2nd Sunday of Easter

Calendar

• Mon. St Bernadette Soubirous
• Frid. St Beuno
• Sat. St Anselm

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Gospel Reflection:
Stepping Stones To Faith

Today's gospel reading has a disturbing element for those of us who harbour doubts over what Jesus asks us to believe. Disturbingly Jesus tells us, 'Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.' Because we are used to beatitudes having a flip side we somehow imagine the unspoken words to be' . . . And woe to those who ask for forensic evidence!' We imagine that it is sacrilegious to express doubt or search for proof and so we keep our doubts to ourselves. Thomas however had no such inhibition.

When the disciples told Thomas that the crucified Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared amongst them in the upper room, Thomas declared that unless he could see the mark of the nails and put his hand into Jesus' side he could not believe. Thomas was a loving and courageous disciple of Jesus. Thomas wasn't someone who would have thrown his faith away or turned his back on Jesus, but nor was he a man who would say he believed something that he didn't or that he understood something that was beyond him. Importantly, Jesus does not scold Thomas for asking for proof; on the contrary, Jesus is quick to give physical confirmation of his resurrection. Perhaps the message here is that if we want to believe, God will show us a way.

Thomas teaches us not to be afraid to express doubt. For Thomas, doubt was not the same as disbelieving. Thomas' doubts proved stepping-stones to faith. Pretending that we believe things we don't, or claiming to understand things that elude us is a shaky foundation for faith. Faith eludes us only when we give up looking for the truth.

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YOUNG PEOPLE!!

Do you want to be part of the best Youth Group in the Diocese? Meet us in the Parish Centre after Mass this evening. (5.00pm - 15th April)

Vicky Breslin 020 8884 4709

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St. Bernadette Soubirous
Feast day 16th April. Short Web-film Launch

The Diocese of Westminster has released a short web-film about its annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. 'Lourdes - a Place of Pilgrimage' can be seen on the Diocese of Westminster's website at www.rcdow.org.uk/lourdes.

The six-minute film is designed to encourage more people to visit the famous shrine in the south of France where in 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous eighteen times.

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Taize Prayer Service

The Taize Prayer Service tomorrow will be at St Mary's Church, Hampton Church Street, at 8.00pm. Everybody is very welcome.

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THE WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP

As arranged, all to meet up at Hampton Station at 10.15am on Tuesday 17th April for trip to Harrods and Covent Garden Betty O'Leary

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THE PARISH COUNCIL

The quarterly convening takes place this week, Thursday 19th. April, at 8.00pm. in the Parish Centre

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POPE BENEDICT:
THE PROBLEM OF EVOLUTIONISM

Pope Benedict makes known his views on the Theory of Evolution in documents publicised this week. (New Book - 'Creation and Evolution' published in Germany) He states: Science cannot explain Creation and takes away from us dimensions of reason that we all need. The questions that religion addresses must also be addressed by reason and intelligence.

The topic that creates increasing division in academic circles is reviewed and examined by the present Pope in writings that challenge old nostrums.