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Chris (email link at the bottom of each page)

Today's reading from the Acts

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I read today's Reflection in Bible Alive, about Acts 22-33 in which Peter quotes Psalm 16 (v8 to 11). This passage is an inspiration when we think of the message of the Gospel, a message of hope in the Resurrection.

This is the full Psalm . . .

Chris

1. Keep me safe, my God,
    for in you I take refuge.

2. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    apart from you I have no good thing.”

3. I say of the holy people who are in the land,
    “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”

4. Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
    I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
    or take up their names on my lips.

5.  Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.

6. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.

8. I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,

10. because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.

11. You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
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Letter from Father Richard

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Dear Brothers & Sisters,

You will know the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, that the Resurrection of Jesus enables Him not only to be at the right hand of the Father, but also to be among us through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is very important to recognise Jesus’ presence among us. It not only gives us hope, but it gives us purpose.

One of the effects of the Holy Spirit is that He energises us. Don’t live in the past; you have a present, and you are journeying into the future. Let the Holy Spirit give you ideas, dreams and a Christian identity unique to
yourself. Be ambitious in all areas of your life.

Dare to believe in the death & resurrection of Jesus which has enabled us to be embraced by the arms of our merciful Father. Live, but live in Him, be renewed by the Holy Spirit, be reconciled to one another and to the Father.

Happy Easter.

Fr. Richard
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Letter from Father Richard

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Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Palm Sunday. A day of acclamation, a time of affirmation. Jesus rides in to Jerusalem on a donkey.

In our liturgy the reading of the Passion, an endurance list for young and old alike. What a day of mixed emotions: to be acceptable in the eyes of the Lord, it is not necessary to be successful; it is necessary to be in need.

“Lord remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” You are the tick in the empty box in my life. You are the one without whom, the world cannot be saved.

“O come let us praise Him.”

Have a good Holy Week.

Fr. Richard
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Letter from Father Richard

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Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Jesus is really disarming, “Let him / her who is without sin, cast the first stone.”

When we correct one another, we only do so as brothers and sisters; we must never be part of a crowd out for blood. Never should we resort to mindless witch hunts.

Never should we act except out of love of justice: a Christian justice which brings to bear on all judgements a sense of kindness and love.

The sinner should always be able to say – “That’s a fair cop guv” rather than be left with a sense of resentment. Speak the truth – yes…. but only in love.

Have a good week.

Fr. Richard
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Letter from Father Richard

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The Introduction to the Liturgy for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Year C) in the C.T.S version of the SUNDAY MISSAL is printed below. It is by Benedict the XVI. I hope you like it.

‘On this fourth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel of the father and the two sons, better known as the Parable of the “Prodigal Son” (Lk 15:11- 32) is proclaimed. This passage of St. Luke constitutes one of the peaks of spirituality and literature of all time. After Jesus has told us of the merciful Father, things are no longer as they were before. We now know God; he is our Father who out of love created us to be free and endowed us with a conscience, who suffers when we get lost and rejoices when we return. The two sons represent two immature ways of relating to God: rebellion and childish obedience. Both these forms are surmounted through the experience of mercy. Only by experiencing forgiveness, by recognizing one is loved with a freely given love, a love greater than our wretchedness but also than our own merit, do we at last enter into a truly filial and free relationship with God.’

(Pope Benedict XVI)

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

I have never read anywhere anything as good as Benedict XVI’s comments on the brothers in the Prodigal Son gospel. They both fall short in their relationship with the Father, one by rebellion and the other by childish obedience. It gives us some food for thought doesn’t it?
Have a good week.

Fr. Richard
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Clare's Birthday – her 80th!

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Clare had her 80th birthday last Saturday, and she invited her fellow parishioners to celebrate after the evening Mass and the 10:30 a.m Mass. It was a great opportunity for us to get together, an excuse for a small party, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Here are a couple of photos from the occasion.

Happy Birthday, Clare!

Chris

D2016_DXC0893 Clare 80th-Clare

D2016_DXC0896 Clare 80th-Clare
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