TRINITY SUNDAY
3rd June 2007

Tuesday - St Boniface
Wednesday - St Norbert

GOSPEL REFLECTION:
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Today we look at who God is. God is the Father who created a world for us to cherish, and who created each of us for an individual purpose. God is the Son who came and lived among us, teaching us how to become a part of God's Kingdom and saving the world from sin. God is the Holy Spirit left with us always to guide us towards truth. God is three persons but one God. Puzzled expressions all round! Three persons in one ..... how can this be? God is certainly a mystery, but as Jesus himself points out, we are not expected to understand everything all of the time. All that is expected is that we keep searching for truth.

In Jesus' farewell to his disciples he says, "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth." It is clear that Jesus is teaching his disciples in stages. Like every good teacher, Jesus knows that we can only digest so much new information at a time. The original disciples had to learn to walk before they could run, and that goes for us too.

We are all at different stages in our journey of faith, but that journey should never become static. "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now." Jesus implies that we will be ready to learn more at some future date and he is leaving us the Spirit of truth to guide us towards revelation. It is tempting in the face of great mysteries like the Trinity to give up and leave theology to the great academics; but we are reminded that God has revealed truth to all sorts of people from small children to acclaimed philosophers, and from simple fishermen to learned theologians.

Father Des MacMorrow CM

It was said two weeks ago that I recently became the longest serving parish priest at St. Theodore's. That may be true but it is Father Des who can claim the longest association of any priest with this parish - as a visiting pastor for almost 25 years. He came to assist Father Joe Scally when he fell ill shortly after arriving in Hampton in 1983 and Fr. Des still returns even though he now lives in Ireland. (Castleknock College, Dublin 15). I am sure you would like to be told (reminded?) that Father Des will be celebrating his ninetieth (90th!) birthday on 8th June. I am sure also you will remember him as I will myself when I offer mass for him and his intentions next Friday morning.
Fr. Bernard

SAINT BONIFACE - Feast: Tuesday 5th June

Boniface was born at Crediton in Devon just a few short years after St Theodore arrived here from Rome - in 680.He studied in this country before leaving for Rome himself where he was ordained priest in 722. He was sent to Germany where his learning and holiness of life was everywhere respected. He was made Bishop and later primate by the Pope and is honoured today as the Apostle of Germany and as a Patron of Europe. He retired from his post but at the age of 75 years was murdered in the course of his work of Christian mission to the Frieslanders (755)

CAFOD APPEAL - DARFUR

I said last week that I would send the sum of weekly donations from the Cafod box in the porch and invited anyone to add to the total before I did. Last week there was nearly £200.00 donated and I sent a figure of over £400.00 to Cafod Headquarters in London with the specific instruction - 'For the Darfur Appeal from Hampton'
Fr. Bernard

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2007

Please take note of the dates for this year's pilgrimage - 22nd-28th July 2007. The time for booking is running out but forms are available and all details to be had from the presbytery. Alternatively contact Tagney Tours Telephone 01732 886666 who will give all details of availability of places and costs on request.

WORLD YOUTH DAY - JULY 2008

As the Cardinal has suggested that parishes should be prepared to give assistance to anyone over 18yrs old who may wish to attend. I suggested that my Jubilee should be the occasion of creating a fund to give financial help for that purpose. So far there has been a sum approaching £3,000.00 donated and I am indeed admiring of and grateful for your great generosity. Fr. Bernard