This blog is for the use of the whole parish; please let me know if you'd like to contribute.
Chris (email link at the bottom of each page)
Choose Jesus
28-06-2013, 11:37WitnessPermalinkMy Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Choices, choices! So many choices! It sounds wonderful to have lots of options, lots of choices in life, but a multiplicity of choices can be unnerving and can render us indecisive. We know that in making certain choices we are saying no to other options. You may want it all, but in reality you cannot have it all.
If you choose Jesus as an option, He cannot lead you astray. Obedience to Him will never be to the detriment of those you love. That’s the real message of the gospel. TRUST ME. TRUST HIM.
Have a good week.
Fr. Richard
Choices, choices! So many choices! It sounds wonderful to have lots of options, lots of choices in life, but a multiplicity of choices can be unnerving and can render us indecisive. We know that in making certain choices we are saying no to other options. You may want it all, but in reality you cannot have it all.
If you choose Jesus as an option, He cannot lead you astray. Obedience to Him will never be to the detriment of those you love. That’s the real message of the gospel. TRUST ME. TRUST HIM.
Have a good week.
Fr. Richard
Comments
From Father Richard's Desk
23-06-2013, 15:26PrayersPermalinkMy Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Over a lifetime we accumulate so many things. People’s attics are full of goods that may come in useful one day.
As the goods accumulate and start taking up space needlessly the ‘goods’ that we kept for the rainy day become the ‘bads’. The ‘bads’ take ownership of space that ought not to be occupied or could be used more usefully.
It is not a bad test of renunciation to go through your goods and get rid of those ‘goods’ that have become ‘bads’.
Our spiritual lives are often reflected in our more visible daily lives. Hanging on to things that are no longer useful, or to grudges, or ways of doing things simply because we’ve always done them, is not a sign of renunciation, of traveling light, of letting the Lord dispose of us as He will.
Renunciation takes many forms. Clear out the material rubbish and then get started on the emotional and spiritual - the sacrament of reconciliation awaits.
Have a good week.
Fr. Richard
Over a lifetime we accumulate so many things. People’s attics are full of goods that may come in useful one day.
As the goods accumulate and start taking up space needlessly the ‘goods’ that we kept for the rainy day become the ‘bads’. The ‘bads’ take ownership of space that ought not to be occupied or could be used more usefully.
It is not a bad test of renunciation to go through your goods and get rid of those ‘goods’ that have become ‘bads’.
Our spiritual lives are often reflected in our more visible daily lives. Hanging on to things that are no longer useful, or to grudges, or ways of doing things simply because we’ve always done them, is not a sign of renunciation, of traveling light, of letting the Lord dispose of us as He will.
Renunciation takes many forms. Clear out the material rubbish and then get started on the emotional and spiritual - the sacrament of reconciliation awaits.
Have a good week.
Fr. Richard
Could it have been Royal Ascot @ St Peter's?
22-06-2013, 23:11Fund-raising, SocialPermalink
The scene was set for an evening of racing fun here at St Peter's Church on the longest day of 2013..
Some had risen early to clear the church and set out the course, tables and chairs and tables. Others had spent most of the day selecting their costumes for this most prestigious event in the parishes social calendar... The ladies arrived resplendent in their crafted headgear of varying shades, shapes and appearances, Anne E however missed the mark – according to Fr Richard – and took on a "francophilian" look that might have been better appreciated at the Chasse-de-Paris. But that might have been influenced by the fact that she was given the task to procure the wine, soft drinks and cheese – which I have to say the wine was very well received be all.
The men on the other-hand had resisted the temptation to go that extra mile and adorn a sparkling waistcoat, that is with one exception that is and that will become evident later...
The racing programme involved six preliminary races where each winner would be invited back to the grand finale where the winners' winner would be decided, the betting rules and application of odds were explained and rules regarding the throwing the die for each race were explained...
There had to be money involved because everyone gave their full attention, see the photos below... Well that is apart from Lyn, that is, who relived from her normal bar duty on these events, was "regally" savouring every moment.
And so to the first race where experienced jockeys took to their steeds.... These were in reverse order left to right "nice waistcoat" Nick on No 6, Babs's friend??? on No 5, "distracted Arthur" on No 4, "pockets" Paul No 3, Hair-do-Babs on No 2 and Jolly-hat Jane on No 1...
