April 25, 2010, 11:03 pm
As I leave St Joseph’s to take up my new appointment in Mortlake, I would like to say a very sincere and heartfelt ‘THANK YOU’ to the many, many people who have made my three and a half years here such happy and fulfilling ones. I have spent longer in this parish than any other, thus far, and I know it will always have a particular place in my affections.
Sadly, since my move is happening so quickly, I will not be able to say a personal word to all of you (there may be more time for that on June 13th!), but please do know that I am very grateful for all I have received here.
Lastly, the one person I must thank above all is Fr Peter, who has guided and encouraged me throughout my time in the parish. His great commitment, sincerity and zeal are gifts I very much hope to emulate. I know that you will keep us both in your prayers during the busy months ahead!
Today, Sunday 25th, is Fr Richard’s last Sunday in the parish. He moves over the next few days, and his final weekday Masses in St Joseph’s are this Wednesday 28th at 7am and 10am, and then on Thursday 29th at 10am.
He returns as Guest of Honour for a celebratory buffect luncheon on Sunday 13th June which will be the occasion to thank him for his Priestly ministry in New Malden.
April 25, 2010, 11:02 pm
Week beginning 25th April, 4th Sunday of Easter
St Peter Chanel (Wednesday 28th) was a priest of the Marist Order, born in 1803. He preached the Gospel in Oceania, and there he gave his life for the faith in 1841.
St Louis-Marie de Montfort (also Wednesday 28th) lived in the 18th Century, and preached missions throughout France, converting many souls to Jesus through the intercession of Our Lady.
St Catherine of Siena (Thursday 29th), a Doctor of the Church and Patron of Europe was born in 1347. She devoted her life to bringing peace to war-torn Italy and returning the Papacy to Rome from its exile in Avignon.
St Pius V (Friday 30th) was a Dominican friar elected Pope in 1566. He concluded the Council of Trenth, codified the Roman Rite of the Mass and became a great reforming Pope.
The feast of St Joseph the Worker (May 1st) was instituted by Pope Pius XII. It reminds us that our everyday employment, when ofered to God becomes a true path to holiness.
April 25, 2010, 11:00 pm
4th Sunday of Easter
Today’s Gospel, containing Jesus’ description of himself as the Shepherd who offers eternal life to his flock, makes this an appropriate Sunday to pray in a special way for Vocations to the Priesthood. In other ways, however, we may feel that praying for priestly vocations in these times is very difficult. Many in the media have used the terrible crimes of a tiny minority of priests to tarnish the reputation of the entire priesthood, as well as using it as an opportunity to attack the Catholic Church in general and Pope Benedict very specifically (and quite unjustly). Many Catholics, I suspect, feel very uncertain in trying to respond to this onslaught. How do we defend the Church without appearing to condone horrible sins against children which all of us abhor? How do we sort the truth from distortion and slander, and how do we help others to see the truth? When the Church is portrayed in such a totally negative light we can feel that we ourselves are under attack, and perhaps even feel that our own faith is growing weaker. Certainly the last few weeks have not been a comfortable time to be a Catholic priest.
Yet, in these troubled times we actually need good priests more than ever. The crimes of a very small number have been allowed to overshadow the great work done by so many priests, quietly and humbly, all over the world. We need more young men to come forward and continue this work, so that the hope and joy we celebrate in this Easter season can
become a living reality for future generations as well. We all need to pray, therefore, for fresh
and abundant vocations to the priestly life.
Perhaps I can use my last few words in this Bulletin to say how much I enjoy being a Catholic priest, and how grateful I am that God has called me to serve him this way. Despite all the challenges, I cannot imagine anything I would rather do, nor anything which would be more worthwhile. By God’s grace, may I never have cause to say anything different – and may God raise up many others, even from our own parish, to share in the joy of serving the Good Shepherd as a priest.
April 18, 2010, 11:02 pm
Week beginning 18th April, 3rd Sunday of Easter
St Alphege (Monday 19th), 954 – 1012. A Benedictine abbot, then Bishop of Winchester, and then of Canterbury. He declined to escape during the Danish invasion and refused to ransom himself with the money of the poor – or which he was martyed at Greenwich by being pelted to death with ox bones during a wild heathen banquet.
