The Choir is singing at St. Helier’s hospital on Thursday 14th Dec. led by the hospital chaplain, Fr Philip Pak. We are delighted that St. Teresa's school children will join us as they have done so beautifully in past years on this evangelical and special annual event. We’ll meet at the Hospital foyer or nearby Chapel on the ground floor at 6:45pm ready to walk around wards for 7pm, and expecting to return to the foyer around 8:30pm for pickup.
In the beautiful tapestry of parish life, the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation hold a special place. These sacred milestones mark significant moments in the faith formation of our young ones, and the role of Catechists in preparing them cannot be overstated. We need dedicated individuals who feel called to serve as Catechists in our parish programs for First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
As a Catechist, you will have the privilege of journeying alongside our young brothers and sisters in Christ, guiding them as they deepen their understanding of these sacraments and grow in their relationship with God. Your role will be one of mentorship, sharing your faith experiences and knowledge with them while fostering an environment of love, support, and spiritual growth. First Holy Communion is a moment of great joy as children receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. As a Catechist, you will have the opportunity to prepare these young souls, helping them to grasp the profound significance of this sacrament and guiding them in their spiritual preparation. Your presence and guidance will be a source of reassurance and inspiration as they take this important step in their faith journey. Confirmation, on the other hand, is a sacrament of empowerment, where young individuals affirm their baptismal promises and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As a Catechist, you will walk alongside them, aiding in their understanding of the sacrament and its transformative power. Your role will be to ignite the flame of faith within them, encouraging them to embrace their role as active members of the Church and witnesses to Christ in the world. We recognise that serving as a Catechist requires a deep commitment to ongoing formation and personal growth. Therefore, we offer resources, support, and opportunities for spiritual enrichment to ensure you are equipped for this sacred responsibility. We believe that as you invest in the faith formation of our young ones, you will also experience personal growth and a deepening of your own relationship with God. If you feel the call to guide and nurture our young ones in their preparation for First Holy Communion or Confirmation, we invite you to join our parish programs as a Catechist. Together, let us answer the call to plant seeds of faith, cultivate spiritual growth, and witness the transformative power of these sacraments in the lives of our young disciples. We are blessed with a good team of Catechists, but we need more to join their ranks. Are you up to the challenge? The Lord calls upon you to be a beacon of light and love to our young ones, and our parish community eagerly awaits your response. Together, let us embark on this sacred journey of faith formation, knowing that through your service, you are helping to shape the lives of these young people spiritually. With all parents and the parish family, we sincerely thank our committed team of Catechists. Your ministry is valued and needed in our times. THANK YOU! Canon Michael In Partnership with Housing Justice, Caritas Southwark is hosting an online information session on 13 December 2023, 7.30-8.30pm for people interested in becoming a host for a refugee. Please scan this other QR code to register for the event. Alternatively, you can email Caritas directly and we can forward the link to you.
caritassouthwark@rcaos.org.uk “This is not war; this is terrorism.” With those words, Pope Francis described the Israel-Hamas war that is ravaging the Holy Land. Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Wednesday General Audience, the Pope turned his thoughts to those suffering in Palestine and Israel. In his appeal, he prayed for everyone suffering due to various wars, especially in Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine. The Holy Father recalled his meeting earlier the same morning, on 22 November, with two delegations: one of Israelis who have relatives held hostage in Gaza, and another of families of Palestinians who are suffering in Gaza. The Pope met first with the 12 members of the Israeli delegation at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta at 7:30 AM. He then met with the Palestinian delegation at around 8:00 AM in a room in the Paul VI Hall. The Palestinian delegation was composed of 10 people with relatives in Gaza, and included Christians and Muslims. They were accompanied by Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, and a Greek Orthodox priest. “They suffer so much. I heard how they both suffer,” said the Pope at the General Audience, adding that “wars do that”. “But here we have gone beyond wars”, the Pope stressed. “This is not war; this is terrorism. “Dialogue instead of passions The Pope invited everyone to “pray for peace; pray always for peace. “The Holy Father then prayed that the Lord may “help us to solve the problems and not be driven by the passions that wind up killing everyone. ”Let us pray for the Palestinian people; let us pray for the Israeli people, so that peace may come,” the Pope concluded. The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, announced on Friday that Pope Francis would be meeting with the delegations, stressing that the meetings would be “of an exclusively humanitarian nature” aiming to demonstrate Pope Francis’ “spiritual closeness to the suffering of each individual”. Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html Dear Parish Family, As we begin our Advent journey, let us open our hearts to divine blessings. In this new church year, let us deepen our spiritual lives and draw closer to God's holy guidance. Imagine the advice Our Lady and Saint Joseph would give us in a pastoral letter. They would urge us to have unwavering faith amidst uncertainty, to trust in God's timing, and to find joy in simplicity. They would remind us to extend love and compassion, and to be open to the miraculous. As we journey through Advent, may we carry these lessons with us. May this be a time of spiritual renewal and transformation, preparing us to celebrate with great joy Christ's birth. Blessings to your family and friends. With love and hope, Canon Michael |
Archives
May 2024
Categories |