The Week ahead at HTR – July 31st

Fr Paul will be the celebrant today and preacher.

Sunday School is now on Summer break until next term – September 11th.

Hymns: 239, 349, 373, 453. Psalm 49: 1-12

Readings at Mass today: 1st Reading: Eccles 1.2,12-14; 2. 18-23. Psalm 49: 1-12. 2nd Reading: Col 3: 1-11. The Gospel: St Luke 12: 13 – 21.

During the severe rise in Covid cases in our area. Please wear a face covering if you can and sit socially distanced. There is hand sanitiser available throughout the Church.

This Sunday – July 31st our Gospel packs a punch! How easily we become over familiar with the words of scripture. Perhaps we frequently overlook the fact that God’s words are actually the food of our soul.

The gospel today – Luke 12: 13-21 tells and teaches us a lot. It points at how we can get caught up in what we own and what people have. It’s all about greed and how possessions dominate and take us over. If we would only remember, wealth, honour and pride are the three obstacles of our faith.

We are all equal in the eyes of God, and what we have is a gift, given to us for the benefit of the world, our wider community and local neighbourhood; not only for the good of ourselves. Wealth is just a temporary thing that will perish in the final day. My grandmother always said that there were no pockets in a shroud!

We should always remember that it is not bad to be rich in this world, but we should also be rich in faith, love and hope as these things can help us to nourish our faith and may lead us always closer to God. What is your real treasure in life?Today our Gospel packs a punch! How easily we become over familiar with the words of scripture. Perhaps we frequently overlook the fact that God’s words are actually the food of our soul.

BBQ today at St Michael’s Harbledown. If you signed up for this event, please remember we bring our own drinks. Food is provided at £2 suggested donation.

PASTORAL CARE – as we approach a very short vacancy without a priest, Mary Somers-James will head up pastoral care as from now. This will mean she can be contacted for pastoral visits and Home Communion at the time of illness. Although Fr Paul does not leave until September 25th, it is important to put in place a provision of pastoral care and a contact person to effect a smooth transition, and to make sure no one is neglected when they need the Church and the Sacraments in their time of need.

Saturday August 6th is the Feast of the Lord’s Transfiguration. Mass will be offered at St Andrew’s in Deal for both parishes at 9:30AM. All welcome. The transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a powerful demonstration of His divine nature and manifestation of His glory, which Jesus possessed prior to coming to earth in the human body. This revelation is referenced in a passage in the Apostle Paul’s message to Phillippi. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

JOIN US FOR THE RICHBROUGH FAMILY DAY. A wonderful day out at St Albans’ Abbey on August 13th. Coach from Holy Trinity and St Andrew’s to St Albans in Hertfordshire. There will be a glorious Mass in the Abbey, Lunch with Bishop Norman and a great day with some time for shopping or sightseeing in city of St Albans. Sign up sheet in the vestibule. There are still places available.

Sunday August 14th will be our celebration of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven. Sung Mass at 9:00AM.

Our Summer Fayre and Afternoon Teas will now take place on Saturday September 3rd from 2:00PM – 4:00PM.

We are looking for helpers on the day, as well as Bric a Brac, Cakes, Jams and items for the various stalls.

PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOOD BANK AND HYGIENE BANK.