New and Events for week beginning October 11th 2020
Welcome to Holy Trinity! Our Parish Mass this coming Sunday October 11th is the final day of our Mission Week. Fr Paul will drawing the week together in his sermon based on the Gospel reading of the day – St Matthew Chapter 22: 1-14
The Parochial Church Council meet today after Mass in the Lady Chapel. 11:00am approximately.
NEXT SUNDAY OCTOBER 18TH IS THE FEAST OF ST LUKE. PARISH MASS AT 9:30AM. Saint Luke, also known as Luke the Evangelist, is widely regarded as the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. He wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else—even the Apostle Paul.
Luke was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, but he lived during the first century, and according to his own writings, he “carefully investigated everything from the beginning” (Luke 1:1–4). As a traveling companion of Paul, he also likely had direct access to the apostles and other accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry (such as the Gospel of Mark).
While he was presumably educated as a physician (Colossians 4:14), today Luke is celebrated as one of the church’s earliest historians. His methodical, detailed writings give us the only thorough record of what happened after Jesus ascended to heaven. Without his account in Acts, it would be hard to imagine how Christianity grew from a small, fragile movement within Judaism to what would eventually become the largest religion in the world.
Safeguarding in our church and parish
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding refers to the process of protecting children and vulnerable adults from harm of abuse and maltreatment. There are various different types of abuse which include, physical, neglect, emotional and sexual abuse; although there are other forms which can seem more subtle. Safeguarding is, in fact the responsibility of all of us. We should all understand the signs of abuse and feel able to report these and any behaviours or interactions we witness that don’t feel or look right. My role with the Parish is to act on these reports to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are safe by forwarding these onto the correct authorities.
What do I do if I see something?
If you see something that does not look right or if you notice any of the signs of abuse, then you should report these. There might not be a real concern but if you are unsure at all, it is best to report it. You can contact me directly or talk to any member of the PCC who will pass your information onto me. I will hang back at the end of the principle weekly service should you wish to talk to me or ask me questions relating to Safeguarding. Paul Gorham – M.Ed.; BA (Hons) Mobile: 07825 701728 Email: [email protected]
Change of time for our Midnight Mass. We are moving Mass on Christmas Eve from 11:30pm to the earlier time of 10:30pm. On Christmas Day our Family Mass will be at 10:00am
A Parish Mission is a parish awakening!
“The best decision anyone can ever make, at any point in life, in any circumstances, whoever they are, wherever they are, is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ.” – Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby
Given the state of the world today, there has rarely been a more important time to remind ourselves that as Christians we are a global community and we are called by God to engage with all of God’s people from around the whole world.
When we follow Jesus in a cross-cultural and global context, we remind ourselves that our faith is one where we strive to see one another as sisters and brothers in Christ, as children of God; no matter our skin colour, our nationality, or our faith belief.
According to the Bible, our mandate in following Christ comes from God and can be seen throughout the whole of scripture. We engage through faith because God created humankind in God’s image; in the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them. God blessed them and God saw everything He had made and indeed, “It was very good”.
We engage globally because…
we are our brother’s keepers
God has told us, what is good: and what does the Lord require of us?
…to do justice,
…to love kindness,
…and to walk humbly with our God?
we are called by God to love God and to love our neighbour, and Jesus was clear who that neighbour is.
As Christians, we are called to reach out across borders, across walls, across divides and to always put family first, and our family is the whole of humanity. There are no geographical borders in God’s world, there is only love, and love knows no boundaries. We are called to relate to those in the world around us, especially the poor, the needy, and the disenfranchised, not just because we are called to compassion, but because those in need are just as much our children, our sisters, our brothers, our parents, as our own flesh and blood.
The foundation of our following Jesus is love. We are being called to love God and to love one another, to be in relationship with God and with one another. We all need to know that we are loved by Jesus, and beloved of God. All understandings of engagement, all mission activities, should grow out of this foundation. When love is the foundation of our mission then we will all be transformed. We can take our pick on what it means to be followers of Christ, but loving God and loving one another, desiring to be in relationships with those whom we do not yet know, should be at the centre of our thinking.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons loving your neighbour as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
And the people say,
“I will with God’s help.”