We missed a photo opportunity for the novices race or the old Greys... But the winners were Annette on No 6 and Megs mum on No 4.
The next race was the Apprentice race where huddled together were the jockies James (the only apprentice of the evening) Fiona on five, Carolyn on 4, "nice waistcoat Nick" on 3, the other Nick on No2, and all on his lonesome John on No1.
The little fillies race with Helen on No6, Chris on No5, Sue on No4, Catherine No3, Julia on No 2 and ???? on No 1. After an extremely eventful race, seeing two of the contenders fall at the last furlong the four remaining horses shared the last two places and the spectators wondered will we ever see this race end.... However after what seemed like an age Helen having stalled for a while, eventually won through by a neck to win the fillies race....
Fr Richard judges the ladies' hats... A very difficult task with some wonderful entries...
But there had to be a winner and that was Jane's masterpiece bonnet....
The next race Stallions with Niel on No6, Phil on No5, Paul on No4, Nick on No3, James on 2 and Fr Richard on No 1...
Not to be outdone, the judging of the men's jazziest waistcoat was awarded to Nick...
And so to the winners' winner race which this time was across various hurdles. The contestants Helen No6, Annette No5, Carolyn No4, Megs Mum No 3, Paul No 2, and Jane No1. This race was hotly contested with the lead passing backward and forward at times, however a convincing lead was taken by Jane on horse No 1 flying to the front only to fall with in a furlong of the finish, even before Meg's got out of the starting blocks... Jane's early departure left the race wide open for the other jockeys following well behind. Annette became so enthusiastic about the race that she managed to jump the hurdles without her horse.
It wasn't too long before Megs-mum exited the starting blocks with the sound of great cheers around the course, but she rolled a one and those cheers changed to laughter. Not to be out done the dice continued to select No1 and she soon caught up with the field, taking the hurdles with easy steps....
The tension was almost nail-biting, initially favouring Carolyn on No 4 who shot to the front, but then she got held up on the miss a turn square on the final furlong. The lead passed to and fro and the field all caught up again. This all added to the excitement, but not to be put off Carolyn eventually cast the final four to take her to victory...
The evening finished with the raffle with what seemed to be an never ending supply of presents. A super fun filled evening bringing in some £458 (before the costs of wine and cheese). The proceeds will go toward the new parish Kitchen.
Many thanks to Clare, Meg, Anne E, the bookmakers and all who helped in whatever way to make this a great value fun evening.
Some had risen early to clear the church and set out the course, tables and chairs and tables. Others had spent most of the day selecting their costumes for this most prestigious event in the parishes social calendar... The ladies arrived resplendent in their crafted headgear of varying shades, shapes and appearances, Anne E however missed the mark – according to Fr Richard – and took on a "francophilian" look that might have been better appreciated at the Chasse-de-Paris. But that might have been influenced by the fact that she was given the task to procure the wine, soft drinks and cheese – which I have to say the wine was very well received be all.
The men on the other-hand had resisted the temptation to go that extra mile and adorn a sparkling waistcoat, that is with one exception that is and that will become evident later...
The volunteer bookmakers/tellers for the evening (the DiMarco Mafia) were ready and waiting to fleece all those who attend, whilst Miss Egan did her part in fiddling the odds.. |
The Chief Steward Meg took the floor to explain the rules... |
The racing programme involved six preliminary races where each winner would be invited back to the grand finale where the winners' winner would be decided, the betting rules and application of odds were explained and rules regarding the throwing the die for each race were explained...
There had to be money involved because everyone gave their full attention, see the photos below... Well that is apart from Lyn, that is, who relived from her normal bar duty on these events, was "regally" savouring every moment.
| ||
|
|
And so to the first race where experienced jockeys took to their steeds.... These were in reverse order left to right "nice waistcoat" Nick on No 6, Babs's friend??? on No 5, "distracted Arthur" on No 4, "pockets" Paul No 3, Hair-do-Babs on No 2 and Jolly-hat Jane on No 1...
Old hands winner Jane on No1 |
We missed a photo opportunity for the novices race or the old Greys... But the winners were Annette on No 6 and Megs mum on No 4.
