23 August 2020

Sunday

Mass

9:30am

28 August 2020

Friday

Mass

9:30am

Scripture Readings 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 22:19-23; Ps 137(138); Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20

We rejoice in the choice of Peter - the rock on which the Church was built. In the unfathomable depth of His wisdom God chose Peter - despite his human failings - 'The Lord is high yet He looks on the lowly.'

Today's reading from Isaiah helps us to understand the tremendous power Jesus gives to Peter and the Apostles: Eliakim, newly appointed as "master of the palace", is given complete authority to decide who may enter the House of David - and who may not. And he is to be "a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the House of Judah".
The Psalmist thanks the Lord for answering his prayer, while calling on all rulers to join in this hymn of thanks for the Lord's words.
Earlier in his letter to the Romans, Paul suggested that he was sent as the apostle to the pagans "in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them". Israel, even while attacking the gospel, is still God's "beloved", since God never takes back his promises. Now Paul gasps in awe and wonder at the daring brilliance of God's plan, which we can never fully comprehend.
This chapter of Matthew's gospel began with Jesus finally breaking off discussions with the Jewish authorities. Now recognised as divine, Jesus, begins to form his disciples into a community to continue his work after his death. Like Eliakim, Peter, and - in chapter 18 - all the Apostles, are given authority to make eternal decisions, which will be upheld by God.

Psalm Response: Your love, O Lord, is eternal; discard not the work of your hands.

A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just. Pope Francis

Each of us has a vision of good and of evil. We have to encourage people

to move towards what they think is good?

Everyone has their own idea of good and evil and must choose

to follow the good and fight evil as we conceive them.

That would be enough to make the world a better place.

We must restore hope to young people, help the old,

be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor.

We need to include the excluded and preach peace.

The wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure. It also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality

or hypocrisy in it. Peacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness.

James 3:17-18

Let us Pray during the Week for

The Church, Pope Francis; Bishop David, the clergy. The lonely and frightened. The faithful departed - those who mourn. The sick - their careers. many at risk themselves. Victims of coronavirus. World leaders to work together for a solution. The world's poorer countries where disease and risk heightened by food and medicine shortages. In gratitude to God for his gifts, his mercy and love. Victims of war, oppression and racial hatred.

All those children awaiting the Sacraments and now concerned about exams.

For our Town that the special measures now being taken will rapidly combat the spread of the virus.

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

These are the rules on public worship continuing - please speak to a steward if you have a query.

•         No toilet facilities are available - you must not enter Sacristy or Church Room before or after Mass.

•         No singing - no sign of peace - offertory collections/ processions not allowed.

•         Holy Communion must be taken in the hand - remain in the pew until called by a steward

Face covers or face masks must be worn during Mass

The dispensation from attending Sunday Mass still applies.

Everlasting joy consists of; recognising and loving transparent truth, and the Word of God,

and the Wisdom through which all things were made, and His extraordinary loving kindness.

Augustine of Hippo

'Jesus saves us from the darkness'- Pope Francis

"I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness." (John 12: 46)

"It is the mission of Jesus and the apostles to bring us the light of Jesus," Pope Francis said recently.

"Sin blinds us and we cannot tolerate light. It is not easy to live in the light. The light makes us see so many bad things that we do not want to see - the vices, the sins - things that blind us - things that distance us from the light of Jesus."

"Conversion is an experience of moving from this darkness of the 'slavery' of sin to the light of Christ," the pope said.

Pope Francis said that the Lord asks us to "have the courage to see our darkness so that the light of the Lord may come in and save us." Francis added that there is no reason to be afraid of the light of Jesus because 'he is gentle and good', and 'He came to save us.'

"And this will be the struggle of Jesus. He continues to illuminate, to bring the light that shows things as they are," the pope said.

"He shows freedom. He shows the truth. He shows the way to go with the light of Jesus."

How to keep up your Parish weekly offerings or to make donations.

Direct to the Parish - Make a Standing Order/Direct Debit/ One-Off Donation with your bank to pay to:-

Account Name: RCDN St Patrick Duston Branch Sort Code: 60-06-11 Account Number: 59820640.

Let Fr Benny know if as a tax payer you want us to reclaim tax paid on your offering (at no extra cost to you).

We will send a Gift Aid Declaration form to complete and return to the church.

'Giving Tuesday' - Call the Finance Office on 01604 712065, (open 10:00am and 4:00pm). Use a debit or credit card to donate or cover any missed Sunday offerings - specify the offering is for St Patrick's Duston.

If the line is busy leave only your telephone number and your name - you will be called back.

We know at present many families are struggling financially so please just do what you can.

There will be Mass on Sundays and Fridays at 9.30 am

Face coverings or masks must be worn in church at Mass

For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith ... it is the gift of God Eph 2 : 8

GOD WANTS US TO BENEFIT FROM THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH

In the beginning God created everything and entrusted his creation with man to steward his creation. God in his goodness, in Jesus Christ, saved the fallen creation and continues the work of our redemption by sharing his authority with the Church. The authority of the Church comes from God. By being faithful to God she continues the mission of Christ guided by the Holy Spirit. The Church, with all her authority and graces, is established to be a mother to the whole humanity. The Church by her witness, teaching and sacramental life builds the kingdom of God, the family of God. Faith in God is a transformative personal relationship with God. The mission of every believer consists of three major components:

1.      Faithfulness to God

2.      Continuing the mission of Christ

3.      Openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We are justified not by our own works or efforts but by the grace of God. God initiates, He guides and He brings into fulfilment our salvation. All that we need to do for our salvation is to collaborate with the Divine grace to grow in love. Jesus established His Church to support us in our journey of faith; to guide us, to forgive us our offences and to bestow grace.