4th Sunday of Easter 29th April 2007

Calendar:

Tues: St Joseph the Worker
Thurs: Saints Philip & James Apostles
Friday: The English Martyrs

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Gospel Reflection
Thought Word and Deed

Jesus is the 'Good Shepherd' and we are his flock ...or are we? It's easy to call ourselves Catholics or Christians, but unless we act like it we are only Catholics in name.

How can we call Jesus our shepherd or our role model yet not model our behaviour after the most basic of church teachings? To be truly part of Jesus' flock we have to be Christians not just in name, but in thought word and deed.

Today Jesus tells us how to live our lives. "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." Hearing Jesus’ voice and following him is no easy task. Jesus asks us to follow him in many individual ways. Perhaps he is asking us to put that little more effort into our jobs in order to make the world a better place. Perhaps he is asking us to lend our skills to a selfless cause, change the direction of our lives altogether, or consider a vocation. Following Jesus means refusing the false direction that tempts us into lives of laziness, self-gratification, greed, and hollow pursuits.

Deciding to follow Jesus might take some radical thinking and a good deal of courage, but for those who make that decision, Jesus promises...I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand."

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CONFIRMATIONS 2007

On Thursday Evening this week Bishop Alan Hopes will be visiting the parish to give the Sacrament of Confirmation to eight of our young parishioners who have been preparing themselves for this occasion since last year

Their names are:

Sophie Cobley, Lara Cross, Elliot Fursdon; Lisa Goggin, Henry Hudson, Kathryn Lovegrove, David Nguyen and Laura Patten.

Pray that this will be an outpouring of the grace of the Holy Spirit to the benefit of the Church and to this parish; that the sign they give be that of Christ, Shepherd and Saviour of all.

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THE WESTMINSTER ECCLESIASTICAL EDUCATION FUND

Today we take a collection for the seminarians in training for ordination to the priesthood. This collection is of crucial importance for the future work of the Church in these parts and in the Archdiocese. Please be as generous as you are able and remember the needs of Institutes of Education in the Church everywhere.

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FUNERAL MASS for CONSTANCE HUNTLEY

The Funeral Mass for the late Mrs Huntley will take place on Tuesday morning at 11.00 o'clock prior to interment at Shacklegate cemetery. After her long life's ending may she rest in eternal peace.

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THE MONTH OF MARY

In the tradition to which the parish is accustomed, through the month of May the rosary will be recited in the church every week-day (Mon-Fri) at 7.00pm

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2007 RELAUNCH OF THE 200CLUB

Following our instructions last week, for the whole of 2007 (Feb to Dec) we are accepting new members at £11.00 until May 6th when draws for February, March and May and a special Easter draw for £100.00 will take place. If you wish to join after May 6th you will need to send us a cheque for £7.00 for the rest of the year.

For existing members - please do not worry. We are going through each one and you will be contacted shortly to bring you up to date for the end of 2007 as smoothly as possible,
We hope that you will all feel that this is a worth while venture and join in. You never know - you may be a winner!

Take a Form of Application to-day. If you need to contact us, please leave a note in the box that is kept for us in Fr. Bernard's office or you can contact me (Rocio) on 0208 941 7844. (Answer -phone available)

Watch this space - and help us reach the goal of 200 members!

Anne & Rocio