The next race was the Apprentice race where huddled together were the jockies James (the only apprentice of the evening) Fiona on five, Carolyn on 4, "nice waistcoat Nick" on 3, the other Nick on No2, and all on his lonesome John on No1.
Apprentice Winner Carolyn on No 4 |
The little fillies race with Helen on No6, Chris on No5, Sue on No4, Catherine No3, Julia on No 2 and ???? on No 1. After an extremely eventful race, seeing two of the contenders fall at the last furlong the four remaining horses shared the last two places and the spectators wondered will we ever see this race end.... However after what seemed like an age Helen having stalled for a while, eventually won through by a neck to win the fillies race....
Winner Helen on No 6 very close race won by just a neck from the rest of the field. |
Fr Richard judges the ladies' hats... A very difficult task with some wonderful entries...
But there had to be a winner and that was Jane's masterpiece bonnet....
Anne awards a bottle of rose - without even an hint of envy... or for that her beret |
The next race Stallions with Niel on No6, Phil on No5, Paul on No4, Nick on No3, James on 2 and Fr Richard on No 1...
won by pockets Paul on No 4 |
|
And so to the winners' winner race which this time was across various hurdles. The contestants Helen No6, Annette No5, Carolyn No4, Megs Mum No 3, Paul No 2, and Jane No1. This race was hotly contested with the lead passing backward and forward at times, however a convincing lead was taken by Jane on horse No 1 flying to the front only to fall with in a furlong of the finish, even before Meg's got out of the starting blocks... Jane's early departure left the race wide open for the other jockeys following well behind. Annette became so enthusiastic about the race that she managed to jump the hurdles without her horse.
The evening finished with the raffle with what seemed to be an never ending supply of presents. A super fun filled evening bringing in some £458 (before the costs of wine and cheese). The proceeds will go toward the new parish Kitchen.
Many thanks to Clare, Meg, Anne E, the bookmakers and all who helped in whatever way to make this a great value fun evening.
Polyphonica Concert
15-06-2013, 18:36SocialPermalinkThere will be a concert on 5 July by the Polyphonica Recorder Trio, which promises to be exciting. You can see the fixture on their website.
Chris
Chris
Minister Lists
12-06-2013, 17:43MinistriesPermalinkI've put up the new Minister lists. Let me know if you have any difficulty reading or accessing the document.
Chris
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Blessed
blessings
blind
blood
body
bread
brokenness
burden
CAFOD
care
centurion
chances
change
charity
Children
Christ
Christian
Christian Aid
Christ the King
church
Churches Together in Biggleswade
cleanse
come
comfort
coming
commandment
commitment
compassion
Conference
contemplation
conversion
coordinator
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courage
covenant
COVID-19
cross
cure
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death
death to self
delight
desert
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diocese
disciples
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Dominicans
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Downside
earthly matters
Easter
eat
effort
encouragement
end-time
enemy
equality
eternal
Eucharist
evangelical
evangelise
evil
example
fairness
faith
faithfulness
fasting
Father
faults
fear
fear of God
feed
fever
fiat
find God
fire
fish
food
foretold
forgive
forgiveness
foundations
fountains
Francis
free
fruit
fruitfulness
Fund-raising
future
Gabriel
generosity
gentle
gift
giving
glory
God
God's
God's Plan
God's will
God-man
Godhead
Golden Rule
good
gospel
grace
gratitude
greatness
heal
healing
health
heart
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heavenly matters
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Holy Spirit
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Holy_Spirit
homeless
hope
Hosea
humble
humility
hypocrisy
I AM
immortality
incarnation
increase
In Jesus's Name
innocence
insight
Internet
jealousy
Jesus
joy
justice
Justice and Peace
kindness
King
King David
kingdom
knowing
knowledge
law
Lent
leprosy
life
light
live streaming
living
loaves
Logos
Lord
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love
lunatic
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manna
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None
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online
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parable
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peace
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prophets
protection
question
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reflection
refugee
reign
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rest
resurrection
revelation
rich
righteiousness
righteousness
risen
Rock
Rolheiser
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sacrifice
Sadducees
Safety
salvation
Satan
save
Saviour
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seed
self-indulgence
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sower
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steadfast
Stephen
stoning
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