St Anselm (Wednesday 21st), 1033 – 1109. Another Benedictine abbot (of Ben, in France), who also became Archbishop of Canterbury (1093), who was twice exiled for opposing the King in matters of Faith. His theological proofs for the existence of God and other works are of great value.
St George (Friday 23rd) was martyed (c300) under Diocletian and is the Patron Saint of England, Aragon, Portugal and Germany, as well as the cities of Genoa and Venice, and of soldiers.
Ss Justus (d 627) and Mellitus (d 624) (Saturday 24th) were among the Benedictine monks sent, by Pope St Gregory the Great, to accompany St Augustine. They became successive Archbishops of Canterbury.
April 18, 2010, 11:00 pm
3rd Sunday of Easter
Next Sunday (4th Sunday of Easter) is also known as ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’ because, in the Gospel, we hear Jesus speak of Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. That is why it is the day chosen as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life.
Pope Benedict has written to us this year on the theme “Witness Awakens Vocations”. He cites the examples of the Prophets of the Old Testament dedicating their entire existence to bearing witness to God. Jesus, he says, is the “supreme Witness to God and His concern or the salvation of all.” As we look forward to the visit of Pope Benedict to our shores this September please continue to pray for our Holy Father and for all those who may be considering a vocation to the Priesthood or Religious Life. Please also pray for the success of our Vocation Discernment Weekend in July.
Links to check out:
Please pray for Alan Burgess (our Seminarian at the Beda College, Rome), and for Philip Andrews (resident in our Presbytery) who attends next week’s annual Selection Conference at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, and for other vocations from our Parish.
April 11, 2010, 11:05 pm
Shortly before Easter we were informed that Bishop John Hine (Diocesan Administrator during the vacancy of the Archbishopric of Southwark), in consultation with other Auxiliary Bishops, has appointed Fr Richard to the Parish of St Mary Magdalene, Mortlake, where he will be Parochial Administrator (awaiting confirmation as Parish Priest, when the Pope appoints a new Archbishop of Southwark).
He moves at the end of this month, so that Sunday 25th April will be his last Sunday here. Fr Richard will be our Guest of Honour at a celebratory buffet luncheon (as is usual after priests move) on Sunday 13th June. This will be the occasion to thank him for his Priestly ministry in New Malden. Meanwhile, as he prepares to take up this well-deserved preferment, we pray for him and wish him well in his new parish.
Future Priestly Staff for our Parish
While we had hoped that such a move would not happen until the summer recess (his predecessor’s age and illness has necessitated this more urgent move), there is no suitable priest available in the diocese or an immediate replacement at St Joseph’s. Our Area Bishop has said that there should be some availability for the new academic year, and recognises that someone competent and reliable is needed not only for our parish, schools and hospital duties, but also to assist Fr Peter while he continues with his diocesan, regional and national responsibilities. During the months that Fr Peter is the only priest in the parish we trust that parishioners will accept inevitable adjustments, rather than expecting him to perfect the art of bilocation!!
April 11, 2010, 11:03 pm
Lent lasts for forty days, but Eastertide lasts for fifty – which reminds us that, while penance has its proper and inescapable place in the Christian dispensation, the hallmark of our faith is joy – joy in the Resurrection and in the Redemption won for us by Jesus. His death on the Cross is not a defeat but rather a victory – the sacrificial love which Jesus shows on Good Friday is rewarded by the triumph of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, a triumph in which we share through our faith, and through the Sacrament of Baptism.
Easter is marked, among other things, by the resumption of the joyful chant of ‘Alleluia’, the Gloria, flowers, the wearing of white vestments, and the placing of the great Paschal Candle besides the ambo, where it illumines the Scriptures we read at Mass – a reminder that the whole Bible can only be understood in the light of the Resurrection, the final revelation of God’s abiding love which we especially celebrate in this holy season – the 50 days of Eastertide.
April 11, 2010, 11:02 pm
The principal Hebrew word for the ‘mercy’ of God (hesed) is the same word used to express the duties of mutual assistance in a natural community of from a contractual bond or covenant. But we speak only of the ‘hesed’ or mercy of God because He is the only One who is faithful to His side of the covenant.
When the people of the Old Testament sinned (were unfaithful to the covenant), they noticed that God nevertheless always remained faithful to them. The mercy of God thus includes His compassion, patience and forgiveness, and became the principal aspect of God who longs to be the Saviour, and who consequently stoops down to the weak, to sinners, and grants them His grace.
