climate change
and with courage to act urgently and wisely,
so that our common home may be healed and restored
and all people, and generations to come, may delight in it.
Amen.
Source: www.cafod.org.uk
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) – 6 November 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (32C)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (32C)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-sunday-32-otc-2022
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
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